Page 28 of Cruel Russian Monster (Safin Bratva #2)

Artyom was true to his word.

The night he left the restaurant, he made the public announcement: the war between our factions had ended. Not only had we come to a truce, but he declared that his sisters were married to Safin men, and anyone foolish enough to move against us would find themselves at war with him.

Kira, Yegor, and Zahkar were finally allowed to visit Katya. And together with the Safin men, they’d started competing over who could get the coolest toys for Alexi.

Lev couldn't wait until Vera and I had our baby, just so they'd stop spoiling Alexi as much as they did. Kira said it wouldn’t make a difference. Alexi was the first of the cousins, and, as she put it, that made him king.

Like the other women, she was hoping for a girl. So was Vera.

Me? Not really. The idea of some little punk trying to charm my daughter made my blood pressure rise already.

But if I did have a daughter, I wouldn't be mad about it.

What I wanted was simple: a healthy baby and a healthy wife. That was all I needed.

I looked across Lev’s lounge.

Artyom was at the bar, talking and laughing with Mariya and Katya. In one corner, Kira and Ninel were animatedly telling a story as Zahkar propped up Vera against him, and they laughed.

My wife was glowing.

At six months pregnant, I couldn’t get enough of how she looked or how she felt under my hands. And her sex drive? Insatiable.

The first few months had been hell, though. Her morning sickness was brutal, and at one point, Dr. Decker had to hook her up to IVs.

The women visited Vera every day. That helped me breathe easier when I had to leave for work. And when I couldn’t be there, Tomas kept an eye on her.

I was sitting with Lev, Yegor, Avit, Marten, and Pyotr around the table. The beers were empty, and the conversation had moved from business to life.

The changes between our factions? They were real.

And the fact that Artyom was sitting in Lev's lounge, sipping a drink and chatting with Katya?

That said everything.

“So when are you guys leaving?” Yegor asked quietly, looking at Vera.

“As soon as we leave here.”

“Have you told her?” Avit asked.

“Nope. She'll find out when she gets there,” I grinned.

“And what if she doesn't want to go?” Marten asked.

All the guys looked at him.

“What woman is going to say no to a trip where she gets to shop?” Pyotr asked.

The other guys chuckled.

“Definitely, not Vera,” Yegor laughed.

“Have you contacted our allies in the places you have layovers?” Lev asked.

“I have,” I said, looking at Vera. “And the best doctors in each place.”

“Sounds like a good move.” Lev said. “Get as much rest as you can, because when that baby comes, you won't be getting much of it.”

“Pffft,” Pyotr scoffed. “Jaroslav has enough babysitters here to fill that quota. My advice would be to get as much sex as you can. Because even though you'll have baby sisters by the time you crawl into bed at night, you'll be too tired…to well…lift anything.”

The guys laughed, and I shook my head.

“Now that is some good advice,” Lev said.

Pyotr grinned, and Avit groaned, “Now he'll think he's some kind of relationship guru.”

“At least I have relationships.” Pyotr teased.

“Who has relationships?” Mariya asked as she approached.

“Pyotr,” Marten leaned back on his chair, a smug look on his face. “He's over here giving Jaroslav advice on how much sex he should have before the baby comes.”

And that was all it took for Mariya to start her lecture to Pyotr about the number of women he slept with, and if he wasn’t careful, he'd end up with a string band of children before he was thirty.

As Pyotr death-stared Marten, who only smirked in response, I watched Zakhar escort Vera to the sofa.

I knew if she sat in that thing, she’d never want to get up again, and if she said she wanted to stay at Lev’s tonight and sleep on that damn sofa, I’d say yes without hesitation. I’d do anything to make her happy.

I pushed my chair back and made my way toward them. Zahkar handed her over to me before heading to the table, where everyone had now gathered. The women had ganged up on Pyotr, and the other guys were grabbing more beers, clearly enjoying the show.

“Hey, malishka,” I kissed her gently on her lips before pulling her in my arms. “Are you okay?”

“Once I'm in your arms, I'm always okay.”

“Are you ready to leave?”

“Are you asking because you want to take me home and have your wicked way with me, or because you're worried I've been on my feet too long?”

“Both.”

She smiled. “In that case, I’m ready. But before we go, let me say goodbye to everyone, and I need a quick bathroom break.”

“Sure.”

After hugging the women and giving handshakes to the men, I helped Vera to the bathroom. Once she had used it, we walked slowly to the car.

“Did you have a good time tonight?” I asked.

“I always have a good time when everyone’s together.”

“I love seeing you happy.”

She smiled, but then a small frown tugged at her brow. “Do you think the peace between our factions will last?”

“I sure as hell hope it does. We are the strongest factions in Philly once more, and with our expansions, we hope to be in the country very soon.”

Once in the car, I helped Vera settle in, and before I closed the door, I kissed her again. By the time I climbed behind the wheel, Vera was already out cold.

I chuckled, started the engine and pulled out of Lev's compound, and headed for the private hangar.

On the way to the hangar, I called to let them know that we were on our way, and to have someone meet us by the plane to park the car, since I wasn't about to have Vera walk more than she needed to.

***

Thirty minutes later, I pulled up close to the stairs of the plane, greeted by one of the security detail standing there as well as the air hostess.

I stroked Vera's arm.

“Malishka, we’re here,” I said tenderly.

Her eyes fluttered open. I gave her a few minutes. Then she turned and looked at me.

“I thought you were taking me home to have your wicked way with me?” Her eyes narrowed.

These past few months, Vera got obsessive when it came to sex, and if I promised and didn't deliver, all hell would break loose.

“We may not be home, but I do plan on having my wicked way with you on the queen-sized bed in the jet.”

She began unbuckling her seat belt. “Then let's go.”

“Wait, you don't want to know where we're going?”

She looked at me. “As long as you're there, I don't care where we are.” She finished unbuckling her seatbelt and yawned. “Now, come on, hurry up.”

I chuckled. “Stay there.”

I hopped out of the car and jogged around to help Vera out. Once we were both out of the car, the security detail hopped in and drove the car away. Cautiously, I helped Vera to her seat.

Once she was buckled in, she fell asleep again, but once we were in the air, I unbuckled her and carried her to the jet bedroom, which was now soundproof thanks to Pyotr and one of his sexcapades a few years ago.

Once I had removed her shoes, I removed mine as well and got into bed with her.

By the time we landed in Los Angeles, she was still asleep. I didn’t wake her. While the jet refueled, I stepped off for a brief stretch.

An hour later, we were back in the air. The cabin lights dimmed. Vera stirred only when I slid into bed beside her. She curled into me, and I held her close as the hum of the engines lulled me to sleep.

We landed in Hawaii around late morning the next day. Vera was still fast asleep.

I kissed her gently until she sighed, fingers curling into my shirt.

“Good morning,” I murmured.

A slow smile formed on her lips before her eyes even opened. “Good morning. Where are we?”

“Hawaii.”

Her eyes popped open. “You're kidding.”

I grinned. “Nope.”

“I’ve never been to Hawaii.”

“Then I suggest you get up, get dressed, and we’ll explore. We’re spending the day here. After that, our final destination.”

“And where’s that?” she asked, eyes sparkling. God, I loved that I could do that for her.

“New Zealand.”

“Eeeekkkk!” she squealed, launching into my arms. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” I chuckled, hugging her tight. “Now get ready. I can’t wait to spoil my wife today.”

***

Thirty minutes later, we were out exploring.

We strolled through the local markets, hands entwined, stopping every so often to taste something new—tropical fruits, sweet malasadas, shaved ice drizzled in syrup. Vera had a pineapple smoothie in one hand and her phone in the other, snapping pictures of everything.

We walked along Waikiki Beach, her bare feet leaving prints in the sand as she leaned against me for balance. We asked a vendor to take a picture of us with the ocean behind us. Vera was glowing, her bump showing beneath the soft cotton dress she'd picked up from a boutique along the way.

We bought souvenirs, a few baby items, and matching bracelets made of black lava rock and blue sea glass. She made me promise never to take mine off.

By the time the sun dipped low and painted the sky in streaks of fire and rose, we’d eaten dinner at a quiet cliffside restaurant with a view of the ocean. Vera couldn’t stop smiling. Neither could I.

By seven that night, she’d showered and lain on the bed after the jet was airborne, her hair damp and skin sun-kissed.

I sat beside her, gently massaging her feet, working out the ache she wouldn’t admit to.

She looked at me with hooded eyes.

“You’re spoiling me,” she whispered sleepily.

I kissed her ankle. “I’ll never stop.”

It wasn't long before she fell asleep. I continued to massage her feet for a bit longer before sliding under the covers and drifting off to sleep next to her.

We arrived in New Zealand around four in the morning, but we didn't leave until nine.

The drive from the private airstrip was quiet, peaceful. The rolling hills stretched endlessly in every direction, golden light spilling across the landscape like honey. And then, as we rounded the final bend, the cottage came into view.

I heard Vera gasp next to me as her grip on my hand tightened.

Perched on a gentle slope overlooking Lake Wakatipu, with the Southern Alps cradling the horizon in snow-capped serenity, the cottage looked like something from a postcard, with rustic stone walls, a wraparound porch, and wide glass doors that opened onto a view that stole your breath.

Vera blinked as she stepped out of the car. “Is this real?”

The driver unloaded our bags and placed them right next to the front door.

I wrapped my arm around her. “Very real. And we're here for the next seven days.”

Inside, the scent of lavender and cedarwood greeted us.

The fire had already been lit. In the living room sat a woven basket, overflowing with New Zealand goodies: artisan cheeses, chocolate-covered hokey pokey, fresh cherries, gourmet honey, lavender soaps, and a bottle of sparkling non-alcoholic elderflower wine nestled beside two crystal glasses.

Vera walked around slowly, one hand on her belly, the other running across the soft throws draped over the couch. She paused by the glass doors, eyes glassy as she took in the pink-orange hues bouncing off the lake.

“You’re an amazing man, Jaro,” she whispered. “And an even better husband.”

I came up behind her and kissed her neck. “You make me want to be better, Malishka. For you and our child.”

Later, after a long bath and a foot massage that had her nearly asleep in my lap, we stepped out onto the deck wrapped in blankets. The stars had begun to appear, winking above us like blessings.

I popped the bottle of wine and poured two glasses. Vera laughed softly.

“Cheers?” she asked.

I raised my glass. “To love. To family. To a lifetime of peace.”

She clinked hers against mine, eyes shining. “To love. To family. To a lifetime of peace.”

We drank, curled together on the swing, her head on my chest, the sound of gentle waves below.

We made it.

If anyone had told me three years ago I'd be in New Zealand, with Vera as my wife and our first child on the way, after she broke my heart in a million pieces, I would've laughed in their face or gutted them.

But life had a funny way of turning things around. And I'm fucking glad that they did.

“I love you, malishka. Now until the end of time,” I whispered into her hair.

She looked up at me and kissed me lightly. “And I love you, Jaro. Until the day I can count all the grains of sand on the earth.”

*****

THE END