Page 9 of King’s Promise

“That makes two of us.” I stare past her to the gray afternoon; it’s fitting for my mood.

“We’ll have a guard for you. You are not to leave the estate without me knowing in advance. Understood?”

“We’ll see.” That’s not the answer I’m looking for and the right side of my face buckles at her refusal to concede to the fact her place is beside me, and in my home. “I hope I won’t have to chase you down, but I will if you disobey me,” I warn.

“I have commitments.” She gives me the side-eye as if to challenge me.

“We’ll talk later.” I run my hand over my chin as I sit deep in thought. She’s not the meek and subservient girl I imagined. I inhale deeply and take in the faint smell of summer flowers surrounding her. It suits her features and evens out her disposition in her duress. “Hopefully this will be behind us soon and the wedding will cheer up your mother and sister,” I say to change the subject.

Why am I being nice? I don’t give a fuck if anyone is happy. My life isn’t about pleasure outside of the private clubs I frequent. We have some sex clubs in London, maybe I can get my cock wet before the wedding. It’s not a real marriage. I plan to keep Anya on the other side of the mansion to give each of us privacy.

“I don’t understand how we’re to go on,” Anya murmurs pensively as her voice quivers. She turns her face to the window so I can’t see her expression, or her quiet tears.

“You’re capable of more than you know,” is the only consolation I give. Any other reassurances would be misplaced in my opinion. “I’ll protect you. I assume I’ve stepped into a hornet’s nest. It’s prudent to assume the worst and hope for the best.” My voice is even in its delivery. I’m pragmatic, a leader can’t be emotional.

I’m relieved my brothers will be here soon. I’m in a foreign country, with a woman I’m to wed, and even though I’m the Don, it doesn’t make me happy knowing it came at the expense of my father’s life. It’s a reality we rarely discussed when he was alive.

I wonder when we’ll have kids. Obviously, I need to carry on the family name. Besides, there’s no reason to have a son in the Bratva if they aren’t trained to take care of the family business.

If we have a son one day, I hope he has Anya’s fair skin and vibrant blue eyes. With my height and her high cheekbones, we’d make gorgeous children, maybe even models. God knows someone needs to mellow out my brooding temperament and give my sons a better-looking mug. Anya is smart, she’ll serve me well in time. She’s close to her sister from what I’ve been told, so she has a nurturing side to tone down her independent spirit.

I shake my head. What the fuck am I thinking about? This vixen is bewitching and the fact I remember her from our childhood is disturbing. What is it about her making me crazy and possessive? It’s not possible to meet one’s soul mate when you’re a teenager, is it? Do I even believe in love? Is it fate?

“I’ll have your needed possessions brought to the house. You obviously blend in with the locals, you’ll need other attire. It will need to be done soon. I’ve taken the liberty of buying some things for you for now. But you’ll need to shop.”

“I have classes. It’s not so easy. And what attire are you referring to?” She sends me an inquisitive glance and pats the corners of her eyes; I assume it’s to cover the dampness of tears. Like me, she’s back to herself and her tone is edgy.

I questioned her fashion sense and she’s clearly annoyed. This isn’t going over well.

“Clothing that’s not so…” I flip my long fingers through the air. I want to say ‘you’, as in sexy, with firm breasts, and an ass I’d love to squeeze. Instead, I pause before I spat out, “informal.” I take a breath. “There will be events we’ll need to attend for business. I’ll need you to make introductions.”

“I know the players are from the tabloids, however, I don’t circulate in those circles. Papa kept me and my sister away from it as much as possible.”

“That will change to a degree. Maybe it would be good for you to attend school, keep your life as normal as possible. You’ll have to have a guard with you, for your protection. But there are obligations you’ll need to undertake after the wedding. Charity work, social events…” I stop short of children, it’s too soon.

“I don’t need a guard; I don’t have any issues. Most people have no clue who I am,” she protests.

“I said you will have a guard and that’s final,” I snap, tired from my flight, and having my world turned upside down with one sentence from my father. An arranged marriage, huh. I can have any woman I want. Women drool over me and would love to have me as a husband, and here I am with the girl next door, literally. I don’t think she remembers our past. She was the first girl I kissed, on the cheek, as she was so young. Her eyes looked into mine and it was as if we owned the world. Funny how it comes back to me now.

“Ugh,” she murmurs and twists her body toward the car’s door.

We arrive at my estate and stop at the rod iron security fence. It’s manned by an armed guard who keeps his weapon hidden and he opens the gate.

Pavel drives past a perfectly manicured lawn and parks behind the house. Men wearing black stand outside the entrance to the back doors. I remain quiet as I stretch my legs, slowly walking a few steps from the vehicle. I take in the vast estate and my mind churns. Who would have wanted Igor dead? Who would have the most to gain? It’s not my duty to solve the mystery surrounding his death, however I need to know who I can trust.

To further my complicated life, Anya isn’t easy to forget. I need to remain focused on my job, however I find her to be more challenging than a poker game with strangers. She appears beside me, and I lead the way into the home. “We have staff, but you may need more,” I announce as we walk through the vast kitchen and into the heart of the three-story house.

Mother made sure Hazel prepared the house for our arrival. She is an English woman who cooks and cleans and manages the property. She started out as a nanny when we visited England over the years, and has been faithful to the family.

My family has a presence in London, but we’re more on the working level and haven’t become as legitimate as Igor. I’ll put it this way, we’re not on Interpol’s radar. Anya’s family is in bed with politicians, soccer team owners, and billion-dollar businesses. It’s not like I haven’t been swimming with the sharks, only my predators are usually working the streets at night, not fancy galas.

“This is beautiful.” Anya pauses, taking in the opulence of the marble floors, the elegant chandeliers, large white sofas, and matching chairs in the living area. This is only one room out of many. I have fond memories playing here with my brothers. Mama knew all along I’d be married and living in London. Her timing is always perfect. As promised, her renovations make the house more elegant. The atmosphere is one of elegance, her attention to detail is impeccable.

“Come, I’ll show you to your room so you can get settled.” On the way, she discovers a partially open door.

“A library!” Her voice is full of glee. Apparently, she loves to read. And if I had thought about the Anya I knew years ago, I would have shown this to her first. She always was the bookworm; it makes sense she’s to become an attorney.

“You can use it. The office is off-limits.”

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