Page 3 of Ruby Menace

I only realize that I’m twisting my hands on my lap when my nails dig into my skin. All I want to do is leave the room, get Roxie from upstairs, and get away from this shitshow as fast as possible.

“You’re lying!” Kirill barks. Even though there’s now distance between us, I can feel the rage radiating from him. When he steps past me and moves toward her, his fists are curled, and his shoulders rigid with tension.

Zoya remains unflappable. “Why would I lie, milaya moya?”

“Do not call me that!”

“Old habits die hard.” She shrugs. “And you will always be my sweet one.”

Kirill says nothing. Probably because he must know that she’s testing him. At least, that’s what I think she’s doing.

“He is your son, Kirill. You should know that. It’s not like we were… careful.” She traces a fingertip over the child’s cheek. “Just look at him. How can you deny he’s yours?”

The little boy glances at me as if he’s trying to say something, but he keeps quiet. For a moment, it’s almost as if he’s trying to reach out. I must admit, he does look a lot like Kirill. He then looks down, looking utterly uncomfortable. I feel for him. What a shitty thing to do to a child. Parade him in front of a guy who doesn’t even know he existed.

I fold my arms across my chest and wait for the drama to play out. It’s obvious that none of this involves me. I feel like a complete outsider. Zoya, on the other hand, looks as if she simply belongs in this place. And my heart aches at the realization.

“Why should I believe you? Why would you only tell me now if this was true all along?”

Zoya heaves a sigh. “How could I have told you? I couldn’t afford to take the risk, Kirill. My safety… our son’s safety had to come first. Before any love I felt for you. Your entire legacy was at stake, you know that!” There is pain and frustration in her voice.

I pinch my lips together, trying not to cup my hand over my belly. Kirill’s legacy is growing in me right now. And he doesn’t even know it. I never told him. Now that I’m watching these events unfolding, I’m starting to wonder if I ever should. Maybe Zoya has a point. I don’t know if I can believe what she is saying, but she has a point about one thing: no child would ever be safe in this world. This is the freaking Bratva. The Russian mafia. They are criminals who do illegal shit, torture and kill people.

You’ve seen it yourself!

Yet, like a fool, I’ve been looking at this man through rose-tinted spectacles. Imagining some crazy, romantic life together. A life where he might, one day, love me.

But it’s obvious that he’s been withholding the truth.

He’s the Bratva pakhan, Tee!

What the fuck did you expect?

A domesticated father working a nine to five?

Kirill continues speaking. “You were hardly hiding from me, Zoya. You still came out for your regular payments. I made sure you were taken care of.”

“And you have been very generous.” She nods. “But that just won’t cut it anymore.”

“Won’t cut it?” Kirill scoffs. “Obviously not. Because nothing is ever enough for you, Zoya. It didn’t matter how much I indulged you, you always wanted more.”

“I am your wife!” For the first time in this conversation, Zoya looks annoyed, her flawless features turning grim. “And the wife of the Bratva boss has an image to maintain. Just like you do. You know this! It was your job to make sure that happened.”

“My job?” he barks. “And what about your job? What about your duties as my wife?”

Zoya’s expression switches in an instant, suddenly all sweet with concern. “Did I hurt you, milaya moya? Did I not give you the love you needed?” She cocks her head. “I can change that now. I will show you that-”

“Poshol na khuy!” Kirill’s exclamation cuts her short. He’s raking both hands through his hair as he spins on his heel and begins to pace. “That is not what I am saying!”

“Ya nemogu bez tebya, Kirill!” Zoya is focused only on him now. When he spins around again and answers her in rapid Russian, he doesn’t seem to notice me either. I might as well not be in the room. I find myself shrinking back into my seat as the pair of them fling their hands about and shout at each other. I feel like a mouse watching a pair of roaring tigers. And I can’t tell if I’m hearing words of hate or words of love because none of it makes sense to me. So I sit there silently. Until Kirill stops abruptly and looks at me.

“You should leave.”

“What?” I can’t believe he just said that. But then again, why wouldn’t he? I obviously don’t belong here. “You mean-?”

“Leave,” he repeats, a muscle in his jaw flickering as he turns his blazing eyes at me, then back to Zoya.

Just like that, I’ve been dismissed.

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