Page 54 of Cruel Russian King
When I got back to the house, I hid the medication and prayed that Artyom wouldn't look under the bed, behind the leg of the bed anytime soon.
I paced the room wringing my hands as I barely held back the tears. Just when I was about to go into a full-blown panic attack I stopped pacing. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply a few times.
Ninel, going batshit crazy isn't going to help. So do something that will calm you and then think of a solution.
I exited the bedroom and made my way to the library, where Ruslan sat outside on a chair. I decided to finish up the art piece that I was working on.
I lost myself in my work as I sat on the stool the brush strokes caressing the canvas.
But, instead of it calming me, I transformed the storm I was feeling to the canvas. Dark clouds hovered over the farmhouse below and bolts of lightning struck the ground.
“This is great work,” Artyom said from behind me.
Startled, I almost fell off the stool dropping my palette of paint to the ground. He quickly wrapped an arm around my waist and steadied me.
“I didn't mean to startle you.” His hands were still sitting gently on my waist.
I turned to look at him. “I'm sorry. Is it time for dinner already? Let me go clean up and I'll join you.”
My words tumbled out of my mouth mirroring the speed of my racing heart.
“No, we have an event to attend. Kira, Yegor and Zahkar will be there as well.”
“Oh,” I said lamely.
“I've already purchased a dress and shoes, it's upstairs. We'll be leaving in two hours. We can eat before we leave.”
I nodded. He helped me from the stool.
“Ruslan said you guys needed to go to the pharmacy. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, my migraines were acting up and I had already used all your painkillers. So I bought you a box and migraine meds for me.”
Shit. Would he check the cabinet for the medication I lied about buying?
“Are you okay now? To go with me tonight?”
“I'm okay,” I lied, smiling faintly.
“You go clean up for an early dinner and I'll clean this mess up.”
“Thanks.”
I walked out of the library down the hallway to the bathroom. After washing up I met Artyom in the dining room.
I forced myself to smile and eat as much as I could.
Thirty minutes later, Artyom rose to his feet. “I'll just go grab an outfit and I'll get ready in one of the guest bedrooms.”
“Ok sure.”
Artyom walked out of the dining room and as soon as he did I placed my head on the table. How the hell am I going to pretend that I'm okay in front of others when I could barely pretend in front of Artyom.
Ten minutes later I made my way to the bedroom. Laid on the bed was a gorgeous emerald fitting dress with a built in corset, off the shoulder. There were gold stripes down the top half of the dress that look like V's. In a box on the bed was a pair of shoes the same emerald color, a gold clutch and jewelry to match.
Dragging my feet, I got ready for the night. I decided to put my hair up in a classy simple style with hair clips and applied some make up. When I was done I stood looking at myself in the mirror. The dress was stunning. I had to hand it to Artyom. He knew what would look great on me and had a sense of fashion. I placed my hand on my tummy and turned to the side, once again thinking about the life that was growing in me.
Just then there was a knock on the door and I dropped my hands to my side. Artyom stepped in wearing a black suit, white shirt, no tie…the sides of his hair were slicked back and the top little tousled. If I had met him in the street I wouldn't have guessed that he'd be one of the most dangerous men I knew. He looked totally hot.
