Page 23 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
But I’ve had a taste of that solace I made for myself, and I’ll do anything to get it back.
Roman might be willing to go to extremes for his cause, but so am I.
If he wants to control me, then I’ll just be ungovernable.
Chapter 9 - Roman
I wish I knew what the hell I’m supposed to do with Victoria.
As a leader, I’m used to people listening to me. Following my orders and cooperating as expected. But with her, it’s a completely different story.
It has been just a few days, yet she’s acting like I’ve been holding her hostage for half her life already. She’s being a pain in my ass, and I have the feeling it’s only going to get worse.
She’s under my skin, scratching at my nerves and making me second-guess myself. Still, I can’t treat her like she’s a problem to be solved—not if I want this to work.
It hasn’t been long enough for her to fully adjust and come to see me as more than my work yet, but I’m not feeling as patient as usual. That self-control takes effort even on the easiest of days, but at this moment, it’s a challenging task to contend with.
Something instinctive in me wants to lash out at her, but I have every reason to believe that’ll only make matters worse.
Victoria has hardly eaten since staying at the house. She has hardly spoken outside of arguing with me. She spends most of her time watching and listening, and while she’s been doing her best to defy me, I still catch the way she shakes faintly.
I know fear when I see it. I’m no stranger to recognizing it, navigating it, and using it to my advantage.
But her fear feels different in a way. It’s quiet and almost wound-like. It makes her seem unpredictable to me.
I’m not fond of anything being unpredictable…and I certainly don’t want her to go into cardiac arrest just because of the circumstances.
I know I need to be understanding of her situation to help things move along more smoothly, but I can’t deny how I’m struggling to hold that frustration down. I’m not one to focus too deeply on anyone’s emotions outside of my family, but now that she’s my wife, I can’t continue that streak.
If I want her to trust me even slightly, then it’s necessary.
Finishing brunch alone, I checked in and saw some last-minute tasks to pass the time, but with the afternoon approaching, I decided to call it a day.
After Victoria stormed off, I wanted to give her some time to pull herself together. And with that time, I hoped she would be ready to head out. Maybe she’d even have a bit of a change of heart.
It might be wishful thinking, but here’s to hoping.
Heading inside, I make my way to the bottom of the staircase and adjust my rolled cuffs.
“Victoria!” I call out to her, letting my voice carry through the house. “We’re going.”
As that silence lingers, I stand there and wait.
Another moment passes, and I don’t hear anything. More silence.
“Did you hear me?”
When she doesn’t respond, I clench my jaw and force out a breath.
Of course…why would she make it easy for me?
Victoria said before she wasn’t going to go anywhere, I asked her to—not against her will, at least. But something in me hoped she would fold anyway.
It seems she isn’t in the mood to be passive.
If she isn’t going to come to me, then I have no choice but to go to her.
Not my ideal situation, but necessary, apparently.
