Chapter 46: Chapter Fourty Six.

Xena stirred restlessly on the bed, her body shifting as an uncomfortable pressure built in her lower abdomen. She whined softly, trying to ignore it, but her bladder refused to let her rest. She needed to get up.

However, as she attempted to move, she realized something was stopping her. A firm, heavy arm was wrapped around her waist, pinning her in place.

Viktor.

She blinked, her sleepy mind taking a moment to register the situation. His body was pressed snugly against her from behind, his warmth radiating through the thin fabric of her nightwear. His arm was like an iron cage, locking her against his solid chest.

“Viktor…” she murmured softly, trying not to wake him too abruptly.

No response.

She shifted again, pressing lightly against his hold. “Viktor, please let go.” she whined, her voice a little louder this time. “I need to use the bathroom.”

A deep, throaty growl rumbled from behind her, and she felt his arm loosen ever so slightly. Not wasting a second, Xena wiggled out of his grasp, slipping away as fast as she could. The moment she was free, she hurried toward the bathroom, shutting the door quietly behind her.

After relieving herself, she washed her hands, splashed some cool water on her face, and took a moment to collect herself.

Her reflection in the mirror showed a flustered woman, her cheeks slightly flushed, her hair a tousled mess. She sighed.

This man was driving her insane.

Shaking her head, she exited the bathroom, tiptoeing back toward the bed. She hadn’t even fully settled under the covers when, without warning, she was yanked forward again.

A startled gasp escaped her lips as Viktor’s strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her back into his warmth. His grip was even tighter this time, as if he was making sure she wouldn’t escape again.

This time, however, she wasn’t facing away from him.

Xena’s heart skipped a beat as she realized that she was now facing Viktor directly, her nose barely an inch away from his chest.

His breathing was slow and steady, his face completely relaxed in slumber. This was the first time she had been this close to him while he slept, the first time she could observe him without the usual cold intensity in his gaze.

She swallowed.

Viktor was undeniably handsome—devilishly so. His features were sharp and defined, with a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and lips that looked almost… soft. His thick lashes rested against his skin, and his dark hair was slightly tousled, giving him an almost boyish look, if not for the sheer size and strength of him.

Her gaze drifted lower, taking in his broad shoulders and the tattoos that sprawled across his chest. But what caught her attention the most was the scar.

She had noticed it before—first at the airport and again at the club—but she had never seen it up close like this.

It was a deep, mark that ran along his Face, a brutal reminder of the life he lived. It wasn’t surprising, considering the dangerous world he was a part of. Men like Viktor carried scars like these as badges of survival.

Still, curiosity bloomed inside her.

How had he gotten it?

Without thinking, she slowly reached out, her fingers barely grazing the scar’s rough texture. Her touch was featherlight, careful not to wake him.

Her fingers trailed gently over his skin, tracing the path of the old wound. Then, unable to resist, she let her touch drift to his side face.

Her fingertips brushed against the faint stubble on his jaw, the smoothness of his cheek.

She hesitated.

If she had met Viktor under different circumstances, in a world where he wasn’t a feared mafia boss, where she wasn’t his captive… Would she have fallen for him?

Her heart thudded at the realization.

Yes.

She would have.

If Viktor had been just a normal man, living a normal life, she would have given in to him without hesitation. Scars and all.

But that wasn’t their reality.

She was sure there had to be other women in his life—beautiful, elegant women who belonged in his world.

Did he have a girlfriend? Was he just toying with her for his own amusement?

The thought made her stomach twist.

She wasn’t special. She wasn’t breathtakingly beautiful or irresistibly charming. She was just… plain. Ordinary.

Why would Viktor, a man who could have models draped over his arms, choose her?

Her mind raced with doubts, each one more unsettling than the last.

Was she just a passing interest to him? A fleeting distraction in his dangerous world?

And just as that thought settled in her mind, Viktor stirred.

Xena stiffened, her breath hitching as she quickly shut her eyes, hoping he wouldn't notice that she had been staring.

But Viktor was already awake.

A lazy smirk stretched across his lips as he cracked one eye open, amusement dancing in his dark gaze.

"You’re terrible at pretending, *printsessa*," he murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep. His fingers lightly brushed against her waist, sending a shiver through her.

Xena remained frozen, determined not to react, her face burning with embarrassment.

Viktor chuckled, a low, knowing sound. "You can keep staring at me all you want," he teased. "I don’t mind."

She clenched her jaw, keeping her eyes tightly shut, hoping he’d just fall back asleep and leave her alone.

He let out a small, amused sigh before pulling her even closer against his chest, his warmth completely enveloping her.

Xena swallowed hard, her heartbeat erratic as she felt his steady breathing against her.

This was going to be a *long* night.

♧♧♧

Xena stirred awake, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She stretched, expecting the other side of the bed to be empty—Viktor was always gone by the time she woke up.

But just as she was about to start her day, the closet door creaked open.

Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when Viktor stepped out, dressed in his usual crisp black shirt and tailored pants, adjusting the cuffs as if this was completely normal.

Xena stared, momentarily stunned. **He was still here?**

"You haven't left yet?" she asked hesitantly, still trying to shake off her sleep-induced haze.

Viktor arched a brow, his lips curving into a smirk. "Wow. Didn’t know you were so eager to get rid of me, *printsessa*."

Xena scoffed, crossing her arms. "If only I were that lucky."

His smirk deepened. "What was that?"

"Nothing," she muttered under her breath, though she knew he’d heard her.

Chuckling, Viktor ran a hand through his hair and strode toward the door. "Come down for breakfast when you’re ready."

Xena frowned slightly. "You’ll be there?"

His amusement flickered into something unreadable for a second before he nodded. "Yes. And I have a surprise for you."

Xena narrowed her eyes. A *surprise* from Viktor? That sounded… ominous.

"What kind of surprise?" she asked, suspicion lacing her tone.

"You’ll find out soon enough," he said, flashing her a knowing look before walking out.

She stared after him, unsettled but curious. Shaking her head, she sighed and headed into the bathroom, her thoughts already racing about whatever Viktor had planned.

♧♧♧

Xena stepped into the dining hall, dressed in a peach off-shoulder crop top that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with high-waisted, flared blue denim jeans. Her hair was loose, cascading down her shoulders, and she looked effortlessly stunning without even trying.

As she entered, her eyes landed on Viktor, who was seated at the head of the long dining table, his attention fixed on his phone. The table was already set, adorned with a variety of dishes, most of which were unfamiliar to her.

She had quickly learned that many of the meals served here were foreign to her palate, but there was something about the way Travis prepared them—everything tasted divine.

Viktor glanced up as she moved to take the seat beside him. Without saying a word, he nodded toward her plate, already prepared with breakfast.

Xena wasted no time digging in. She took the first bite, and as the flavors exploded in her mouth, a soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips.

Viktor froze mid-bite.

His grip on his fork tightened, his jaw clenching. He slowly turned to look at her, his dark eyes now focused solely on her lips.

Oblivious to his reaction, Xena sighed in delight. “God, I *need* to spend time with Travis and get all his recipes,” she said, savoring the taste.

The moment his name left her lips, Viktor's mood shifted entirely. A deep growl rumbled from his chest, and before she knew it, his strong hand wrapped around her wrist.

Xena gasped, startled. “Viktor… what are you—?”

"Who the fuck is Travis?" he bit out, his voice low, laced with jealousy and irritation.

Xena blinked, confused. “I-It’s just your c-cook,” she stammered. “The chef who made this…”

Viktor’s grip didn’t loosen. His expression darkened further, eyes filled with something dangerously possessive.

"Svetlana!" His voice thundered through the room.

Within seconds, Svetlana, appeared at the doorway, bowing her head respectfully.

"Get me Travis." he ordered coldly.

Xena’s heart dropped. She stared at him in disbelief. "V-Viktor… why are you calling him?"

Her concern grew when, moments later, Travis appeared, visibly nervous as he stepped into the dining hall.

Viktor pushed back his chair, rising to his full height as he slowly approached the young chef. The room was suffocating with tension.

Travis swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly as he stood before the mafia boss.

"You’re fired." Viktor declared, his voice void of any emotion.