Page 109 of Viripotent

The nickname has lead dropping in my stomach. She might be small but she’s only a year or two younger than me and I don’t like their closeness. Even if it’s open hate. I can only control my tongue long enough for them to switch places and I hate how fucking weak I sound.

“Did you fuck her?”

Vlad hardens, and he looks above my head, dismissing Dima from being an audience to his lies.

Holding my bicep, he drags me around the side of the building and I’m shorter without my heels, making me have to look up at him. Stupid tall asshole. He cups my jaw and pins me to the brick with disgust contorting his features.

“She’s akid.”

I want to scream that his logic is flawed but manage to keep my tone even.

“She’s my age. Am I kid?”

He takes a step closer, so our thighs are touching and tilts my face up as leans over me.

“No.”

I don’t know which question he’s answering, but it seems like both.

He attempts to put me at ease, which doesn’t work with the violence brewing under his skin.

“I want to beat the shit out of her.”

He hates everyone, it’s equal opportunity loathing with Vlad. Everyone is defined by their usefulness, even then it’s short-lived unless they’re his family. I cross my arms over my chest like it’s my choice to be in his hold and my voice doesn’t betray me.

“You want to beat the shit out of everyone.”

His smile is slow and our noses brush as he leans closer. The whisper touches my lips at the same time as his thumb stroking my jaw.

“Everyone but you.”

Softening at the admission because I’m clearly fucked in the head, I wrap my arms around his middle for warmth.

“What happened, meelaya?” he asks softly.

I stare up at the blank sky, not wanting to admit I heard a woman in the background and decided to track him down.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

My lie is utter bullshit, and he moves his head, filling my vision once again.

He dips down and wraps an arm around the back of my thighs to pick me up, his other hand cups my nape, protecting my head from the brick, as he lifts me until my face is higher.

“Moyo koroleva.”

The title touches my neck, and he presses his lips to the spot, making me forget everything. He moves further up my neck, and I wrap my legs around his waist, my hands stay on his shoulders instead of going to his hair. Ever since the night that we don’t talk about, he tenses when I touch the strands. A throat clears and my entire body flames as I hide in the crook of his neck.

“If you’re done fuc?—”

His chest vibrates with anger as he cuts Ana off and barks, “Watch your mouth when you speak about my wife.”

He doesn’t let me get to my feet, his fingers dig into my thigh, and I have to wriggle to be put down. Which he ignores, and he tightens his hold on me as he walks towards the car like I’m normally carried everywhere. Dima is stood by the doors, and I examine him for any jealousy. There isn’t any, he has the smallest smile lifting his lips and Vlad sends him away.

“Get rid of everything, take pipsqueak with you.”

He doesn’t lose his anger as he puts me in the car. It’s under his skin when he gets in and he looks at me knowingly.

“Still think I touched that bitch?”

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