Page 91 of Cruel Russian Monster
“I’ll do anything for you.”
I pulled her closer, and she curled into my chest. Together, we drifted off to sleep.
When we woke up again, Vera went to get the ultrasound done. Only then did we send a picture of the sonogram with the message:“Another Safin is on the way.”
Katya, Mariya, and Ninel sent back screaming voice notes, and Lev and the others dropped by one by one to give their congratulations in person.
I knew she was sad and worried when she didn’t hear back from Yegor, Kira and Zahkar. But I reassured her, as soon as they could, they’d get in touch. Especially Kira, since she did storm the headquarters in disguise and then snuck into the clinic to see Katya when she was ill. And Vera chuckled knowingly.
Over the next three days, Vera stayed at the clinic until I was satisfied with where her blood pressure was. Katya had gone to the house and packed a bag with some of our things since there was no way I was leaving Vera there alone.
Between her, Ninel, Mariya and Tomas, we were well-fed, and while my brothers dropped in, we insisted the women stay indoors until things with Artyom were settled.
Lev took it upon himself to hire security for my house. No one was taking chances.
On the fourth day, Dr. Decker declared Vera fit to leave and wrote a prescription for prenatal vitamins. I asked if she’d be willing to come to the house if needed. She said yes. I handed her a cap payment of one hundred grand to make sure that if Vera ever needed her, she’d drop whatever she was doing and be there.
When Dr. Decker left the room, I turned to Vera.
“Mrs. Safin, are you ready to go home?”
“Yes, please,” she smiled.
“And are you ready to put that casual bullshit aside and make this marriage work?”
“I am.”
I kissed her. “Me too. And when we get home…I’ll show you how grateful I am for having this second chance of loving you.”
With one arm wrapped around Vera's waist and the duffel bag slung over my shoulder, we exited the room.
It may have taken us three years…
But we were finally where we were always meant to be.
Chapter 24 - Vera
Stepping out of the clinic, I felt like I was some sort of royalty. We were quickly escorted to the car by men in black tactical gear, earpieces, and high-powered rifles.
Jaroslav didn't even stop to fill the prescription on the way home. He said Tomas would make the purchase. His priority was getting me home sooner rather than later.
And when we got home…
It felt like something from a movie. Guards patrolled in twos silently with blank faces, cradling high-powered rifles like babies. It wasn't like I hadn't grown up with security, but these guards made me feel like Jaroslav had the codes for some nuclear warheads sitting in the house. I swore I felt eyes staring at me from the roof and through the branches of the trees.
“Jaroslav, why are all these men here?” I whispered as we walked to the house.
“Security detail, courtesy of Lev.” His expression was unreadable.
“From none to a million is a bit over the top, don't you think?” I asked as we stepped into the house.
Jaroslav locked the door behind us, and he looked at me with such an intensity in his eyes that I took a step back.
He sighed.
He held out his hand to me, and without thinking, I placed my hand in his.
I watched as he closed his eyes and lowered his head while strumming his thumb along my hand.
