Page 37 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
My predicament is even worse, given how Victoria isn’t even at the house for me to keep tabs on.
Elena insisted on taking her out for the day to let her breathe and to see something other than those familiar walls.
I wanted more than anything to say no, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it would be good for her.
In the moment, at least.
Now, I’m on the brink of losing my mind and cursing myself for ever giving my sister the green light.
Despite sending two guards with them, that knowledge isn’t enough to settle the discomfort in my chest at the thought of her being out there without me.
They’re the best of the best, but it still doesn’t matter. It’s not enough to put my nerves at ease.
After giving up on hoping to accomplish anything, I’ve been spending far too long pacing the office, glancing at the time, and wondering what Victoria and Elena might be doing.
I imagine her moving idly from store to store, browsing but not letting herself buy anything—rather, letting Elena buy things for her. I can picture her sitting in a cafe and doing her best to pretend like she’s as free as anyone else.
But she isn’t free…and she certainly isn’t available for anyone with wandering eyes. Even if the details are muddy, she’s mine.
My wife, the center of my desires, and my problem to sort out.
Just thinking about that new title of hers has the heat within me burning even hotter. I feel more like an animal than a man, and it’s all because of her.
Ever since I was given the chance to taste her lips and feel her body against mine, I’ve done nothing but wonder…wonder if she’s just as hung up on it as I am, or if she’s doing her best to forget all about it.
Either way, that waiting has been agonizing.
As much as I don’t want to believe it, something in the back of my mind is telling me that kiss didn’t mean anything. That it was only the heat of the moment, and she was too drunk to resist the easy temptation.
Gritting my teeth, I push my chair back and move over to the window overlooking the front parking lot.
My patience has been a brittle thing lately, and as much as I want to pretend like I have it all together, I know that’s far from the truth. I’ve been a mess, and it’s all for her.
My phone buzzing in my pocket yanks me from that endless loop of thoughts, and I reach for it without thinking twice.
I glance down at the screen, finding a text from the driver.
My shoulders relax somewhat. Finally. Maybe now I’ll be useful in some capacity.
Telling myself I’m too busy, I don’t go to greet her. I try to convince myself it’s because I’m not planning on folding so easily or succumbing to that strange urgency to see my wife again. But I’m well aware it’s because I need a moment to breathe. To sort out my thoughts.
I used to have rules for myself once…I used to refuse to let myself be vulnerable or weak for anyone outside of my family.
Now, I struggle to even keep my head on straight, and it all comes back to Victoria.
Sighing, I drift behind my desk again and quickly scan over the screen before pausing the moment my attention catches on her.
Through one of the cameras facing the rear parking lot, I see the SUV out back. The doors are open, Elena seems to be gone already, and to my dismay, the men look distracted.
Then I see her…
Victoria.
She’s slipping out of the back seat and moving far faster than she should be. She’s running.
My heart drops to the floor, and before anyone has the chance to notice her, I’m already out of the office.
I swear my boots only hit half the steps as I fly down them, racing towards the nearest door.
