Page 36 of His to Own

“I won’t stop you from going. I’ll take you. I don’t want that one boy getting too close.”

Alexei, I realize. “You don’t have to take me to school.”

“But I’m going to. And later this week, we should host an actual wedding reception. I want it to be a large spectacle. I want to show off the alliance Nikolai and I have made now. Our wedding was rushed today.”

The thought of hosting a large gathering of people makes me want to throw up but I keep my mouth shut. What Maxim wants, Maxim gets. And after seeing how easily he killed Mikhail, I don’t want to get on his bad side.

“I’ll leave you to get settled.” He hesitates by the front door. “Unless you don’t want me to leave.”

“You can go,” I say in a rushed voice.

After a beat, he nods and leaves the house.

I carry my suitcase to one of the many bedrooms Maxim has and quickly change into a pair of loungewear pants and a simple top. Right now, I just need to be comfortable. I need peace.

I need to process how fast my life changed in the matter of hours.

Maxim finds me in the bedroom I chose. “Why are you in here?”

I snap my textbook shut. Homework was the only thing to give me some peace of mind. “This is a room. I need a room.”

“Yes,” he says slowly. “But why are you in this room?”

“Because I need a room.”

He sighs. “Elena, my bedroom is down the hall. We are married. We should share a bedroom.”

Tears prick my eyes. “I…”

“You don’t want to, do you?” he asks, rocking back on his heels. “You don’t want to share a bed with me. Wow. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever encountered this. A woman not wanting to share a bed with me.”

I flush. “I’m sorry. Everything is so new to me. I…”

“It’s fine.” But his tone tells me he’s not fine with it and it only makes me want to cry harder. “Get some rest. You have class tomorrow.” Maxim leaves with a furrowed brow. I want to call out to him and ask what’s on his mind but at the same time, I’m relieved he’s gone.

In the morning, Maxim is waiting for me by the front door to drive me to school. “A sexy little school girl outfit. I like it.”

I glance down at my simple dress and kitten heels. The things my mother always wanted me to wear. I’ve gotten so used to it. I don’t even think I have my own sense of style.

Maxim frowns when I don’t say anything. I’m starting to get the sense I’m not exactly what he was hoping for and it stings but I tell myself to not worry about what Maxim thinks of me.

We arrive on campus. Maxim gets out of the car after I get out.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Walking you to your class.”

I hug my books tighter to my chest. “You don’t have to do that.”

“Why not? You’re my wife. I’m your husband. We’re married now. I want to see where you spend most of your days. Shall we?” He motions for me to walk.

I feel myself blushing as me and Maxim walk through campus. People keep looking at him and then at me. They’re probably wondering why he’s even with me. I’m wondering it all myself.

I was just a pawn for him. Just a means to an end to make a deal with Nikolai. Nothing more.

So why does he seem interested in me? I have nothing to give. I’m too shy. Too boring. I can’t be the woman he wants me to be.

I stop outside Professor Romanov’s class. “This is it.”