Page 4 of Darkest Love
“But you and Natalya and Mikahil and all of his guards are making it so that I can’t have any fun. You don’t want me to get hurt but Mom, you have to allow some things to happen to me.”
“I know.” She stands up and cups my cheek. “But I’m just scared that you’ve been so sheltered, you’re not fully ready for what life has to offer.”
I pull away from her. “But if I was given more freedom, then I would be better prepared.”
“It’s not going to happen. Now, go. I’m trying to read.”
There’s no point in arguing with my mom. It never gets anywhere.
I find Natalya in the kitchen, making cupcakes. She’s so domestic and happy. Her large pregnant belly also adds to the domesticity of everything. At twenty-six, she’s finally having her first kid. I was shocked that she and Mikhail didn’t have kids sooner but they wanted a few years to just enjoy being married before they brought kids into the mix.
My other sister, Sasha, has stated many times that she doesn’t want kids any time soon, if ever. As for Irina, who’s only two years older than me, will probably pop out a baby in a year or so. She’s always been one for motherhood.
As for me? I just want to experience love first before I even think about kids, though kids at least would be something different. Something interesting.
“Bored?” Natalya asks me, placing the cupcakes in the oven.
“Like always,” I groan, sliding into the chair at the kitchen table.
She offers me a pitying smile as she sits across from me. “I know you hate being stuck inside all day. But it’s for your own –,”
“Safety,” I finish for her. “I know. Doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”
“I’m sure Mikhail will marry you off to someone soon. I know he’s always trying to make deals with more men to gain power. But I always remind him that it has to be someone who will treat you with respect. I will not see you married to a man who would harm you. I told Mikhail to kill any man who did that.”
“I can’t make my own decisions in life. You were my age when you married Mikhail. Why don’t I get the same courtesy?”
“Well… it’s because you’re the baby. The youngest out of all of us. We all just want to protect you.”
I groan as I slump in my seat. “This sucks. I can’t help that I’m the youngest. Why won’t anyone see me as an adult?”
“You look like an adult to me,” a male voice says behind me. A French accent, I notice. Deep and warm. Turning around, I see an incredibly intense handsome man in the kitchen doorway. He looks like he stepped off the cover of GQ magazine. And he’s looking right atme.
I can’t deny it. My heart flutters a little bit.
“Who are you?” Natalya demands, pushing herself to her feet.
“Don’t stand up on my account. Sit, sit.”
Natalya scowls like she’s annoyed that this man has the audacity to tell her what to do in her own home. “Like I asked: who are you?”
“This is Adrien Dubois,” Mikhail says, coming into the kitchen. Nico follows after. I don’t see Liam but he’s probably off spending time with Irina. Those two cannot get enough of each other.
“And what’s he doing in my kitchen?” Natalya asks.
“Be polite,” Mikhail murmurs to her and she ducks her head. “Adrien is here because…”
Adrien looks right at me. “Because I am going to be your husband.”
Chapter Two
Anastasia
Istartle at Adrien’s words. “My… husband?” Am I dreaming? Is this insanely handsome man telling me that he’s going to be my husband?
“I don’t understand,” Natalya says, running her hand over her baby bump. Mikhail places his hand over hers, cradling her stomach. There’s no doubt my sister and brother-in-law love each other. He almost died a few years back from an explosion. Mikhail still has the scars to prove it. But he survived and they’ve been in love even more since then.
Mom enters the kitchen, staring at Adrien with distrust. She then turns those distrustful eyes onto Mikhail and Nico. “What is happening here?”
