Dark Vow (Blackwoods College)

I stalked forward and grabbed her wrist. She gasped in shock as I shoved her back against the wall next to the bathroom. Her lips opened, her face twisted into a snarl of pain and outrage. I held her tight and breathed in the sweet smell of her rage and her body. She was a flower and I wanted to rip her from the earth and make her all mine.

“Get changed before I rip that fucking dress off your body and take your soaking wet cunt right here and now.” I snarled at her, barely able to restrain myself.

She didn’t move. Her anger turned to fear. My lips were inches from hers.

“Will that make you feel big and strong? You’re twice my size. You could do whatever you wanted with me.”

I held on tighter. I’d leave a damn mark. I wanted her to remember this moment. “You’re damn right I am,” I whispered and brushed my lips against hers. She stood still, either out of terror or excitement, I didn’t know, and I didn’t care. There wasn’t much of a difference between the two. “Keep testing me, Robyn. Push the limits of my patience. Find out what I’m capable of doing to you.”

“Let me go.”

I held on a moment longer before releasing her wrists. She slipped away, rubbing her skin and glaring at me. I stepped in her direction.

She let out a little yelp, grabbed her bag, and ran into the bathroom. She slammed and locked the door.

I wasn’t going to survive this girl.

Ten minutes later, she came out again, wearing a pair of tight jeans and a loose sweater. I didn’t recall packing that, but then I didn’t look too closely. I wished I’d only brought lingerie and underwear and forced her to lounge around my rooms like a beautiful bird.

But I didn’t want a useless wife. I didn’t need a trophy. I wanted Robyn, clever and angry and passionate Robyn. I wanted her willing, happy, excited. I wanted her filled with anger and pain and pleasure. I wanted all of her, and not a bit less.

Brnovich waited out on a tiled veranda. Mosaics were set in the floor at internals, and he dined on poached eggs and salty fish while reading a Russian newspaper. He smiled as we approached, Robyn on my heels. His eyes flipped to her for only a brief moment before looking back to me. If she’d worn that dress, he would’ve let his gaze linger—and I might’ve ripped out his eyes.

“You’re an early riser,” Brnovich said.

“I like to start the day as soon as I can.” I lingered, refusing to sit down. I liked having the position of power. “Did you rest well?”

“Yes, yes, I always do. I’m like a baby that way.” He grinned wickedly. “Though I don’t know why they use that phrase, sleeping like a baby? I have two children, a little girl and a little boy, though they are not so little now, yes? They never slept for those first few months, always fussing, screaming, crying. We hired so many nannies to keep track of those savages.”

“They’re hard to get down, but once they’re out, aren’t they perfect?” Robyn asked before I could speak.

Brnovich gave her a curious look. “That is true.” Then he grinned. “Because they can’t scream when they’re unconscious.” He laughed at his own joke.

Robyn gave me a mild look and I forced myself to smile.

“I was hoping we could finalize our paperwork this morning. It’s a long trip back to Riga.”

Brnovich waved and pushed his chair back. Two house servants appeared to take away the plates. “Come, I always take a walk after I break my fast. It aids with the digestion.” He laughed again. Jovial old Brnovich. He was in a good mood today.

I didn’t like it.

He led the way down a path between the hedges. The land around his manor house was kept in pristine shape. The grass was cut and the hedges were trimmed, and any stray plant or weed was ripped from the soil. We walked through the most manicured stretch of land I’d ever seen. Past the rolling hills, the nameless lake lay like a jewel in the early sunlight.

I wished Matthias was present. He had most of the deal locked away in his genius little skull. But too late for that now. If I asked to wait for him, I’d look weak.

At least I had Robyn, trailing along behind me.

“I love coming here.” Brnovich breathed deep. “I own most of the land around the lake and I keep it all wild. Do you like to hunt?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Shame, shame. Hunting is the manliest thing you can do. Kill animals for food. It’s primal. Nothing relaxes me like traipsing around the woods with a gun, yes?”

“We need to discuss shipment inspections, ammunition boxes, and a payment schedule. I assume state funds will be appropriated.”