Page 86 of Cruel Russian Monster
I curled into a ball and cried myself to sleep.
I'm not sure how long I'd been asleep when I was forcefully yanked from the sofa by one arm. I stumbled and gasped as a wave of nausea hit me.
“Seems like Jaroslav has a death wish. What the fuck does he think this is? Some Disney movie where he could storm in and whisk his bride away?”
“W-what did you do?” I asked.
I tried to yank my arm away, but Artyom gripped me tighter, and I winced.
“I haven't done anything…yet,” he snarled. “But since he has presented himself to us, you will go outside and tell him that your marriage is over. We'll deliver the annulment papers for him to sign. If you don't, you'll never see Ninel and Mariya again.”
I nodded stiffly as tears ran down my face. Artyom walked behind me, pushing me to go faster. What had I done in this lifetime to deserve this? To lose Jaroslav again.
When we stepped into the yard, Jaroslav was surrounded by about eight guards, pistols trained on him. Yegor and Zahkar stood close behind.
My stomach dropped, and I froze. Our gazes locked, and for the first time, I saw fear in Jaroslav’s eyes. This man, who was larger than life, this man who ate thugs for breakfast, stood in front of me, and I felt fear radiating from him.
I almost crumbled from the pain of being torn apart.
God! Help me!
I wanted to be held by him.
To be kissed by him.
To be loved…by him.
The tears cascaded down my cheeks, and I couldn't stop them if I tried.
Artyom grabbed my face and forced me to face him. “Remember what we agreed upon.”
I nodded.
“Good. Now let's get this over and done with.”
When we had reached about ten feet away, Artyom forced me to a stop. Jaroslav took one step forward, and the men surrounding him did as well.
My heart lurched.
I knew I had to save Ninel and Mariya, but I needed to let Jaroslav know how much I loved him. I inhaled deeply to push back another wave of nausea as I struggled to keep my balance.
“Jaroslav…” my voice cracked. “I love you…so much…”
God! The expression on his face at the recognition of my love was pure and innocent. One I'd remember forever.
I just hoped he'd forgive me for breaking his heart a second time.
I opened my mouth to speak again, but my words slurred, my knees buckled, and darkness swallowed me whole.
Chapter 23 - Jaroslav
My life flashed before my eyes, and it wasn't because of the guns pointed at me.
The woman I loved had just confessed her love to me, then collapsed right in front of me. I needed to get to her.
Fuck this shit.
Then everything happened all at once.
