Page 64 of His Darkest Obsession

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot do in the house where I raised you,neposlushnik," she snaps. "You may be the pakhan, but this house will always be my domain."

"This house is the domain of the pakhan’s wife,” he replies. “As I’m sure you are well aware."

“If you think I’ll just accept you making thisshlyukhathe mistress of my house, boy, you are mistaken.”

I don't need to know Russian to understand the poison in her voice or the meaning of that word.

"She's not a—" Anatoly snarls.

I reach up and place my hand on his arm to stop him before he says something that will only make my situation worse.

"It's okay," I say, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "If your mother wants to speak with me, I'll do it."

Anatoly's eyes find mine, concern evident in their blue depths. "You don't have to. She can't make you."

"Your mother wants to meet her daughter-in-law." I lift my chin. "I'll be alright."

“Yes, Tolya, let mother speak with her alone,” Vassily speaks up. “It’ll certain go better than if she were to justify her existence to the three of us instead.”

His voice sends a shiver of unease roving up my back. It sounds too smooth. Almost oily. And the way his eyes keep roaming over me like he’s appraising a piece of meat makes me want to be anywhere but here in front of him.

Anatoly glares at Vassily and balls his fist as if he’s ready to argue. But that’s when Roma gives both of them a stare and holds up a hand to stop the two from doing something foolish.

For a moment, Anatoly looks like he might argue, but when he looks back at me and sees that I am determined to do this, he gives me a curt nod.

As soon as I take one step towards Valentina, Vassily moves to block Anatoly from me. Then, to complete his insult, he turns his head slowly and gives a low whistle as he stares at my ass before he grins back at Anatoly.

An uncomfortable silence settles in around us, and I wonder if I might've made a mistake in being brave.

But if I have, it's too late now.

"Follow," Valentina commands.

And I do.

She walks me over across the entrance in silence until we reach a door to a study. I want to look back, but I know that instead of Anatoly, the only things I'll see are the backs of his brothers.

A maid happens to have walked by at the wrong time, and Valentina snaps her fingers at her like she might at a dog. The woman scampers away, bowing deeply as a string of apologetic words tumble from her lips. Whether it's from reverence or fear doesn't matter.

She points at a corner in the room and I walk there like a disobedient child. When I reach it, she snaps her fingers at me and makes a turning motion with her hand.

I turn around and she slams the door shut.

22

ANATOLY

Anger shiversunder my skin as I watch mother lead Indigo away into the study and slam the door shut.

And my idiot brother Vassily continues to grin at me as he steps in front of me.

“I have to say, Tolya, I see why you were in such a rush to wed.” He throws a gaze over his shoulder at the closed door.

The heat that had threatened to choke me earlier now transforms into white hot rage. It rushes through me, thrumming with an intensity as it pulses in my ears. Red lines the edges of my vision.

I want to break his fucking jaw.

“Watch your mouth, Vasya,” I snap. “She’s my wife.”