Page 61 of Cruel Russian Monster
“So, how is Kira?” I asked.
“Wait?” Zahkar said. “You haven't told Kira?”
I shook my head. “But I guess that since both of you know I can call her later today and fill her in.”
“Don't tell her everything in detail. Just let her know that you're married. She's in the middle of exams, and she needs to focus,” Yegor cautioned.
“I will. So besides Kira doing exams, how are the two of you?”
“Good.”
“Peachy.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Really?” I asked them.
“Vera, do you expect us to sit here and spill our guts in front ofhim?”
I flinched.
“All I wanted to do was to catch up with my brothers.” My shoulders slouched.
“And we have caught up,” Zahkar insisted. “You asked us how we were, and we responded accordingly.”
I sighed. I pushed the pancakes around my plate. Maybe inviting them to stay was a bad idea. An awkward silence filled the room until Yegor broke it.
“So, Jaroslav. As one man to another. Bratva to Bratva. I don't play with my sisters. I'm not the type of Bratva man that doesn't give a shit as to how her husband treats her…”
“Yegor,” I tried to interrupt, but Jaroslav placed his hand on mine and squeezed gently.
“Vera, it's fine. Let him speak.”
I nodded.
Yegor continued. “If you hurt Vera, one, Artyom wouldn't be the brother you'd have to worry about, and two, your family will never find your body.”
“Yegor!” I shot to my feet.
Jaroslav rose too and turned me to him. He cupped my face, and I held on to his wrists, blinking back tears at the thought of Yegor harming Jaroslav.
“Vera, he's doing what any older brother should do. For that, I respect him. It shows how much he loves you. I'm saying this in front of you and your brothers. We, just like many other Bratva couples, didn't marry for love, but that doesn't mean I'll ever hurt you. You are my wife. It is my duty to protect you and provide for you. To ensure that you're happy and safe under my roof. Vera, you're safe with me.”
Then he leaned in and kissed me. And it wasn't a light kiss. Jaroslav didn't give a shit that my brothers were sitting there as he kissed the hell out of me.
My heart raced, and my knees were on the verge of buckling under this man who had captured my lips and was holding them ransom.
“Woooohoooo! I didn't know I was coming for breakfast and a movie.”
Startled and dazed, I turned to see Katya standing by the door. Zahkar and Yegor both shot up from their chairs and hugged her. She walked up to Jaroslav and hugged him, then pulled me into her arms and whispered cheekily, “Welcome to the ‘I have a fabulous husband’ club. I heard his speech, you've got a keeper.”
I chuckled as she pulled away.
Everyone sat down, and between Katya and me, we were able to lighten the conversation.
I told them about the trip we just came back from, which Katya rightfully pointed out was a honeymoon.
But was it, though? Because you didn't get any damn honey.
