Page 96 of Ruinous Need

“I can’t realistically expect everyone I love to kill multiple men for me.”

“We all have a different love language. I think that one’s just mine.”

Just before we open the door to welcome my family to our slightly-burnt piroshki dinner, Viktor announces he has a surprise for me. And then, infuriatingly, won’t explain what it is.

The anticipation successfully distracts me from my nerves.

Let’s just say my parents were not thrilled to learn I was marrying the man who’d killed someone in a church in front of them just an hour earlier… Even if he did put an end to the man who’d made all of our lives a misery for three years.

It took a lot of wrangling to get them here.

My dad takes me aside at one point. “You know, you have other options, Lisette. If you need any help, just let us know.”

I’m pretty sure they think this is another blackmail situation. But it warms my heart to see him trying to protect me, even if he is three-and-a-half years too late.

“Thanks Dad.” I pull him in for a hug. “But don’t worry about me. There’s no gun to my head anymore.”

He still looks dubious throughout the dinner, but Mom beams when she sees the way I look at Viktor.She had been concerned that he was too old for me, but I think she’s really starting to believe we’re in love.

Sammy didn’t see what happened at the wedding, sheltering with Mom under the pew, although he did see the aftermath and hear the screaming.

He’s mostly impressed by Viktor’s fortress-like house and collection of war-themed boardgames. He smokes us all in a game of Risk, his face lighting up when he achieves world domination.

When it’s over, and Viktor and I are alone again, I do feel some relief. The pressure of explaining my life choices to my parents is over, at least for now.

He leads me upstairs to uncover the surprise.

“Um… Did the contractors make a mistake?” I ask when I see what he’s done to our bedroom.

“A mistake? I don’t think so.” He quirks an eyebrow and lies back on the bed.

“There’s a pole here. You hate it when I pole dance.”

“I hate it when you pole dance… in front of other people.”

“Oh, so you think this renovation means you get a private show?”

He smirks. Cocky asshole. “Yes. Because if I get a private show, you get a reward.”

My teasing giggle catches in my throat at the smoldering heat in his eyes. “Someone has kept me away from my fitness classes for such a long time that maybe I’ve forgotten how to do it.” I can’t resist sliding my hand down the pole to test it out.

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. If you’re a good girl and you do this for me, maybe we can talk about the classes again.”

“Maybe? I know how deals with the Bratva work. I need more of an assurance than that.”

Viktor’s mouth twitches. I’m being impertinent and I know he’s itching to punish me for it.

“Fine. Definitely. If you dance for me, we can have a conversation.”

“Fine.” I twirl around the pole with a one-handed lift to test it out. Viktor follows me with those smoldering eyes and I can’t wait to blow his mind with this pole.

He fists his cock as he watches me, his mouth falling open.

I thought maybe something would change when I got pregnant. That Viktor wouldn’t love my body anymore.

Somehow I think he likes it even more. He likes the evidence that I’m his, there for everyone to see in my growing baby bump.

And God, do I crave him more than ever. When he goes out to work, I feel a pang as soon as he leaves the house.