Page 49 of Cruel Russian Pakhan
Zahkar and Vera groaned, and I chuckled. “You’re welcome.”
Kira looped her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s get you something to drink. We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
Every step I took with Kira toward the bar chipped away at the nervousness still clinging to me. Besides Artyom, everyone else seemed kind, and genuinely happy I was here.
I didn’t hold Artyom’s feelings against him, though. He had every right to feel the way he did. As Ninel said, eventually he might come around. At least, I hoped he would.
After getting a glass of wine, Kira and Vera sandwiched me on a sofa, while Zahkar and Yegor took the two armchairs nearby.
Artyom remained at one end of the bar, keeping his distance, while Lev sat at the other.
They kept the conversation light and casual, talking about family traditions like Sunday dinners and annual trips. They shared childhood memories, who got into the most trouble—Zahkar, of course—and how Kira was spoiled rotten as the baby of the family.
I added a few stories about living with Daisy and Arnold, steering clear of anything too heavy. I didn’t want to ruin the mood by talking about foster care.
I knew there were things they wouldn’t say with Lev around, but I really wanted to know more about my father. I also wasn’t ready to bring it up in front of Artyom, either. Maybe once I got Kira and Vera alone, I’d ask.
About an hour into the conversation, Lev stepped toward us, his focus fixed on Vera.
“Vera,” Lev said. “May I have a word with you? I'd like to get to know my future wife.”
My stomach dropped as Vera smiled up at him. “Sure.” She turned to the rest of us. “I'll be right back.”
I smiled back, but all I really wanted to do was claw her eyes out. I watched as Lev placed a hand on the small of Vera’s back, guiding her across the room to a small sofa.
They sat side by side, knees touching, too close for my liking. I could see Lev's face, totally focused on Vera, flashing her that smile…that smile that was supposed to be mine.
I grounded my teeth and inhaled slowly. I’d survived too much to let one man’s actions reduce me to nothing. If Lev didn’t want me, then I didn’t want him.
One day, I'd marry a man who loved me, and we'd have a beautiful family and marriage like Daisy’s and Arnold’s.
But, as I kept staring, Lev's eyes met mine briefly before looking away. And my heart cracked.
If you don't want Lev, then why does it hurt so bad?
Chapter 17 - Lev
When I took the small sofa across from Katya and the others, I chose the seat that faced them. Vera’s back was to them, by design. I wanted to see everything. To see her.
Artyom sat alone at the bar, nursing a drink, his eyes glued to them like a wolf watching prey he couldn't touch. Katya had slipped into conversation with Kira, Yegor, and Zakhar, laughing over the ridiculous college stories Yegor and Zahkar were telling. Artyom didn’t say a word. Just watched.
After everything she told me over dinner, Katya deserved this. The warmth of siblings. The easy laughter of friendship. The sense that she belonged, was wanted, cared for...loved.
I knew what it meant to grow up with siblings in our world. It made life bearable, survivable even. In a world full of enemies, our siblings were often the only ones we could count on. That kind of loyalty wasn't given, it was forged. And now Katya had that. Not only with her siblings, but mine as well. My sisters had taken to her, and she to them. That wasn’t something I’d interfere with.
Earlier, while they were out shopping, Mariya had called me and said she and Ninel wanted to keep in touch with Katya. She knew that the annulment would be happening soon, and she had hoped that, despite that I wouldn't stop them from hanging out with her. I didn't see a problem.
Technically, Katya was a Rykov, but because she hadn't grown up with them and hadn't been tainted by her family or our world, Katya was like a breath of fresh air. My sisters trusted her. Liked her. She was one more person they could confide in. So I bought the damn phone.
Hell, even Jaroslav, who was suspicious of his own shadow, saw her differently after hearing her story.
The only one who hated her from where I sat was Artyom. And from the venom he spat when he first met her, it wasn’t subtle. I should’ve stepped in. I wanted to. But I knew I couldn’t shield her from him. If this was going to be her home, she’d have to learn how to live in it, with all of its rot. And the way Yegor’s hand tightened on the small of her back told me she wouldn’t be doing it alone.
And now…now I couldn’t wait to use Vera to destroy Artyom.
After the way he treated Katya when she arrived, I couldn't wait to watch his empire crack beneath the weight of his own goddamn arrogance.
I got out of my head and began my conversation with Vera. I met her eyes squarely, asking all the right questions as I tried to get to know my bride-to-be. But I didn’t hear a damn word she said—didn’t really see her, either. My focus was across the room, tuned into the sound of Katya’s laughter as she joked with her siblings like she’d known them all her life.
