Page 44 of Viripotent

I’ve never stood without my rage and heels bringing us closer in height and I can’t stop myself from asking, “How tall are you?”

I’m five footeight and he’s easily a head taller than me. Looking at me over his shoulder, his answer has me biting my lip to stop from laughing at the irony.

“Six-six.”

He’s the devil, even his height tells people, I bet the exact measurement is six feet, six point six inches.

He guides me into the office and closes the door softly rather than kicking it closed like the last time. I’m stood like a nut around all his expensive vodka, whisky, and weapons and his eyes are fixed on my neck. The large walnut desk doesn’t have a mark on it from his tumbler, and there are even coasters on the bar cart in the corner. My neck heats from his gaze, pulling me back from surveying the room. His eyes don’t show any emotion and he takes three slow steps towards me. Vlad’s hand comes up and I flinch automatically, moving away from it.

I force my anger out before he can reprimand me for my reaction as his jaw hardens. Crossing my arms over my chest to hide the fact I’m not wearing a bra, I add steel into my voice.

“You can’t disappear again.”

He orders me around all the fucking time, and I won’t allow this to be a fake marriage of inequality. For every demand Vlad gives, I’ll make two.

There’s no emotion in my voice or the memory.

“Why did you try to kill me?”

I’ve come to the conclusion myself. It wasn’t me in front of him when he wrapped his hands around my throat. But I want to hear it and try to look authoritative despite the shit on my face. His nostrils flare and he takes a step forward, but it doesn’t make me back down. Neither does the rough dismissal.

“I don’t answer to you.”

My twisted smile gets stuck with the mask drying and my lips don’t have as much movement, but it doesn’t prevent me being smug.

“No, you answer to the Pakhan. My grandfather.”

His anger is like a warm summer’s day, and I bask in it flaunting my position.

“I told you I’m the queen. I can move in any direction I want.”

Rolling his eyes like an immature prick, it carries into his tone.

“I wasn’t trying to kill you.”

I change my goal as he goes to the bar cart and test my luck.

“That’s an awful apology, try again.”

He’s clearly more than capable of hurting me, but I have a suspicion, or stupid hope, that he won’t. Everyone knows he’s fair in his fights and it’s one of the things that helped ease the non-decision to marry him that maybe that same quality will be shown to his wife.

Vlad doesn’t answer as he uncorks the crystal decanter and fills a tumbler. He takes a sip of his drink, and my treacherous body is jealous of the ice cubes clinking against his lips. He moves like a lion, slipping into his seat with sleek lines and defined muscle as I fake confidence. Setting his drink on the leather blotter of his desk, he traces the rim with his middle finger. It’s not indecent, just an absent-minded movement that I can feel between my thighs.Why couldn’t anyone have told me he would be back, I could have put on my armor rather than be totally stripped bare without any defense.

He flicks his forefinger at the seat in front of him and I lose all the lustful thoughts instantly. I’m not a dog that he can pat his thigh and command where I fucking go. I stand, refusing to listen until he gives me what I want.

“You’re fair when it comes to violence, carry that same attitude now.”

Pride shines back at me, and my spine straightens under it. He can issue every threat he wants about me knowing my place or shutting up, but he won’t respect me if I do. He’s too brutal, and he’s fought for everything he has. His respect is given with blood and defiance.Not submissive acceptance.

He reclines back in his seat and doesn’t make a stupid comment, allowing me to take my seat.

“What do you want?”

My mouth opens, and the jab leaves without any thought.

“Not to be strangled in the middle of the night.”

The closest thing to remorse colors his handsome face and he nods, turning back to being stoic. It’s strange when he doesn’t smirk or show any malintent that it lulls me into false confidence as I add more conditions.

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