Page 31 of Darkest Sin

Then Mikhail begins to clap and the other two join in. “That was beautiful, baby. What did you two think?”

“It was beautiful,” Cecillia agrees. “You’re a great dancer.”

“Really great,” Robert says.

“Would you tell me if I was bad?” I ask. “Are they allowed to voice their true opinions?”

“They’re not slaves,” Mikhail says, approaching my side. “They can say what’s on their minds. And you really are a beautiful dancer, Natalya. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. It radiates off you. Your father would be proud.”

The mention of my father brings my pain all back and I begin to cry again. Mikahil pulls me into his arms and comforts me, murmuring soft nonsensical words into my ear. I haven’t been hugged by a man since my dad died and even then, my dad wasn’t a big hugger.

Without even realizing it, I find that I wrap my arms around Mikhail in return and cling on tight.

Chapter Six

Natalya

Waking up beside Mikhail after what we shared last night makes me feel a combination of giddiness and anxiety. So much happened. I saw two people having sex while Mikhail commanded them to do things. I should be terrified of it and I am in a way.

But it was also exciting. It felt good to sit on his lap, even though it was intimidating. It also felt good to dance for him. To dance at all after my dad’s death.

He’s already awake when I wake, sitting up in bed and reading something on his phone. It’s so… domestic after what we did last night that it almost makes me laugh. I can’t help but smile.

“Something amusing?” he asks, smiling slightly himself.

“Just… everything.”

He sets his phone down and looks at me with his beautiful blue eyes. “Are you happy here with me?”

“I’m not… unhappy. But I am still worried for my sisters. I have no idea what’s happening over there. What if Uncle Denis is trying to force them into marriages right now?”

“I doubt it. He’s probably scrambling looking for Antoni. I wouldn’t worry, Natalya. This is your home now.”

I feel a flash of anger and sit up, wrapping the blanket around my chest. “My home is still with my family.”

“Your home is with me now.”

“Yes but it’s also with my family. I can’t just erase them.”

“I told you that I could save you. Not that I would be able to save your entire family.”

“Yes, I know that,” I huff. “But I’m still worried for them.” Any of the excitement I felt from last night is wearing off and the cold reality of the situation I’m in is coming right back.

“You can call your sisters. I’m not stopping you.”

“And if something is wrong? Will you help them?”

He sighs and gets out of bed, putting his back to me. There’s an invisible wall between us all of a sudden. “Your sisters are not my responsibility. I wanted you. I made you mine. That’s it.” He goes into the walk-in closet. From here, I can see him studying his clothes like that’s more important to him that my family.

“Do you have family, Mikhail?” I don’t even know that about my own husband. “Parents? Siblings?”

“Everyone has parents, Natalya.”

“You know what I mean.”

He changes into a button down shirt and a nice pair of slacks. I hate to admit it but he looks good in it. “I do have parents but we don’t really talk. My parents are retired, living their best lives traveling around Europe. And I have no siblings.” He approaches the bed. “Does that answer satisfy you?”

“So you don’t know what it’s like to fight for your siblings since you don’t have any. I have fought to protect my sisters for years.”