Page 28 of Merciless Union
We’re both silent as we get dressed for the day.
“Ready to go home?” I ask once we’re packed and ready to leave.
She straightens her shoulders. “To my new home.”
“Yes.Ourhome.”
Arina keeps to herself as we leave the hotel behind and drive through the city to my penthouse. I’m bringing her to my home, not the one I share with my family. I figure we could use some peace and quiet as newlyweds.
Unfortunately, peace and quiet are too much to ask for. When we reach the penthouse, a sprawling modern aesthetic compared to the more traditional penthouse my family lives in, I get a phone call.
As I answer, Arina walks around the house, looking at everything in awe.
“What?” I growl.
“Maxim, your brother needs help,” my mother says.
I rub my nose, closing my eyes. “What do you mean he needs help?” Arina glances over at me.
My mother’s sigh is loud through the speaker. “He’s gotten arrested. Again.”
Fuck. “What did he do this time?”
“Fortunately, just drunk disorderly misconduct. You need to bail him out.”
I look at Arina, knowing that all my plans to taste and fuck her delicious body are out the window. I’m still the head of the Bratva. I can’t shirk my duties. And those duties include bailing my idiotic brother out of prison. Again.
“All right,” I tell my mother. “I’ll deal with him.”
I hang up.
“Is everything all right?” Arina asks.
“Just make yourself comfortable. I need to go deal with some business.”
“Maxim,” Arina says, looking around. “You don’t happen to have a painting easel, do you? I would love to get some painting done.”
“Uh, no.”
Her face drops. “Oh. Then can I go to my ho—” She clears her throat. “Can I go to my parents’ home and get my painting supplies? You can have a driver take me.”
“Sorry, Arina. I need to deal with some family business. Besides, you don’t need any of that stuff. You won’t be painting anymore.” I turn toward the door.
Arina follows me. “What do you mean? Painting is my passion. You can’t just take it away from me.”
I level a look at her. “I’m the motherfucking head of the Bratva, and you’re my wife. I don’t have time for this. I need you focused on becoming the best wife imaginable to stand by my side. No distractions.”
“But—”
I cut her off. “I need to leave.”
Arina remains standing there as I walk out the door.
I hurry to the police station. My family might own a lot of police officers, but a good chunk of them aren’t corrupt and would love the opportunity to arrest my family.
I need to bail Alexei out as soon as possible before any officer tries to keep him locked up for other behavior.
Once I enter the station, I get a lot of looks. Many of the officers around here know who I am, but none have enough evidence to pin anything on me. I’m not an idiot like Alexei, who constantly gets himself into trouble.
