Page 63 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
“Shit,” Roman says under his breath while he continues, keeping up that relentless pace.
As my fingers dig into his shoulders, my eyes squeeze shut, and I can’t take another moment of it.
All the tension in me releases at once, and I gasp while burying my face in his neck. My thighs tremble while I break, tipping over into that state of pure, blinding euphoria.
Through my daze, I catch as Roman grunts from the pressure, then ruts into me a few more times before his breathing becomes more labored, and he stills against me with a final thrust.
The warmth that pools between us, filling me to the brim, overwhelms my senses, even in my boneless state.
Sucking in a deep breath while I lay on top of him, it takes a moment for the static to clear from my vision, but by then, I don’t want to move.
Our panting mingles as the room quiets, leaving behind only an echo of our lovemaking in my mind. Through the aftershocks, I feel only bliss…only genuine heat and satisfaction.
Roman’s heart races against mine as he holds me close, and his fingers gently run through my hair.
Leaning in, he presses a gentle kiss against my forehead.
“Rest now…you’re going to need it…”
I shiver at the hidden meaning behind his words, well aware of what he has in mind…
Chapter 21 - Roman
It’s amazing how quickly a bad situation can turn around, how an impossibly difficult thing can suddenly become a positive.
Even while that hope has been a more familiar feature in my life as of late, I still can’t ignore the whispers of something else lingering on the horizon. The reminder that not everything is settled yet.
Vegas is still in my grasp, but it isn’t difficult to feel a touch of shakiness in its foundation. The stirrings happening behind the scenes make me uneasy, and that isn’t a feeling I can appreciate.
We have numerous offices and warehouses around the city, with some on the outskirts where we house our more elicit goods, and the others are nestled among the other businesses to blend in.
Standing in our main base in the heart of downtown, I watch as the usual bustle unfolds around me.
The building is sleek and functional, but I can’t deny there’s a lingering cold to it. It isn’t as lively as our front-facing businesses like the clubs or casinos, but a small part of me already knows it isn’t what the buildinghasthat makes it feel bleaker than usual, despite its worth. It’s what it lacks…
More specifically, Victoria isn’t here to warm the place or to provide me with the comfort of stability I’ve come to appreciate with her.
There’s an instinctive craving within me to bring her with me and to keep her by my side every day, but I know how unfairthat is. Not to mention how dangerous it would be to keep her so close to my empire.
The world knows of her now; they know she’s my wife and my weakness.
As anticipated, word traveled quickly, and there’s no doubt that the announcement has shaken up my world and all the big players within it.
To have the Pakhan married and off the market…that’s a big deal in and of itself. But with speculation circulating about Victoria’s identity, it’s even more so.
At home, she doesn’t say it, but I know she can feel a subtle sense of unease. I see it in the way she holds her stomach like a crutch, even if the pregnancy is still early.
Ever since we reached that place of silent understanding with one another and couldn’t hold back any longer, she has settled in more than she had in weeks. She seems calmer and more willing to hear me out, but she’s still quiet in certain ways.
With the pregnancy confirmed, we both have something to look forward to—a middle ground we can return to when we need to lean on the other.
Drifting back to my chair, I lean back and pull in a slow breath. The state of the city and my dealings may be a bit unsteady as of late, but it still feels like a victory anyway.
I have Victoria, who is finally opening up to me after refusing to offer me any kind of cooperation for far too long. And now, we have a little one on the way. My family is growing, and now, more than ever, I have much to fight for.
Even if I feel as though the world is in my hands, I can’t let my guard down.
Mikhail’s name lights up my cell, making it buzz on the table.
