Page 67 of Unrequited

“Do you understand me?” he asks, still gentle, still careful with me.

I nod, because honestly, what choice do I have? “Yes?” I answer, barely holding steady.

“So this is what you’re going to do, my love,” he continues, and though his tone is tender, it’s wrapped in steel. “Are you listening, lass?”

I nod again, swallow hard. “Yes,” I whisper.

He cups the side of my face, forcing my gaze up to meet his. “When I ask you to obey me, I expect you to say it like this, little Zoya.” His voice dips low, his finger under my chin. My gaze is locked on his. “Yes, sir.”

I stare at him, my throat tight and heart pounding. I want to feel what it does to me when I say it.

“Yes, sir,” I whisper back.

Why does a tiny thrill spark down my spine at that?

Why do his eyes go dark and heated with approval and lust?

“That’s a good girl,” he says, his words brushing over me like velvet. “I want you to know, I’ve already forgiven your betrayal. Because I know why you did it.”

My betrayal… telling my family a lie. Agreeing to marry a Morozov.

I swallow hard.

“You’re loyal, Zoya. But now, there’s something else. Something I need you to understand.”

He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger, keeping me locked in place. “Do you hear me, sweet girl?”

I nod, swallowing again.

“Yes.”

“You tried to save your brothers from my hand. And I understand that. But you must never, ever do that again.”

A sharp sting of fear pricks the back of my neck. I don’t trust my voice, not at first, but after swallowing a few more times and wetting my lips, I manage to say, “Yes… sir.” I tack on thesirlike an afterthought, but it still earns me a small smile.

“That’s a good lass,” he says approvingly, brushing his thumb over my cheekbone. Then he leans in and kisses me, softly, tenderly, like he’s trying to make a point with his mouth. And I melt, just a little more.

“You’ve heard of the ways of the McCarthy clan, haven’t you?” he asks once he finally pulls away.

I nod. “Rumors,” I whisper. “I know Matvei’s wife, Anissa, used to work for you.”

“Aye, she did. For a time. In exchange for our protection. And what did she tell you, lass?”

I laugh, a nervous sound. “Um… she said you guys were old-fashioned. Dominant. That you expect your women to be… submissive.” My cheeks heat. “And that she’d never be cowed under the thumb of one of you.”

“She wouldn’t,” he says with a little chuckle. “Which is why she’s now married to a Kopolov man.” He chuckles, low and amused. “But it’s different for my family, lass.”

He straightens a little.

“I’m the head of the house. And I’m the head of the Clan as well. Do you understand that?”

I nod.

“And you understand, it’s not just in the bedroom, aye?”

I nod again, even though I’m not sure how I feel about that. Right now, the only thing that feels safe is to play along. To give him what he wants. That’s how you survive.

“But I promise you, little Zoya, my sweet little lass,” he says, both hands now cupping my face. “You’ll want for nothing. My protection. My care.”