Page 12 of Savage Obsession

“Miss Makarov,” he says softly, his voice drawing my attention. “May I have a word?”

Viktor’s gaze flickers between us, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he nods. “Don’t keep her long.”

My heart pounds as I lead Aithan into a smaller room, the door clicking shut behind us.

In the quiet of the room, Aithan turns to face me, his eyes searching mine. Without warning, he steps closer, his hands resting lightly on my arms. “Tell me something,” he says, his voice low. “Did you plan this?”

I blink, startled. “Plan what?”

“This,” he says, gesturing between us. “To have me marry you.”

“You seem to forget that you and yourEllinikiare in my house asking me to marry you. Not the other way round.”

“So you just gave yourself to me without any ulterior motive? Did you do it to secure this arrangement?”

Anger flares in my chest, and I pull away from his grasp. “Don’t flatter yourself,” I snap. “I had no say in this. Neither did I know who you were two weeks ago.”

His lips quirk into a small smile, but there’s no humor in it. “I hope this is true. Because I don’t believe in coincidences.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you believe.” I say, feeling anger bubbling inside me. “Besides, it's not too late to withdraw.”

“Would you like me to do that?”

“I couldn't care less.”

“Your body says you are lying.” He leans down staring into my soul. With his lips inches from mine.

Before I can respond, the door swings open, and Alina steps in. Her eyes widen slightly as she takes in the scene, but she quickly recovers, her usual playful smile lighting up her face.

“Am I interrupting?” she asks sweetly.

Aithan’s gaze shifts to her, his expression momentarily startled as he takes in another copy of me. “You are a twin?” he asks, his tone more curious than anything.

“That we are,” Alina replies, stepping further into the room. She turns to me, her smile softening. “I hear congratulations are in order, sister. And to you too, Mr. Vasilios.”

I watch Aithan's discomfort and realize that basic conversation is a struggle for him. But he wasn’t shy two weeks ago.

“Yeah.” He finally replies.

“Well, this is going to be quite the adventure for you.” Alina pretends whispers to me.

Her words break the tension, and I can’t help but laugh softly, though the sound is tinged with irony. An adventure. That’s one way to describe this setup. As Aithan steps back, I meet his gaze one last time, a silent promise lingering between us. Whatever this is, it’s far from over.

“Nice meeting you, Miss Makarov.” He turns to Alina, tilting an imaginary hat towards her.

“Oh, please call me Alina.” My idiot sister says, beaming like the moon.

6

Yelena

That Evening

A sharp knock on my door pulls me from my thoughts. I straighten, smoothing the fabric of my blouse as I call out, “Come in.” The door swings open to reveal Viktor, his imposing frame silhouetted against the light from the hallway. His face is a familiar mask of seriousness, but there’s a flicker of something softer in his eyes—support, perhaps.

“Yelena,” he begins, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. His voice is low, measured. “Are you sure about this?”

I blink, startled by the question. Of all the things Viktor could ask me tonight, I hadn’t expected this. He takes a seat on the edge of the chair near my vanity, his movements deliberate and unhurried. “This marriage… It’s a significant step. I need to know if you’re truly committed.”

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