Page 23 of Under Control

“Don’t tease me, Mama, you know I would.”

“Perfect.” She pushes me away. “Now get out of my kitchen.”

“Make me some coffee too?”

She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling and humming to herself as she puts away the rest of the groceries, and I can’t help but smile too.

I haven’t seen Mama happy in a while.

But my good mood fades as I head back to my room.

Thanks to Valentin, I had to lie to my mother for a second time. I don’t like lying to her, especially not to cover for some Russian criminal asshole that can’t take a hint. Anger starts to swell in me, and by the time I’m done taking a shower, I’m basically fuming.

That bastard. He had no right to do that, no right to treat us like we’re a charity case. I don’t even care how desperately we need what he can provide—I still despise him for treating me like I can be bought.

Like my only value is in what I bring to a marriage.

I close my bedroom door, grab my phone and call him. It rings twice before Valentin picks up. It sounds like he’s out somewhere—I can hear voices in the background speaking quietly.

“Hello,malishka. Did you get my present?”

“I knew you sent those groceries.”

“Should I pretend like I didn’t? We can play that game, if you wish.”

I glare at myself in the mirror.Have a freaking spine, Karine. “I’m calling to tell you to stop it, okay? Stop sending me things. No more bills, no more groceries, and definitely no more thugs with fifty-dollar bills.”

“Don’t tell me my men were too rowdy,” he says, his voice going dark. “I will handle them if they embarrassed you.”

“No, it’s not like that,” I say quickly, remembering the fear in Sergei’s eyes when I told him off. “They were completely fine.Youare the problem, not them.”

He grunts and his tone relaxes. “You can’t fault me for wanting to take care of what’s mine.”

I could scream. I really, really could scream. “I told you already. I’m not yours, and I never will be yours.”

“And I told you,malishka?—”

“Enough,” I say, cutting him off, so mad I can’t sit still. I’m stomping around my room, and I don’t care if my mother can hear my footsteps. “I don’t want to see you ever again, Valentin. I had to lie to my mothertwiceto explain your little gifts. Don’t come here, don’t send anything, and don’t try to give me money.I want you out of my life. I want yougone. Do you understand me? I know what you are.Pakhanof the Bratva, whatever the hell that is. You’re a criminal. You’re dangerous. I don’t want to get involved with a man like you, so just leave me alone.”

There’s silence on the other end. I’m fuming and breathing hard, and I wonder if I just went too far.

I’m practically showing my throat to a cobra and begging him to bite.

What do I expect?

A little fear begins to replace some of my rage. If Valentin really is as dangerous as I think he is—then I’m really, really stupid. I should be trying to find a way to get rid of him without pissing him off.

Yelling at him like this isn’t exactly the subtlest solution to my problem.

But when he talks, he doesn’t sound upset.

“I was wondering when you would find out who I really am,malishka.”

“Would you stop calling me that Russian nickname?” I snap at him, losing my mind.

“I know you think your life would be better without me. But I’m telling you, I can change your world. I can give you things. I can take care of you and your mother. And whether you like it or not, you will be mine. I’m a very patient man.”

I sit down on my bed, so exhausted I can barely stand. I feel dizzy and confused, and I just want to get off the phone now.

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