Page 19 of Brutal Bratva Boss

“I never lied about my name. When I was younger, I went by Theo. And this marriage might be to my benefit, but it’s also for your benefit. I never lied about that. I gave you my word that you and this child would be safe if you married me, and you are. I also gave you my word that I would not touch you again until you asked me to. And for the most part, I have done that. So, tell me, how have I not kept my word?”

He pauses as he looks at me, waiting for what he said to sink in.

Pieces of a new puzzle start to fall into place, and a new picture begins to form. One where all of Theo’s erratic behavior makes more sense. The way he watches me, but still seems to ignore me. The way he bypasses a room when I am in there. The way he has been giving me space. I have not been as alone as I thought. Because he is always there, even if not in my immediate vicinity.

So far, I am also safe. Myself and my child. And for the most part, I want for nothing. Everything I could want, other than my freedom, of course, has been provided.

Looking up, I find Theo waiting patiently. He looks sincere, but even I know looks can be deceiving.

He could easily advance on me now. He could punish me for how I have acted tonight, and prove to me how right every thought I had while I paged through those files was. I know my father would have.

But Theo doesn’t.

Instead, his eyes soften, and he nods once. “Get some rest.”

And then he walks off, leaving me bewildered for the second time in as many days.

Chapter 10 - Fyodor

Sweat pours down my back and my muscles burn, every contraction getting harder to maintain. When my arms start to shake violently on my umpteenth bicep curl, I drop the dumbbells and sink into the chair, chugging back most of what is left in my water bottle. Today I am pushing myself further than I normally would, punishing myself as I try to escape the thoughts running through my mind. Thoughts of a dark siren that I most certainly should not be entertaining. Last night was a close call. I came very close to breaking my word about not touching her. I have come to realize that my restraint is wearing thin, teetering on the edge of breaking.

No matter how this arrangement started, and no matter how much I tell myself it is just that, an arrangement, I have started to experience some different feelings. Feelings that I have no business appreciating. But after last night, I am not sure if anything could materialize between us.

Kat was never meant to enter that room. She may hold some hatred for her father but based on how she reacted to the information she found, she might now see him as the lesser of two evils. Granted, what she found is not by any means untrue, but that was before her. Before I had something to lose. Two somethings, actually.

Now, I can’t afford for her to go back to her father for any reason. I can’t have her thinking he would be the better option. I know that is not true, regardless of whatever thoughts she might have on the matter. I was not lying when I said I would not harm her father. As much as I know I might suffer some backlash from my brothers on the matter, I am prepared to face it if that is what it takes for her to trust me.

I need Kat to trust me and fully rely on me if I have any hopes of salvaging plans to overthrow her father. I gave my word that he would not be harmed, but that does not mean his organization will not suffer. I know if given the choice, Igor will choose to save his own skin over that of his daughter and grandchild. I plan to use that bit of information to my benefit at some point.

Deciding that I have tortured myself enough, I grab my towel and head to the pool to cool off. Most days I would do a few laps, but what I need now is to simply enjoy the water as it seeps into my stiff muscles. I swim over to the side darkened by the shade from the surrounding trees, tucking myself into the corner, everything but my head submerged under the surface.

A few minutes of silence pass, and then I hear footsteps. Shortly after, Kat comes into view.

Her dark hair is pulled up in a topknot, and her pale skin is wrapped scantily in a navy blue bikini, the material only enough to cover most of the important parts. A few things hit me at once. Firstly, this is the first time I am seeing this bikini, so either it is new, or Kat has just not worn it before. Either way, I think I might have to burn it after today due to the feelings it has started stirring up. Second, the signs of Kat’s pregnancy have started showing in her breasts, and the material currently covering them seems to be having a hard time holding on. I am not opposed to the change. And lastly, based on the way my body is currently reacting, it might be even harder to keep my word about not touching her. I need to change up my tactics if I want Kat to give me that permission.

I am not hidden by any means, but Kat seems too caught up in her thoughts to notice me. She drops her towel and sunglasses on a nearby lounger, stretching her arms over her head. The movement causes the material to inch up the undersides of her breasts, and my fingers itch with the need to reach out and pull it back into place. She still does not see me as she sinks into the water, sighing contently as she wades out towards the center of the pool with her eyes shut. When she is only a few feet away she stops, bobbing slightly as she stretches her arms out to the side.

The pull I always feel starts up again, and soon I find myself floating closer until I am close enough that I could reach out and touch her. “Are you having fun?”

Kat gasps as she spins around, and her hand jerks up to cover her chest, sending water droplets flying. “Are you spying on me?” she asks once she recovers.

I chuckle. “Doubtful, as I was here first.”

She gives me a side glance before rolling her eyes. “Of course, there’s never any privacy, is there?”

There is a bitterness in her tone that I do not like. “There is if you want it.”

“Don’t patronize me,” she snaps. “You forget I am well aware of how things work.”

I drift closer. “How what things work?”

“This world.” Kat waves a hand. “The Bratva. What I want is insignificant, just like me.”

She flinches at the last part, and it hits me. If she continues to feel this way, she will never trust me. She will never let her guard down, and I need her to.

“What’s your favorite meal?”

My question seems to catch her off guard, her nose scrunching in confusion. “What?”

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