Page 82 of A Monster Is Coming

Neither of us spoke.

“As far as I’m aware, Finn Byrne was nothing more than a thorn in Ivan’s side, but one he’d pulled out.”

“Yeah, well, now I have a feeling the little hole that thorn created is bleeding,” I said. “He’s taking out all the petty thugs, but only those with any connection to Byrne. Why?”

“Well, that is something you’re going to have to ask Ivan.”

****

Niamh

I was not good at making friends.

This was when the situation was normal.

We all had men, less than two feet away from us. I noticed Aurora only had one guard, as did Adelaide and Charlotte. All three of the women offered me a smile, as I had three men guarding me.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” I said.

Again, I was awkward. I didn’t know what to say. Where the three women appeared to be quite close, I was not used to embracing.

They hugged and looked so happy to see each other. I noticed that Charlotte flinched during the hugs, but she still gave them back, even though they clearly made her uncomfortable.

“This is strange, isn’t it?” Aurora said.

At least, I think it was Aurora.

I pressed my lips together, and gave a kind of smile, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes, and I wasn’t exactly sure if it was a smile or not.

“Apparently you all wanted to, uh, meet with me, I think that’s what Peter said. You didn’t have to do that. I know we’re not … like friends or anything. We won’t even be close, and…” I stopped because I wasn’t sure if I should say I had a choice about a potential divorce. Leaving the Volkov Bratva … and Peter.

It was hard to even think about right now. Last night had been amazing, and I didn’t want to leave, but I didn’t know if I could stay married to Peter. He didn’t do love and the truth was, all I wanted was love and a family, and to be … wanted.

Wow, how the fuck had I just realized that now? I mean, I knew I’d always wanted a family. That was no secret, but I didn’t know if I could have that with Peter. Did he even want to be a dad?

Pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I smiled at the women at the table, more thankful than ever, to have the waiter come to take our drink order. I was tempted to give the signal that would mean my guards got me away from this awkwardness, but I promised Peter I’d try.

“So, I think I should go first, because this is kind of awkward. I’m Aurora Ivanov. I’m married to Slavik, and even though our marriage didn’t have the best start, I am in love with my husband, and we have two children, and a third on the way. Oh, I was nearly killed as well, and framed for attempting to kill Ivan, but it wasn’t me. It was a woman he and Slavik were close to.”

This was news to me, but I looked at the other woman and forced a smile.

“I guess that goes to me, seeing as I was the next woman to be married to a Volkov Brigadier. I’m Adelaide Belov, and my sister was supposed to marry Andrei, only she kind of … well, she was sleeping around, and they needed a virgin, and someone who didn’t cause too much trouble, and that was me.” She held her hands out with a laugh. “Also, we have one baby, and hopefully we’ll have another one soon.”

I turned toward Charlotte, but the waiter chose that moment to bring over our drinks. I had gotten a glass of water.

The waiter left and Charlotte smiled.

“I was a giant mistake,” Charlotte said. “I was the wrong daughter that was taken in the hope of creating negotiations between my father’s MC and Ivan Volkov. The only problem is my dad hated my guts, and often used me as a punching bag. I have many scars to show for it, oh, and I once thought of myself as trash … so, good times.”

I was shocked by how honest Charlotte was. She wasn’t looking for pity either, she was merely stating facts.

“I’m now married to Ive, and we’re expecting our first child. Also, my husband is called Ivan, but seeing as Ivan Volkov is Ivan, my husband is now Ive.”

Charlotte lifted her glass, and we all toasted.

“Oh, my sister tried to have me killed,” Adelaide said.

They all turned toward me, and I glanced down at my water.

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