Page 63 of Cruel Russian King
“Because it’s about showing dominance in our world. If Artyom could be cruel to his own siblings, then everyone else knew he wouldn’t hesitate to be cruel to them. It made people think twice before trying to double-cross him.”
“That sucks…”
“It does.” The sadness in Kira’s voice broke my heart.
“The closest Vera and I ever got to Artyom was after the truce was called.”
Hearing more about Artyom’s past, I understood him better. But it also confirmed what I’d already suspected, he probably didn’t want kids because of what he’d been through. And if he died…Yegor would step in to become the faction leader.
“I think I’ll have to abort the baby…” I squeezed the words past my throat, almost gagging on them.
Kira’s eyes widened. “Ninel! No! You can’t. Please…” She drew in a shaky breath. “Artyom may not be the most caring or loveable man, but he’s not the same man he used to be, not since you came into his life.”
I frowned at her. “What do you mean?”
“Yegor and Zakhar have noticed it too. He smiles when he thinks no one’s watching, and comes home more. Before he'd spend weeks at a time at headquarters always trying to stay above the other factions. And…” She hesitated, lowering her voice. “Artyom asked me for a favor. He has never asked me for anything. I heard the worry in his voice when he asked me to look after you. I’ve never heard him like that before…”
I didn’t want to believe any of it. This was a man who’d pretended to like everyone for an entire year just to extract revenge.
“From the look in your eyes, you don’t believe me. But, Ninel, I think you’re good for Artyom. You’re exactly what he needs…someone to keep him grounded, to call him out on his bullshit. And a child with Artyom? Lev and the others won’t be so furious, won’t be looking for a way to kill him after the stunt he pulled with you. They’d never dare harm the father of their niece or nephew.”
Kira looked at me wanting me to understand what she wasn't saying. Would my brothers really kill Artyom because he married me without their consent?
Jaroslav definitely will. And he'll find a way to make it look like an accident. Hell, they'd be lucky if they even found his body.
She took my hand in hers. “Maybe this is what we need to bring our families back together. I know it sounds like cheap blackmail, and I know the choice is ultimately yours, but…please, think about it.”
I nodded slowly.
Kira smiled faintly. “We’ll let Artyom cool off for a couple of days, and I’ll ask if you can come to the mansion. We need to rally the troops. I’ll invite Katya, Vera, and Mariya.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
I needed my sisters now more than ever. I only prayed my brothers would let them come. Closing my eyes, I sent up a desperate prayer. I couldn’t get through this without them.
Two days passed without a glimpse of Artyom. I spent the time with Kira, talking endlessly, and trying to keep busy to push down my nerves. Yegor and Zahkar had even stopped by to check in. Neither of us breathed a word about the pregnancy.
On the third morning, Kira went to arrange breakfast in the gazebo. Ten minutes later, Artyom stormed into the bedroom, catching me in nothing but my bra and panties. His gaze swept over me, lingering on my stomach before his eyes locked on mine. Heat crawled up my neck as I grabbed the dress I was about to put on and clutched it against my body.
“Kira said she wants to take you to the mansion,” he said, voice cold. “I’ll allow it. She also wants to invite the other women. Since your brothers already know about our marriage, I suppose it was only a matter of time before our sisters found out.”
As he stalked toward me, I instinctively backed away until my spine hit the wall. He closed the distance in a heartbeat, his hand rough around my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his.
“If you do anything stupid…like run off with your sisters to the Safin family mansion…or tell them about your pregnancy or that you've been ill, I’ll sell Kira to the highest bidder. I've already warned Kira that what happens in my house stays in my house. Do you understand?”
My stomach twisted violently. I tried to speak, but the words stuck in my throat. All I could do was nod. His grip loosened, and without another word, he turned and walked out.
With shaking hands, I yanked the dress over my head. By the time Kira returned with a bright smile, I was already beneath the covers, crying silently. There was no way I could tell her what Artyom had said.
Kira held me until my tears stopped, then coaxed me out to the gazebo, but I barely touched the food. An hour afterward, we were sitting in the Rykov mansion lounge.
Memories flickered in my mind. Every time I had been to this place it had been filled with love, laughter and chatter. Now…everything felt…distant. And the walls felt as though they were closing in.
I must have dozed off, because I woke to fingers brushing through my hair and the faint, familiar scent of strawberries.
My eyes fluttered open to meet Mariya’s black ones.
“Hey,” she whispered with a soft smile.
