Page 37 of Darkest Sin

A small smile crosses my lips. “No. I don’t want to shoot you.”

“But you want to do something to me, don’t you?”

“Maybe. I want to make sure I’m safe with you.”

“You are, baby. You are. I may push you but I will never put you in harm’s way. Is that understood?”

“Yes. I’m starting to see that now,” I say. “But you have to understand. I barely know you. I don’t know these things about you.”

He drops his hands from my face. “Then what do you want to know?”

“I don’t even know where to start. I’ve seen you angry now. Is this the worse you get? Or do I need to be afraid of you?”

“I’ll only ever discipline you if you do something stupid like you did today. But I’ll never beat you. I want you to be mine, Natalya. I don’t want you to fear me.” He opens his arms wide. “Come here.”

I let myself sink into his arms. It feels right.

“After a punishment comes the reward. I want you to know that you’re forgiven. That you’re safe now. And that you’ll never do anything like that again.”

I want to promise that I won’t be reckless but I’m still worried for my sisters. I just have to trust that Mikhail will save them. I have to try.

“I promise,” I say. “I won’t be reckless again.” But if the opportunity comes up to save my sisters, I’m taking it.

“We have plenty of time to learn more about each other,” he says. “But not if you’re dead.”

“I understand. I do, Mikhail.”

“Good. Because I wanted to take you somewhere tonight. I had it all planned out.”

“I’m not sure if I’m up to going anywhere after today.”

“It will do you good. And it will give you the chance to learn more about me.”

I can’t argue with him there.

“What is it?”

“It’s a surprise,” he says. “But I have an outfit I want you to wear.” He brings me to the closet where he pulls a white dress off a hanger. I notice right away just how short it is. It’s a babydoll dress. While cute, it looks like something made for a little girl.

“That will barely cover everything,” I say.

“Exactly. You’re going to wear this.” He hands it to me. “Put it on.”

“Where would I need to where this to?”

“Trust, Natalya. Trust.”

He’s right. I do have to learn to trust him or things like today will keep happening.

“Can I change without you looking?”

“Baby, I’ve touched your ass. You don’t need to hide from me.”

With a deep breath, I slip my dress off.

“Bra too,” he says.

I lower my gaze to the floor as I slip my bra off but Mikhail tilts my head up.