Page 9 of Cruel Russian Pakhan

“You’ll be staying here. I'll be in the room next door.”

We were in a bedroom, which meant we were in his house.

Shit.

I was in the freaking lion’s den. But I wasn't about to show a man like Lev, who thrived off contro,l to see how off-kilter I was.

Play it smooth, Katya. Inhale. Exhale. Show no fear.

I stepped farther into the room, letting my eyes scan every corner as I tried to form a plan. I needed to get out of this house, and out of this ridiculous mail-order bride arrangement.

Wait.

Did he expect me to sleep with him? If I said no…would he force me?

My pulse spiked. I shoved the panic down and forced myself to focus on the room, not the thoughts scrambling my brain.

A massive king-size bed with tall, carved bedposts dominated the space, dressed in deep red sheets and matching throw pillows. On either side were nightstands, each topped with lamps that looked like they cost more than a year’s salary at the diner.

Tall windows stood on each side of the bed, their heavy brown curtains drawn halfway open to reveal sheer white ones beneath.

The cream-colored walls contrasted with the thick, plush patterned rug spread out beneath a three-piece brown leather sofa set, all angled around a flat-screen TV mounted above a stone fireplace.

This bedroom was larger than my entire apartment back home.

I would have admired the room, had I been brought here under different circumstances.

“At least it’s not the dungeon,” I muttered dryly, as I spun to face him.

“Tempting…especially after your attempt on my life in the van.”

I saw the glint of amusement in his eyes before it disappeared just as quickly.

Thoughts of my attempted attack flashed through my mind.

Lev could've easily subdued me in the van, yet he endured my feral behavior. Why? I mean, he was six foot three minimum and had solid muscle beneath his suit.

And God, did it feel good against me.

The way his chest pressed against my back, his arms around my waist, and his hot breath against my ear. Thinking about it sent tiny explosions through me.

You can't be attracted to the man who kidnapped you! Get yourself together, Katya! And find a way to get out of here.

I inhaled deeply through my nose and exhaled slowly through my mouth. Maybe it wasn’t too late to make the interview.

I could convince him to let me go, make him see this was all a huge mistake. I wasn’t this Vera person he kept going on about.

Unless…

Iwasthe right person, and he just got mynamewrong?

But why kidnap me? Why force a marriage?

I needed answers, and he was the only person who could give them.

“Why did you kidnap me? What did my family ever do to you?”

“They owe me big, for trying to betray me.”