Page 40 of Cruel Russian Monster
“Lev will be pissed,” Marten concluded.
“Lev will understand.” My tone softened. “If we don’t end this war soon, it’ll cost us the faction, or our damn lives. We can’t keep going like this, and he knows it. Not just for the sake of the faction, but for his wife’s mental health. We’re all burning the candle at both ends. It needs to end.”
Marten stepped toward me, his eyes searching mine.
“I know you, Jay. There’s more to this marriage than just wanting to stop Artyom. When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here. We won’t tell Lev anything.”
He turned and walked out.
I sank onto one of the sofas, exhaling heavily.
Marten was right.
There was more to this marriage than just politics. After almost losing her to Lev…just the thought of Vera being with another man made me sick to my stomach.
I didn’t just marry Vera to stop Artyom.
I married her to make sure no one else could have her but me. But now that I did have her, I was conflicted.
While I understood Avit’s stance concerning Ninel and Mariya, I needed him to see the full picture. Katya sent secret letters to Yegor and Zahkar regularly, and they also helped Lev get away from Artyom with Katya, as well as holding him back after he tried to lunge for Lev and Katya after they'd rescued her.
I wasn't worried about Yegor and Zahkar kidnapping Ninel or Mariya. The possibility of that rested on Artyom.
I pushed myself to my feet, poured myself two fingers of scotch, and drank it in one go.
I knew Marten could only stop Avit from telling Lev for so long. I needed to come clean soon.
Walking out of the lounge, I dragged myself to my room.
I’d deal with that tomorrow.
Tonight, I needed to rest.
Chapter 12 - Vera
Over the next few days, I stayed in my room, curled up with the books I borrowed from the library.
My mind drifted back to the night Jaroslav's brothers visited. When I heard their voices drifting upstairs, I thought he had invited them. That was until I saw him trying to shove them out the door.
If he hadn't told Avit, Pyotr, or Marten about our marriage, it meant that his other siblings had also been kept in the dark about it.
But since Lev or my brothers hadn’t come banging down the damn door, it was safe to assume Jaroslav’s brothers hadn’t said a word to any of them.
Not that I was worried—they were Bratva through and through. If there was one thing we’re good at, it’s keeping secrets.
What I appreciated about Jaroslav was despite his clear frustration with his younger brothers, he still allowed them to stay and keep me company. And I genuinely enjoyed spending time with them, just like we used to at Lev’s place.
Of course, I asked about Katya and Alexi. We even joked about how Pyotr had bought a brand-new Ferrari as a gift for Alexi, but was “test-driving” it until Alexi came of age.
Ever since Katya brought home her bundle of joy, the brothers had been locked in a silent competition to outdo each other. Ninel and Kira weren't silent about anything. If they liked it, they bought it. Lev and Katya tried to rein everyone in, but after a month of chaos, they gave up.
At one point, Lev even told one of his siblings that it was time they got married and had kids of their own, so they’d have someone else’s child to spoil instead of hijacking his.
I guess Jaroslav took those words to heart.
I chuckled to myself and sighed. At least those weren’t the only words he took to heart. After our discussion at the library, Jaroslav started coming down for breakfast and was usually home for dinner, though sometimes he left afterward.
He’d even started calling during the day to check in on me, which I had to admit was sweet of him. But I really missed chatting with my sisters.
