Page 6 of Savage Boss

“You can try,” she snapped. “But I won’t let anyone touch me as long as I’m down here. If you want me to see a doctor, then you’ll just have to let me out.”

Vlad lost his patience, grabbing hold of her and dragging her into his body. As frustrated as he was with her attitude, his body came to life the instant hers touched his. It was like he was completely dormant until she entered a room, until she touched him, her scent wrapping him in a cocoon of lust. It didn’t matter if she was angry or if he was angry. In fact, the rage stoked the flames of their passion.

“You think I won’t have you tied down and examined?” Vlad snarled. “Try me, Jane. I am reaching the point where I would enjoy seeing your humiliation.”

She shoved at his chest, but he refused to let her go. “You would, you fucking pervert.”

He dragged her up onto her toes, his hands digging into the flesh of her arms. “How is our child, Jane?” he asked from between gritted teeth.

Every other person in the world would shit their pants if Vlad looked at them the way he was looking at his wife, yet she acted like he was some kind of annoying fly buzzing around her head. There were days where he longed to unleash on her, show her what he was truly capable of. But such a decision would be irreversible. No one survived when he unleashed.

“It’s fine, no thanks to you,” she snarled back, shoving even harder at his chest. He let her go and took a step away before he accidentally bruised her. “I had a little heartburn last night and some nausea again this morning, but otherwise everything is good. He… she… it moves a lot now.”

Vlad’s heart leaped at her words. It was a bittersweet moment of connection. Even though there was strife in their marriage, their mutual love for their unborn child was undeniable. It united them when nothing else could.

This was part of the reason Vlad felt the need to lock Jane up. If she lost the baby, she would blame herself and spiral. He couldn’t allow that to happen, even if he had to be the bad guy in this scenario. He would keep her safe from everything, even herself.

“I have to go,” he said gruffly.

She looked vulnerable for a few seconds, her big brown eyes awash with unshed tears, staring into his soul. Then the shutter dropped, and anger replaced her desire to have him near.

“Don’t come back,” she said sharply, turning her back on him.

Vlad approached her from behind, placing his hands of her shoulders. He leaned down and kissed the back of her head, then said quietly, “I will be back with your supper later today.”

He insisted on bringing all meals to his wife, even though she threw about half of them at him. It didn’t matter. Even wearing her meals, it was worth it to check on her. To see for himself that she was okay.

At night he lay in their bed, his laptop pressed against his knees as he watched her. Watched as she paced her prison cell, watched as she raged and threw things, watched as she fell sobbing on the bed and cried herself to sleep. It was those moments that brought Vlad the closest to giving in to her demand to let her out. If their argument was about anything other than her personal safety, Vlad would have given in weeks ago.

Instead he watched her rage and despair play out on camera and comforted himself with the knowledge that she would survive this small incarceration. She was too strong to allow this moment in their lives to crush her.

“Unless you plan on setting me free, don’t bother coming back.” Jane pulled away from his grip and walked to the bed. Still refusing to look at him, she climbed on top and dragged a pillow against her stomach.

Vlad toyed with the idea of sending a servant down with her food. If it distressed her so much to see him then perhaps he should give her the evening away from his presence. But as soon as the thought formed, he dismissed it. No, he couldn’t live without seeing for himself that she was safe and well-cared for.

“You will see me later tonight,” Vlad said again and turned to leave.

Her voice stopped him at the door. “You’re going to force my hand, Vlad, and I’m afraid neither of us will like the consequences.”

He looked back at her. She was still kneeling on the bed, but now she was facing him, her eyes velvety pools of vengeance.

Vlad shrugged. There was little she could do from inside her small comfortable prison cell. She could rage and throw things, but ultimately, she couldn’t cause any real harm.

“Good,” Vlad said and walked out of the cell, flicking his hand at the guard on the other side, telling the man to close and lock the door.

Even though Jane couldn’t get out, Vlad posted a guard in case there was an emergency. It was this man’s job to make sure Jane stayed safe when Vlad wasn’t around to personally ensure her safety.

As he walked away, he heard something bang against the door. They’d learned not to give her anything breakable weeks ago. Vlad reminded himself that he loved her furious passion and beating it out of her was not a viable option. At least not before his child was born.

Chapter Four

“Boss, you’re needed at the bunker.”

Leo didn’t waste time with greetings; he got right to the point as soon as Vlad answered his phone. Vlad let out a ferocious growl and hung up without saying good-bye. He was out of his office within seconds and halfway across the yard when Leo met him.

“She locked the door from the inside, boss,” Leo explained. “I can’t get it open.”

“How the fuck did she do that?” Vlad exploded, walking faster.

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