Page 65 of Cruel Russian King
“What the actual fuck?” Mariya swore.
Vera shook her head. “He only said that to keep you quiet. He knows you’d protect Kira no matter what. And so will we. We wouldn’t say anything…”
“We won’t…” Katya added softly, then looked at me with a smirk. “But, Ninel…you and Artyom had sex…”
My face grew red, and Katya’s smirk turned into a wide grin.
“That look says you enjoyed it, which means he didn’t force you. Which also means you like him?” Vera pressed.
I exhaled shakily. If I couldn’t be honest with my sisters, then who could I be honest with?
“I do.” I lowered my eyes. “But when he found out I was pregnant, he stormed out of the room.”
“As did Lev!” Katya shot back. “And he came around.”
“At least you two were already on speaking terms.”
“Did he say he didn't want the baby?” Vera asked.
“No,” I shook my head. “Not in those words but he was pissed, and there was nothing but hatred in his eyes.”
“Ninel,” Katya said softly, “Lev admitted that he needed time to think when he heard the news and that's why he walked out. Maybe, it's the same with Artyom. He just needs time.”
“I don't know.” I sighed, “Things between Artyom and me have been…awkward. Ever since we…” I pushed down the lump in my throat. “...ever since we had sex.”
“Why?” Mariya asked.
“I don’t know. I just…” I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose, then looked up. “How could I sleep with a man who kidnapped me? And like it? And now…I actually like him!”
There was silence for a few moments. Then Katya and Vera burst out laughing.
“Oh, Ninel…is that all?” Katya said between gasps of laughter. “There must be something wrong with our DNA, because you’re preaching to the choir.”
“She’s right,” Vera chuckled once she caught her breath. “Men like Lev, Jaroslav, Artyom…they have to wear armor just to survive out there, and they’ll protect the ones they love with everything they have. But feelings? Admitting that they have the damn things? It's a constant battlefield for them. Jaroslav said cruel things to me. Lev to Katya. They can take on blood and violence without blinking, but give a Bratva man emotions, and he’ll screw it up dozens of times before he gets it right. The key is not to listen to his words…but to check in on how he treats you.”
Katya nodded, her smile softening. “Remember when we confronted Lev about me? He swore he didn’t care, and you told me, ‘Until he stops being an asshole and admits he’s in love with you, we’ll be here for you.’ Well Ninel, we've got you.”
Her smirk returned as she leaned in. “With that being said, Ninel, I want the inside scoop on Artyom.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully. “Is he as bossy inside the bedroom as he is outside the bedroom?”
I laughed, and so did the others. Over the next two hours, I told them everything, including how sex was with Artyom, and they squealed, insisting they’d send handcuffs and whips as “wedding gifts.” We laughed until our sides hurt, and Katya and Vera shared a few juicy details about their own love lives.
One thing stood out: once their men admitted how they felt, everything improved a thousand times over. I couldn’t help but want that for Artyom and me. They encouraged me to talk to him, to try and break the ice, reminding me that a relationship takes two people willing to make it work.
After our visit, I hugged my sisters goodbye. I felt lighter, happier, and the fog that had clouded my mind was finally clearing. They also insisted that, since everyone knew I was now married, Artyom should hurry up and give me back my phone and credit card so we could all go shopping together.
Once Kira and I returned home, we had dinner and she went to bed while I waited up for Artyom, determined to talk to him. I had dozed off on one of the sofas when the sound of the front door opening and closing jolted me awake.
By the time he entered the room, heading toward his office, I was already standing, waiting. He looked exhausted, a fresh bruise marking his left cheek.
“Hi,” I said hesitantly.
Artyom froze for a moment, then walked straight past me.
“Artyom,” I called, following him and grabbing his arm.
He spun around sharply, forcing me to let go.
“What do you want?”
