Page 38 of Devil's Bride

I nod. She really does know who I am. “Yes. I was actually hoping no one would notice.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and snorts. “You’re the woman he’s parading around, and you’re not even proud of it?”

“No.” I’m taken aback, surprised she would say something like that. She knows my name and whose wife I am, but it doesn’t mean she knows me. “Where did you hear that?”

“It’s easy to tell,” she says with indifference. “Men like Alexei can’t be faithful to one woman. It’s a miracle if he looks at you like you’re anything more than a piece of furniture.”

“Alexei is different. He—”

“He doesn’t fuck me like he’s any different from the other men,” she says, cutting me off.

“What?” I do not like where this is going. I look around for Alexei and Nikolai. I don’t see either of them. Looks like I’ve been abandoned to my fate with this weird woman.

She shrugs. “You heard me right. I’m the only woman Alexei has fucked repeatedly for years. My name’s Nadya, by the way.”

Something inside me stutters. Anger spirals in my gut, but I try my best not to show it. “Why are you telling me this?”

She holds my glare, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Oh, no reason in particular. I figured you might feel bad that he doesn’t want you. Thought I’d give you a heads up so you’d understand why”

Does that mean Alexei has been cheating on me? With her?

Fuck.

No, Irina. Don’t let her get to you, that is exactly what she wants.

“I didn’t complain to you, though,” I say. I’m trying to numb the feeling of my heart ripping apart. “It sounds to me like you’re angry he doesn’t let you warm his bed anymore.”

“Don’t try to—”

I raise my voice to stop her. “Don’t you fucking say a word, Nadya. You’ll regret it.”

She smirks. “What will you do? Cry to him?”

“On the contrary, I’ll have you thrown out of here.” I’m the one angling over her now. “Depending on how upset you make me, I may have you beaten up as well.”

“You won’t do that,” she snorts.

“would you like to find out if I will or won’t?” I smile when she doesn’t answer. “This is my husband’s bar and by extension, mine. You do not try to insult me or intimidate me. You may have warmed Alexei’s bed before we got married, but I am his wife. I know how to keep my husband coming back for more.”

Husband.

It’s the first time I’ve referred to him as that, and it’s all thanks to Nadya.

“You sure are something,” she says, holding up her martini with trembling hands. It’s hard to miss the terror in her eyes.

“Oh, I am.” I wouldn’t be married to a man like Alexei if I wasn’t. “Next time you come up to me running your mouth, I’ll beat the shit out of you and have you punished. Do you understand?”

I wouldn’t actually do that, but a little threat to keep her in check won’t kill her.

She doesn’t answer.

“Do you understand me, Nadya?” I repeat.

She nods this time.

A sardonic smile plays on my lips. “Good.”

I finish my negroni and stride towards the hallway Alexei disappeared down. I can tell from the expensive rug and the chandeliers dangling overhead that this way leads to the VIP area.

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