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Every day, they grew more independent, making me broody or want to baby them. They needed patience and a mother who allowed them to become independent. Their next six to twelve months were a very important part of their development.

Rurik was everything that my father wasn't. I watched him, especially with Tatiana, but he adored her. He doted over both of them. I would spy on them, seeing the love and pride shine so brightly from him. The gentle whispering, supportive cajoling and the laughter they all shared. This time, I wouldn't be alone in my pregnancy.

Childbirth was the scariest part, not because I couldn't face it but because I’d been terrified that if anything happened to me, my babies would end up in the system or, worse, at my parent'shouse. For this reason, I made an airtight will. Then Orla came into my life, and I adjusted the will after the twin's first birthday, naming Orla as the twin's guardian.

Damn. I needed to contact her, or she would call the Gardaí to lodge a missing persons report.

The story of my life.

???

When Rurik returned with a mountain of food, while I was swinging the chain that bound me to the wall.

“Is this really necessary?” I said sarcastically.

“Probably. I have a feeling you could hack the electronic door lock,” he said with a grin. “The chain is long enough to get you to the bathroom.”

I’d inspected the room while he was gone. The milking machine wasn't as ominous as it looked. It was a giant milk pump. The bathroom looked newly fitted, which made me suspect he had set this room up recently. There were some wardrobes with more cow kink in them.

“I need to call Orla, or she will call the Gardaí—I mean the police,” I said, looking at the ribs, vegetables, rice and fruit. Not a beetroot in sight.

“She is coming today,” I left her a note telling her about your sudden decision to move in with me.

“She knows me better than that,” I said, rolling my eyes before digging into the food. “I’m going to need more,” I moaned as I tried the rice with the sweet and spicy ribs. “Mmmnh…this is so good.”

“I cooked this for lunch. It was ready, which is why I didn't make you breakfast. “Maksim and Artyom are feeding the twins.”

I smiled at the thought of the twins running circles around them.

“I don't believe you cooked this,” I said, foregoing the fork and lifting a rib.

When he didn’t answer, I glanced up to see his eyes fixated on my breasts since my sheet had slipped down. He was beyond obsessed. I studied him as I ripped a piece of the succulent meat off the bone. He had such a dominant personality. The last time we fucked, it had been a tug of war.

I considered my new situation and decided it would be a new experience for me if I pushed his limits and resisted his plans. We could both get off on it because I wasn’t naturally submissive.

“Do I get a safe word?” I asked, testing the water.

“No,” he said immediately, tearing his eyes away from my breasts.

“And if I resist your plans for me?” I said softly.

“All the better for me to whip your ass until you simply take what I give you,” he said with a predatory smile.

I glanced at my plate to hide my smile. All my life, I had to be responsible, watching my back against my family, studying and working. I never got the chance to act out or be a brat. Perhaps it was my time to shine. I loved the belting he gave me last time.

“Terms?” I asked before picking up the fork to have some more rice.

“Non-negotiable,” he said, making me frown.

“And if I try to run away?”

A dark shadow passed over his face, and any amusement there was gone.

“You don’t want to know the answer to that, Mariya. If you ever tried to take my children and leave—” he said but abruptly stopped to stare at me. His eyes were as cold as ice. “Then you’ll stay here. In this room. Away from them. You’ll watch as they grow up without you. As they learn to live without their mother. Is that what you want, Mariya? To be a stranger to your own children?”

I swallowed the rice before I ended up choking on it and took a sip of the cold water. Any thoughts of fun and games were gone as things took a dark turn.

“They wouldn't forget me,” I said bravely after I put the glass back on the tray.