Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Shit. Right.
I dart into the kitchen and quickly rinse off all the blood, patting my palms dry on my pants as I leave again.
This time Anastasia comes to take my hand, and as we walk to the exit, she inspects my knuckles before pressing soft kisses to the bruising.
“All your demons are dead, moya krasavitsa.”
She glances up at me, worry creeping into her eyes. “But they were your men. Won’t the others resent you for killing them because of me?”
“No, they will learn that I won’t tolerate those who prey on the innocent. I didn’t overthrow Yegor just to have the Bratva continue down a depraved path. They all know I want a better future for the organization, and I’ll kill anyone who stands in the way of us achieving that.”
I can see my explanation makes her feel better, and when we climb into the helicopter and take our seats, I cross my arm over her chest and grip her outer thigh. It’s become my go-to position so I can keep her pinned in case of an accident.
She rests her cheek against my bicep and says, “Thank you, my love.”
Leaning down, I kiss her hair. “You okay with seeing me kill them?”
With her pointer finger, she traces the outline of the snowflake tattoo on my forearm while nodding. “I am.”
“You handled it very well,” I praise her. “Going back there took a lot of courage.”
“I didn’t know it was something I needed. Seeing you command your men and take revenge for me made the place seem less horrific.”
“That’s good.”
I know it won’t magically heal her, but I feel we’ve taken a huge step in the right direction.
CHAPTER 23
Anastasia
For the past two weeks, Rodian has been working long hours, and I don’t get to spend much time with him, so whenever he’s home I make every second count.
Shortly after we returned from the factory, a woman named Rosie came over to give me a tracking device, and I found out Rodian has one as well. She also gave me a phone with an app so I could see where Rodian was at all times, which I really appreciated.
Thinking of that…
I pick up the device and log into the app, then frown when it shows he’s in St. Petersburg.
Quickly opening my messages, I type out one and send it.
Anastasia: You’re so far from home. Will you make it back tonight?
I set the device down again, and unable to concentrate on the cloak I’m making, I let out a sigh. I’ve been spending my days in my workshop, designing costumes I know will be popular with theaters.
The instant my phone beeps, I grab it and check his reply.
Rodian: Yes. I should be back around eleven, but you don’t have to wait up.
Anastasia: There’s no way I’m going to bed without you. Will you grab something on the go, or can I make you a late dinner?
Rodian: Now there’s an incentive to get my ass home sooner. I want to taste your cooking.
Anastasia: Great! I love you. Be safe out there.
Rodian: Love you more, moya krasavitsa.
Getting up from my chair, I leave my workshop, thinking of what to make. When I walk into the kitchen, I head straight for the fridge. I check the contents, and finding lamb shank, I grin.
“Bingo.”
As I put the meat in warm water so it can defrost quicker, Mam and Marina come into the kitchen, and Mam asks, “I’m making tea. You want some?”
“Please,” I reply.
Marina peeks into the sink. “Are you going to make it?”
“Yes. I told Rodian I’d make dinner for him.”
A smile curves her lips. “You hear that, Irena. We need to go to bed early to give the kids privacy.”
“I always sleep by nine,” my mother-in-law mutters. “You stay awake late.”
I let out a chuckle and join them at the table for tea.
“I wanted to talk to you about wives of the senior men in the Bratva,” Marina says.
“What about them?”
“You need to invite them to tea.” I don’t like the sound of that at all, but before I can reply, she continues, “It’s important. They’re waiting to meet you.”
Ugh. The last thing I have energy for is a bunch of catty women giving me the stink eye like all of Yelena’s friends did.
Clearing my throat, I sugarcoat it as I reluctantly admit, “I don’t have a good history with other women. They tend not to like me.”
“It doesn’t matter if the wives like you, Anastasia. You’re the pakhan’s wife. You have to make them respect you. All these women whisper in their husbands’ ears, and if they’re loyal to you, they won’t make trouble for Rodian.”
Well, crap. I didn’t think about that.
Marina places her hand on mine. “I’ll teach you everything, and if one of them dares to insult you, you shun her in front of the others. Make an example of one, and the rest will fall in line. You reward good behavior by letting the woman sit closest to you or inviting her for a private lunch in front of the others. They all want to be the most important in our social circle, so they will be eager to compete for your attention.”