Page 12 of Cruel Russian Monster (Safin Bratva #2)

Over the next few days, I stayed in my room, curled up with the books I borrowed from the library.

My mind drifted back to the night Jaroslav's brothers visited. When I heard their voices drifting upstairs, I thought he had invited them. That was until I saw him trying to shove them out the door.

If he hadn't told Avit, Pyotr, or Marten about our marriage, it meant that his other siblings had also been kept in the dark about it.

But since Lev or my brothers hadn’t come banging down the damn door, it was safe to assume Jaroslav’s brothers hadn’t said a word to any of them.

Not that I was worried—they were Bratva through and through. If there was one thing we’re good at, it’s keeping secrets.

What I appreciated about Jaroslav was despite his clear frustration with his younger brothers, he still allowed them to stay and keep me company. And I genuinely enjoyed spending time with them, just like we used to at Lev’s place.

Of course, I asked about Katya and Alexi. We even joked about how Pyotr had bought a brand-new Ferrari as a gift for Alexi, but was “test-driving” it until Alexi came of age.

Ever since Katya brought home her bundle of joy, the brothers had been locked in a silent competition to outdo each other. Ninel and Kira weren't silent about anything. If they liked it, they bought it. Lev and Katya tried to rein everyone in, but after a month of chaos, they gave up.

At one point, Lev even told one of his siblings that it was time they got married and had kids of their own, so they’d have someone else’s child to spoil instead of hijacking his.

I guess Jaroslav took those words to heart.

I chuckled to myself and sighed. At least those weren’t the only words he took to heart. After our discussion at the library, Jaroslav started coming down for breakfast and was usually home for dinner, though sometimes he left afterward.

He’d even started calling during the day to check in on me, which I had to admit was sweet of him. But I really missed chatting with my sisters.

I didn’t get far with that thought when I heard it.

“Vera? Where are you?”

I froze. My heart stopped.

No. Freaking. Way.

I shot up from the sofa, barely managing to shove my sandals on before bolting out of the room and tearing down the stairs.

And there she was.

I ran straight into Katya’s arms.

I didn’t know how long we stood there, hugging, with me crying like a lunatic, before I finally pulled away.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, wiping my tears.

“You have your husband to thank for that,” Katya smiled.

My eyes widened. “He told you?”

“Yup. Even helped me sneak over while Ninel and Mariya babysat.”

“Do they know?” I asked.

“Not yet. Jaroslav wants to tell them when he tells Lev.”

I raised a brow. “So…where do they think you went?”

Katya laughed. “Girl, you know they don’t care. I could be on a space shuttle to Mars, and they wouldn't care. As long as they get to spend time with their nephew.”

I pulled her into another hug. “Thank you so much for coming.”

“There’s no place I’d rather be.”

I pulled back and smirked. “Girl, I’ve seen your husband. Don’t stand here lying to me.”

Katya laughed, dreamy and smug. “He is a fine specimen of a man, isn’t he?” She tilted her head. “But so is yours. Now, come on, give me the tour of this beautiful house and tell me how in the world you ended up here.”

While giving her the grand tour, I explained how I ended up living at Jaroslav’s house, leaving out a few key details. Like the fact that we used to date. Or that he got shot when I tried to escape. Or that every time we're alone, I fight the urge to tear his clothes off.

But I did come clean about how anxious I’d felt about marrying Lev, and how I thought the war between the factions was all my fault. I even admitted that I understood why Jaroslav did what he did, although I'd never admit that to him.

Now we were sitting in the lounge, sipping orange juice, because Katya was still nursing, and I didn’t want to drink wine when she couldn’t.

“Vera, don’t be too hard on yourself,” she said gently. “Lev and Artyom both had their part in escalating the situation. Instead of sitting down and talking like men, they let their egos run wild.”

She placed her hand over mine, her eyes searching mine. “But…are you okay, though? Being here with him?”

She sighed. “When Lev did what he did to me…he never laid a hand on me, but the things he said, God, they ripped me apart. And Jaroslav…he’s more intense than Lev. If he married you to fix something he thinks you broke, I know living here with him can’t be easy.”

“At first, it was more difficult,” I admitted. “But now that we’re getting to know each other a little more…”

You mean rekindling your flame…

“Things are going better. But don’t get it twisted,” I added, smirking. “I grew up in Bratva, too. I’ve been around men like Jaroslav my entire life. Have you forgotten who our oldest brother is?”

Katya chuckled. “You do have a point.”

“I know I do.” I laughed. “In terms of temperament? Jaroslav is child’s play compared to Artyom.”

Katya’s tone turned serious. “When does Jaroslav plan to break the news to Lev? Hearing about the marriage from someone else won’t end well.”

“He said soon, but he hasn’t given a date.”

“He should,” Katya nodded firmly. “It’s not fair to keep you away from your family. At least when Lev took me, no one was looking for me…because I didn’t think I had any family left.”

I froze.

“Shit,” I whispered.

Katya sat up straighter. “Vera, what is it?”

“I hadn’t even thought about that.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I told you Pyotr and the others were here a few days ago…”

She nodded.

“And I said the reason my brothers hadn’t come banging on the door yet was because Pyotr and the others must’ve kept quiet. But how the hell could I not think about the possibility of my siblings searching for me when they can't reach me?”

I jumped to my feet and started pacing. “If they can’t get through, they’ll assume something is wrong and head to Vegas looking for me!”

My chest rose and fell quickly. “This is not good. This is not good.”

“And if they can’t find you,” Katya said slowly, “they’ll automatically assume Lev and the others are behind it.”

“Exactly!”

“So…” she paused, thinking. “We’ll convince Jaroslav to tell Lev. Today. Then you set up a meeting with Artyom. Because if Artyom finds out what Jaroslav did from someone else…”

Her voice trailed off, and I saw the worry flash in her eyes.

“No need to convince me,” Jaroslav said, stepping into the room.

We both turned, startled.

“We’ll go visit Lev now,” he continued. “He’s on his way home, and Avit and the others are already heading there, too.”

But something other than relief must have crossed my face since Katya walked over and squeezed my hand. “It’ll be okay. I promise. We’ll work this out as a family.”

I nodded slowly. “Let me go change. Then we can leave.”

As I stepped out of the lounge, the pit in my stomach only deepened.

I couldn't help but think that everything would absolutely not be okay.

Forty-five minutes later, I sat beside Jaroslav, his siblings scattered throughout Lev’s lounge. Katya was next to Lev, gently rocking Alexi in her arms.

Lev’s black eyes had lost all warmth. The longer he stared at Jaroslav, the darker they burned.

“Repeat what you just said,” he said coldly. “Because I think I misheard you.”

My gaze darted around the room. Everyone was tense. No one moved. Every set of eyes bounced between the two brothers.

Jaroslav sat straighter. “I said that Vera and I are married.”

“Jaroslav, are you insane?” Lev exploded, bolting to his feet.

Alexi startled and began to cry. Katya hushed him gently, rocking him tighter.

“How the hell could you make a decision like this without consulting me? Have you even considered how this could backfire on the faction…on all of us?”

Jaroslav stood, too. His shoulders were squared, voice calm, but I saw the slight twitch in his jaw.

“Lev, it’s a good idea. We just have to…”

“Just have to what, Jaroslav?” Lev snapped, taking a step forward. “March up to Artyom’s front door and say, ‘Hi there, surprise! Vera and I are married!?’”

“With Vera here, he’ll have no choice but to cease fire,” Jaroslav insisted.

“Or he’ll tell every ally he has that we kidnapped her and forced her into marriage, and rip through this entire faction in the name of rescuing her!” Lev snarled.

He stepped right up to Jaroslav now, nose to nose.

Jaroslav’s fists clenched tight at his sides, his shoulders tensed.

“You are my underboss. I trusted you to make the right calls for this faction. I’ve always trusted you.”

Lev’s voice dropped, like he was holding on to a thread that was ready to snap at any second.

“But this? This decision right here?” He pointed at me. “The one you made without talking to me or anyone else here? This could be the death of all of us.”

Seeing a man like Jaroslav, who carried ten feet of presence in every room, being cut down like a tree didn't sit well with me.

It not only made my stomach turn, but it pissed me the hell off.

“The death of whom, Lev?” I snapped, shooting to my feet.

All heads swiveled in my direction.

“The only thing dying here is the power your faction’s held onto for decades.”

Lev glared at me, stunned, but that didn't stop him from responding.

“You think you have the right to stand there and disrespect me in my home because I allowed you to build a relationship with my wife?” he sneered.

I ignored Lev's question completely, forging forward with the point I was trying to make.

“If Ninel or Mariya were over in Rykov territory, would you attack it?” I asked, voice cold.

His nostrils flared. But I could see the wheels turning in his head.

“Based on your silence, you wouldn’t. Because you wouldn’t risk your sister getting hurt.”

I stepped forward, heart pounding.

“Jaroslav did what he thought was best since all of your efforts to stop Artyom have been a dead end. He did what he thought would prevent the death of your faction and your family.”

“He could've consulted me,” Lev snapped.

“And you would've told him no!”

“Vera…” Jaroslav's voice was soft, but it was filled with a warning. A warning I didn't give a shit about.

I looked around the room.

“I've seen Jaroslav around all of you over the past few months while visiting Katya, and he has nothing but love and respect for all of you.”

Then I drove my last point home, refocusing on Lev.

“It’s so funny to me that you’re chastising him for doing something you should’ve done yourself.”

Jaroslav placed his hand on my arm.

“Vera, don't…” Jaroslav's voice was louder, harder this time.

I knew I was pushing it, but I didn’t care.

“If you had stuck to the original arranged marriage, none of this would be happening.”

“If you hadn't run away, maybe I would have.”

I heard someone swear under their breath.

I smirked. “Maybe as a leader, you should focus on using restraint. Because all you had to do was wait until the day of the wedding. I was there, at the church. But where were you, Lev?”

I saw Katya flinch behind Lev.

“Oh, that's right. You were already married! We get it, you're their Bratva leader, they can't tell you how they really feel…”

My eyes darkened.

“But I can. Jaroslav is cleaning up your mess. All because you couldn't exercise some good old-fashioned patience.”

“Vera, leave,” Lev said angrily.

“Lev,” Katya said softly. “Please, we can talk about this…”

“Katya, it's okay. I'll leave. But one more thing. Lev, if you had a real solution, this damn war, which has been going on for months , would’ve been over by now.”

“Leave!” Lev yelled.

“I'm leaving!”

I yanked my arm from Jaroslav's clutch, grabbed my purse, turned on my heel, and stormed out of the room, trembling with fury.

Did I make things better or worse between Jaroslav and Lev?

I didn’t know. Only time would tell.