Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“I don’t think it’s a crime, but why do you want to be alone? It’s your wedding day.”
This made me laugh. “You do realize that Peter and I didn’t have a choice.”
The Butcher frowned. “Why not? You had a choice back in that weird town and you chose each other.”
I took a deep breath. I didn’t want to be reminded of that. “Look, that was different. I didn’t realize who Peter was, and that it was all a lie.”
“But you’re still the same people,” The Butcher said.
“We’re not, okay? The Peter I knew was a kind man, gentle, and sweet. He worked at a gym, and he liked helping people. The Peter out there is…”
“He’s no different. Okay, maybe he is different because he’s not a kind, gentle, or sweet guy,” The Butcher said. “But, you’re not some random girl who works at a diner either.”
“I know, but I didn’t seek him out. I was just trying to survive.”
“And now you both have to learn to survive this. I don’t know a lot about marriage, but I do know it’s fucking hard work.”
“And it’s supposed to be with people who love each other,” I countered.
The Butcher burst out laughing. This didn’t make me feel any better.
She put a hand to her stomach and she waved the other one across my face, as if it was the funniest thing she had ever heard. “Seriously, do you even know history and understand what marriage is? It’s a contract. A biding contract that brings families together, but it also produces wealth and all that shit. It is rare, so very rare for love to even enter the equation. Even if it does enter the equation, it is rare for marriage to last. In this day and age, there is always divorce and it is so easy to get one.”
I looked toward this woman and sighed. “You’re not good at giving pep talks, are you?”
“No one needs a pep talk, Niamh. It’s a cold sense of reality right now. Peter is your only chance of having any semblance of happiness. Is it ideal? Probably not. Think of the alternative—your father decides and then your life would be miserable. You’d be with a man who is at the mercy of your father. Spitting kids out, wishing for death, and not being allowed it. Men like your father make you pay. They make you crave death, and they don’t allow it. Even though you didn’t do anything wrong, he will make you suffer.”
“You’re saying it’s going to be different with Peter? Part of the Volkov Bratva?” I asked.
“Yeah, I am.” The Butcher stared at me for several minutes and I had no idea what she was thinking. “Look, I don’t do the whole friend thing, or the talking thing, or any of that shit. Life sent me down a path I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I know of the evil shits of this world, and your father is not even the worst kind. There are men far worse, and women. Ivan Volkov is a mystery, there’s no doubt about it. He is scary as fuck and what makes him even more so, is no one is ever prepared for what that man is willing to do.”
This was not making me feel any better. If anything, this was terrifying me even more, but I didn’t interrupt as she seemed to be on some kind of roll.
“What I have learned about Ivan Volkov, is no one can mess with those he cares about. They make an enemy of him, and he is loyal. He is not just chasing power or wealth. He is building a family. That is something no one has ever tried before. What I also see is Ivan builds from the broken, the damaged, the unwanted. It’s what everyone seems to have in common.”
I couldn’t help but think about Peter. “Everyone?” I asked.
“Ivan Volkov himself was thrown out like garbage. There are rumors as to why, that he was damaged or defective. His dad didn’t like that he wasn’t perfect. Ivan wasn’t killed, but he rose up the ranks, took the Bratva, and made it what it is now, and you’re married into it. You’re a Volkov now, but you do need to earn your place. When you are a true Volkov, you’ll know it.”
I looked at The Butcher. “Are you a Volkov?”
“Nope, not yet, I’m still only a candidate for an area.” She clapped her hands together. “Don’t worry, I have no doubts I am going to win it.” She winked at me, and then moved toward the door. “So, are you going to come out and enjoy your wedding, or are you going to stay locked up in this bathroom with no way out?”
****
Peter
“Shut the fuck up, it won’t be long before it’s your wedding we’re attending, and then I will be the one gloating,” I said, as Victor continued to laugh.