Chapter 3 The Cat and the Little Bride

~Nikolai~

I take a drag from the cigarette in my hand, my fingers drumming slightly against the armrest. A laptop sits in front of me, streaming feeds from the security cameras.

Liora Reynolds. Staring intensely at the clock like she could make the time go faster, desperate for her lover boy to arrive. My lips curl into a small, knowing smile. How naive to think I'll let her go, just after I found her. But soon, she'll come to understand—Nikolai Volkov doesn't lose. Whatever I want, I take. And I want her. Every inch of her.

There's something captivating in her fury, and it makes me want to test her limits. Snatch everything she holds dear, corner her until there’s nowhere left to run, just to watch her fight back. I'm the cat, my little bride—the mouse. And Nikolai Volkov? He always enjoys the chase.

Her heart belongs to the lover boy now, but in time, she'll love the monster I am. She’ll crave my twisted ways of showing affection and forget the other man ever existed.

Footsteps echo down the hall and someone knocks. Marcus, one of my guards, steps in.

"Sir," he bows politely. "Adrian Calloway and Mr. Reynolds are waiting in the living room. What do you want us to do with them?”

I close the laptop, meeting his gaze. "Nothing at all."

Marcus nods, hesitating. “Adrian’s been.. vocal. Says he won’t leave without her.”

I allow myself a small, humorless smile. “Let him talk. He’s exactly the kind of man who believes words are enough.”

"What about Mr Reynolds?"

"I'll take it from here."

I rise from my chair, heaving a sigh. It's about to start. The thrill makes my blood burn and my veins flare in excitement.

I take slow steps to the living room. Adrian is already on his feet when I enter.

"Where is she?" He asks, eyes blazing. "You have no right to keep her here. She doesn't—"

"She's my wife," I interrupt.

"On paper only," he grits his teeth. "Let her go or I call the police."

I laugh sharply. "And tell them what? That the woman who's legally my wife is at my house?"

He opens his mouth to speak but closes it.

I lean in, just enough for him to feel my presence. “Here’s a piece of advice, Calloway. Save your energy. You’re going to need it when she tells you she’s staying with me.”

His face twists. “She won’t. She loves me.”

“Does she?” I let the question hang in the air. “Or does she just love the idea of you? The sweet loving boy who's romantic and will do anything for her.”

His eyes blaze in unrestrained fury and my jaw ticks in amusement. I turn to Mr. Reynolds who's quieter, pensive even.

"Please. Let her go," he pleads. "You've made your point."

I tilt my head. "You think this is about a point?"

“You.. you have the power to ruin me,” he says, voice cracking. “I know that. But she.. she doesn’t deserve this. She’s innocent.”

"You should have thought about that when you willingly gave her out," I smile. "And you know what happens if she refuses me."

That statement is enough to make him tremble.

"I'll go get her."

I walk away to my study, opening the laptop. She's curled up on the bed and I almost assume she's asleep until I notice a slight movement. All I want to do is barge into the room, grab her chin and let her know there's no escape from Nikolai Volkov. But I don't. She needs to understand it herself. And I'll make sure of that.

I pour myself a drink, letting the whiskey burn its way down. My hands ache slightly, a faint reminder of the illness creeping through me. I ignore it.

No one can know. If they did, if Liora did.. then she would stay out of pity and not love. I can't allow that. A sigh escapes my lips. It's time to fetch her.

I leave to her room and when I open the door, she's already waiting, her face pale but determined.

“They’re here, little bride,” I say softly.

She flinches at the name, but says nothing. Good to know she still has some fire left. I lead her through the corridors to the living room. When she sees Adrian, she breaks from me and runs to hug him like he's salvation. He wraps his hand around her and places a kiss on her forehead.

I allow it. In few minutes, she'll make her choice anyway.

I shut the door behind us and address her father. “Mr. Reynolds.”

He stands stiffly. “Umm.. yes?”

“You might want to explain to Liora,” I say evenly. “And I mean explain everything.”

He leads her outside and I sit, waiting for them. Adrian glares at me like he’s trying to set me on fire, but I don’t so much as blink.

It isn’t long before I hear her footsteps returning.

She bursts into the room, her face flushed with fury, her eyes wild.

“You cunning bastard,” she spits. "I get it now. According to the contract, if my father doesn't pay back what he owes you, you kill him."

I smile slowly, rising from me seat.

"Very good, little bride," I clap, amusingly. "And you're what he owes me. So.. if you choose the lover boy over me, Mr Reynolds dies."

The tremor in her eyes makes me giddy. I savor it, stepping closer. This is the moment I've been waiting for.

"So what will it be, little bride… him or me?"