Page 39 of Sweet Deception

I swallowed, emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “Thank you so much.”

“No.” He exhaled sharply, “Don’t thank me. I failed you as a husband.” His fists clenched at his sides. “How dare another man come into my house and lay hands on my wife?”

My chest tightened at his words.

“If you’d seen me before I cleaned up...” I swallowed hard. “I was a mess.”

Gleb shut his eyes for a moment before running his fingers through my damp hair. “It won’t happen again.”

He opened his eyes, his gaze pinning me in place. “That’s a promise.”

The warmth of his fingers against my scalp sent a shiver down my spine.

“I might not be able to walk again,” I admitted. “He kicked me so hard in my legs.”

“You’ll walk.” His grip on my leg tightened slightly, as if testing its strength. “I’ll get the best doctor in the city.”

He took my legs in his hands, his touch surprisingly gentle as he caressed them, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin.

“Do you have an appetite?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No. I feel weak... feverish.”

Gleb nodded and pulled out his phone. He made a call, his voice sharp and commanding as he spoke in Russian. I didn’t understand everything, but I knew he was speaking to a doctor.

I swallowed hard. “Your uncle pushed me down the...”

“Don’t tell me,” he interrupted. “I’ll check the CCTV footage.”

Gleb’s grip on my chin tightened just slightly, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “He said he’s coming back?” His voice was dangerously low, the kind that promised death.

I nodded. “He threatened to let his men take turns on me.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. He exhaled slowly, then turned away, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Find Antonio,” he said, his tone like ice. He ended the call without another word, his fingers clenching into fists.

“What... what are you going to do to him?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“You think I’ll let him live?” Gleb’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “He laid hands on my wife. He’ll die knowing he damned his entire bloodline.”

I flinched. “Gleb...”

“That will be a warning to anyone who tries to touch what belongs to me.” He turned away, his muscles tight with tension.

I didn’t dare say another word. The depth of his anger frightened me.

My gaze fell on the box of cheese. Even though I’d lost my appetite earlier, the familiar scent made my stomach churn with hunger. Hesitantly, I picked up a piece, unwrapped it, and took a bite.

I stole a glance at Gleb. His head was lowered, his fists still clenched. Even in his silence, his fury was palpable. I had thought he wouldn’t care what happened to me. But now, I knew, he cared.

And he would destroy anyone who hurt me.

But at what cost? Wouldn’t this cause a divide in his family?

I shivered, my thoughts in turmoil. And yet, beneath all the fear and uncertainty, something else stirred within me. When he touched my face earlier, his fingers had sent warmth straight to my soul, something soothing and... intimate. And when he ran his fingers through my hair...

A shudder ran through me. Every touch of his has an effect on me that I can’t explain.

Every day, I try to hate him.