Page 10 of King’s Promise

Pavel remains downstairs as we take to the steps and when we’re reached the top, I lead her down the hallway, to the other side of the house. I sneak a peek at her and her hair, falling in waves over her shoulders, and I secretly inhale deeply to get a whiff of her essence.

I wonder how long it will be before I get to taste her lips, caress her skin, and make her mine. Heat radiates between us, and if this keeps up there will be a plethora of cold showers in my future. I planned on keeping her far away from me. Now, I’m not so sure I like that idea.

Within hours, the tabloid rags have pictures of us online and I’m labeled the ‘mysterious handsome man’ who has come to her rescue. I snicker at their insolence selling this horse shit to the public. Then again, most of the fair citizens don’t want to know of my existence, or the fact I work to clean the streets of many unsavory characters.

4

Anya

During the drive I had time to study Nikolay andarrogantis winning out as the number one descriptive for this incredibly handsome man who is to be my husband. He definitely loves himself and probably is good at his job, or whatever dark thing he does to make a living. In time, I will find out more and it causes my belly to lurch with excitement and trepidation.

I never knew Papa had a contingency plan. This whole arranged marriage thing is the price to be paid to keep Mum and my sister alive. A sentence I must bear in the hopes my sister can marry for love. And considering the circumstances, things could be much worse.

Papa wasn’t an easy man to stomach, always cutting me down and making me clean the house while Mum sat around all day watching soap operas. If it wasn’t for me, Katerynia would have dropped out of school as she was too lazy to do the class assignments. She’s more of a social butterfly and I’m the bookworm. Hence, law school is right up my alley between researching case law and writing briefs.

Father didn’t want me to further my education. He told me it was nonsense and I’d never make it. He made me so angry I risked being punished when I talked back to him. I argued until he conceded, and he bought me the flat to get me out of the house. In my own place, and with my before me, I felt normal for the first time in my life. I can’t bring myself to the point where I’ll trust men. It’s safer to take care of myself and keep men, sexy men, like Nikolay, at arm’s length.

I text Katerynia for updates on Papa’s funeral arrangements. She informs me Sergei and Konstantin are helping Mum. I’m concerned no one has heard from Baran. It strikes me as odd; I assumed he would want to be at the house and make sure we’re not under attack by rivals, but then again, they probably would have shot Papa in the street if it was an all-out Mafia war. Which feeds my conspiracy theory.

His death was made to look like it was by his own hand, so whoever killed him doesn’t want it investigated. And that means there is more to his business than meets the eye. Someone sent a message. The largest question looms over us.Is it over?Or is there more to come?

I’m smart enough to know some London bobbies are on the take. Mafia and cartels don’t exist without a certain amount of leverage on the justice system. It’s in every thriller book I read. I love reading as life has a way of imitating art and vice versa. Today, I am reminded the real world is dangerous, and for a quick second, I’m relieve Nikolay is here. When I get overwhelmed by life, I retreat to my favorite books, likeLittle Women, where times weren’t as complicated and arranged matches were commonplace, never dreaming, I would be in the same boat in the twenty-first century.

Locking my door at night won’t keep me safe. The lock is an illusion to trick me into feeling like I’m in control of my home. However, if someone in Russia wants me dead, nothing will stop them from making it happen. And for this reason alone, I’m relieved Nikolay and Pavel are both tall, and if their muscles work as well as they look straining against the fabric of their dress shirts, I’m in. I’ve been naïve to think a life of crime would pay in the end. Life was easier pretending the darkness we live in doesn’t exist. Today, I’m slapped with reality.

I was scared thinking someone might be following me home from Mum’s today. I tried not to look over my shoulder constantly. Is it so terrible to have a virile man taking control of my safety? I wonder what he’s like in the bedroom. A man like him probably hangs out in sex clubs. According to the rumors on campus, it’s the latest hot spot for the elite. The memberships are invitation-only and the thought of what goes on there scares me.

I’m sure Nikolay has no problem getting women with his perfect nose, chiseled chin, and devilish dark eyes. My pussy is wet just standing next to him, but I’m not sure if I can handle his gruff and uncaring nature. His demeanor is rough, crass. He’s a walking contradiction whereby he pulls me in and, before I take a breath, he’s pushing me away.

How can I be angry with him for taking away my freedom when I get lost in his smoldering eyes? I can’t get him out of my head, even as I enter my room and he’s no where to be seen. I can’t ignore the tingling sensations between my legs as I contemplate being with him for the first time. What would his skin feel like if I were to rake my fingertips over his back, or up his arm? I blush at the thought of him naked in front of me. Will he run his hands over my body? Will warm lips trail down my neck and to places a man has never ventured? Or will I be a warm pussy for him to get off in? He’s sexy as hell but it appears women are only objects to him.

He’s a mystery. There is a familiar smell about him, something about it reminds me of Russia, but I can’t place it. It’s from my childhood, this much I know. I went to school in our village, and he said our fathers were both from the same town. I wonder if we’ve met before.

Dropping my backpack and purse on the bed, I take in the room where I am to sleep and I presume, study. It’s familiar and inviting, decorated in blue and white, similar to my flat. The coincidence is astounding. I sit on the bed, and it sinks slightly under my weight. It’s only now I realize I’m extremely tired, my day started after midnight and the stress and shock take their toll.

How can I marry Nikolay when he makes me nervous with his steely eyes filled with contempt? I’m jittery around him. His intelligence is impressive, his tone, commanding. I find it turns me on, a man in charge and sworn to keep me safe. At the same time he can be so irritating. No doubt he’ll want me popping out babies for his Bratva. I never saw a man so in love with his brotherhood before today.

His bad boy broody nature piques my interest. He has a wall up that makes me feel like he’s off-limits but the connection between us can’t be my imagination. His eyes taunt me, and there is a familiarity between us I can’t explain.

I gave up sexual freedom to go to school and study law, figuring it was a short-term sacrifice for a long-term goal. I’ve dated, just not seriously. I prefer to stick to myself and have one girlfriend, Darci, who is a bit wild. We only met this past semester in class. We complement each other, she gets me to venture out and I reel her back in when she’s over the edge. She’s from money, her father is a pop star, and she loves to be incognito because she used to frequent clubs when she was a minor. I’ve never looked her up online, or been to her place. I’ve never met her family, but how many of us do these days?

Funny, I thought I had my parents over the barrel with the university issue. Now, I realize I played into their hands. All along I was promised to Nikolay, that’s why I was to remain chaste. I’m sure he’s expecting me to be a virgin. Papa had his own agenda; he was bargaining with me the entire time. Fuck him. He’s dead, and it doesn’t change how angry I am over the fact he played me and promised my future away without a word to me.

Isn’t it enough he ignored me most of my life? Papa has an estate outside the city. I knew he could afford a nicer flat for me. Instead, he told me to be grateful for anything he gave me. It’s one more reason I’ll never let a man control my destiny. If I have an education, I can make my own rules.

He treated my mother poorly and their marriage deteriorated over the years. When he’d jet-set away for the weekend on business, I’d heard the guards talking about the parties he threw. I’m pretty sure Mum knew he was cheating on her, but what was she to do? One can’t afford to live on a meager salary in this neighborhood. Mum never worked. She and Papa were from the same small village in Russia and married before they were twenty.

I stare at my phone and Nikolay’s number before deciding to save it in my contacts as Nikolay the Control Freak.

Nothing in my past could have prepared me for the butterflies in my stomach when Nikolay entered my kitchen. I find it disturbing the way my body relaxes with a whiff of him as he passes me, or the jolt I experienced when our fingers touched. The aura of mystery surrounding him has me curious as to what his personality is like underneath the somber and at times, menacing face of the Bratva. I’m relieved he thinks foul play happened to Papa, and we both know it’s going to be covered up.

I open my compact computer and am startled by a knock on the door. I guess even surrounded by security I’m on edge. I turn as the door opens.

Pavel stands in the doorway. “Your luggage,” he announces stiffly.

“Thank you. What is the password to the house? I need it for the WIFI.”

“You’ll have to speak to Nikolay.” He disappears.

---