CHAPTER 5

~••Ava••~

After the so-called wedding with Aleksei, my new husband, he led me out of the penthouse's lavish sitting room, taking me through the passageway to stop before a big golden door. The thought of this devil being my husband made bile rise up in my throat, but I held it back down. Besides, I've already vowed to become one with him. Bull-fucking-shit. I'm going to kill him.

"This is your room." The devil turns to face me the same time I raise my head to look at him. My hatred for him doesn't hide the fact that he's gorgeous. Those jade eyes that pulled me to him that night, and his royal golden hair. He looked like a prince. A dark prince. "Am I that handsome that you lost your tongue?" He smirked at his teasing but I just glared at him.

"You wish. You look like shit." I turned away from him and moved my hands to the doorknob, turning it and pushing the doors wide open to reveal the luxury that lay inside. It's expected of a Pakhan, the Bratva's Mafia Lord. That's what they were called. Sighing, I move to enter the room but his deep voice stopped me in my tracks;

"Baby girl," He called and the endearment sent goosebumps up my arms. Good goosebumps though, and I hated it, "You'd better not think about running. You wouldn't get far. Not here, not now. 

My breath caught in my throat. I'd been prepared for this even before entering his expensive car. I had to be, but I wasn't going to let him think I'm a little pushover. I lifted my chin to him, a smirk lifting his lips, "I'm not here to be tamed, Aleksei." I wondered how I managed to say that just fine with the fear shaking my whole internal being, "I am not your pet."

This brought out a dark chuckle from his lips, "In time, you will be, baby girl." He said, his voice so low and deep. "I'll come get you for dinner then we'll talk about the rules."

"To hell with your goddamn rules." I spit out and bang the door right before him."

The instant I was alone, I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Before him, I might've seemed strong, but right here, I was shaking like a leaf. I dropped my phone to the bed. I had managed to steal it and bring it here secretly, I hope he hadn't noticed though. That man is as sharp as a hawk and the last thing I needed was him finding out about my plan. 

I studied the room. It was as big as a sitting room itself. A queen-sized bed lay at the centre, in decorative Louis Vuitton bedcovers. To the left side were two doors, probably the adjoining bathroom and toilet. To the right was a brown wardrobe that took the entirety of the wall. I walked to the wardrobe and opened the upper double doors, my gaze darting toward the array of clothing he apparently had his people select for me. Everything was perfectly tailored to my size, as though he had known my size ever since. The fabrics were expensive, the cuts sharp and precise. The thought of stepping into those outfits made my stomach twist. 

After showering inside the expensive bathroom with the bathtub a size of a small pool, I came out and donned one of the blue knee-length dresses and sat on the bed like a doll. Waiting for my wicked husband to come find me.

~••Aleksei••~

The phone rang, vibrating against my chest. I pulled out the device and looked at the caller. Mikhail. One of my men. I wasn't in the mood for another of their rambling reports but I had no other choice than to listen.

"Pakhan," Mikhail's voice came through the line, a hint of urgency under his usual nonchalance. "The shipment is on it's way. Should arrive by tonight, but there's an issue."

I raise an brow, leaning back against the polished black table in my office, "What kind of issue is it?"

"A couple of guys, lower level," Mikhail began, "There's some strange behaviour between them. There's some talk about betrayal, but I am uncertain about who's involved. I'm keeping an eye on it for now."

I breathed in and exhaled sharply, my thoughts immediately narrowing down to the potential fallout. Betrayal in my rank wasn't something I tolerated, and I had no intention of letting it slide. Whoever crossed me gets it.

"Track them. Find out who's is behind it. Handle it, quietly." I relayed the message. The words coming out like a warning. I wasn't going to waste time dealing with flimsy traitors. Not when I had more pressing matters to attend to. Like my little sneaky wife, Ava.

There's a brief pause on the other end of the call before Mikhail replied; "Understood, Pakhan."

I hung up without another word, my mind already shifting back to the delicate balance I had to maintain. One wrong move and everything comes tumbling down. I would become a laughing stock to the many enemies I had.

I ran a hand through my hair and looked at the wallclock. It was eight pm. Time for dinner. I exited my office and walked through the verandah until I came to stop before the room my little wife was settled in. The woman was a puzzle, a prideful and stubborn puzzle. Ava didn't fit into the Mafia world. You could see so by just looking into her clear blue eyes. The most beautiful shade of blue I had ever seen, Ava had them. She was beautiful though, with her curly blonde hair and those pretty soft skin I had a taste of. After that night, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about having her under me again. And that's when the Addams thrust the opportunity into my arms. They made it easier for me to have the girl I wanted.

With a small smile, I knocked on her door. A little shuffle from inside before I heard the clank of heels and the door opened. She stood before me staring at me with dagger in her eyes and I found the action cute. She could try whatever she wanted but wouldn't get away with it. That much, she knew.

"It's time for dinner." I said but I didn't make any attempts to move away from my spot which was right before her. Instead I let my eyes roam her body, at the blue dress she was wearing. It matched her eyes so perfectly and stopped right below her knee, my eyes taking in her black Valentino heels. With her little height, she was like a doll waiting for me to play with.

"I am certain we aren't having dinner right before my door." She tilted her head as she spouted out the statement. Venom dripping from her words.

"It's my house, we can do whatever I want, and that includes having dinner before your door." I shrug.

The look in her eyes at the moment could kill. Defiant, a look almost daring me to break her into smithereens. She wouldn't bend easily to my will, everyone could see that. But then again, nothing in this world was gotten without a little push. And I was the kind of man who always made sure he got whatever he wanted.

I shifted to the side, letting her come out of the room and walk before me. My eyes landed on her behind and how the dress hugged her perfect shape. I should stop thinking about her this way. She would never let me have my way with her again, but my mind doesn't seem to care about that as I drink her in with my eyes.