Page 100 of Beautiful Beast

I keep gasping and crying out like I’m in serious pain. I clench my eyes shut and kick my legs. I put on a show for the ages.

When I peek over at Ivan, he seems satisfied with what he’s seeing.

Then Erik is done. He steps away from me and turns to Ivan. “Happy?”

“Fine. But you need to keep your wife under control.”

I stand back up, and before I can help myself, I slap Ivan across the face. That makes the room fall into a strained silence.

“Anya,” Erik growls.

“I saved your daughter’s life. You could show me a bit of respect.”

“Erik, it seems your wife isn’t under control yet. Do something about it. Clearly, spanking her isn’t enough.”

“I’m not going to beat my wife, Ivan.”

“Then, I will,” my father says, stepping forward and slapping me across the face before I can react.

Erik reacts, though. In one smooth motion, he punches my father in the face and sends him sprawling to the ground.

Nadia runs over to me, and we cling to each other.

“I told you not to touch her ever again,” Erik growls, standing over my father.

“Are you asking for war with us?” Ivan asks. “Because that will happen if you choose your wife over us. She’s just a woman, Erik. She’s not worth it.”

My father stands back up and pulls out his gun, making everyone in the room gasp. It’s common courtesy to leave guns behind when attending a Bratva party. Most people never listen, but that doesn’t mean you draw your weapon. My father has crossed a line.

“My daughter has gotten in your head, Erik. Fix it.”

“Or you’ll shoot me? Let’s see how well that works out for you, Sergei.”

“Come on,” I whisper to Nadia.

“What?” she whispers back.

“I can’t watch this. I need to get out of here. Let’s go. While everyone is distracted.”

“You’re trying to leave Erik again?”

It’s not that I want to leave Erik. It’s that I can’t stand here and watch whatever is about to happen. If my father shoots Erik, I’ll have no one to protect me.

And the truth is, I’m not sure I want Erik to die. I’ve softened toward him.

“Just come on.” I take her hand, and we walk to the door. Everyone’s attention is on my father and husband, so no one pays us any mind. Even James, who’s supposed to be guarding the door, isn’t focused on us.

We walk right outside.

“I have to leave,” I say. “I just need some space.”

“Where are you going to go?”

“Just to some café or something. I just need to think. Come with me.”

Nadia pulls away from me. “You know I can’t. If I go with you, it’ll only make things worse. Father will think you’re kidnapping me again. So, go. I’ll tell them you’ve just gone to get some space. Ok? I don’t want you to get into more trouble.”

At this moment, I realize Nadia is right. Trying to take her from my father is pointless. I need to fight from the inside to save her.

---