Page 27 of Cruel Russian Monster (Safin Bratva #2)

Stepping out of the clinic, I felt like I was some sort of royalty. We were quickly escorted to the car by men in black tactical gear, earpieces, and high-powered rifles.

Jaroslav didn't even stop to fill the prescription on the way home. He said Tomas would make the purchase. His priority was getting me home sooner rather than later.

And when we got home…

It felt like something from a movie. Guards patrolled in twos silently with blank faces, cradling high-powered rifles like babies.

It wasn't like I hadn't grown up with security, but these guards made me feel like Jaroslav had the codes for some nuclear warheads sitting in the house.

I swore I felt eyes staring at me from the roof and through the branches of the trees.

“Jaroslav, why are all these men here?” I whispered as we walked to the house.

“Security detail, courtesy of Lev.” His expression was unreadable.

“From none to a million is a bit over the top, don't you think?” I asked as we stepped into the house.

Jaroslav locked the door behind us, and he looked at me with such an intensity in his eyes that I took a step back.

He sighed.

He held out his hand to me, and without thinking, I placed my hand in his.

I watched as he closed his eyes and lowered his head while strumming his thumb along my hand.

“Vera,” he said softly, as his eyes opened slowly. “This is what you should have had since you came to this house. It was a lapse in judgment on my part. It took something awful to happen to you for me to do what needed to be done. For that, I apologize.”

He took a step towards me, and he placed a hand on the side of my neck.

“I love you, Vera. And that comes with going over the top with security details to keep you and our baby safe.

It comes with me being a possessive son of a bitch when it comes to doing right by you and our baby.

I've never been a husband or a father, and it's the first time in my life I'm scared as hell, because I know what I stand to lose if I fuck this up. Let me love you the only way I know how—obsessively, protectively and ruthlessly.”

Butterflies swarmed my stomach, and I nodded.

Jaroslav didn't offer the “boy next door” kind of love. He offered something more raw, more dangerous…something my soul craved from its depths. And because of how he was loving me, I knew we'd be okay.

Jaroslav escorted me upstairs. We took a shower together, then he tucked me into bed. He kissed me softly.

“Let's get you something to eat.”

After lunch, Jaroslav and I were sitting in the lounge. I was cradled in his lap, face nestled in his neck.

“Lev thinks we should speak with Artyom sooner rather than later,” he said quietly.

“I agree. Can we get it done today?” I asked, pulling away just enough to see Jaroslav's eyes.

His eyes immediately turned from silver to stormy gray. “No.”

I straightened up on Jaroslav's lap and would've hopped off if he'd let me.

“Why not? Isn't today soon?” I folded my arms.

“Vera, you just came from the clinic, you should rest and…”

I cut him off, “And what was I doing for the past three days, Jaroslav? Training in the damn army? I've done nothing but rest…”

“Vera, when I saw you collapse…” Jaroslav closed his eyes, and I saw his jaw twitch. “I don't want to lose you.”

He opened his eyes, searching mine for understanding.

I sighed. “When do you think would be the best time for us to meet Artyom?”

“In two days. It gives us time to come up with a deal that would appease him to accept the marriage, and end the war between our factions.”

“But that's two more days without hearing from my siblings.” I bit my lower lip. “I'm worried about Kira. I know Yegor and Zahkar wouldn't let Artyom harm her, but I'm worried about them.”

“I am, too. Yegor and Zahkar helped fight the guards so I could escape with you.”

My heart slammed into my chest like a hammer.

This isn't good, this isn't good at all.

They did so much to help Lev escape with Katya, and Artyom had them whipped. And those were instances outsiders didn't see, but to fight off the guards? Guards who would talk?

Fuck.

Would he let the guards live?

Fuck.

Were my siblings even alive?

I couldn't breathe.

Images of dead bodies strewn across the front lawn of our family mansion flashed across my mind. The lifeless eyes of my siblings staring at me.

“Malishka!”

Jaroslav’s stern voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. I focused on him. He was kneeling in front of me.

“Breathe, malishka,” he said tenderly.

Over the next few minutes, my breathing steadied. Then, Jaroslav sat next to me. He pulled out his phone.

“Lev, can we have a meeting at my place in the next hour? We need to discuss moving forward with Artyom, and my wife needs her sisters.”

After a few more seconds, he hung up.

“We'll have a house full of guests in an hour,” he smiled.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

***

An hour later, after hugs, kisses, and a few tears from Ninel, Mariya, and Katya, with the men looking on quietly amused, we settled in for the meeting.

It was decided that the sit-down with Artyom would take place that evening. Everyone would be present, and Katya insisted that Alexi be included, hoping his presence might thaw a part of Artyom’s cold heart. Lev didn’t like the idea, but eventually agreed.

The location: neutral ground, a restaurant owned by one of the founding families.

It was used exclusively for high-level negotiations and truces.

It was considered sacred ground and operated under strict rules: no violence, no weapons, not even within the immediate vicinity.

Security was tight, and the staff were loyal to the founding family.

No one broke the rules and walked away unscathed.

Once Lev confirmed the space and that Artyom would attend, the meeting adjourned.

But instead of leaving, everyone stayed until it was time, and we left together as a group.

After being frisked by the restaurant’s security detail, we stepped into the elegant marble lobby.

“Ready?” Jaroslav asked quietly.

I nodded.

His arm wrapped protectively around my waist, and mine slipped around his as we entered.

Behind us, Lev, Marten, Pyotr, and Avit followed in silent formation. Katya came next, holding Alexi close to her chest, followed by Ninel and Mariya.

My siblings were already there.

Artyom stood up and walked towards us, as did Yegor. Zahkar leaned over and whispered something to Kira, and she nodded but stayed put.

The ladies took a seat with Alexi, while Jaroslav's brothers stopped behind us.

I had no idea what the inside of the restaurant looked like, not even the color of the tablecloths. I was way too nervous to notice the way Artyom looked at Jaroslav as though he wanted to rip him to shreds.

“Artyom, thank you for coming,” Jaroslav started.

“Let's get this over quickly, shall we?” Artyom snapped.

I flinched, and Jaroslav's thumb rotated along my side, soothing me.

“In exchange for Vera’s and Katya’s hands in marriage and to finally end this war, we’re offering the Eastern European smuggling route.

You’ll also receive one monthly shipment of non-traceable, fresh military-grade weapons and ammunition.

And we’ll give you access to our southern ports, move whatever you want. No interference.”

Artyom chuckled then, a cold, joyless sound. “After everything your family did…you offer crumbs for two of my sisters?”

His gaze swept over them like they were nothing more than something stuck under his shoe.

“You want peace? You want me to accept this sham of a marriage?” He glared at me, as did Katya, and my pulse spiked.

“Fine. But I want two shipments a month of your military-grade weapons and ammunition. I also want ten percent of your Bratva’s drug revenue, monthly. ”

He folded his arms over his chest as his lips curled into a slow, venomous grin. “And not only will you give me access to your Eastern Europe route, but I also want access to the Balkan Passage and your West Africa-to-South Florida pipeline. My crews move through all three with no questions asked.”

Jaroslav's hold around my waist tightened a fraction.

“He's a fucking madman,” Marten muttered behind us.

“I'm sure we can adjust a shipment to two,” Jaroslav stated, voice angry but controlled. “But we're not giving you a percentage of our drug revenue or access to those other two routes.”

“Then the war will continue,” Artyom snarled. “And if you think I give a damn that my sisters are here, I don't. One sister is by default, and the other is a traitor. It will just show the other factions that if you double-cross me, you will get what's coming to you…blood or not.”

I swallowed. If I didn't step in, things would escalate.

“Artyom, let's talk about it. Please don't ruin our relationship like this,” I said softly.

I hoped that Artyom still had some compassion sitting in that rigid body of his, because I sure as hell needed it to come out now.

“Vera, you went behind my back to marry him! That's not how it's done! We have rules! You know this! And it wasn't just anyone, it was a damn Safin bastard!” he yelled.

I flinched, but instead of stepping back, I stepped closer to him. Jaroslav's grip tightened. I turned back to him and mouthed “please.” Reluctantly, his fingers loosened. They lingered for a few seconds longer before falling away.

“Artyom, Jaroslav is no longer the enemy. He is my husband and an ally to the Rykov faction. We didn't do things by protocol, and for that, we take full responsibility, and we're sorry.”

I took Artyom's hand in mine. I expected him to pull away, but he didn't.

“You've always said that having an ally is better than having an enemy. Artyom, you're my older brother, and I love you. But I also love Jaroslav, and he's the man that I want to live with…the man I've started my family with.”

A flash of confusion ran across Artyom's face, then he spoke. “Vera, you're pregnant?”

I nodded.

“Fuck,” Artyom whispered.

“You'll be an uncle, again. I want you to be a part of our child's life, as I do Yegor, Zahkar and Kira. But I can't do that if we're fighting each other. We may not have always seen eye to eye, but we've always been stronger together…as a team.”

I felt Jaroslav's hand on the small of my back.

“She's right, Artyom. We're stronger together. We've been enemies for too long. We've both made mistakes, but together, we can work over the hurdles and come out stronger than before.”

Jaroslav paused and looked around the room. “This, right here, right now, is what we have to fight for. Our brothers, our sisters, our children, and our nephews. This is deeper than the faction. This is about protecting our blood, which was given to us by blood right.”

Artyom sank into one of the chairs. No one said a word.

Then he looked up at Jaroslav. “Fine. The only offer I’ll accept is the Eastern European smuggling route, two monthly shipments, access to your south ports as well as your West Africa-to-South Florida pipeline.

And you have my word that I'll cease the war.

We'll have a meeting to design a peace treaty document—what was gained between both families and the consequences of going against the treaty.”

I looked up and Lev then at Jaroslav. Lev nodded.

Artyom stood and he stepped forward, extending his hand.

Jaroslav took it firmly.

“Artyom, not a problem. We'll schedule a meeting soon with our lawyers. You have my word that we'll do things fairly and we won't try to one up you.”

Lev extended his hand next and Artyom shook it.

Artyom looked at Yegor. “Make sure Kira reaches home safely.”

Without another word, Artyom walked out the door.

“Now that this war is over, I think we should hit the club!” Ninel said excitedly.

“I second!” Kira's hand shot into the air.

“I'd love to, but I have Alexi,” Katya groaned.

Lev came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “And you have a husband. Go and hang out with your sisters.”

Then he whispered something in Katya's ear that made her turn beet red, and she swatted him playfully on the arm.

“Marten,” Lev said. “Since Jaroslav’s hands will be full, you're keeping watch on Katya.”

Marten nodded.

“Now, whose closet am I raiding? Because I'm not going home till the sun is up!” Kira declared.

The men groaned, and the women laughed. We went back to Lev's place, where closets were raided, makeup and hair were done, and laughter was ongoing.

We went to one of the Safin clubs, and we were the only ones in the VIP section.

Katya and I couldn't drink, but that didn't stop us from ordering orange juice in shot glasses and seeing who could drink it without their hands.

While the girls were on one side, the guys were on the other, and I felt Jaroslav's eyes on me always.

It didn't make me feel restricted or controlled; it made me feel desired and yearned for.

As the sun came up, I hugged everyone goodbye. It felt like the dawn of a new day over both factions. After promising to meet again soon, Jaroslav and I made our way home, fingers entwined as he drove.

When we got home, he led me straight to bed.

“Can I at least freshen up?” I asked as he kissed me.

“No,” he said as he pulled my dress over my head. “I've been wanting to get you out of this damn dress all night. I need you now.”

We both undressed quickly, but when we stood there, bare before each other, the world slowed.

Jaroslav’s gaze moved over me like a touch itself…warm, aching, and starving. My breath caught in my throat.

“You're beautiful,” he said, hoarsely. “And I’m proud to say you're mine.”

I stepped closer, pressing my body against his. My lips brushed his ear as I whispered, “Then claim me.”

His hand gripped the back of my neck, and our mouths met in a kiss. Instead of taking me to bed, he pressed me against the wall. He lifted me in his arms and wrapped my feet around his waist. And when he glided his cock into me, we both moaned.

He looked into my eyes. “Tell me this is real. Tell me this is ours.”

“It is. It's always been.”

Then there were no more words, just movement. Jaroslav pounded into me, and our pleasured cries toppled from our lips. I clung to him, nails digging into his back, as his lips devoured my mouth.

We came together like waves trying to find the shore, crying out each other's names.

He pressed his forehead to mine.

“I love you, Vera.”

“I love you too, Jaroslav.”

Our breathing slowed, yet he didn’t let me go. He held me tight against him.

And there was no other place I'd rather be.