Page 92 of Cruel Russian Monster
“Vera,” he said softly, as his eyes opened slowly. “This is what you should have had since you came to this house. It was a lapse in judgment on my part. It took something awful to happen to you for me to do what needed to be done. For that, I apologize.”
He took a step towards me, and he placed a hand on the side of my neck.
“I love you, Vera. And that comes with going over the top with security details to keep you and our baby safe. It comes with me being a possessive son of a bitch when it comes to doing right by you and our baby. I've never been a husband or a father, and it's the first time in my life I'm scared as hell, because I know what I stand to lose if I fuck this up. Let me love you the only way I know how—obsessively, protectively and ruthlessly.”
Butterflies swarmed my stomach, and I nodded.
Jaroslav didn't offer the “boy next door” kind of love. He offered something more raw, more dangerous…something my soul craved from its depths. And because of how he was loving me, I knew we'd be okay.
Jaroslav escorted me upstairs. We took a shower together, then he tucked me into bed. He kissed me softly.
“Let's get you something to eat.”
After lunch, Jaroslav and I were sitting in the lounge. I was cradled in his lap, face nestled in his neck.
“Lev thinks we should speak with Artyom sooner rather than later,” he said quietly.
“I agree. Can we get it done today?” I asked, pulling away just enough to see Jaroslav's eyes.
His eyes immediately turned from silver to stormy gray. “No.”
I straightened up on Jaroslav's lap and would've hopped off if he'd let me.
“Why not? Isn't today soon?” I folded my arms.
“Vera, you just came from the clinic, you should rest and…”
I cut him off, “And what was I doing for the past three days, Jaroslav? Training in the damn army? I've done nothing but rest…”
“Vera, when I saw you collapse…” Jaroslav closed his eyes, and I saw his jaw twitch. “I don't want to lose you.”
He opened his eyes, searching mine for understanding.
I sighed. “When do you think would be the best time for us to meet Artyom?”
“In two days. It gives us time to come up with a deal that would appease him to accept the marriage, and end the war between our factions.”
“But that's two more days without hearing from my siblings.” I bit my lower lip. “I'm worried about Kira. I know Yegor and Zahkar wouldn't let Artyom harm her, but I'm worried about them.”
“I am, too. Yegor and Zahkar helped fight the guards so I could escape with you.”
My heart slammed into my chest like a hammer.
This isn't good, this isn't good at all.
They did so much to help Lev escape with Katya, and Artyom had them whipped. And those were instances outsiders didn't see, but to fight off the guards? Guards who would talk?
Fuck.
Would he let the guards live?
Fuck.
Were my siblings even alive?
I couldn't breathe.
Images of dead bodies strewn across the front lawn of our family mansion flashed across my mind. The lifeless eyes of my siblings staring at me.
