Page 77 of Savage Pakhan

“I am afraid you will no longer want to be with me,” I admit, clutching the folder in my hand so tight, the material wrinkles. My emotions shine through my eyes as I look at her, knowing I don’t deserve her love. “That isn’t an option for me, Mia. I need you.”

Her worry fades, a softening replacing it. Her hand touches my cheek and I lean into it, pressing my own hand against hers to feel more of her, to sink into her touch.

I am addicted.

“The contract doesn’t matter anymore. I’m not mad. I don’t hate you.”

“You should,” I whisper, kissing the inside of her wrist. “I’m not worthy of your love.” I hold up the folder. “Not when your father and I created this.”

“People change. If you mean for this contract to happen, you wouldn’t be here, hiding me in your secret cabin. It doesn’t matter what happened all those years ago. All that matters is now.”

Fuck. I love this woman.

I’ll die protecting her and I’ll kill to save her.

“Aw. So cute. So sweet. Perfect couple. Smooch. Smooch. I don’t have all day. Please read the contract so I don’t need to be with rotting corpses.” Nikolai ruins the moment.

As always.

I clear my throat and turn my head to him, narrowing my eyes at being interrupted. “You better be glad I care for your life, or you’d be dead.”

“I know. Why do you think I say what I do? I can get away with it.” He grins, smoke drifting through his teeth and lips.

Taking deep breath, I open the folder again, preparing to see what damaged I have caused.

It’s much shorter than I thought it was. It’s only four pages long and immediately I become angry at myself.

Four pages? Four? That is what is dictating Mia’s life?

“It’s okay,” Mia tries to reassure me.

There’s nothing she can say or do that can fix how horrible I feel right now. Would I feel this way if it were anyone else and not Mia? Would I be the cold hearted man I know myself to be or would I be twisted with guilt?

Sighing, I take the contract out and read it line by line. Mia and Nikolai wait in silence and the longer time passes without me saying anything, the more impatient both of them become.

The silence is filled with tension. So far, everything is reading pretty normal. I’m looking for any clauses that would opt either of them out of this arrangement.

“What is taking so long?” Nikolai groans, interrupting me like a fucking toddler.

I drag my eyes from the paper to him and he has his head tilted back, blowing smoke into the air.

Mia is being a good girl. She’s sipping her coffee and not rushing me. I don’t like to be rushed. I’ll take my time reading this, so I don’t miss a word. It’s important I take my time with one of the most important documents in Mia’s life.

In my fucking life.

“Shut the fuck up or I’ll kill you and send you to Ivan myself,” I speak in Russian, staying calm and collected.

“You won’t kill me,” he replies. “You like me too much.”

I lick my fingers to grip the edge of the page to flip it, ignoring him the best I can.

My eyes read every sentence line by line and when I get the paragraph I’m looking for. I lean forward, placing my elbows on my thighs as I reread the paragraph.

“I found it. This is it.” I slouch against the seat and grin, feeling like I’ve won a million fucking dollars.

“Well read it to us. What does it say?” Nikolai shoots his gaze to Mia. “I know everyone wants to know.”

I snag Mia by the neck, crushing my lips onto hers in celebration. “You’re free, Mia.” I press my forehead against hers, holding her close, needing to feel her for just a moment before I have to pull away. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”