Page 59 of Volatile

I plant my feet and push my full body weight into him to move him away from the front door as he drags me with him. As long as he’s here I can do whatever I need to keep him safe. I don’t look away from his eyes as I force a smile I don’t feel and lust that’s dropped below the surface of the earth and offer myself up.

“I thought you wanted to fuck me in nothing but the apron?”

It has the opposite effect and his jaw clenches, his eyes go beside my head, and he wraps his hand around my throat. I’m holding on to him and can’t get myself free quick enough as he walks me back and presses me against the wall. His voice is deadly, eyes wild, as he pushes me harder, and all his playfulness has disappeared.

“I’ll fuck you with my dying breath. But you will never try to use your body against me. You want me because it’s me, not because of anything fucking else.” Squeezing the sides of my neck, he leans into me until our noses brush. “Do you understand, Anastasia?”

I nod and squeak, “Okay.”

I’m not afraid of him, it’sforhim. This version is more volatile, he’ll do something stupidly reckless and not give a fuck about himself. He wants everything and I promise it in exchange for his lack of action.

“Promise me you won’t go after him, and I’ll stay with you tonight.” Repeating his words is easy and there’s no hesitance. “Not to fuck, I’ll wake up beside you.”

The puppy slowly comes back, and his smile has me relaxing.People talk about the curve of a woman’s body but that one curve on his face has control over me.

His hand loosens around my neck, thumb stroking my skin as he softens and adds more to the offer.

“You’ll eat with me, sleep in my bed and stay there all week.”

It’s not a question but an order. The thought of moving in with him doesn’t turn my stomach as much as I thought it would, but I shake my head and flatten my palms on his chest.

“One night.”

I can do that; it won’t be difficult. We’ve slept beside each other for a few hours until I leave before the sun comes up, it’s just a few more hours than normal and he’ll be safe this way.

1 Endearment: sweetheart, masc

TWENTY

Vitali

Dani is the first person to try and get shit out of me as Stasi plays with the kids. My eyes don’t leave Dominik’s, he’s a little shit and usually throws tantrums like his dad, it’s normal for him because he’s a toddler, but I don’t trust Val’s DNA. His mom acts mature as fuck and pinches my side when I’m content in ignoring her.

“Are you together, or?”

Throwing my arm over Dani’s shoulder, I pull her to my side with my hand ready to slap over her mouth if she decides to act like a shithead. I’ve been friends with her since I was six years old, my other half in every way, but the days of her sleeping beside me are gone since she married that prick.

“Realized you picked the wrong brother?”

My question is met with an elbow to my ribs. I love her, she’s family but I’ll never be in love with her. Or able to fuck her, I should be scarred for life after I had to search for a lost tampon when we were teenagers.That shit was horrific, and I had to come up with a bullshit excuse about why I was walking through the house with bloody gloves when there was no body to clean up.

I kiss the top of her head as Val walks through the house, then look from Dani to her psychotic son. “Be nice to her and sit Dom in the corner so he’s not in hitting distance.”

There’s no defense on her tongue but she nudges me again. The kid is Val’s double, it’s not even an argument. Just like his dad, he only acts semi normal for Dani as she softens her voice and walks toward him. “Dom, sweetheart, you’re going to be nice, aren’t you?”

I fight the urge to push him over as his little legs pump. Why do all kids run dumb as fuck? He looks like an idiot with his arms swinging behind him and his head pushed forward. He charges me and I have enough sense to push him back with my palm on his forehead before he can inflict any damage. Toddlers have their own language, and he screeches, getting his partner in crime to help him. There’s no fucking adults in this house as they all sit back, laughing to themselves as Vasili joins in, swinging his arms wildly.

I deepen my voice as I press each of my palms against their heads. “Vasya. Nikita. Stop.” They don’t so I add a threat. “Keep going and I’ll drop you both in the pool.”

The little shits only smile as they babble at each other.

Verena stops playing whatever game she’s made up with Stasi and sighs, sliding off the sofa to control her brother. She stands beside him with her arms folded, more as though she’s hugging herself, and has the deadly tone down as she looks them both in the eye.

“No. Tali nice, down.”

She’s her mother’s daughter and they both stop attacking me. I kiss the top of her head in gratitude, but as I look up, I see Stasi has the softest smile on her face.The two psychos pull it away as they face off against each other and Vasy nods before Dom cocks his arm back and punches him in the arm. They start giggling to themselves while Vero steps between them, talking to them like they’re dogs as she points at the floor. “Sit.”

My girl’s smile softens further as she watches the crazy family she’s joining. I’m going to protect that smile, so it never drops, but I leave her to get acquainted with the nutcases. Val’s eyes pause on my hand when I walk into the kitchen where he’s forcing Viktor to hug him while he does his homework. There’s a tan line from never taking my ring off and it’s still on Stasi’s finger. A silent claim that each of us has. Vlad has his cuff links because he’s a neurotic fuck, obsessed with wearing a suit, Val picked out a pendant that I forgot he had until I saw it around my best friend’s neck, and I knew I couldn’t do shit unless I killed him. Especially since the prick gave her it when we were kids.

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