Page 147 of Ruins
I don’t like it.
“None of us aregoodmen,” he says smoothly. His head tilts, watching me with something that makes my skin prickle—not fear, but irritation. “You know... the Pakhan promised you would be one of ours before he sent you to this dump to struggle with the classless.”
I pause.
And then, very slowly, I turn to face him.
My voice is even, my chin lifted, my pride unshaken. “Having my own library is hardly a dump,” I say, my Russian precise, elegant. “And being forced to marry one of you?” I smile, but there is nothing soft about it. “That would mean I woulddropin rank. That would truly be a struggle.”
His expression shifts.Offended.
Good.
A sharp scrape echoes as Luca and Romeo push their chairs back, rising to their feet. In an instant, they are at my side, a silent wall of protection.
Luca’s voice is a low, dangerous drawl. “What did you say to her?”
Alexei scoffs, his disapproval clear, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of reacting.
Instead, I exhale slowly, my composure unwavering, and switch to English as I address Luca.
“It’s nothing.” My voice is smooth, dismissive. I flick my gaze back to Alexei, unimpressed. “He’s just a typical grunt in the Bratva with a typical attitude.”
A muscle ticks in Alexei’s jaw, but he doesn’t argue.
Instead, he turns sharply on his heel, moving to guard the door, clearly irritated.
I watch him go, my fingers tightening briefly around my brush before I return to my painting.
I won’t let men like him think they can shake me.
The rest of the day passes by uneventful. I’m worried about Santo and Luca assures me he is just at NovaRael working, but his tone suggests otherwise. As night falls, the house becomes quiet. All except the light scratching sounds of brushes against canvas and the quiet whispers of my guards conversing in secret. The magnolia trees are coming to life under my brush, vibrant pinks and deep greens set against the blue-sky backdrop. I paint until my fingers grow numb from gripping the brush, but it’s a sort of therapy that keeps me grounded amidst all the uncertainty.
“Vasilisa, you should rest,” Luca suggests, his voice breaking the silence. He’s been observing me quietly from the side, his brown eyes holding a hint of concern.
“I can’t sleep,” I mutter back, not taking my eyes off the canvas. My heartstrings tug sharply at the thought of Santo somewhere out there in danger.
“Try,” urges Romeo with a soft smile.
“Perhaps you’re right,” I confess with a sigh. I tidy up my materials before allowing Romeo to accompany me to my room while Luca heads outside to replace Enzo and Sergei. “Where’s Alexei?” I ask Romeo as we head to the master bedroom.
Romeo grimaces, “Santo sent him back to Maksim.” he shrugs.
“Santo spoke to you, you heard from him today?” I ask stopping mid stride. “Is he okay?”
Romeo nods confidently. “Yes, he’s working at the office today, he’s in no danger.”
“I was there this morning Romeo, there’s a war coming,” I cross my arms over my chest.
“And your husband is one of the most powerful men in the city, he’ll be fine, and you’ll be safe,” Romeo chuckles, “Now relax your brow before you wrinkle.”
I can’t help, but crack a smile, “Okay, but next time he calls can you tell him I want to talk to him?”
“If he contacts me, I will,” Romeo promises.
I open my door, but Romeo stops me, and ushers me behind him, “I have to do a sweep.”
Exasperated, I sigh, “No one has been in or out of this house.”
