Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Charlotte looked down. I don’t know if she was staring at my chest, or looking at a spot and not really seeing it.
“And swearing my loyalty to the Volkov Bratva, you’ll allow me to live?”
“Yes.”
“Will it be a … a good life?”
“Yes.”
“You won’t beat me?”
“No.”
“You won’t lock me up?”
“No.”
“You won’t … hate me?”
“I don’t hate you, Charlotte.”
Tears filled her eyes. Her father really did a number on her.
I wanted to reach out, touch her, try and convince her if she took the right path, her life would be better. She was my wife and no one would mess with her, not anymore. They would have to come through me.
“You don’t even know me,” she said.
“I don’t have to know you.” I’d known a lot of people in my time. Charlotte wasn’t the kind of person you hated. Her scars told a unique story. One that wouldn’t go away. I wanted to touch her, but I held myself back. I’d done everything in my power to avoid touching her when we were alone. Dancing with her, kissing her at the altar were the only times I had.
“Go to sleep and if I find you on the floor, I’ll smack your ass.”
****
Lottie
Ive was nowhere to be found this morning, which surprised me. I’m not normally a light sleeper. Being in Ive’s bed last night, I’d spent a great deal of time wide awake, going over what he’d told me.
All I had to do was swear loyalty. In my luggage, there was a phone Rage had given to me last night at the reception. He’d told me to use it whenever I felt unsafe. If I had that cell phone and swore my loyalty to Ivan, I’d be lying. To swear complete loyalty to Ivan, to my husband, to the Volkov Bratva, I could no longer trust or rely on the Evil Savages MC.
Cassie had told me she’d call me, that she’d find a way for us to hang out. I’d gotten her message this morning from one of the wait staff. I sat in a private booth, my morning breakfast in front of me, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat it.
If I gave that cell phone away, I’d have no choice but to trust my husband. Could I trust Ive? I didn’t know him.
“You look troubled, young lady.”
Glancing up, I see Ivan Volkov himself, taking a seat opposite me.
“Mr. Volkov,” I said, about to bow my head and then I frowned. What the fuck was I doing?
Ivan chuckled. “There’s no need to bow. I’m not royalty.”
“In my husband’s world, you are.”
“True. So very true. I guess you could say I am the king.”
Should I look at him? What the hell did I do?
“Don’t be frightened. I know you’re not aware of my traditions and customs and if I’m being honest, neither am I.”
This caused me to frown and I lifted my head.
“That’s better. I wanted to have a conversation with your face, not the top of your head.”
I was tempted to touch my head, but I managed to keep my hands firmly in my lap. Yay me.
“You’re not eating.”
“I’m not very hungry.”
“A little advice—Ive cannot deal with petty behavior. I imagine he sees you as a child already, so skipping meals will not be ideal in winning him over.”
I wasn’t being petty. The breakfast looked lovely. There was so much fruit and even the toast looked mouthwatering, and I wasn’t a big fan of toast at all. I often ate cereal, sometimes dry if we had spoiled milk. Cassie would often forget to go to the store, and only when I was given money did I ever get a chance to shop.
Reaching out, I picked up a slice of peach and took a bite. It was juicy, and so incredibly tasty. I wanted to close my eyes and bask in the taste but with Ivan sitting opposite me, I didn’t know what to do.
“Good, isn’t it? Do you mind?” he asked.
I shook my head and he winked at me, taking a slice of peach.
“You don’t need to be afraid of me.”
I highly doubted that.
Ivan laughed. “I can see you have your doubts.”
“You just said that you’re the king of the Volkov Bratva. Your word is law, in everything. How can I not be afraid?”
“True, I can see why you believe that. I do have it on good authority from Adelaide and Aurora, that I can be quite a nice guy.”
I had no idea what to say to him. This man had taken me, and in a strange way he’d kept me.
Lifting my head, I looked him straight in the eyes. My dad had told me many times that I was a fucking idiot. I didn’t know when to keep my fucking head down. Often, that came with a slap or a punch or a belt.