Page 7 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
Still…I can’t shake how that face of hers pulls me in—like an invitation to get to know the real her.
But, becoming sentimental is not what I have in mind. Not while the rest of my plan needs to continue, and I have more important things to worry about.
Viktoria is my ticket to forcing her brother into submission, regardless of how pretty her face may be.
As her eyes open and there’s light behind them again, I sit up, keeping my gaze completely on her, nearly pinning her in place.
That grogginess surrounds her, but as the sedative’s effects begin to ebb away and she takes in the sight of me, a new sense of recognition takes hold.
Her eyes widen, and she freezes like prey. With rigid limbs and unmistakable tension in her body, she attempts to shuffle back.
As she pulls in a breath, looking like she’s about to blow her top, I stand and take several small steps toward her.
“Don’t scream…” I murmur, keeping my tone firm and commanding as usual. “…it’s pointless here.”
Viktoria blinks back at me, visibly shocked, and apparently not giving up on that innocent act. Her voice comesout somewhat hoarse. “…who are you…what do you want with me?”
“The first part doesn’t matter…” I begin, looking her over briefly. “As for what I want with you…that will become apparent soon enough—and even more so to your brother.”
Despite her fear, she pinches her brows together. “Brother…I don’t have a brother—”
“Save it, Nikolaev.”
Startled, Viktoria blinks back at me, then tries again, “Nikolaev? What are you talking about?”
Growing more irritated with her feigned ignorance, I snap, “Drop the act. I know your brother has done everything in his power to hide you away, but I’m not playing these games anymore. You’ll help me bring him to his knees whether you like it or not.”
“But I don’thavea brother,” she insists. “You have the wrong person…I don’t know any Nikolaevs. I’m Victoria Evans…I’m a teacher.”
I narrow my eyes at her slightly, chuckling bitterly. “You’re good…I’ll give you that. Don’t you think you should be on a stage instead of a classroom?”
It’s her turn to look vaguely annoyed. “I’m not acting.”
“And I’m the pope…really, it’s senseless to keep this charade up,” I murmur, taking a step closer and leaning in to scrutinize her a little closer. With a hand extended, I nudge her chin to make her look at me despite the flicker of defiance in her eyes. “You’re in Lukov territory now…and I always get what I want.”
There’s no missing the flash of fear that consumes her at once, but before she can argue, I reach for her arm and pull her to her feet.
“Get up…the next part of my plan awaits.”
Viktoria tries to weasel out of my grasp, but she can’t slip away quite so easily, and the lingering grogginess makes her a bit unsteady on her feet. Instead, she stumbles and has no choice but to follow along.
“I…I don’t know how else to say it,” she murmurs, voice shaking ever so slightly. “I’m not who you think I am.”
My grip tightens by a hair, not giving in despite her insistence. It’s all an act, and it seems Maxim taught her well. Knowing him, he probably brainwashed her into believing she was this innocent teacher. “It’s a little too late for that now. After all the shit Maxim has pulled through the years, it’s about time he got it through his thick skull that Vegas is my turf. He can either submit, flee, or find himself lost in the desert for all I care. Either way, I have you now, and he’s going to pay for everything else.”
Viktoria’s breath catches as I haul her downstairs and guide her towards the living room, where Mikhail and an officiant await. The man seemed hesitant to get the job done initially, but with enough cash promised, he made sure to arrive as soon as possible. Luckily, there’s no shortage of them in Vegas.
I feel as she digs her heels into the floor, trying to stop our momentum. She’s frantic as she takes in the scene.
“What’s going on—”
“Be quiet and cooperate,” I mutter, leaning in close to her ear. The way she freezes makes the faintest grin settle on my lips. “…the sooner you relax, the sooner this will be over.”
Wide-eyed, Viktoria settles into place, seemingly far too startled and dazed to cause much more of a scene.
With Mikhail as our witness and the officiant to make everything legitimate, we begin the process, and without missing a beat, she becomes mine. Legally binding her to me, she has no choice but to comply, and her brother can’t do anything about it.
It isn’t a move I ever expected myself to make, but for my family and our empire, anything goes. As the Pakhan, it’s my responsibility to shoulder whatever might drive our success—to make sacrifices and show my clear dedication to our cause.
