Page 18 of Cruel Russian Pakhan (Safin Bratva #1)

My eyes fluttered open and I instinctively looked to the other side of the bed where Lev should've been. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“God! Katya! How could you?” I muttered to myself.

Did you forget that Vera and Lev are going to be married soon?

I sighed.

I didn’t regret giving my virginity to Lev.

He made it something I’d treasure forever.

Maybe I agreed to it because deep down, I knew last night might be the only time I’d ever have him.

And not having him when he'd offered himself up to me wasn't a regret I thought I'd be able to live with. I just wish he’d been there when I woke up.

For so long, I thought he didn’t want me, but he did. If he hadn’t cared at all, he wouldn’t have made it so special. He took his time. He made the wait worth it.

I got out of bed and went through my morning routine.

When I turned the knob on the bedroom door, I was relieved to find it unlocked.

I stepped out and knocked on Lev’s door, but there was no answer.

Hoping to catch him at breakfast, I made my way to the dining room, only to find the cook placing a plate in front of my usual seat.

She told me Lev had eaten earlier and left.

I spent the rest of the day wandering the house, but mostly lingering near the front door, hoping he’d walk in. When nine o’clock came and he still wasn’t home, I finally gave up and sulked back to my room.

Maybe he was just busy.

But the next day passed. And the day after that. No sign of Lev.

A sick feeling started to grow in my stomach. What if he had just used me to scratch an itch? That would explain the cold, distant silence.

Katya, he told you he doesn’t do feelings. He said anything between you two would just be physical. You mean nothing to this man. You knew that before you willingly gave yourself over to him.

I sighed.

Lev had been up-front from the beginning. He told me exactly what this was supposed to be. And still, I hoped for more. That was my mistake, one I wouldn’t make again.

Sleeping with Lev was something I’d fantasized about. It happened. It was done. Now, I could focus on what really mattered, getting to know my siblings and building a life. A life away from him.

If Lev thought I’d sit around moping like some love-sick puppy, he had another thing coming.

Two days later, Mariya and Ninel showed up with Marten and the guards. We had lunch and, of course, went shopping. It was exactly the remedy I needed to shake off the funk I’d been in.

“So, are you excited about this afternoon?” Ninel asked, twirling in front of the mirror in fitted jeans and a tank top.

“What's happening this afternoon?” I asked, taking a sip of champagne, as Mariya and I watched Ninel model one of the numerous outfits she snagged from the racks.

“I thought Lev told you already! He’ll probably say something when you get home. You’re meeting Artyom and the others later today.”

“Oh.”

Mariya reached for my hand. “You didn’t change your mind about meeting them, did you?”

“I haven’t. I was just hoping I’d have more time between finding out and actually going to meet them.”

“Actually,” Ninel said, stepping behind the curtain to change, “I prefer short notice. Less time to freak out.” Her head popped out from around the curtain. “You’re not freaking out, are you?”

“Not freaking out. Just nervous. I always get nervous meeting new people.”

“Just be yourself,” she said, disappearing behind the curtain again. “They’ll love you.”

“Even Artyom?” I teased.

Ninel poked her head out again and scrunched up her nose. “You never know. Stranger things have happened.”

Mariya and I laughed.

Then my tone shifted. “Honestly, I’m wondering if Artyom would even let me see you guys again.

I know Vera’s going to marry Lev.” Just saying it felt like acid burning down my throat.

“But, with how little trust there is between both families, I don’t know how this is all supposed to work.

And Lev might think it’s too weird for us to keep hanging out.

With the way Jaroslav looks at me, he’d probably back him up without question. ”

Mariya chuckled. “Jaroslav looks at everyone like that.”

Ninel stepped out of the changing room in a short, pink, flowy dress with thin straps. “We’ll just give you our numbers, no worries. I don’t know why we waited so long to do that in the first place.”

“I don’t have a phone. I…lost it.”

I felt too embarrassed to admit I’d left it at home the day Lev kidnapped me. I didn’t know how much he’d told them, but the mix of illogical shame and the awkwardness of being kidnapped by him, then bonding with his sisters, just didn’t sit right at that moment.

“I'll talk to Lev,” Mariya said. “He'll get you a phone and program my number and Nins’s into it for you. Even if we may not be able to see you as often, we'll call and text.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” Mariya smiled, then looked at Ninel. “So, Nins, which of those outfits are you taking?”

“All of them!” she laughed, and flipped her hair as she waltzed back into the changing room.

Mariya shook her head and chuckled. “I'll go tell Marten you'll be out with your haul in five minutes.”

After shopping, we went for ice cream, then they dropped me home. Five minutes later, there was a knock at the door. When I opened it, I was surprised to find Lev standing there, his expression blank. He was holding out a phone.

“Mariya’s and Ninel's numbers are already programmed into it.”

I took the phone. “Thank you. I…”

Lev cut me off. “We’re going to see your siblings today. Meet me downstairs by the front door in one hour.”

He turned and walked off before I could say a single word. Shaking my head, I closed the door behind me.

As I crossed the room to search my closet for something to wear, a flicker of excitement stirred in my chest. I was finally going to meet my siblings.

The sooner I met them, the sooner I could leave this house, and Lev, behind.

An hour later, I met Lev at the front door, and without a word, he opened it. We stepped out of the house and headed to his vehicle, where Rocco was waiting.

The drive was quiet, and I tried not to think about the man sitting next to me. But how could I not, when he smelled so damn good and had such an imposing presence?

Thirty minutes later, Rocco pulled up to a tall iron gate. Lev rolled down his window and pressed the button on the intercom.

"It's Lev Safin. I'm here with Katya.”

No one responded, but the iron gates creaked open in front of the vehicle. Rocco drove us down the long driveway lined with manicured hedges and blooming rose bushes, stopping in front of a three-story mansion that sat like a crown in the center of the estate.

Rocco stepped out and opened my door. I met Lev at the front of the car and followed him up the stone steps to the entrance, where one of the guys—the brown-haired one who was with Artyom the night of the party—stood waiting.

“Lev, thanks for bringing her.”

I watched as both men shook hands.

“Not a problem,” Lev replied.

The man turned to me with a warm smile. “Katya, my name is Yegor. Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you,” I said softly.

I was too nervous to even take a look around the house as he led us down the hallway. I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, since falling would only add embarrassment to the anxiety already twisting in my stomach.

We stepped through an open doorway.

“Let me introduce you to everyone.”

He placed a hand on the small of my back, gently steering me toward the group gathered on the other side of the room.

The first person we stopped in front of was Artyom. I forced myself to meet his cold gray eyes. Something about him reminded me of Jaroslav, his cold gaze making it clear he didn’t like me.

Artyom didn’t offer a handshake, and when he spoke, his voice sent a chill down my spine.

“I’m Artyom. The oldest, and the leader of the Rykov Bratva faction. The fact that you’re here doesn’t mean I want you here.”

I stiffened. Yegor’s hand gently squeezed my back, comfortingly.

“I still can’t believe my father stooped so low, cheating on my mother after everything she sacrificed for him.

I’m sure your mother knew he was married, yet she opened her legs for him.

So no, I don’t think highly of your mother or you, Katya.

But my father’s blood runs in your veins.

That makes you our responsibility. Nothing more. ”

Artyom turned and walked away, heading toward the bar to refill his glass. I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

The blonde man who stepped forward next had a much friendlier demeanor. He offered his hand with a grin, and I shook it.

“The name’s Zahkar, but everyone calls me Zak. It’s nice to meet you.”

I smiled back, genuinely. “Same here.”

Then came Vera, who surprised me by pulling me into a hug. I hugged her back, the contact unexpectedly comforting. When she pulled away, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. Then she smiled. “I’m Vera, as you probably already know. If I’d found you sooner, we could’ve pretended to be twins, pulled a few pranks, maybe even switched places to get out of trouble…or get into it.” She winked.

I laughed. “Honestly, when I saw you at the party, it was like an out-of-body experience. I’m just happy to be here…meeting all of you.”

The last sibling stepped forward with a broad grin and wrapped me in another warm hug.

“I’m Kira. And seeing as you’re twenty-two and I’m twenty-one, thank you for letting me keep the title of baby of the family.”

Zahkar and Vera groaned, and I chuckled. “You’re welcome.”

Kira looped her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s get you something to drink. We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”

Every step I took with Kira toward the bar chipped away at the nervousness still clinging to me. Besides Artyom, everyone else seemed kind, and genuinely happy I was here.

I didn’t hold Artyom’s feelings against him, though. He had every right to feel the way he did. As Ninel said, eventually he might come around. At least, I hoped he would.

After getting a glass of wine, Kira and Vera sandwiched me on a sofa, while Zahkar and Yegor took the two armchairs nearby.

Artyom remained at one end of the bar, keeping his distance, while Lev sat at the other.

They kept the conversation light and casual, talking about family traditions like Sunday dinners and annual trips. They shared childhood memories, who got into the most trouble—Zahkar, of course—and how Kira was spoiled rotten as the baby of the family.

I added a few stories about living with Daisy and Arnold, steering clear of anything too heavy. I didn’t want to ruin the mood by talking about foster care.

I knew there were things they wouldn’t say with Lev around, but I really wanted to know more about my father. I also wasn’t ready to bring it up in front of Artyom, either. Maybe once I got Kira and Vera alone, I’d ask.

About an hour into the conversation, Lev stepped toward us, his focus fixed on Vera.

“Vera,” Lev said. “May I have a word with you? I'd like to get to know my future wife.”

My stomach dropped as Vera smiled up at him. “Sure.” She turned to the rest of us. “I'll be right back.”

I smiled back, but all I really wanted to do was claw her eyes out. I watched as Lev placed a hand on the small of Vera’s back, guiding her across the room to a small sofa.

They sat side by side, knees touching, too close for my liking. I could see Lev's face, totally focused on Vera, flashing her that smile…that smile that was supposed to be mine.

I grounded my teeth and inhaled slowly. I’d survived too much to let one man’s actions reduce me to nothing. If Lev didn’t want me, then I didn’t want him.

One day, I'd marry a man who loved me, and we'd have a beautiful family and marriage like Daisy’s and Arnold’s.

But, as I kept staring, Lev's eyes met mine briefly before looking away. And my heart cracked.

If you don't want Lev, then why does it hurt so bad?