Page 19 of Hostage with Benefits

“Not captor now.” She set a plate of eggs in front of me. “Partner.”

“We are not partners!”

“No? Then what? Still hostage? Hostages don't sleep in master bedroom, and don't make him smile after years of nothing.”

“That doesn't mean anything,” I said, but my voice lacked conviction.

“It means everything,” Galina countered. “Now eat. Growing woman needs strength.”

The way she said “growing” made me pause, fork halfway to my mouth. “Galina... did Mikhail say something to you? About, um, children?”

Her eyes lit up. “Babies? You can’t be pregnant already?”

“No!” I said hurriedly. “Absolutely not. I was just... he mentioned something last night.”

She nodded. “Mr. Volkov always wanted family. His father push, push, push for heir, but Mr. Volkov say must be right woman. Must be strong woman.” She gave me an appraising look. “You are strong woman.”

I had no idea how to respond to that. The idea that Mikhail had been waiting for the “right woman” to have children with, and had somehow decided after three days that I was that woman, was simultaneously flattering and terrifying.

“I'm not looking to have children right now,” I said carefully. “I have a career, debt, a life back home.”

“Career here,” Galina said dismissively. “Mr. Volkov owns many legitimate businesses too. Need good designer sometime.”

“That's not?—“

“Debt gone.Mr. Volkov has money.”

“You're not listening,” I said, setting down my fork. “I barely know him. He kidnapped me three days ago. This is insane.”

Galina's expression softened. “Love is always little bit insane, no? My husband, he stole me from dance in village. I hate him for one week. Married forty-seven years before he died.” She patted my hand. “When you know, you know.”

“This isn't love,” I insisted. “It's... convenience. Proximity. Biology.”

She made a dismissive noise. “Keep telling yourself this. But I see his eyes when he looks at you. Not like other women. Like you are water in the desert.”

I didn't know how to argue with that, so I focused on my breakfast instead. But Galina wasn't done.

“His father called this morning,” she said casually. “Very interested in you.”

I nearly choked on my eggs. “What?”

“He asked questions. How long you here, what you do, if you strong enough for family business.”

“And what did Mikhail say?” I tried to keep my voice neutral.

“He said not father's business. He said you are his concern, no one else.”

For a second hope bloomed in my chest. I dismissed it immediately a moment later.

“Galina,” I said carefully, “what exactly did my father steal? I need to know.”

She busied herself with the dishes. “Not my place to say.”

This was insane. Mikhail couldn't seriously be considering something permanent after just three days... right?

The conversation shifted as Galina asked about my family. Before I could deflect, I found myself mentioning my mother’s death when I was fourteen. I expected brief sympathy, not the crushing hug Galina wrapped me in.

“You need a mother,” she declared, pullingback to look me in the eye. “I am your mother now.”

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