Page 37 of The Mistake

I notice Hubert tried to shield me as we stepped into the main casino, and he moved me toward the elevator.

“I’m not a child. You don’t have to hide the dangerous gambling from me.” I felt like a damn child with the way he treated me.

I was a full-grown woman. Okay, I was eighteen, and I knew that to many that made me a child, but I had never felt like a child. I’d never had childish experiences. Growing up afraid of making silly noises or attracting too much attention would do that to you, and that’s exactly what happened to me.

Again, I pushed those thoughts aside as Hubert clicked the button and the elevator moved up. I saw the lights change as we traveled toward the top floor. What was it about my husband and being at the top floor of everything? Was it a status thing? It was a good thing I wasn’t afraid of heights.

Steppingfrom the elevator, we passed several more guards, none of which I recognized. Then Hubert knocked on the door, and I heard Ive’s request for us to enter. The moment we entered Ive’s office, Hubert stepped out of my way, and I looked at my husband. He was sitting behind his desk, and he looked in complete control. He also didn’t look surprised to see us. Hubert had told him I was coming.

“Leave us,” Ive said.

My prison guard didn’t put up much of a fight. He stepped out of the office and closed the door. Where was my anger? I wanted it back. This would have been a hell of a lot easier with it.

“You wanted to see me, Charlotte,” he said.

He didn’t get up from behind his desk. He sat back in his chair, and I saw the band on his finger that declared him my husband.

“Am Ia prisoner?” I asked.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Ive smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

In the back of my mind, that old reliable voice that had been a waste of time against my father, tried to yell at me to stop being angry, to stop making stupid accusations, and to just calm down. I never ignored the voice back then, and I followed her advice. The beatings I got, the slaps, the pain—I should have totally ignored her.

Glaring at Ive, I folded my arms across my chest.

“I can’t go anywhere without Hubert asking you. I’m locked in that apartment and if it’s not at the apartment, it’s your home. There is no freedom. I’m your wife and I have sworn loyalty to Ivan Volkov but I’m still a prisoner. Why? Why marry me? Are you going to kill me? Is this some stupid messed up play to take out Rage? To take out the Evil Savages MC? Why not just do it? Why do this?”

My heart started to race, and I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to stop but there was a pesky problem. I wanted answers a whole lot more.

Ive got up from his place behind the desk. He seemed a lot taller than I remembered, which was crazy, seeingas I just saw him last night. I stood next to him, and even last night, he’d kissed my cheek. I’d loved that, him kissing my cheek, which was so stupid.

Pressing my lips together, I looked at him and waited.

“You think Ivan Volkov and myself have time for these elaborate games?” Ive asked. “That we would arrange this marriage, pay all the unnecessary expense, to just kill you?”

“Why not? You’re the Volkov Bratva. You can do whatever the hell you want.”

“That is true. Ivan can do whatever he wants, and no, Charlotte, you are not a prisoner. You are my wife. If you were my prisoner, you’d be locked away in a cage, and trust me, I wouldn’t be suggesting the café for Hubert to take you. You are the wife of a Brigadier. That makes you a very valuable asset. Your life comes with a bigger price now. Hubert is your guard. He is responsible for your life. If you die on his watch, he will die. If you are hurt in any way, he will die. You have the same freedoms as other wives, and trust me, that is not a lot. Everywhere you go will be monitored by our enemies, by anyone who’s looking for a sign of weakness.” He took a step toward me. Each one he took brought him closer.

I didn’t step back.

“And so, if that is what you think makes you a prisoner, then so be it, that’s exactly what you are. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, but if you would like to experience life as my prisoner once again, say the word, and I will show you the difference.”

I heard the threat, but the truth was, I was kind of focused on something else he said.

“You told Hubert the café I should eatat?” I asked.

Ive frowned. “They have the best hash browns. I wanted to see what you thought of them.”

And just like that, my anger evaporated. He wasn’t keeping me prisoner. He was taking care of me.

“I loved the hash browns and the bacon. Also the mushrooms.”

The smile that didn’t reach his eyes before, finally did. I liked making him smile.

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