Page 123 of Deceptive Vows

“Thanks. Keep doing what you’re doing and if you see my brother with that guy again, call me straightaway.”

“Sure will. You be careful, Señor. Blood is thicker than water for a reason. Blood can drown you quicker.”

Don’t I know it.

35

Natalia

The gentle breeze caresses my skin, and I can smell the oncoming rain.

Angry storm clouds cover the heavens, but the sky refuses to crack open and allow the rain to fall.

I’m not going to stay out too long today. Not until dark.

I went out by myself for a walk out by the lake so from where I am I can still glimpse the terrace of the house from where I’m sitting.

I just needed fresh air.

Things were more tense in the house after last night, but this morning, Irena said good morning to me. So did the other maid. Aleksander was just as abrasive but not as rude.

I figured Mikhail must have spoken to them.

I was almost sure he was in the room with me last night, lying next to me on the bed. I thought I’d fallen asleep on the floor, though. I was so tired I couldn’t remember.

The scent of him hung in the air when I awoke. I must have imagined his presence, because today was another day of nothingness.

Today marks one whole week since we got married. I don’t even know why I’m bothering to take note of the time. It’s not like it makes a difference to anyone. It won’t make any difference to me.

It’s just because I’m the one with time on her hands, watching the days go by. Each day that passes leaves me wondering what the next will be like.

I’ve been caged in this house, and although I’ve been allowed to wander around and go shopping with Sophia or one of the guards, I still feel like I’m locked up.

Or like I’m on a deserted island with no real hope of escape. All there is, is what’s around me.

Not to mention the fact that I’m in New York. A place that’s new to me. People are different, and I have a new language in my ear I can’t even make heads or tails of. Sometimes, people can pick up certain words and try to piece together the meaning of a conversation. I can’t do that when it comes to Russian.

All I know isMalyshka.

No matter what tone Mikhail uses to say it to me, the endearment has always sounded like a word of affection expressed by my lover.

God, I am pathetic.

Is it because he’s the first man I’ve been with why I can’t shake him from my mind? Is it that? Or maybe the wordhusbandhas more meaning to me than it should.

I don’t think it’s either of those things. I think it’s him.

The problem is him and what he broke down inside me to make me feel for him.

I can tell myself I resisted, but the thing I was trying to stop myself from feeling was already there. All he did was unleash it. Now that he’s abandoned me, I’m trying to rein it back in.

The shuffle of footsteps makes me turn my head.

I nearly jump out of my skin when I see Ivan walking toward me. I was so engrossed in my thoughts I didn’t hear him.

This is the second time this has happened to me. Once again, he’s crept up on me, catching me off-guard.

I stand and face him, wondering why he’s here and if Mikhail might be home, too.