by Harley Wylde
I looked around at the place I’d called mine for the past several years. The modern furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows had been perfect for my life up to this point. If Cerys and I had children, would they feel welcome in this space? My childhood had been far from perfect, and Cerys’ hadn’t been any better. I wanted our children to be happy and to have the things we hadn’t.
However, the security my building provided was still a perk of living here. If we did move, then I’d need a place similar to Maksim’s home. Children needed room to run and explore. The penthouse didn’t provide much of an opportunity for that. The bulletproof glass had been a big selling point when I’d purchased the place. A man in my position couldn’t be too careful. Snipers could hit me even this far up in the air, especially from another rooftop. But I didn’t want my kids to feel like they were in a prison, nor did I want Cerys to feel that way.
“You’re quiet,” she said.
“Just thinking it might be time for a change.”
“What sort of change?” she asked.
“A house with a yard. I fully plan to get you pregnant. Preferably more than once. If I’d had a sibling, then maybe things would have been different when I lost my parents. If you’d had one, maybe your father wouldn’t have gotten away with his cruelty.”
She nodded, a wistful smile on her face. “Never really thought I’d have children. I’m not sure I’m capable of caring for one. I can’t see to find them. What if my blindness put them in danger?”
I pressed a kiss to her temple.
“You’ll have all the help you need, myshka. I’ll hire the best of nannies to ensure that you aren’t taking care of our children alone. And of course I’ll help when I’m home.”
She fidgeted a little, shifting from foot to foot, before leaning into me. I held her, enjoying the feel of her. Perhaps she was already making me too soft, but as long as I only showed that side to her, then it shouldn’t be an issue. If the Bratva thought I was weakening, then my life, and Cerys’ life, would be in danger. I couldn’t let that happen. We’d have to talk soon about the way I would act in public versus here in our home. She needed to know it wasn’t anything she’d done, and that it didn’t mean I liked her any less. But I had an image to uphold, one that would keep her safe.
“Maybe we can discuss it more later. Right now, I just want to get used to being married,” she said.
“Of course, myshka.”
My phone rang and I knew if I didn’t answer Maksim it would only anger him. Stepping out of the room, I accepted the call and placed the phone to my ear.
“Yes, Maksim?”
“I heard you’re home. I need you to come to my place, but I wouldn’t advise bringing your wife. She’s not tough enough to handle herself in this world.”
“That’s part of what I like about her,” I admitted. “She’s soft and sweet.”
He made a grunting noise and I heard the creak of his leather chair.
“Just get here, Viktor. I’ll ask Ilya to stand guard outside your home. He’s already headed in your direction. That way someone is close if Cerys needs something, and he’s extra protection in conjunction with what your building offers.”
I hesitated. Leave Cerys? If there was something going on, if an issue had arisen that could be potentially dangerous to my wife, I didn’t want to leave her vulnerable.
“How close is Ilya? I don’t want to leave her alone for long.”
“He’ll be there in ten minutes, maybe less. Leave now, Viktor. This can’t wait.”
I disconnected the call and ran a hand through my hair. I didn’t want to disobey and anger Maksim, but I didn’t like the idea of leaving Cerys alone either. Making my way back into the living room, I found her curled up on the sofa with a book in her lap. Her fingers slid across the Braille and there was a soft smile on her face.
“Good story?” I asked.
“It’s a romance. Of course it’s good.”
I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I need to go somewhere for a bit. Maksim is sending Ilya to stand outside the penthouse. If you need anything, just let him know. Hopefully, I won’t be gone long.”
She reached up and tugged on my beard until she was able to press her lips to mine. I didn’t know how she managed to do that without seeing. “Be careful, Viktor.”
“Yes, myshka. I have something important to live for now.”
I withdrew from her and left before I talked myself out of it. As I was getting into my car downstairs, I saw Ilya enter the building. It didn’t stop the unease that was filling me, but there wasn’t much I could do. Going against Maksim’s orders wouldn’t bode well.
The drive outside town took longer than I’d have liked, but traffic was a bitch. As I pulled up to the gates of Maksim’s mansion, a guard waved me through. I stopped in the circular drive not far from the door and eyed the other vehicles present. It seemed we had company, and the fact Maksim hadn’t disclosed any details to me made warning bells go off in my head. I checked my weapons before entering the premises, nodding to the butler who opened the door.
“They’re in the great room, Mr. Petrov,” the butler said.
I knew the layout of Maksim’s home as well as my own and quickly made my way to the great room. It shouldn’t have surprised me to see Artur present, but the fact Vadim Ivanov was here, as well as Gavriil Alexeev didn’t give me a good feeling. Some of the most dangerous men in the Bratva were watching me, but I didn’t let them see their presence bothered me.
“Maksim, I apologize if I kept you waiting.”
“Do you often ignore a call from your brigadier?” Vadim asked.
“Nyet. However, he’s a temporary brigadier, and I was out of town. Getting here took a bit longer than a drive across town,” I said, stopping to pour myself a shot of vodka.
“Artur has asked us to be here for a special occasion,” Gavriil said. “A match between yourself and his daughter, Tania.”
I tried to seem calm and cool, when I felt anything but. Heat worked its way through me as my temper spiked. It didn’t surprise me he’d try such an underhanded thing as to bring the top muscle with him. But it wouldn’t work. I wasn’t going to cower, wouldn’t bow to him or anyone else.
“I never made such a promise to Artur, or to Tania,” I said.
“You’re not getting any younger, Viktor. It’s time to set up your nursery,” Artur said. “My Tania knows how to be a proper wife for you, and the Orlov bloodlines are strong, as are yours. It would be a perfect match.”
I downed my drink, then set the glass aside. My gaze met Maksim’s and I saw his quick glance at Vadim, as well as the fear he was trying to hide. It seemed he hadn’t conveyed to the Vor that I was now off the market and had, in fact, been out of town getting married. I wasn’t certain how this would play out. As a Brigadier, I was technically of higher ranking than Maksim. One bad move a few months ago had changed things a bit. While Vadim hadn’t stripped my ranking, he’d put Maksim in authority over me for a probationary period, which was nearly over. Or had been. Once Vadim found out I’d gotten married without discussing it with him, I might very well be at the bottom of the list, assuming he didn’t kill me for insubordination.
“I’m sorry, but I’m unable to make such a match,” I said.
The tension in the room built until it was a tangible thing. My body tensed in preparation for a fight, if one should start. I knew that Artur wouldn’t take this well, had known it before I’d even married my myshka.
“And why is that?” Artur asked, his face going red with anger.
I faced him and the others, holding each gaze for a few moments. I could see Maksim from the corner of my eye, the tremor in his hand as he shoved it into his pants pocket. He was close to losing it, and I needed him to hold things together a bit longer.
“Because I’m already married,” I said.
Vadim arched an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. With a nod of his head, I followed him out of the room, not st
opping until we were far enough no one else would hear.
“You didn’t think I would like to meet your wife-to-be? Or know that you’d been seeing someone?” Vadim asked.
To anyone else, it would seem like fatherly concern. I knew better. He wondered what I was hiding, why I’d married in secret. In my world, such a thing just wasn’t done.
“I’m sorry, but it happened rather suddenly. I took her as payment for a debt, but when I realized that I didn’t want to set her aside in order to take a wife, I decided to marry her. We flew to Vegas yesterday and were married last night.”
Vadim sighed and cracked his neck. His hands flexed and I eyed the scars across them, knowing he’d earned them as he’d fought his way to the top. Despite our closeness over the years, I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to put me in my place. Physically, if necessary.
“Viktor, if I’d known you were getting married, I could have put a stop to this nonsense with Artur before now. Instead, you have me looking like an idiot in there because I had no idea you’d taken a wife. I’d given him my support to request the match. This is bad, Viktor.”
I tried to school my features. It had never occurred to me that Vadim would side with me, that he would give his blessing over my match with Cerys. She didn’t have any connections to help me or the Bratva.
“I’ll take whatever punishment you feel is necessary.” I hesitated only a moment. “But if my penalty is death, I ask that you make sure Cerys is cared for and has all her needs met. I want her safe.”
Vadim leaned against the wall and folded his arms over his chest. “Tell me about your wife.”
“She’s blind and was horribly abused by her father. He got too far into debt with us and when we went to collect payment or make an example of him, Cerys came tumbling into the room begging us to stop.”
His lips twitched as if he fought back a smile. I wondered what he’d think of my wife. It would be good to have an ally, someone who would watch over her if anything should ever happen to me. Vadim was the closest thing I’d had to a parent since mine had perished.
“Any pictures?” Vadim asked.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and showed him the few I’d taken of her during our trip in Las Vegas. Most were cameos I’d taken when she was otherwise occupied. There was a soft smile on his face as he studied each one, then handed the phone back to me.
“She’s beautiful, Viktor. I can understand why you’re so taken with her. I’ll see what I can do to smooth Artur’s feathers.”
The tightness in my chest eased and I breathed a little easier.
“Thank you, Vadim.”
When we re-entered the room, it was to find Artur missing. Maksim looked uneasy as he explained Artur had left to make a call. The fact he’d left while the Vor was present made me think something was incredibly wrong. With someone as powerful as Vadim in attendance, it was considered an insult to walk out. Unless that call was a matter of life and death, then it should have waited, so that begged the question what was Artur up to?
Minutes ticked by. After twenty minutes, Gavriil left the room only to return a short while later with the news that Artur was gone. His car was missing from the driveway, and he couldn’t be located inside the mansion, and no one had seen him wandering the grounds. Vadim’s expression was grim as he stared at me.
“Does Artur know where you live?” Vadim asked.
Everything inside me went tight and hard at the same time. A cold chill went down my spine as his words bounced around in my mind. Home. Where Cerys was waiting for me.
“Yes, he’s had papers delivered there previously.”
“Who’s watching over your wife?” he asked.
“Ilya,” Maksim said. “I sent him over there before I spoke with Viktor. I knew he’d want his wife protected.”
Vadim paced to the window, then turned around. The harshness of his features in that moment reminded me why he was the Vor. No one fucked over Vadim and lived to tell the tale. And those deaths were never easy.
“Get Ilya on the phone and tell him to watch for Artur. I have a feeling the man is going after your wife,” Vadim said. “He’s just started a war he has no hope of winning.”
Maksim nodded and began dialing. I pulled my keys from my pocket and started for the front door, but Maksim’s voice stopped me.
“He’s not answering.”
I froze and turned my head his way. “Excuse me?”
“Ilya. He’s not answering his phone. He always answers.”
“I’ll ride with you,” Vadim said. “Maksim, stay here in case Artur returns. Do whatever is necessary to detain him. Gavriil, use your sources to try and locate Artur. If he has Viktor’s wife, ensure she’s safe.”
Without another word, Vadim strode from the room and I followed. He hadn’t even closed the car door all the way before I pressed the pedal to the floor and shot forward. I broke every speed limit between Maksim’s house and my penthouse. A few turns were so sharp and fast that the back end of the car fishtailed. The smell of burned rubber filled my nose as I slammed on the brakes outside my building and rushed inside, not even stopping to shut off the car.
The guards at the desk were slumped forward. I didn’t dare take the time to check on them. The elevator took us to the penthouse and when I stepped off onto my floor, I saw Ilya on the ground, blood pooling under him. While Vadim knelt to check for a pulse, I shoved open the broken door to my home and went inside, gun drawn.
Cerys’ book was dumped on the floor, the table knocked over and broken. Droplets of blood dotted the carpet leading to the bedroom. My heart thundered as I pushed the door open. The bedding had been ripped away. Blood smeared across the mattress, five long lines as if a trail had been left by bloody fingers. Small, delicate ones. My wife’s! I checked the rest of the area including the bathroom, but Cerys wasn’t here, and neither were any clues.
Vadim came up behind me and squeezed my shoulder.
“We’ll get her back,” he promised. “I’ll put out the word. Artur will have nowhere to run and no place to hide.”
Yes, but what would he do to my wife until then? What had he already done? I looked at the blood again and knew that I would make him pay for hurting her. I’d make him scream, beg. It wouldn’t do any good. Once I found him, I’d have him taken to the lair. And then I’d deal with him once and for all. No one fucked me over, and no one had better ever think they could hurt my wife. I’d use Artur to send a message, one that people would remember for a lifetime.
I only hoped my sweet myshka would understand. She hadn’t seen the darkness in me, had never witnessed the monster I held inside. I’d hoped she never would.
Chapter Six
Cerys
“Artur! What are you doing here?” I heard Ilya ask out in the hall.
The next sound was his cry of pain and the sounds of flesh meeting flesh. Was someone hitting him? I stood, unsure where to go or what to do. I didn’t think I could find the phone fast enough to call for help. I felt my way around the side of the couch and moved in the direction of the bedroom. If I could get there, then maybe I could lock myself inside.
The front door splintered and slammed against the wall. My body locked up tight. I heard the thunder of steps rushing toward me, but I couldn’t see the man called Artur. He hit me full force, knocking me off my feet. The air left my lungs as I smashed into the hard floor, leaving me dazed and gasping.
“So you’re Viktor’s little whore.”
His fist met my cheek and I cried out as pain exploded through my head. He hit me three more times before I got my wits about me enough to start fighting him off. I twisted and tried to knock him off, but he was able to easily dodge my blows. He grabbed a handful of my hair and banged my head against the floor three times. My ears were ringing and I had a hard time staying alert.
Artur dragged me to my feet, then tossed me in the air. I landed hard on what I thought was the coffee table, and it broke beneath me. A piece of it jabbed into my side, bre
aking the skin and blood flowed freely. I didn’t know how deep it was, but I nearly passed out from the pain. Artur pulled me off the broken table and slapped me around some more before tossing me back on the floor.
I finally managed to break free and ran for what I hoped was the bedroom. My knees hit the side of the mattress and I tried to crawl across it to put more space between us, but his hand wrapped around my ankle. He dragged me against the mattress, then pressed against my ass. I twisted and tried to kick at him, but it only made him laugh and grind his hard cock against me. Shock filled me and I went still.
“I like it when they fight. Maybe I should just have my fill of you, then leave you for Viktor to find. Once he sees my cum running out of you, he won’t want you anymore.” His grip tightened on me to the point of pain. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Dirty little whore like you wants to be used, don’t you?”
“Not a whore,” I mumbled.
He knocked me to the floor and kicked me several times, landed a few more punches, then pulled at my clothes. His hands squeezed my breasts until I screamed out in pain. It only seemed to turn him on more and I made myself be still and quiet, hoping he’d lost interest. It seemed to work because he tossed me over his shoulder and took me down the elevator. I didn’t know why the men at the front desk didn’t stop him, but he carried me out of the building and tossed me into a small, hard space. When a lid slammed, I realized I was in a trunk.
I must have blacked out. When I came to, the pain in my head and side was sharp. The car was in motion and I didn’t know how long I’d been locked in here. Every bump in the road had me wanting to cry out, but I bit my lip to stifle the sound. I didn’t want to give the evil man the satisfaction of knowing I was hurting.
I touched every part of the interior, hoping for a way to get out. The carpeted trunk didn’t yield any hidden latches or any other way to open the lid and escape. Then again, as fast as the car was moving, I’d likely kill myself if I jumped out right now. But it didn’t mean I couldn’t try once it stopped. I exhausted myself, trying to find a way out, and I fought not to cry. Where was Viktor? Did he know yet that I was missing?