Page 89 of A Monster Is Coming

“Simple, I take it you were blunt with Peter, and he hasn’t backed down, has he? He hasn’t tried to create any distance between you.”

I frowned and stared at Ivan. Normally, I can handle cryptic; it was kind of fun to work it out. With my leg and my embarrassment of drinking too much alcohol, I wasn’t exactly in the right frame of mind to be handling cryptic.

“Why don’t you just come out and say what you’re trying to say, rather than being so cryptic?” I asked. “I get that you’re trying to manipulate your own way, and that is fine. I get it. I can imagine you’ve spent a whole lot of time having to do it this way, but cut out the bullshit with me, please.” That could be the irritation or the ink, or the pain. I wasn’t exactly sure which it was, but I didn’t offend Ivan. He held a big smile, which was a little daunting.

Ivan smiling meant trouble. At least, that was what I thought. I was kind of worried.

“Peter believes he cannot do love. That he cannot feel love, and yet I saw him that day when you were taken by your father.”

I didn’t want to think of that day. I’d seen him as well, how he ran after the car. He had no care for his own safety, or the danger. If one of the guys had pointed his gun and killed him, I’d never have been able to forgive myself.

Peter had been trying to protect me that day. I know that. It was why I had so many questions as to why he was holding a gun. Didn’t expect the answer to be because he was a member of the Volkov Bratva, and not just any member, but a Brigadier.

“I know Peter doesn’t like the choice I’ve given you,” Ivan said.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m helping Peter fill in the blanks. He had one of the worst starts in life. All he has ever had to do was survive, to fight. It’s all he knows. He doesn’t know what love is like, what it means to have a real family. I mean, fuck me, he doesn’t even celebrate his birthday.”

At the mention of his birthday, this drew my attention. “His birthday?”

“Yes, he doesn’t celebrate it, because he doesn’t know how.”

This made me frown. “When is it?”

“It wasn’t something his father ever celebrated.”

“Tell me,” I said.

Ivan raised a brow.

I rolled my eyes. “I know what you’re trying to do, and yes, it is working, and I am also reading what you’re not saying as well.”

Ivan smiled. “What am I not saying?”

“That Peter doesn’t know what love is, but if I’m able to show him, then maybe there’s a chance he might love me back.” It was a long shot, and it was crazy.

Ivan chuckled. “I always knew you were pretty special.”

I looked at Ivan. “I met you five years ago.”

“Your point?”

“Why did you wait so long?” I asked.

He didn’t speak and in fact, he looked past my shoulder. “I’m in this for the long game,” Ivan said.

“A game?”

“It’s what life is, Niamh. It’s a game, and also, when you make a certain play, you’ve got to make sure all your players are lined up and ready. I had to get everything into play, and even you had to be ready for Peter.”

I looked at Ivan and frowned. “You weren’t ready,” I said.

He didn’t say a word.

“You were hurting and in pain, and all you wanted to do was end your life,” I said.

“Don’t think you know me, Niamh. A lot has happened in five years, trust me, I came for you when it was your time.”

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