Crown of Hate (Soulless Empire)

Chapter 6

6

MIKHAIL

I kiss her without mercy, my arm firmly wrapped around her waist as I feast on her soft, sweet lips. I’m vaguely aware of the onlookers, but their presence fades into insignificance. I don’t give a flying fuck who’s watching. All that matters is Alya, here in my arms. She’s mine now. Mine to take and devour.

And I’ll make sure she knows it.

At first, she resists, her body tense, her teeth clenched. But I don’t back down. I suck on her upper lip, thrusting my tongue into her mouth, demanding entry… and dominance.

Her intoxicating scent fills my nostrils, tempting me even more.

She smells so fucking good, and she tastes even better.

Heat ripples through me as my primal instincts take over. Every nerve in me screams to take her right here and now. God, I want to get inside her so fucking bad.

But I resist, I hold back. Then, finally, gloriously , she yields. Her lips part, granting me access to that warm, wet haven. I plunge in, conquering every inch of her.

Alya’s fingers tangle in my shirt as she moans softly into my mouth. The sound is music to my ears.

I let out a low grunt in response, my muscles trembling and my cock growing harder by the second, begging for release. It knows what I know: she wants me. And almost as much as I want her.

But does she know it?

Fuck. I’ll make sure she can’t ignore it.

“Fucking delicious,” I growl, biting down on her lower lip.

Her back arches, her chin dipping up and away, but I lift my hand to straighten her again. I’m not done. Not by a long shot.

I’m on fire, my body pulsing with a hunger that’s almost overwhelming. My chest heaves as I imagine pinning her to my bed. Pounding her into the sheets. Making her scream my name, over and over…

Fuck. No. I can’t lose control. Not yet. I have to pull away… Now .

It takes all my willpower to break our kiss. I could easily order everyone to leave and give in to this maddening hunger, but I don’t. It’s her first night as my wife, and despite her hate for me, I want to make it special for her… if even only to keep her from breaking too soon.

Given Alya’s love for animals, she’s most likely the kind of girl who’s long dreamed of a sweet wedding night, complete with rose petals scattered around a princess’ bed and strawberry-scented candles lighting the room.

Well, I intend to give her just that. Before she came down, I ordered Louisa to light up scented candles and decorate our room with rose petals. Something I’d never do on a normal day. But my little wife already has me wrapped around her fingers. I wonder if she knows that yet?

More importantly, I wonder what she’ll do when she finds out I didn’t kidnap her just to get back at Akim.

No.

I did this because, from the moment I set my eyes on her, I felt an irresistible pull, like a moth to a flame. It wasn’t just her appearance; it was something deeper, something I couldn’t quite explain. I wanted to make her mine.

Every fiber of my being yearns for her— all of her .

For her touch.

Her taste

Her scent

Her very essence.

Fuck, I’m so obsessed with her. I never want to let her go.

But I can’t let her know it. Not yet. Hell, I’m only aware of it in fleeting moments. Moments like this, when she’s so close, I could take everything I want from her…

Slowly, Alya’s eyes flutter open, her breath coming out in short gasps as her tongue darts out to wet her kiss-swollen lips. A blush spreads across her cheeks, turning her from angel to temptress in the blink of an eye. The sight nearly brings me to my knees.

“Pervert!” she gasps, shoving against my chest with surprising strength.

But I hold firm, my finger gently tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. “You’re quite the talented kisser, my dear wife.” My voice comes out rougher than intent, betraying the depth of my desire.

She squirms in my grasp, eyes blazing with a fury that only makes her more irresistible. If looks could kill, I’d be dead ten times already from the daggers her eyes are shooting at me. “I’m not your wife!”

My gaze dips pointedly to her ring finger, where the diamond I placed earlier catches the light. A smile plays on my lips, equal parts amused and aroused by her defiance. “Deny it all you want, malyshka . You’re mine now. In the eyes of God, the law, and most importantly, in mine.”

She’s seething, those gorgeous eyes promising a slow, painful death. I’m tempted to suggest a good blowjob would be the easiest way, but I’d rather not risk a knee to the groin tonight.

Soft and small as she may be, my wife is actually feisty.

“I suppose you’re mine too?”

I can’t tell if that’s a statement or a question, but I nod anyway, curious to see where she’s going with this.

“Good, because I have some rules for you.” She squares her shoulders and takes a deep breath that does the most delightful things to her cleavage. I force my eyes back to her face as she continues, “From today onward, you’re not allowed to look at another woman. I’ll turn you into a eunuch if you do.”

I smirk. “Possessive already, are you?”

“Since you’re taking away my basic human rights, keeping it in your pants is the least you can do.”

“Don’t worry about another woman touching what’s yours, wife. Fucking you is the only thought on my mind right now, and it’ll be for the rest of our marriage.” It’s not empty flattery or an attempt to appease her. The mere idea of cheating on my woman is as foreign to me as showing mercy to my enemies.

She snorts, disbelief written all over her face. “Liar.”

“I don’t lie.”

“That’s the first lie, Mr. Zirkhov,” she says sardonically. “You have weird habits.”

“I’d prefer if you called me husband, but I’ll wait until you’re ready.” The word “husband” feels strange on my tongue, but I find I like it. A lot.

She shakes her head, giving me a tired look. “I assume this… madness is over?”

“You’re my wife already. The madness is just beginning, malyshka .”

“I’m exhausted,” she sighs, shoulders slumping in defeat. The sight tugs at something in my chest.

A gentle breeze sweeps her hair into her face, and I can’t resist reaching out to tuck the raven-black locks back behind her ear. “Go up and take a shower. I’ll join you when I’m done here.”

She doesn’t say a word as she turns and walks toward the entrance. I nod at Louisa, signaling her to go with Alya.

Once Alya is out of sight, Semyon joins me at my side. His eyes are fixed on the door she disappeared through. “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but you’re playing a dangerous game.”

I chuckle, reaching into my pocket for my phone. “She’s a tiny woman, how dangerous can she be?” But even as I say the words, I know they’re a lie. Alya might be the most dangerous thing that’s ever happened to me.

With a hint of mischief, I dial Akim’s number. It’s time to let the old fox know that the game has changed. It rings once before he answers, but there’s no response on the other end.

Basking in my dominance, I break the silence. “Akim, I believe you don’t need an introduction, am I right?”

“You bastard. Where is Alya?” he barks.

I grin. Oh, how I wish I could see the fury in his eyes. “You might be shocked to learn that I accepted your proposal to marry Alya, just not exactly how you suggested.”

Akim has always been a pompous ass, thinking he’s untouchable. During my reign as Pakhan in Russia, I kept him under close surveillance. He’s too proud to ever truly submit to another’s rule; he’s like a treacherous pawn, desperate for the throne but knowing he’ll never claim it.

His only option is to put someone else on the throne. Someone malleable, someone he can manipulate like a marionette. Someone like Boris.

“ Svoloch’!” He curses under his breath. “You’ll pay for this!”

I rub my jaw. Akim worked under me for two years; he knows better than anyone that I don’t tolerate disrespect. But I’ll let it slide this one time. After all, he has every right to lose his shit, seeing how I’ve just snatched away his trump card for keeping me under control.

“Easy, Akim,” I drawl, slipping my hand in my pocket. My tone is deceptively casual, belying the threat beneath. “Hurling insults and threats aren’t exactly in your best interest right now, is it?”

“Go to hell,” he spits, barely containing his rage.

“I will, but only if you’re coming with me.” Riling him up is even more satisfying than I imagined. It’s a pity I can’t witness it firsthand. “Here’s some free advice: don’t try to reach out to my wife, and don’t even think about using her to control me.”

“Wife?” The word comes out strangled, as if he’s choking on it. “What do you mean?”

“I see you didn’t understand me very well the first time.” I loosen my tie, dragging it all the way down to my chest. The silk slides against my skin, a poor substitute for what I really want to feel. “Alya and I got married tonight. I apologize for the lack of invitation. I was in a bit of a rush.”

Silence. An unsettling amount of silence that speaks volumes.

“Did you just have a heart attack?” I taunt after a while, unable to resist twisting the knife. “Your reaction is kind of hurting my feelings. You wanted this union. You proposed it, dear old friend.”

“You’ll pay for this,” he swears. “I promise.” But his threats fall flat.

“You betrayed me, Akim. I could make you pay for being a traitor.” My tone turns glacial, dropping several degrees in an instant. “But I can’t do that. Not anymore. I lost my position as Pakhan, all thanks to a certain bald, old fart.”

My fingers tighten around the phone. Akim will be the first to die when I return to Russia. His death will be slow. Excruciatingly slow, agonizing, and oh so satisfying. I’ll savor every scream, every plea for mercy.

But for now, it’s my little secret. No need to spoil the surprise just yet.

“That position was never yours. You killed the Pakhan and stole it.”

“Did I?” I chuckle at his pathetic attempt to justify himself. It’s both amusing and pitiful; he’s such a coward, always hiding behind words and schemes. “Last I remember, you stole a lot more than I did from the previous Pakhan.”

He goes quiet again. For fucks sake. I have a bride to attend to.

“What do you want?” he finally asks, defeat creeping into his voice.

“You, Akim,” I snarl, the words ripping from my throat. “Join me and help me regain what is mine, or remain on the losing team. The choice is yours.”

“If I say no?”

“I’ll burn you and everything you hold dear to the ground.” My grip on the phone tightens even more as I say, “I’ll start with Alya.”

“I know you, Mikhail. You’d never hurt a defenseless woman.” He pauses. “You’re not that kind of man.”

“I’m desperate,” I retort, the threat in my words still present. “Desperation can turn a man into a lot of things.”

It’s a lie, of course. I would never hurt Alya. I would never touch a hair on her head or do anything she doesn’t want me to. Akim is right about that—I’d never hurt an innocent woman. It’s one of the few lines I won’t cross. But he doesn’t need to know that. Let him think I’m capable of anything.

“Let Alya go, then we can bargain.”

“I think you’re forgetting something, Akim. You’re not in the position to negotiate. I make the rules around here, not you.”

His laughter echoes through the phone. A long, wicked cackle that makes my nostrils flare. “Do what you want with the girl, Mikhail. You’re foolish to think I’ll join you just to save her. She means nothing to me.”

I shrug, even though he can’t see it. “Maybe not. But I wonder how Boris will react when he uncovers your dirty little secret. He doesn’t know, does he? Do the other men know you’re nothing but a filthy little traitor?”

“Watch what you say, boy,” he warns with a growl. The threat in his voice would make lesser men tremble. But not me.

“You have the next two weeks to decide.” I hang up before he can say anything else.

When my gaze floats to Semyon, he’s watching me, surprise etched on his face like it’s been carved there. “That was a little more intense than I expected,” he says.

“Not intense enough.” Winning Akim over won’t be easy, but the thought of him lying lifeless at my feet makes the struggle worth it.

“What now, boss?”

I think for a moment. “We wait for him to make his move.”

Semyon’s eyes narrow. “He’ll try to take you out before then.”

“He already has. There’s a million-dollar bounty on my head.” I almost laugh at the absurdity of it. As if money could buy my death. “Unfortunately for Akim, I’m not an easy man to kill.”

“How do you know this?”

“I have my sources, but I can’t reveal them.” Despite what everyone believes, I still have a few loyal men in the Russian Bratva. Men who remember who I was, who I am. I don’t trust anyone enough to reveal their identities, not even Alexei.

Trust is a luxury a man like me can’t afford. It’s a weakness, a chink in the armor that enemies are all too eager to exploit.

“Be careful, no man is unkillable,” Semyon warns, his face filled with concern. Then, realization dawns on him. “That girl, what made you think Akim will try to save her?”

My lips quirk. “Because she’s his greatest secret.”

Semyon’s face scrunches up. He’s clearly confused. “Does the Bratva think she’s dead? Did Akim hide her away after the previous Pakhan died?”

“I’ll tell you when it’s time,” I say, placing my hand on his shoulder. “But until then, curb your curiosity, and don’t breathe a word of this to Ilya.”

Semyon used to work for Ilya, but now he’s my man. He knows better than to gossip about my business to my brother-in-law.

He nods.

“Leave, all of you,” I dismiss the rest of the room. Everyone begins to disperse, except Semyon. He still has that curious glint in his eyes.

I know what he’s itching to ask. He wants to know how and why Alya is a secret Akim will fight for.

But he won’t be getting the answer tonight. Not until I’m ready to use it as my weapon.