The look of the Russo mansion was far more welcoming than I thought it would be to me. I knew this prison at the very least. 

“Before we go in, there are a couple of things I want to tell you,” Viktor said, and turned to look at me. “The first time we met, someone tried to shoot you and missed. They hit me instead. It was the main reason that weeks later, I paid someone to make a fake contract. It would end up in your hands, claiming that your job was to collect information from me. It was all about finding out why you were a target that night. That changed when I realized I wanted you.”

“I know about all of that, Viktor. Like I said, you tried many means to make me yours. But never once did you think to ask me if I wanted any of that. It’s like no one cares about my feelings if they can use me for something. I mean, I get it, but it gets exhausting eventually.” 

“In the future, I will try my hardest to make your feelings matter,” he said, and I wanted to laugh. He was saying something that he wouldn’t be able to do, even if he had the best intentions. Viktor just didn’t value anyone’s feelings unless they were his. 

“Please don’t say that. You won’t, and I don’t want to put trust in empty words.” I muttered and got out of the vehicle. Henchmen came and got the things out of the trunk before I could, and I just followed the henchmen inside. Viktor took over and showed me around. 

“This is my personal space. Please make yourself at home here.” Viktor said, pulling a key out of his pocket and unlocking the door. 

“Your security here is very lax in terms of locks. You could just pick that lock and it would pop right open.” 

He pushed the door open, and the space was clean and pretty empty, almost like the man didn’t live here. “Have you actually lived in this space?”

“Yes, I live here most of the time.”

“Doesn’t look like anyone lives here.”

“I’ve used this place plenty of times.” Viktor said. I raised an eyebrow, skeptical of his claim. The pristine condition of this part of the mansion suggested otherwise. It felt more like a showpiece than a lived-in home. But I didn’t press the matter further, deciding to explore the rest of the Russo mansion instead.

Viktor led me through the grand hallways, showcasing each room with pride. As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice the opulence that surrounded us. Expensive artwork adorned the walls, and the furniture exuded elegance and luxury. They had spared no expense in creating this mansion, but I was also different from the last time I was here.

We entered a room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a perfectly manicured garden. It was breathtaking, and I couldn’t help but be captivated by the view. It was full of all kinds of unique books and couches to read them.

“This is my favorite room,” Viktor said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. “I often come here to think and find peace.”

I turned to face him, surprised by his vulnerability. It was a side of him I hadn’t seen before, unless he was drunk. “Do you ever tire of all this? The lavishness, the power?” I asked, actually wondering.

Viktor paused, considering my question. “Sometimes, yes. It can be overwhelming. But it’s also a reminder of what they built, the empire I’ve built on. It keeps me going, to protect what’s mine, now.”

I nodded, understanding his perspective. Being surrounded by material wealth and influence could have a way of shaping one’s priorities. As we continued our tour, Viktor showed me the various rooms of the mansion. Each one had its own unique charm and purpose, from the well-equipped gym to the dining room that backed into the beautiful kitchen. Viktor had further created a space that catered to his every need as the head of the family.

Eventually, we reached his space again. The spacious room with a king-sized bed and a balcony that overlooked the sprawling estate, with a bathroom and lounge room attached. It was here that Viktor turned to me, his gaze intense.

“I want you to feel at home here, truly, Nikita,” he said, his voice filled with seriousness. “I understand that trust is not easily given now, but I hope that in time, you’ll see that I genuinely care about your happiness.”

I looked into his eyes, searching for any signs of deception. But all I saw was a glimmer of vulnerability, a desire to be understood, things I had never seen in him before, but I couldn’t trust him. I wouldn’t make that mistake. “Actions speak louder than words, Viktor,” I replied softly. “If you truly want to make my feelings matter, then show me. Show me I’m not just a pawn in your game.”

He nodded, a determined look crossing his face. “I will eventually, I promise.”

A knock on the door interrupted us as a henchman brought in our suitcases, setting them on the floor before he turned to Viktor. “Don Russo, Ilya, and his partner are arriving here tomorrow. They would like some of your time. I told them you’re still on honeymoon time, even if you’re in the Russo family mansion.”

“I’ll handle the visit from Ilya and Vito. It’s all good,” Viktor said, before he dismissed the henchman. Viktor had to know that Ilya wasn’t just coming here to have a peaceful conversation. Chances were both Viktor and I were going to, verbally if not physically punished by Ilya. “Ilya is most likely going to be quite upset when he comes here tomorrow,” Viktor hummed.

“He’s allowed to feel that way.” I said and watched Viktor.

“I am aware, which is why I am allowing him to come and vent,” he said, and grabbed the suitcases, setting them on the bed. “Your other suitcases are in the room across the hall. I didn’t know whether you wanted to share the same bed here or just wanted a room of your own.”

“I would like a room of my own to go to if I need it.”

“Of course,” he said politely and paused, unpacking my things. “Would you like your clothing in here or in the spare room?”

“Here is fine.”

He nodded and took the clothing to the closet. I sat on the king-sized bed. “Viktor, where did you have me before, when we slept together? It wasn’t this room.”

“A main floor guest room. I keep it set up for myself after long nights of working.”

“Do you use that room more than this one?”

“Depends,” Viktor said, coming back out of the closet. I laid back on his bed, and it was far nicer than the one in the Villa. It hugged me in ways I didn’t think capable of a mattress. “I have to get some work done, your free to wander the house, and the grounds, but if you're going to, take a guard.”

Viktor left the room after putting the empty suitcases in the closet, and I didn’t make a single move to get out of the marshmallow bed. Powering up my phone for the first time since I shut it off, there were only a few messages that came through. Most of them were from Lev’s sister. One from Yuri, and a few from Lev, setting the phone on the bed to ignore it. I rolled over and pressed my face into the mattress, kicking off my shoes. I didn’t have nearly enough mental, emotional, and physical energy to want to read any of the texts.

Rolling onto my back, I thought about my own parents. Their faces non-existent in my mind’s eye. Any pictures or belongings of theirs were long gone. I wondered if it was the same for Viktor, having lost his parents, too. He probably had pictures and belongings still protected in the Russo mansion.

Getting up out of the bed, I left Viktor’s space and quietly made my way across the hall. The door opened, and it was like Viktor’s, just smaller. My suitcases were on the bed, my gun cases alongside them. Unzipping my suitcase, I took out my clothing, grabbing a pair of jogging pants and a plain black t-shirt. Getting changed, I left the other clothing on the side of the bed. I peeled the black ankle socks off and set them on top of the rest of the clothing. Heading back out into the hall, I went to have a look around.

It was quiet, even as I walked by Viktor’s office. That probably meant he wasn’t in there. Heading downstairs, I could hear Viktor and someone else having a conversation. It wasn’t my business though, so I didn’t bother listening in to the conversation. Whatever the conversation was about, though, the other party didn’t seem happy in the slightest.

Heading into the kitchen, I grabbed myself a glass of water after looking around for a few minutes to find the glasses. The conversation seemed to have stopped. The door opened, and Viktor glared at me before his eyes softened. “Nikita, did you get some rest?”

“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to interrupt. I needed a drink.” I said, holding up my glass to show him the proof of my words.

“I’m just discussing some business with an underboss of mine, your welcome to join us.”

“No, thank you for the offer, though.” I muttered. I would rather not know anything about the Russo family business first hand. The less I knew about that side of Viktor, the better. I couldn’t be used against him, because I was now in the perfect position to be used against him as his husband.

“If you're hungry, let me know and I can make you something,” he said, and I sighed. “Viktor, go back to your meeting with your underboss. I’m alright.”

“If that’s the case, then call your brother. He knows we are home, thanks to Ilya.”

I tapped my pockets, looking for my phone, but remembered it was Viktor’s space on the marshmallow bed. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and passed it to me once he pulled up Lev’s contact.

Hitting the call button, it went right to voicemail, repeatedly. After the fourth call, I gave Viktor back his phone and went to get mine. There was nothing stopping Lev from coming here now that I was back. Good chances were he was already well on his way, and if he didn’t have Alessio with him, I feared what he would do. Since I now knew about their developing son.