Page 67 of Brutal Reign

“This kitchen has survived gunfights with less damage,” he says, his accent thick. His eyes land on Pavel. “Did you...cook?”

Pavel shrugs. “I made breakfast. Is that cooking?”

“It’s cooking for someone who’s never made a damn thing in his life.”

Kin perks up suddenly, pushing his plate away. “A deer!” He points excitedly to the window, where sure enough a graceful doe is picking her way across the vast lawn behind the house.

Yarik’s expression softens. “Ah, we have many. Would you like to see it closer?”

Kin gives me puppy-dog eyes, knowing I’m a sucker. “Can I?”

My first instinct is to keep Kin close, but he’s so excited, and I can keep an eye on him through the massive glass doors that lead to the garden. “Okay, but don’t wander off.”

Yarik nods and leads my son through the back door with a gentle hand on his shoulder. And then they’re gone, leaving me alone with Pavel in the messy kitchen.

I rise from my seat, desperately needing more caffeine. I fumble with the buttons, trying to remember how Pavel made it work.

“Let me,” he says, appearing behind me. His large hands cover mine, gently moving them away from the machine. His chest brushes my back, and his familiar scent, clean and masculine, floods my senses.

Suddenly, I’m transported back to London, making tea after hours of Pavel worshipping my body. He’d appeared in my cramped kitchen like this, overwhelming the small space with his size. His hands had roamed from my waist to cup my breasts as he kissed my neck, and then he’d swept everything off mylittle kitchen table and lifted me onto it. He’d used his mouth and fingers to make me come until I was boneless and shaking.

A wicked pulse stirs between my legs, but I grit my teeth against it. When he sets a perfect cup of coffee in front of me, I’m so lost in the memory that it takes me a moment to realize it. When I finally meet his eyes, they’re burning with awareness.

His mouth curves up as he settles back against the counter, arms crossed, biceps bulging beneath the sleeves of his fitted T-shirt. Tattoos stretch across his thick forearms, wrapping around them like inked temptation.

I tear my gaze away, cheeks flushing. I’m suddenly hyperaware of my disheveled state—wild hair, bare feet, wearing nothing but a thin silk robe—while he looks like he belongs on a billboard.

“Thank you for being with him this morning,” I say, fiddling with the belt. “I didn’t realize I’d slept so late. I nearly had a heart attack when I couldn’t find him.”

“You needed your sleep.”

“About those cameras in the bedrooms… Pretty creepy, don’t you think?”

“Bathrooms are camera-free, but everywhere else is monitored. Standard security protocol.” He shrugs like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “Even in a secure compound, you can never be too careful.”

His words are a reminder that this compound is hard to get into… and just as hard to escape.

I glance toward the garden, where Kin is crouched beside Yarik, both of them watching the tree line with fascination.

Pavel pulls something from his wallet and slides it across the kitchen island: a platinum credit card.

I stare at it, not touching the piece of plastic. “What’s that for?”

He shrugs. “Clothes, toys, books, jewelry, cars... I don’t care. There’s no limit. Buy whatever you or Kin want.”

I narrow my eyes. “What’s the catch?”

With Simon I had a strict monthly allowance, and all my purchases were carefully monitored. So being handed a card with no rules feels like a trap.

“Why does there have to be a catch? I’ve never had a wife before, so excuse me if I’m getting something wrong, but I thought it might be nice to spoil you. Take care of you.”

I can’t help the bitter laugh that escapes. “Right. And I can buy whatever I want?”

“Within reason. You want a Lambo, buy it. You want a gold bathtub shaped like a dinosaur, go for it. But maybe no exotic animals. They’re too much work to take care of.”

I shake my head, somewhere between exasperation and amusement. “I honestly can’t figure you out, Pavel Fedorov.”

He moves in, caging me between his arms and the island, his body heat sinking into my skin. His voice is a low rasp against my ear. “There’s nothing to figure out. I have money, and I want to spend it on you. You and Kin.”