“Orders,” Stefano whispered through swollen, battered lips. After collapsing to his knees, he’d rolled onto his side and balled into a nearly fetal position. “I only do what I am told.” His accent was thicker than normal, as he choked on the blood filling his mouth.
“What did you say, Stefano?” I knelt down again, head cocked curiously to one side. “You only take orders from one man, and I know that my Father did not tell you to take it upon yourself to fuck with our business.”
“Mr. Zolotov’s orders,” he mumbled out, coughing and spitting up a spray of wet crimson. “He said he wanted to impress you by moving things forward.”
“Ivan…set you on this path?” This was the most information Stefano had given us since we’d picked him up on the street and taken him to our warehouse for a lesson in Bratva loyalty.
Stefano gave a slight nod, wincing as he moved his body against the floor.
“Ivan’s orders do not override a plan set out for you by myself, and Capo Romano, do they, Stefano?” My father’s voice carried cool and calculated over the blood-stained concrete. He was sitting on a stool, watching everything that was happening. He looked satisfied—almost happy at the outcome.
“No, Mr. Vasiliev. Of course not. I assumed the orders came from—”
I cocked my foot back and kicked out, catching Stefano square in the stomach and making him gasp in pain and unable to finish his sentence. Ivan, even if it had been good intentions to impress my father, should not have circumvented the business plan. His eagerness to prove himself had almost ruined a multi-million-dollar venture.
“Son,” Father said, standing up and opening his arms to me as I strode towards him, leaving Stefano’s whimpering body behind me, “you could have let our security handle that,” he said, pulling me into an embrace, but we both knew he didn’t mean it. This was a test; to see if I was all talk in a fancy suit or if I was willing to get my hands dirty like he had done at my age.
“I thought a more personal message needed to be sent,” I replied firmly. “And I am not sure Stefano would have confessed anything to a regular soldier. It is his fear that loosened his tongue.”
Nikolai handed me my shirt and I slid it over my shoulders. My father reached a hand out to Nikolai and then pulled him into an embrace too.
“You are like a son to me,” he said with affection as he pulled away, “your father would have been proud.”
“Thank you, that means a lot,” Nikolai replied, and he meant it.
Nikolai’s own father had been killed many years ago when he was only a boy, and he’d always looked up to mine as a replacement. A guide, if you will, as to what he should aspire to be. And in return, my father brought him into our family’s fold, treating him with respect.
“This was good for both of you, I think,” my father continued, “you’re both growing up, and the time is coming for us older men to step back,” he laughed as we all walked.
“You’re hardly old, father,” I said, “sure, the grey is beginning to show, and the wrinkles are getting deeper, but you’re not old yet.” I smirked and my father looked aghast.
“These are hardly wrinkles, Son, these are worry lines from trying to keep you and your sister in line.” He said the words seriously but ended speaking on a thrum of low laughter. Even if we tried his nerves at times, there was no room to doubt that Father loved his family.
As we approached the exit, I turned to my father once more. Nik leaned against the wall, arms crossed and fingers flexing. They were bruised from beating Stefano.
“What are your thoughts on Ivan?” I tried to keep the question casual, showing that though Ivan had been loyal for years, long enough to be family and part of the fold, I held little emotion over his fate.
Though his fate…could change my future.
If he died, Marisha might be free. Though, she would be twice stained by scandal.
“Leave Ivan to me for now. Our eyes and ears are at work. And if he was truly trying to serve the best interests and impress me, then I will be lenient. Though, he must come to understand that his word means nothing against my command.” Father’s brow scrunched, perhaps thinking back to my Uncle and how recently it had been that he had to kill a betrayer. Someone who was close to him.
“As you wish, Father. But I am at your call, in whatever capacity you require when it comes to Ivan.” I wished I could kill Ivan just because he was a bastard, but there had to be a justification…had to be a way to appease my father in the fallout.
He nodded, and then we all stepped outside, the evening had enveloped us while we’d been in the warehouse, and I let my thoughts stray to Marisha and what she would be doing now. I wondered if I could go to the charity event and sneak her away. I could book a hotel. We could fuck and bathe, maybe I could order room service and champagne and I’d still have her home before Ivan realized. Ivan should be in long negotiations with the Italians now, trying to repair the damage, though now we knew the truth—that Ivan had started the issues to begin with.
“I tell you,” Father’s voice came to life again as we walked in the brisk air. “It is not just the worry lines that you children have cursed upon me. Indigestion and back pain, and the constant desire to stay at home with your mother and enjoy the finer things.”
“Yes, Katya is a wild one, isn’t she? Causing you so much grief over the years,” Nikolai was saying as I zoned back into the conversation, “she’ll make someone a fine wife one day.”
“She’s a pain in my ass,” my father replied with a sigh, “defiant, headstrong, and with a tongue fiercer than her mother’s. I pity the man that takes her hand,” he laughed and both Nikolai and I joined in.
We stopped beside my father’s car. I opened the door, but my father didn’t get in right away. Instead, he looked between Nikolai and me with a nod of approval, his features thoughtful.
“Truly, your mother tires of this life too, my son,” he finally said, his heart sounding heavy as he placed a hand on the top of my arm, “I fear she has my retirement already planned.”
“Fishing and golfing all day wouldn’t be so bad, would it? You just said you wished for the finer things,” I joked.
He slapped my arm and smiled. “This life takes its toll on a family, it’s true, but I don’t think fishing or golf would suit me, do you?” he laughed. “Now, if I had grandchildren to look after that would be a different story.”
He stared at me for a long minute, making sure that I got his meaning. I sighed and nodded. Time was running out. But how could I even think about meeting another woman and bedding her when my thoughts and time were taken up with Marisha?
Father got into his car and I closed the door. Moments later the window came down. “Are either of you two coming to the charity event tonight?”
“I was thinking of it, yes,” I said, already feeling Nikolai’s dirty look on the side of my face.
“I thought it was women only,” Nikolai said, looking for an excuse to get out of it.
“It is, but we can wait in the bar while they finish up. Maybe go for a meal afterwards if you like. Your mother likes it when I surprise her by turning up to these things,” he sighed, but he couldn’t fool me. Doing things for my mother brought him joy.
“We’ll be there,” I agreed for the both of us despite Nik’s heavy sigh at my back, “I just need to wash up first.”
My father's gaze went over me. “Yes, that’s a nice suit, I hope that it’s not ruined.”
I cast my gaze downwards, noting the blood splatter on the cuffs. Despite having taken it off before almost beating Stefan to death, the first couple of blows had been while I was wearing it.
I nodded my ascent and my father instructed Karik to drive and Nikolai and I watched him leave. We turned to head back to our own cars, watching as some of my father's men dragged an unconscious Stefan out of the warehouse and threw him into the boot of a car before closing the lid. He was a dead man now, despite him telling us what we needed to know. Despite him thin
king he was doing the best for my father. I didn’t feel any pity for him. He should have had more loyalty and known.
“You’re really going to this thing tonight?” Nikolai asked with a scowl. “Because I was hoping we could hit a club.”
I shook my head. “He wants us both there, even if it was only a suggestion, Nikolai.”
He sighed and dragged a hand down his face. “Katya will be there won’t she?”
“Yes,” I replied.
Nikolai smiled. “At least I can have some fun tormenting her.”
I shook my head and laughed as I reached my car. “I’ll meet you there. I need to go home and change first.”
I got in my car and shot off a quick text to Marisha before starting the engine, excited by the prospect of the evening.
A - I’m on my way back. I’m whisking you away for the evening. A x
I watched the read message appear seconds later, but no dots returned to let me know that she was replying. Never mind. She was obviously busy talking to some of the other wives. That was good. Better to get in all the meet and greets now that way no one would notice her disappearance later.
Things were turning out better than I’d expected, and I was going to get even more time with her now. I smiled, starting the engine and pulling away. If luck was on my side, Ivan would be dealing with the Italians until the small hours of the morning, and all the time I’d be fucking his wife properly. Like that bastard couldn’t.
Chapter Eighteen
Marisha
“Ivan, you’re hurting me,” I whimpered as he continued to force me towards the exit to the gardens. Decatur had taken the lead, opening the doors and making sure nothing stood in Ivan’s path.
I risked a glance behind us, and my frantic gaze found Katya Vasiliev. She was keeping her distance, following us slowly, one of her hands clutching her phone as if she wanted to call for help. Her eyes held concern, her teeth gnawing on her lower lip.
But why would she help? I was the tainted daughter of dead parents who’d crossed the Bratva. Ivan was a respected businessman and member of their inner circle. He may have damaged his reputation by marrying me, but he was still a somebody in this world. It made no sense for mafia royalty to be that concerned for me.
When we were outside, the evening air feeling heavier and more oppressive than it should, Decatur left us to take the other car home as we headed towards Ivan’s business sedan. I wanted to look behind us again. I wanted to see if the Vasiliev princess was continuing to witness my shame. My cheeks flamed hot with the thought.
I couldn’t dwell on it for long. Ivan yanked me around, pushing me towards his car.
“I can’t believe you had the nerve to come here early. Who were you meeting, Marisha? Where did you go after Decatur walked you into the gardens?” his eyes blazed. “I know that you’re up to something. I will find out what and when I do… it will not be pretty, Marisha.”
I hit the passenger door as he threw me forwards, the force knocking the breath from my lungs.
“I wasn’t with anyone. I swear, Ivan. I swear!” I crossed my arms protectively in front of me, but my body language and words only seemed to enrage Ivan further.
“You said you were meeting the other wives. Isn’t that true?” He rushed forward, his hands coming up to push into my hair and grip the strands tightly. He jerked my head back, bringing his face so close that our noses nearly touched. “That’s what you told Decatur, Marisha. You were with the other wives, then they left to get ready for the fundraiser. Or were you alone, Marisha? Which is it?”
“I was with the wives, but then I was alone.” My words sounded strangled, a wounded animal as Ivan released my hair. I stuttered on the lies, and the narrowing of his gaze told me that he did not believe me. Not one bit.
“With the wives and then alone, and then what? Fucking another man like the whore you are?” I shook my head, my eyes going wide as he cocked his hand back too fast for me to react and move.
His palm connected with my left cheek and I cried out, a scream of agony tearing free from my throat as red-hot pain lanced across my face.
As I cradled my cheek, hot tears running down them, he leaned close, his lips brushing my ear as he spoke. “I know you’ve been texting and talking with someone, Marisha. It’s only a matter of time before I know who it is. Did you think I wouldn’t check the goddamn phone bill?”
Ivan reached around my body and gripped the handle, pulling me out of the way as he opened the door. He shoved me into the passenger seat of his car so hard I fell sideways, cringing as he slammed the door. I was already anticipating the bruises I’d wake up with tomorrow. I’d never seen him so enraged though, so perhaps this time it would be broken bones and not just bruises.
It surprised me how numb I was at the prospect of more pain from him.
How normal it was.
I was still sprawled across the middle console trembling with fear when Ivan opened his door and slid into his seat, pushing me roughly back into place on the passenger side.
“Buckle up, Marisha.”
When I didn’t respond, he jammed his body against mine, taking my seatbelt and roughly yanking it across my body to clip into place.
I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move. My heart was racing a mile a minute.
All I could focus on was what he’d said.
The phone bill.
Of course he would see the phone bill. He checked all of our accounts periodically. He poured over the phone numbers I’d called or texted with. He checked the video camera footage in and around the house and made sure I didn’t have any unauthorized visitors. Like anyone could get past the front gate without his permission. He could check our house from his phone for God’s sake.
How had I ever thought I’d get away with what… whatever was going on with Alexander and I?
Ivan was quiet on the drive home, his face stern. Every few seconds, he fiddled with his tie, loosening it over and over again until the two ends separated completely and hung around his neck limply. It meant something, the way he’d undone his tie like everything was wrong, everything was falling apart.
His business deal.
Our marriage.
His nerves.
Fraying at the edges like century-old chiffon, poorly preserved, unable to stand the test of time.
What would become of me when the last thread unraveled?
Who would save me this time?
As we approached the double gates to our property, Ivan laid on the horn with gusto, blaring the shrill sound out into the night to wake the neighbors. It was too late in the evening for our security guard to respond to his urgings so quickly, but I was too scared to remind him.
He came to a screeching halt next to the security box, rolling down his window and slamming his fingers one by one against the metal numbers to punch in the six digit code. I shrunk back against the leather seat, wishing I could sink fully into the material and disappear forever. He was going to hurt me tonight, more than he already had at the gardens. I knew it…
This might be the time that finally sent me to the hospital.
Or to the morgue.
But, God, at least then I’d be free of him.
No one would care though. No one would come to my aid. I was alone in this. Alone with him in this house of horrors.
He didn’t bother pulling into the garage, instead careening carelessly around the fountain to park near the front stairs in a spin of wheels on gravel.
“You’re going to leave the car out overnight?” The question spilled from my mouth unbidden. I hadn’t meant to say anything. I didn’t want to call attention to myself.
“No, I’m not going to leave the fucking car out overnight, Marisha. Decatur can move it later. I’ve got to get back to the goddamn meeting I had to leave to deal with you.” He got out, leaving the car running, and made his way over to me.
I cringed against the seat, which only made him angrier as he opened the door and reached in to grab my wr
ist.
“Stop playing the wounded fucking bird, Marisha, and get out of the fucking car. You’ll go inside and stay inside until I come home. Do you understand?” He stared down at me, looking unkempt and wild eyed. “Do. You. Understand?” he repeated, punctuating each word. I felt blood on my wrist as his nails made fresh marks on my skin.
I nodded and slid against the seat, standing on wobbly legs. Ivan grabbed me suddenly, slamming me against the side of his car hard enough to dent it—another thing he would no doubt punish me for.
He stared at me for several long moments, his nostrils flared and his gaze enraged, like he couldn’t quite find his tongue to express how furious he was with me. I stood silent, my cheek throbbing, my eyes stinging with tears and my knees almost buckling, waiting for him to say something. Anything.
“I have given you everything and this is how you repay me,” he finally gritted out, “by whoring yourself around and making a fool out of me.”
I couldn’t speak.
I could barely breathe.
Ivan clucked his tongue and pulled me away from the car and up the stairs. The front door was already unlocked, Decatur had beaten us home to return the other vehicle.
“Decatur!” Ivan yelled, the sound of his voice jumping off the walls erratically. “I need you to drive me tonight!” He looked at me after shouting, his expression growing ever more severe with the passing seconds. “I’ll have to pay him goddamn overtime, because of you. Do you think that I’m made of money?” He stalked toward me, fists raised. “If I hadn’t needed to come and collect your worthless ass, things would be settled with the Italians already. If you’ve cost me this business deal, Marisha, I’ll finish what Eduard Vasiliev started with your parents and you can join them in hell.”
Deviant Prince: A Forbidden bad boy Mafia Romance. (Born to Darkness Duet Book 1) Page 13