Page 42 of Viripotent

“Fine.”

A cloud appears in a harsh line as he readies to save my sinner soul.

“I see that you’re engaged in the computer.”

My lips lift at his slip up, and I let the geriatric clergyman off for trying to learn things in the new century. His next question makes my finger twitch wanting to put a bullet in his head.

“Does your bride know about?—”

Cutting him off, my voice is deadly, not entertaining whatever he believes is right.

“Don’t interfere with my family, old man.”

There’s no fear and his eyes turn down at the corners as he gives more advice I didn’t fucking ask for.

“Your bride will also become your family, you will both be crowned with glory and honor. Don’t forget that my boy.”

He sits there with his fucking judgment, knowing I will never allow my Vanya to hear a single harsh word. He doesn’t add anything more. I’ll kill him if he even attempts to fucking taint the only time I have. Once he’s finished his tea, he takes the untouched cup from my hand and spills the contents away from Vanya. There’s a deep sigh filled with age and emotion as he stands giving his parting advice.

“Don’t line the walls of your home in secrets, they will begin talking with the wrong information.”

Fuck him.

I don’t owe anyone shit and they’re omissions not secrets. He walks away leaving me in peace.

My tongue moves automatically once we’re alone again like she could hear what he said and already knows everything.

“No one will ever mean more than you, solnyshkuh, I promise. I’m going to make them all pay for taking you away from me. No one will stop me. Ya klyanus’ solynshkuh.”

There’s not a world where someone can take her place and my agreement with Inessa proves it because she’ll be out of my life with my child going under Valentin and Vitali’s care. I can’t relive it again and my brother will be able to do what they need to for the child to be cared for. They’ve shown they can do it with Viktor at a younger age and there’s no hesitance at their ability.

The sky is already starting to darken, making it even icier and my glove sticks to the frosty stone as I reluctantly stand. Folding in half, I press my lips against the edge of the stone. It’s slowly dulling due to my visits, and I lower my voice to below a whisper.

“A few more years and then no one can take you from me again. I’m sorry, forgive me for not saving you.”

My joints are frozen by the temperature and my unwillingness to walk away. I have to force myself to move as I straighten my shoulders and raise to my full height walking outof the churchyard as the dyavol with no emotions, they’re all buried behind me, anyway.

EIGHTEEN

Inessa

Ishould be happy that Vlad has left for somewhere that no one knows, but I want him here. I want him to argue with me and scream or shout instead of dismissing me like I’m nothing. I feel like a prisoner hiding away as I stay away from my life while my throat heals. He used more force than his father did, and my skin is tender with only air brushing it. It’s not comfortable without Vlad’s presence and I have to force myself out of the room I’ve taken up in.I’m a stranger in this house without him here and I sheepishly make my way to the ground floor.

Vitali is sat in the lounge with his injured leg propped up and his eyes go wide when he sees me. Sitting up straight, he fills with anger despite being semi-immobilized and gestures to my neck.

“Who the fuck done that?”

“Your father,” I answer easily.

I don’t add that his brother’s hands were also part of it. He wouldn’t speak up on my behalf and some fucked up part of my brain doesn’t want anyone to know.

He’s the closest to my age and I don’t trust Valentin’s reputation of being a cruel bastard to be around him. Vitali is essentially a puppy at home. At all the events we’ve passed each other, he’s maintained the Vartanov mask of violence. But he’s warm inside these walls. It must be something in their DNA that makes them more human as time has gone on because he hooks his arm over my shoulders as I sit beside him. His hands don’t go anywhere inappropriate as he keeps me tucked to his side and speaks evenly.

“He’s a cunt, they both are. Try to avoid them or stick by Vlad, so they watch themselves.”

His advice warms me, and I don’t move his arm as I grab the control putting on my guilty pleasure.

It’s gross, but I can’t look away as the videos play of pimples being popped. The arm around my shoulders leaves and he moves back with disgust lacing his voice.

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