Page 40

CHAPTER 40

DINARA

We’re standing in his house, and all I have to my name is this dress and my phone.

I can’t believe this. Can’t even wrap my mind around it.

I was given a week to brace myself for this, and now it’s all up in flames.

“I’m calling Konstantin,” I snap, already reaching for my cell, trying to keep my hands steady.

Cillian doesn’t even look fazed as he casually slips off his shoes in the foyer, casting a glance my way, that infuriating smirk still playing on his lips. “Be my guest, but it won’t change anything. I’m gonna be your husband, and you’re gonna obey.”

I can’t help but burst out with a laugh—sharp, incredulous. “Oh, that’s cute.”

I pull off my shoes, my movements slow and deliberate as I walk closer. Even now, I feel so small next to him, so weak, despite every ounce of fury trying to build in me. I lift my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.

“First off, we’re not married yet. And second, I will never, ever obey you.”

He leans in, his breath warm against my skin. “It’s up to you. You’re welcome to disobey.” His rough knuckles skim down my cheek, and a shiver slides through me, sharp and unwelcome. “’Cause I remember how much you enjoy it when I punish you.”

The words hit me with their truth. My stomach coils with irritation and lust, but that only seems to please him.

“Your cheeks get so pink when you’re angry,” he murmurs, watching me with a hunger that makes my skin prickle. “Almost as pink as your pussy.”

Before I can stop myself, my hand flies through the air, aiming for the smug look on his face. But in a single motion, he catches my wrist, spinning me around and pushing me against the wall with a savagery that steals my breath.

“Do that again…” he warns, rough and low. “…and I’ll have you over my knee. And I won’t be gentle.”

“Let go of me, asshole,” I seethe, feeling the pressure of his fingers tightening around my throat.

His gaze narrows, the dangerous glint in his eyes making my chest tighten.

“If it was anyone else calling me that,” he growls, “they’d be dead already.”

My body stiffens with defiance. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“I don’t want you to be.” His tone softens just a little too much.

His lips brush mine—barely a touch, yet it sets fire to my nerves. It’s so tender that I almost want to lean into it, but I fight it with everything I have.

“I want this to be a happy marriage, Dinara.”

“There’s nothing happy about this.” Bitterness and pain lace through every syllable.

“It can be. I’m willing to be the kind of husband you need.”

“You don’t want me. You’re being forced into this just like I am. You’ve said it time and time again: I remind you of what my uncle did to your mom.”

His jaw clenches.

“So let’s be up front with one another,” I continue. “We both don’t want this.”

“That might’ve been true then, but I’ve had a lot of time to think.” His mouth curls just a little.

“Is this one of your hot-and-cold games? Sleep with me, make me think you’ve changed your mind about our past family history until you realize you can’t?” My heart tightens. “Because I’m done with that.”

Gently, he holds my cheek in his palm, staring right at me. “This isn’t a game, Dinara. And I’ll spend however long it takes to prove that to you.”

“Whatever, Cillian. I don’t want this, and I don’t want you. Konstantin said I only had to be in this sham of a marriage for a year, and then I’ll be done with you once and for all. But if you know what’s good for you, I suggest you tell Konstantin you wanna divorce me now.”

“Never.” The word is firm. Commanding.

“Then I’ll make your life hell.”

He smirks, fisting my hair as he brings his mouth close to mine. “Go for it, baby. Do your worst.”

“That seems like a challenge.”

His chuckle is dark. “I like a good challenge.”

“We’ll just see about that.” I quirk a brow, enjoying this little game.

“Things would go much easier if you stopped resisting.” His voice is like a soft caress with jagged edges.

Lies. All lies.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head. “Stop resisting? You broke my heart, Cillian.” The words are thick and raw. “And now you want me to believe that you’ve somehow changed your mind about hating my family? That all this time apart has made you realize what an ass you were and you regret it?”

I escape out of his grasp.

“Well, too bad. You haven’t earned my forgiveness. You haven’t earned a damn thing except my distrust. And that’s all you’re gonna get every day, every hour , that you’re my husband.” My mouth tilts up. “If that’s not good enough for you, you know what to do. Walk away. You’re good at that.”

His hand tightens around my throat, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine. “I’ll never leave you. No matter how much you hate me. Because I’d rather spend every single moment as your husband, even if you despise me, than be without you again.”

My heart squeezes painfully, but I fight it, refusing to let him see the crack in my armor.

He steps back, letting me go, but his presence still suffocates me. “So suck it up, baby, because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then enjoy sleeping alone, because I sure as hell am not sharing a bed with you. Ever!”

“Never said I wanted you to.” His arms cross over his chest. “In fact, I had a cozy bedroom made for you.”

“Great.” My gaze narrows. “Where? ’Cause the sight of you is making me nauseous.”

“Right next door, wife. Where I can keep tabs on you.”

“Still stalking me, I see.”

“It's part of my charm.”

“More like part of your abhorrence.”

“That’s not what you said the last time I was inside you.”

My face heats up.

“Nothing to say?” The back of his hand feathers across my jaw, and that grin on his face deepens, as if he’s savoring this twisted game between us. “If you get lonely or cold, you have my permission to crawl into my bed, love.” That smug look on his face is begging me to erase it. “I’ll always keep you warm.”

“I’d rather freeze to death.”

Then I’m storming off, not even sure where the hell I’m going.

* * *

“I can’t believe you!” My frustration boils over as I pace back and forth in the cold, sterile laundry room I’ve found. “How could you let him bring me here? I have a life, Konstantin! I have stuff. My things aren’t even here.”

“Your things are being packed and sent as we speak.” He’s annoyingly calm, making my blood simmer.

“That doesn’t change anything!” My pulse races, the walls closing in. “You told me the wedding was in a week. I should be home right now, not stuck here.”

“Dorogaya, you only have yourself to blame. You thought you could marry another man and get away with it? You thought you could escape the reality of what’s been set in motion?”

I feel the heaviness of his words sink deep into me, but it only fuels my anger. “I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to marry him. How many times do I have to tell you this?”

“I know he hurt you.” His tone softens, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. “But he’s trying to make amends, Dinara. He cares about you. No man waits for a woman for so long unless he feels something strong.”

A sharp pang hits my chest.

Maybe he’s right. Maybe Cillian does care.

But it doesn’t erase what he did. What he said. I can’t trust him again, and trust means everything in a relationship.

“He could change his mind about me at any moment. What then?”

“Then we take care of it,” Konstantin says, amusement clear in his tone.

I scoff. “Be serious.”

“I am serious. If he ever hurts you, he’ll answer to me. You know that.”

I blow out a tired breath. “I do.”

But it doesn’t ease the fear clawing at my insides.

“There’s one more thing you need to know.”

I brace myself. “What now?”

“He asked to move the wedding up.”

“What?! No!”

“It’ll be a small, intimate ceremony at your new home in three days.”

Three days.

My heart slams in my chest, each beat louder than the last. “No! You can’t do this.”

“It’s already done. In three days, you’re a Quinn.” His words are final.

My world spins as the reality crashes into me. “I don’t even have a dress!”

“He’s arranged that too. You have an appointment in New York tomorrow.”

“This is insane! I know no one here. I’ll be alone.”

“You’ll make friends. The Quinns are friendly. You’ll like them.”

I shake my head, sarcasm dripping from my words. “Thanks for the happy news.”

“This will be good, Dinara. You’ll see.”

I don’t believe him. Nothing about this marriage can possibly be good.

* * *

CILLIAN

We head up the spiral staircase, stopping at the door next to the master bedroom, where she will eventually be. For now, though, I’ll let her have the control. She can sleep without me, even though it’ll kill me not to wake up beside her.

I take her hand, and for a moment, she tries to slip free, but I hold it tighter. Pushing the door open, I lead her into a large room with a king-sized bed at the center and pale blue walls surrounding it.

“This is your room.”

She barely glances at the space, clearly uninterested. But now that I have her, I’ll take my time proving I can be the kind of man who deserves her.

Turning toward her, I cup her face in both hands. “I know you don’t believe me right now, but I am sorry for what I did. I don’t expect forgiveness right away, but I swear I’ll earn it.”

For a moment, I catch a glimmer of softness, but she blinks it away quickly.

“Can you go? I need sleep.”

I kiss the top of her hand. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

She jerks her hand away, and I feel the sting in my chest.

Walking over to the dresser, I pull out one of my white t-shirts and hold it out to her. “This is for you to sleep in.”

She scoffs, taking the shirt from me. “What am I supposed to wear to breakfast tomorrow?”

“Another one of my shirts.” I smirk. “Until your things arrive. Konstantin said they should be here before you wake up.”

“Great,” she mutters, giving me her back.

When I turn for the door, her voice stops me.

“What am I supposed to do here all day when you’re not around?”

I glance back. “I’ll take you around the property tomorrow, introduce you to the horses, maybe teach you how to ride. Or you could spend time with my brothers’ wives.”

Now that Fionn is married too, she’ll have both women to hang out with.

She exhales sharply, and I hate seeing her this way. I want her to be happy, and I’m determined to make that happen.

“I’ll introduce you to my family tomorrow.”

“Do they know about me?”

I chuckle. “Yeah, baby. They know all about you.”

Her brows furrow. “What does that mean?”

I step closer, needing to be near her again. My palm finds her nape, her pulse racing under my touch. “You don’t understand how crazy I was when you disappeared. They were there for the aftermath.”

She looks down, biting her bottom lip, and I groan.

“Don’t bite your lip like that.” I tilt her chin up gently. “I’m trying hard not to throw you over my shoulder and take you to bed with me.”

That mischievous glint in her eyes returns. “I don’t recommend that. I might kill you.”

I slip her hand into mine. “It’d be worth it.”

She pulls away with a laugh—cold, sharp, and dripping with sarcasm. “We’ll see about that.”