Page 20 of Cruel Russian Monster (Safin Bratva #2)

As soon as Jaroslav drifted off, I carefully disentangled myself from him and made my way to the lounge to confront my brothers. Him being stabbed had its stench all over it.

When I entered the room, they stood from the sofa where they were sitting.

“What happened?” I glared at Yegor and Zahkar, arms folded.

“We needed his help to get some information. When we were leaving, a guy spotted us. Zahkar kicked him, but when the guy lunged, he aimed for me, and Jaroslav got to him first,” Yegor stated.

“So, Jaroslav saved your life.” I wasn't asking.

“Yes.”

“Why do you think that is, Yegor?” I tilted my head.

His eyes narrowed. “Vera, I don't think…”

“You don't think what?” I snapped. “That it's important? Relevant? Worth thinking about?”

“Tone, Vera,” Yegor warned.

“Tone?” I chuckled humorlessly. “I'm so sorry, let me tone it down for you.”

I inhaled deeply, then refocused on my brothers and smiled, but pleasantry didn't reach my eyes; controlled anger did.

I said sweetly, “Dear older brother of mine, do you mind informing me why you think Jaroslav saved your life?”

“Vera, do you think it matters?”

“Do I think it matters why my husband saved my brother's life? Yes, it matters, Yegor!” My voice hardened.

“In case you were wondering, let me tell you why he saved your life. He did it because you are my brother. You are important to me. He knew that if something happened to you, it would crush me.”

I glanced at both of them. “But both of you,” I pointed a finger, “I am positive, called up Jaroslav and made him feel that if he didn't do as you said, you'd tell Artyom where I was and about our marriage.”

“We didn't force him to do anything,” Zahkar shot back defensively. “We asked him for a favor and he agreed.”

“I know that Bratva men somehow think that women are stupid. Do I look stupid to you, Zahkar?” I scoffed. “You expect me to believe that you called Jaroslav, expecting him to say ‘no’ to your favor?”

My fists clenched at my sides. “How long has Katya been married to Jaroslav's family? Yet, it's only when you found out that he was married to me, you suddenly needed a favor?”

“Vera,” Yegor warned again. “Zahkar is your older brother. Don't speak to him that way. He deserves your respect.”

Respect?

Fuck it.

These Bratva politics of being respectful because they were older or even because they were men were ludicrous. Especially after pulling an asshole move that injured Jaroslav. That shit wasn't sitting right with me.

I pointed at them, my pain and anger laced in each word. “Both of you are in my husband's house! In his faction! I'll talk to you however the fuck I want! It's because of you, Jaroslav is injured! Don't I deserve respect as your sister? And he, respect because he's my husband?”

My chest heaved, and my eyes misted. “Jaroslav didn't think twice before protecting you!

Yet, it never occurred to you, as my older brothers, that protecting my husband protects me?

You didn't once consider how I would feel knowing you resorted to blackmail to get my husband to do something for you.”

The tears spilled over, and my voice cracked. “I worry every day when he leaves here to do what he has to for this faction! Every. Damn. Day. About the enemies outside that might hurt him. I never thought in a million years the enemies would've turned out to be my own family.”

Yegor moved fast and wrapped his arms around me as I cried.

“I'm sorry. We didn't mean for him to get hurt,” he said softly.

After a few minutes, when my sobs ceased, I looked up at Yegor. “Is he going to be okay?”

He wiped the remaining tears from my eyes, and I saw the worry in his.

He exhaled slowly. “We think that the blade was laced with something. The cut itself isn't deep, but whatever was on the knife was strong enough to get into his system quickly.”

My heart slammed in my chest.

“Is he going to die?” I asked, panicked.

“Based on the symptoms I saw, I don't think so.”

I pushed off against Yegor and stepped out of his grip. “You don't think so?”

My chest rose and fell quickly.

“He wasn't foaming at the mouth, having seizures, or vomiting, so I think it's safe to say it wasn't poison and just a paralysis drug. Once he sleeps it off, he'll be okay.”

“But what if he isn't?” My eyes misted again.

Yegor and Zahkar shared a look.

I couldn't lose Jaroslav. Not now.

“I'm going to stay with him,” I said softly. “You can see yourselves out.”

I turned and began to walk away.

“Vera,” Zahkar called out to me.

I stopped but didn't turn around.

“We're not leaving until we know he's okay.”

I walked out of the lounge and down the hall to the guest room. I was finding it hard to forgive my brothers for what they did, how they betrayed my trust. They promised not to say anything to Artyom, then pulled a stunt like this.

I entered the bedroom. Jaroslav was still asleep. I walked over to him and slid under the covers. I lay my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest.

I closed my eyes.

“Please, be okay,” I whispered. “I don't want to lose you.”

The next time my eyes opened, I felt long, tender strokes along my arm. My body softened with relief under the warmth of his hand; he was okay. I tilted my head to look up at him. His eyes were still closed, his breathing even under the palm of my hand on his chest.

For the first time, I let myself wonder what it would be like to have a real marriage with Jaroslav, one where I could tell him how I felt without second-guessing whether he felt the same.

Could we really make this work between us? Or should we just keep things…casual?

His eyes opened slowly, locking my breath in place. His lips curved into a sexy smile, the kind that made me wet between my thighs. He leaned in and kissed my forehead, lingering for a moment before he pulled away.

“Hey,” he whispered huskily.

“Hey, yourself,” I said, just as softly. “How do you feel?”

“I’ll be okay.”

I nodded, brushing my thumb lightly along his chest, needing the contact, needing the reassurance that he was still here. “I’m sorry about what my brothers did…they had no right to—”

He silenced me with a gentle finger pressed to my lips.

“Vera,” he murmured. “I did what I had to do. And if it keeps you safe, I’ll do it again. No questions asked.”

But I didn't want him to put himself in danger for me. And I had a feeling that if I told him how I felt, it wouldn't make a difference. Jaroslav was a protector; it was in his blood.

A thought bled through my mind. Today, he woke up okay; tomorrow, he may not be so lucky.

My chest tightened.

“But…you could’ve died.” My voice broke just slightly, fear laced in my words. Then, quieter, “I don’t want you to die.”

He tilted my chin toward him and kissed me, slowly yet possessively. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into me. He adjusted his body over mine, and I opened my legs, giving him space until his erection was pressed against the growing ache between my thighs. I moaned.

He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. “I don’t want to die, either. Not when I can have you under me sounding like you do.”

The hunger in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. He kissed me again, deeper this time, and his hand slipped beneath my top. I bit back a moan, my fingers tightening in his hair as my body arched to meet his touch.

“You should be resting,” I whispered against his lips, breathless.

“I’ve already rested.”

His mouth moved to my neck, then lower. He trailed kisses down my body as he pushed my top upward. I gasped softly when his lips brushed over my stomach. His fingers found my nipples through the fabric of my bra, teasing them until I was squirming.

Instead of unclasping it, he tugged the cups down, exposing me to the cool air and to his hungry silver eyes. The second his mouth closed over one nipple, warm and wet, I swore I saw fireworks behind my eyelids.

“Jaroslav, we can’t…” I moaned.

He stopped immediately, his eyes flicking up to mine. His hand moved to readjust my bra, but I caught his wrist gently.

“It’s not because I don’t want to,” I whispered, breathless. “It’s because my brothers are still here. They’ve refused to leave until they know that you’re okay.”

Jaroslav arched a brow but didn’t say anything. Instead, he tugged at my top, and I lifted my arms without hesitation. He unclasped my bra and slid it off, then pulled my top back down with careful hands.

He rolled onto his back, pulling me against him. One arm circled my waist, and with the other, he teased my nipples through the thin fabric. The friction made me shift restlessly against his thigh as I sought relief from the ache he’d ignited.

“You know this is the second time you’ve taken care of me,” he murmured.

“Of course I did,” I whispered. “You’re my husband.”

His hands stilled.

It was the first time I had called Jaroslav my husband. Yes, I had called myself his wife once, but I guessed from the intense look that crossed his face that my saying it meant something to him.

“On top.”

I blinked down at him. “You’re hurt.”

“Don’t make me say it again, Vera.”

There was something in his voice, its soft growling command, that made my insides flutter. Made me want to please him.

I moved, straddling him carefully. He guided me over his erection, positioning me exactly where he wanted. The pressure alone pulled a moan from my lips.

“We…can’t,” I moaned, barely able to finish the thought.

“We’re not doing anything,” he teased, a wicked smile on his lips. “At least not with our clothes off. And make no mistake, Vera, I do want your clothes off.”

God, I wanted that too, so damn much.

I closed my eyes, and my thighs clenched around his.

“But, in case your brothers decide to come running in…”

My eyes flew open, and I rolled them.

“That is not helping my mood…”

He smirked. “Will this help your mood, Vera?”

His fingers pinched both nipples, just enough to make me gasp. I arched into his touch, lips parting on another moan. The friction of our bodies, the tension between wanting and restraint, was driving me insane.

“I need you to move over me, Vera,” he murmured. “My hands are busy.”

I started to roll my hips against him slowly, drawing out every pulse of pleasure. Every grind made me ache harder for more…for him.

God, I wanted to rip my clothes off. I wanted to sink onto him, feel him fill me, own me…But I held back, walking right on the edge.

My thighs clenched around him again, my release almost there…and then he shifted.

In one swift motion, Jaroslav rolled us over. He hovered above me, his mouth brushing my ear.

“You’re not allowed to cum,” he growled. “Not until I say, Vera. And definitely not with your clothes on.”

I groaned in frustration, and he kissed me. When he pulled away, I said, “We have to go out and talk to my brothers. If they don’t see that you’re okay, they’ll never leave.”

“Is there a reason you want them gone, Vera?” he murmured, nuzzling my neck.

“Yes,” I whimpered.

“What’s the reason, Vera…”

“I have a new bean casserole recipe I’d like to try out…”

The look on Jaroslav’s face before he burst out laughing was priceless.

“And who am I to stand in the way of culinary greatness?”

I smiled. “You can use the shower here. I’ll go grab you some clothes.”

He kissed me again, and I crawled off him, forcing myself not to glance back as I exited the room and headed upstairs. Knowing Jaroslav would be fully naked behind that door would make me forget that my brothers were even in the house. I’d jump him in a heartbeat.

Upstairs, I showered quickly. It would've been easy to find my release—after all, Jaroslav had left me hot, aching, and very bothered. But I didn’t want to.

Because I knew…the next time I came with him, it would be fucking mind-blowing. And it would be worth the wait.

After I changed, I grabbed a set of clothes for Jaroslav and made my way downstairs.

By the time I reentered the guest room, he was leaning against the wall, arms folded, towel riding low on his hips. I stood there staring, maybe drooling a bit. He was a fine specimen of a man.

I cleared my throat. He turned to look at me slowly.

My breath hitched. My heart raced. And damn if I didn’t clench my thighs together…again.

I placed the clothes on the bed like they were a ticking time bomb and took a careful step back.

“I’m going to look for my brothers. Meet us in the lounge.”

I all but fled the room, and I was certain I heard Jaroslav chuckle as I closed the door behind me.