A knock sounds and Valentina is there with a tray carrying a spinach omelet, toast and cut up strawberries. I start to push past her, but the giant Russian—Oleg, I believe—is sitting outside my door, his chair facing me. He looks at me impassively.
I step out of the room.
He stands up.
“Okaaaay,” I say to him. “I guess you’re my prison guard?”
Nothing changes in his face. He doesn’t speak to me in Russian like the others have. He doesn’t even show he’s heard me.
I turn toward the kitchen and take a step, and he shifts to angle his body in front of mine, blocking my way. Christ, he’s big.
Well, I guess I don’t have to worry about the fire hazard. The giant would surely let me out.
If the smell of the food didn’t have my mouth watering, I might have stayed to wrestle my guard, but considering the food’s in the room and my body is busy growing a baby, I turn around and go back inside.
I can fight the Hulk later.
Valentina has set the tray on the bedside table, as if I really am on bedrest.
“I’m not going to eat in bed,” I tell her even though I’m guessing she doesn’t speak English, either.
She looks at me blankly. I point to the armchair and table by the window. Might as well enjoy the view. At least my cage is gilded.
She bobs her head and complies, setting the tray down and chattering to me in Russian.
I wish I had a clue what she was saying. I’m getting on that language app… right now, while I eat. I sit down and tuck into the food, which is delicious. Apparently there’s more than just Russian food in this place, thank God.
I wolf it down while getting started on my Russian practice. At least I have something to focus on. It keeps me from flipping out over my situation.
Still, when Ravil comes in, I’m ready to skin him.
Ravil
The desk arrives right on time, and I have the guys carry it in to set up in my room. I follow them in to act as the unnecessary translator.
“Where would you like the desk, Lucy?”
She shoots daggers at me with her glare. “In my own office. In my own home.”
Seeing she chose to sit by the window for breakfast, I direct my men to set it up in front of the window, so she can have the spectacular views of Lake Michigan while she works.
“Spasibo,” she thanks them in Russian when they finish.
I hide my surprise. Crafty lawyer. Of course she’s already teaching herself Russian. My beautiful prisoner is not going to sit back and play Rapunzel for me. She’s gathering her resources and plotting her escape.
The thought makes me smile.
I do so love an able adversary.
Especially one as beautiful as she.
“It’s good you are learning Russian,” I tell her when the men leave. “Otherwise, our son and I will be able to talk about you behind your back.”
She blinks. I’m sure my presentation of the idea of the three of us functioning as a family comes as a shock. Honestly, it surprises me as well, in a decidedly pleasant way. The image of me and our son stopping in at Lucy’s prestigious law firm, our small boy carrying the flower I bought for him to give to her as a surprise flits through my brain. I don’t have any idea why I would’ve manufactured such a fantasy, yet its appeal is real.
Right now, she’s putting on that strong-as-nails courtroom persona. She brings her hands to her hips and draws herself up. I get the feeling she misses wearing the four-inch heels.
“Ravil, this is insane. I will go nuts locked in this room. You want me healthy and calm for our baby? It won’t happen with me confined in here. No matter how beautiful the view.” She gestures to the window.
I tilt my head toward the door. “I didn’t say you cannot leave the room although I will use that as punishment if you misbehave.”
She narrows her eyes. “So what’s with the giant outside the door?”
“If you do leave the room, you will be accompanied by me. Any ventures out will be at my discretion.”
Her lips press together.
I put my hands in my pockets. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
She glances out the window. “Outside?”
“Yes.”
She nods. “Yes.”
I’m tempted to correct her. To make her call me Master, but she’s already pissed off. It wouldn’t go over well now. It may not ever go over again despite her interest in being dominated sexually.
She goes to the closet and slips on the pair of sneakers I packed for her. When she sails past me out through the bedroom door, I let her, dismissing Oleg from his post and following her to the front door.
She hesitates at the doorway, perhaps remembering I stopped her there last night. I reach past and open the door for her, settling my palm on her lower back. “Let’s go, beautiful.”
She slides a sidelong glance my way and steps into the hallway then into the elevator with me.
Downstairs, I stop at the doorman’s desk to introduce her to Maykl. “Lucy, this is Maykl, the doorman and a member of our cell.” In Russian, I say to him, “And this is Lucy, the beautiful mother of my child. Do not allow her to leave here without me at any time. She is my captive. Understand?” I’ve already told him this, but it doesn’t hurt to say it again.
“Understood.” He bows his head with respect. To Lucy, he says in Russian, “Nice to meet you, captive.”
Her gaze drops to his knuckles where he bears a tattoo then up to his face. “Zdravstvuyte.” She greets him in Russian—her accent not half bad considering she probably just started learning today.
His face splits into a grin. “Zdravstvuyte.”
“Come.” A possessive streak flushes through me. I take her hand and lead her out.
“Are we holding
