Page 38 of Cruel Russian Monster
Pyotr was already helping himself to a drink. He looked up as I walked in.
“Based on intel from one of the girls,” he said smugly, “we were able to foil Artyom’s latest attempt. I tried calling you, but Tomas said you were away on business.”
He sipped his drink casually, as if he hadn’t just dropped a major win in the war we were barely keeping ahead of.
I wanted to ask for details, I really did, but I needed them out of here. Now.
“And this couldn’t have been a phone call?” I snapped. “You came all the way out here at night to tell me this in person? Who’s at the house with Ninel and Mariya?”
Marten and Avit lived at the family mansion with Ninel and Mariya. However, Pyotr had his own place due to the multiple women he entertained.
I knew I was overreacting. But if it got them out of here, I’d deal with the fallout later.
Marten’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “The same people who always watch them when we’re working nights at the club or whatever the hell Lev asks us to do.”
Avit cocked his head. “There’s more security over there than Fort Knox. What’s your deal, Jay?”
“Nothing.” I cut him off. “I was heading out before you showed up. So you need to leave. Now.”
Pyotr flopped into a chair, grinning wide. “My executioner…what are you hiding?” He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “You’ve left us in your house before.”
Then something clicked behind his eyes, and I tensed. He sat up straighter.
“Jay, are you hiding a woman in here?” he asked, voice suddenly sly.
“I’m not hiding anyone,” I said evenly. “This is my house, and I’m asking you to leave.”
I snatched the glass from Pyotr’s hand mid-sip and ignored his protest. I grabbed each of them by the arm and started pushing them toward the front door.
We almost made it.
But Avit stopped to turn around to say something to me and froze.
Then, Pyotr turned and smirked.
And Marten let out a grunt.
Shit.
“So…youwerehiding a woman,” Pyotr said, eyes lighting up.
He slipped free of my grip and strolled toward the stairs, where Vera was now standing at the bottom, clearly caught mid-step.
He gave her a brief hug and stepped back with a raised brow. “Kira said you were away. That’s why you missed your last visit with Katya. I'm surprised to see you here…at this hour.”
Vera’s cheeks flushed red.
“Pyotr,” I snapped sharply. “Avit. Marten. Lounge. Now.”
My brothers obeyed without a word.
This wasn’t how I wanted them to find out. Not even close.
Shit.
Just as I stepped past her, her fingers curled around my arm. I halted and looked down at her.
“Don’t send them away yet, please,” she said softly, then let go. “It’s…nice to have company. Would you mind if I talked with them for a bit?”
