Page 84 of Cruel Russian Monster
“And you're my older sister.” Her eyes softened. “You'll do anything for me. You've proven that over the years. I want you to do this for you.”
A sob caught in my throat as she continued, “Zahkar and Yegor might never admit it, or can't, but they aren't happy with how Artyom is running the faction. And definitely not happy about the ongoing war with the Safin faction.”
I nodded slowly. Artyom hadn't always been like this, but with each passing year, he got more and more controlling.
“I love you, Kira. I don't know what I'd do without you.”
Kira squeezed me tightly.
“And I love you, too. Don't think you're in this alone. And when we get through this, you'd better promise that if I find a man even half as good as Jaroslav, that you'll help me keep him.”
I smiled and chuckled despite myself. “I pray that you find a man that's better than he is.”
I wanted nothing more than for Kira to marry a man who loved her, who'd worship the ground she walked on and protect her from everything evil in this world.
Then the tears were back, and Kira pulled me into another hug.
We stayed like that for a few minutes. Kira's phone buzzed, and she checked it.
“It's Zahkar. I have to leave. But, we're here. All of us. We've got you.”
She helped me to my feet and pulled me into a quick hug before slipping out the door again.
I sat once again in the armchair and pulled my feet to my chest. My thoughts drifted back to the time I spent with him, in Florida, in the library, in his bed.
He wasn't the man I had loved three years ago. He had grown, evolved as I did. But at his core…he was the same.
Commanding. Strategic. Possessive. Protective. Ruthless.
Everything I'd ever wanted in a man. I’d thought that over time I’d fall out of love with him, but I didn't. That love lingered.And once he dragged me back into his life, something sparked, ignited, and then…exploded.
There was no going back from the silver-eyed man who stepped in at the bar to protect me. There were no upgrades from him. My heart belonged to him. I'd never give it to another.
My eyes misted.
I missed Jaroslav. I needed him. And deep down, I knew that if I couldn’t convince Artyom to accept the marriage and let me go, I might never see him again. Artyom wouldn’t care that I was married; he’d probably force me to marry someone else just to prove I had no right to choose the enemy.
I was scared.
Scared for myself.
Scared for Jaroslav.
Scared for our unborn child.
I placed a trembling hand on my stomach. I had to keep pretending I was okay, that the nausea and weakness weren’t getting worse with every passing minute.
But if I didn’t talk to Artyom now, then when? Waiting wouldn't make it easier.
I took a deep breath, pushed up from the chair, and went in search of him.
I found him in the lounge, sitting by the bar. His lips curled into a wicked smile when I walked in.
“Ah, Vera, just the person I want to see,” he grinned. “Do you want a glass of wine?”
Artyom was never nice. The fact that he was trying to tell me he already had a plan.
“I don't want any wine,” I said, as firmly as I could. “I wanted us to talk.”
