Page 30 of Cruel Russian Monster
I sank onto the bed, realizing I had become exactly what I didn't want to be—a pawn. The only difference was that I wasn't playing on anyone else's board but mine. I just hoped that I hadn't played my own damn self.
Chapter 9 - Jaroslav
I stalked into my room and slammed the door behind me. I headed straight to my walk-in closet, dropping the bag of medication on my bed along the way.
I would give Vera what she asked for, a little taste of freedom and the comfort of knowing that her family was safe…for now.
But I'd make damn well sure she'd pay the price if she crossed me. If she broke her word, I’d make her regret the day she drew her first breath.
But as I got dressed, the fury started to subside.
No matter how hard I tried to shut it down, the image of her sprang back. How she flew off the bed when I stepped out of the bathroom, her hands trembling as she checked me over to make sure I was okay. How she was worried about the blood-stained car, terrified that Tomas might lose his job, and overwhelmed by everything that had happened.
And when those tears began to fall, I hadn’t been able to resist pulling her into my arms to comfort her. For Vera to crack like that in front of me after what I did to her and what I had said meant something. She could've hidden her pain from me, but she didn't. She melted into my arms like she used to.
And every time Vera ended up in my arms, I remembered how we used to be…how good we had once been together.
Yes, once. As in the past tense. As in a previous time. Before now. Before betrayal.
Don’t let a few tears and soft words make you forget the pain she put you through.
And in case your memory’s slipping, check the new scar stitched into your side. A gift from her, trying to run away from the mess she caused.
You’ve been down for two days, Jaroslav. Two days out of the game. That’s two days Lev was exposed. Two days anything could’ve gone wrong. That can’t happen again.
Reinforce the walls. Lock the emotional shit down.
Forget Vera. Forget the past.
It’s time to get back to work.
I stepped out of the closet and spotted my phone on the dresser. I picked it up and scrolled through. Lev had to be wondering where the hell I’d disappeared to these last two days.
To my surprise, there was only one message from him:
Tomas said you were out of state, working on some alliances. Let me know when you’re back in town.
Immediately, I wired one hundred grand to Tomas. Loyalty like that deserved compensation. He hadn’t just shown up for me, he’d covered my ass. And Lev’s reaction made one thing clear: not only had he trusted Tomas because I did, but he respected me enough to believe I’d do what the faction needed, even if I didn’t run it by him first. Which made me feel better about the decision I made about marrying Vera.
Next, I shot Tomas a message letting him know I'd meet him by the car in five minutes so he could take me to the office.
I opened the bag with the medication, downed the painkillers and antibiotics, and left the bottles on the dresser.
Even though I took my time walking down the stairs, I was sore by the time I reached the front door. Hopefully, the painkillers would kick in soon.
When I stepped outside, Tomas was already waiting by the car.
As I approached, a small smile curved his lips.
“Are you happy to see me or happy about the hundred grand I sent to your account?” I smirked.
“Both,” he grinned. “It's good to see you up and about, sir.”
I shook his hand when I stood in front of him and patted his shoulder briefly. “You're a good man, Tomas. Thank you.” I smiled. “Now break time is over, we've got a faction to protect.”
“Yes, sir.”
On my way to the office, my phone rang. I answered, and before I could get a word in, Ninel’s voice exploded through the line.
