Page 102 of The Councilor

“No peeking or I will stop the car right here and spank that rounded bottom of yours.”

“Promises. Promises.”

He growled and squeezed my hand. “We are in the Hamptons.”

“What? You hate the Hamptons. I hate the Hamptons.” He’d only allowed us to remain at the reception for an hour before whisking me away, telling me nothing.

“Yes, but being married to the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth means a new start. You might end up liking the place. You love the beach.”

That much was true.

I shuddered from the sound of his voice. He’d been so much in control since the horrible incident, taking a full backseat at the law firm. If what he’d told me was true, additional attorneys were going to be hired to pick up the slack.

He was now concentrating on Bratva business, often meeting with Vadim daily. But he’d made time to care for me, our passion finally exploding again after my brain had adjusted to the horrors I’d experienced.

“So where are we going, some posh hotel?” I pursed, purring under my breath.

“Good things happen to girls who show restraint and patience. Bad things happen, like harsh spankings to those who push the envelope.”

I had no idea how he could switch on and off the darkness inside of him. He’d certainly been the brutal man, the killer for days after the incident. When he’d been gone, the single time I’d asked where he’d gone had been met with the comment ‘you don’t want to know.’ That meant he’d been rounding up anyone and everyone associated with the kidnapping.

“What about the house in Brighton?”

Aleksander’s laugh sent shutters down my spine. “Well, currently it’s still bullet ridden, although the place will have a full renovation. Plus, in my mind there are still too many bad memories there.”

He was right about that.

I barely remembered anything after the shooting. I had gotten off a couple of shots, but the guy had been wary, prepared for them. He’d dodged the bullets before he’d been hit.

The bastard.

He’d grabbed me around the neck, squeezing to the point I’d been closer to blacking out, but not enough I hadn’t seen the dead bodies strewn across the sand. Then I’d been dumped into a boat of some kind and light had gone out after he’d drugged me with something. Waking up in a cold, moldy room had put the fear of God into me.

I’d cried at first, praying in my mind the man I loved would save me. When I’d dared make a single sound out loud, the bastard had struck me so hard stars had pounded my eyes.

So, I’d shut up and made a plan, listening and observing the comings and goings of two men. Whoever Jericho’s buddy had been was a druggie, but I’d used that to my advantage. The asshole had used rope, which had allowed me to roll the thick strands across a single sharp metal surface. My wrists had been chafed, bruised, and likely bleeding, but the friend who’d been responsible for feeding me little more than gruel in a bowl hadn’t noticed.

The room had been too dark. At least I’d had water.

I’d asked a few questions, a couple of which the sniper’s buddy had answered. It provided just enough information that when I was ready to escape, I had a full exit strategy.

I’d overheard Ivan say if I hadn’t escaped, I would likely not be alive.

Even now, I was shivering to my core. Why was I thinking about the horror when it was my wedding day?

“Sit tight. We’ll be there shortly,” he told me. “I planned on having another reception with the fun people there. You know, dancing and drinking, frolicking on the beach while a caterer had prepared the finest goodies in the land.”

“I don’t need anything fancy. I just need laughter. And you.” I leaned my head against his shoulder, feeling more relaxed than before.

“Baby, you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried. Now, sit back, close your eyes, and just relax. All secrets will be revealed shortly.”

“Why, yes, sir. So authoritative.”

“Don’t you forget it either. As I told you before,” my own gorgeous Russian said in a deep voice. “Not only do you belong to me but you will be required to obey me. At all times. Regardless of whatever happens around us, you will follow my rules.”

“I know. Or else.” Of course, the handsome man always seemed to forget I was truly in control. All I needed to do was slide my fingers along his upper thigh, shifting it between his legs and savor holding and squeezing the huge bulge between, squeezing until he moaned. Every gravelly sound he made was far too adorable, pushing my boundaries of desire.

“Such a bad girl.”