Marital Privileges

The Ivanov family exudes wealth and power, so when its founder shows up on the surgical roster of a third-year resident, even with me not laying eyes on her previously, I'm thrust under their spotlight. Her son's, to be precise. Maksim Ivanov is a walking red flag. He oozes confidence, and appears to have never been told no, but despite our differences, sparks ignite the moment we trade sultry glances. The tension is white hot. I've never experienced such an immediate mutual connection. But as quickly as his mother was placed under my care, she is removed. I assume her discharge will be the last I'll hear from the mysterious family, so I struggle to hold back my delight when I bump into Maksim weeks later. He's darker than the man I'd met previously. More unhinged. But I am still drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Regretfully, he tries to make it seem as if the sparks are one sided. He pushes me away as often than he draws me in, so you can picture my shock when I wake up after a night out drinking, wearing his ring. I wanted to make him jealous. I became his wife instead. It could be mistaken as magical… until more than just the people I placed between us start showing up dead.

Zoya I never imagined a dreaded gynaecology appointment would result in a fire-sparking connection hotter than the sun. Even in an office designed to torture women, the tension between the sinfully delicious stranger and me is so blistering that we spend the night together, twisted beneath silky sheets. Although disappointed to wake alone the following morning, I assume aching muscles will be the worst side effect of our night of sin. If only anything in my life was that simple. I learn shortly after our night of debauchery that Andrik isn't just seductively charming and easy on the eye. He is also married. During an exchange as heated as the night before, he assures me that I have nothing to feel guilty about, that his marriage is a contractual agreement designed to take down a hierarchy that's been ruling his life since prior to his conception. His defense is so credible that I almost believe him. But with one lie unearthing a dozen more, it isn't solely Andrik's affair being scrutinized. A dynasty centuries in the making is about to topple, and I'm unknowingly wielding the axe responsible for its demise. Andrik One glance seared my soul, but one brush of a pair of pouty lips seals my fate. Zoya Galdean is going to ruin me. No ifs. No buts. She will ruin me. But I refuse to withdraw from a battle more dangerous than one decades in the making. Betrothed or not, Zoya wants me, so she will have me. I just can't publicly announce that until I fix the monumental mistake I initiated mere hours before bedding a woman whose inclusion in the farce ensures it isn't solely my head on the chopping block.