Page 77 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
Elena’s expression softens, and she keeps quiet, allowing me to speak.
“But all of this has happened way too fast…I was a teacher just a couple of months ago, and now I’m a wife and a mother-to-be. And this lifestyle of his…I want to trust him, but I don’t know if I can fully. Not yet, anyway.”
Despite how the words come out painfully, feeling like a betrayal of sorts, Elena’s expression doesn’t show any kind of hurt.
“I understand, and I can’t imagine any of this has felt normal for you,” she offers lightly, continuing to walk down the path.
Nodding, I cross my arms over my chest to brush away the chill from my arms. “You’re right…it hasn’t. Some days it feels like a dream, others it’s a nightmare. I don’t know what to make of it.”
With careful consideration, Elena starts, “Roman’s not perfect, and as a family, I know we aren’t either. But I’ve never seen him love anything so easily.”
Surprised to hear it said so openly, my expression shifts involuntarily at that word. I haven’t even heard it from his mouth yet…but I’ve felt it, at least. She isn’t completely off base.
“It’s hard for him. Admitting to needing anyone or anything…it has never come easy. He has always carried so much on his shoulders and rarely gave himself the chanceto experience those kinds of attachments,” Elena continues, speaking so straight to the point that I know she means every word. “But with you…so much has changed for him. I see him smiling more, considering his future beyond just us as a family. He’s been thoughtful, and finally thinking of something other than the family empire.”
Her words sink into my skin all at once, overwhelming me with a sense of warmth and guilt.
I try to think of anything to say, but to hear how my presence in his life has changed and affected him…I’m speechless.
A gentle, considerate quiet settles between us before Elena lets go of a breath and glances at me with a small smile.
“It may be hard to see through the mess of everything he deals with, but you aren’t just something Roman wants, Victoria…you’re more to him than he could ever put into words. And the baby…he’s going to love them so fiercely. I can tell he already does.”
Shaken down to my core, heat floods my nose as tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Glancing down, I try to blink them away.
“I just…I don’t want to be a pawn,” I say quietly, struggling to pack away those lingering doubts and fears. “For Roman or Maxim.”
“You won’t be. Roman will never let that happen,” she hums, letting her smile pull further. “I damn well won’t let it happen either.”
As some of that pressing heaviness in my chest slowly dissolves, I manage a small, hopeful smile of my own. “I hope so…and thank you for always being there.”
“Of course. It’s not every day I’m given a sister-in-law,” Elena says, beaming even more. “My brothers may not be the smoothest when it comes to emotions, but I’m always here to help balance them out.”
Feeling touched and more reassured, I think about Roman and all the ways he’s been trying lately. How there’s a chance I just haven’t been letting myself feel enough of his intentions behind it all.
Just as that ease begins to fill my system, the snap of something nearby catches my attention.
We both fall silent, almost instinctively, and then there’s another sound. It’s almost sharper than the first time.
Spinning around, my heart nearly stops the moment I see them.
Across from us, two men seem to appear out of thin air, dressed head to toe in dark clothing. Even their faces are covered with masks.
They’re too close. Too focused on us.
I feel Elena’s hand on my arm while ice moves through my veins.
My stomach sinks, and I’m immediately back in the school parking lot, being surrounded. I can’t breathe.
“Run.”
Like a prey animal, I don’t hesitate.
Elena shoves me down the trail, giving me a head start before she bolts in the opposite direction.
Immediately, there’s shouting and the crunch of boots from behind me, but I can only focus on the path ahead, leading back to the restaurant. To Roman.
My legs move as fast and hard as they can, but the loose ground makes it harder for me to maintain the traction I need.
