Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Why? How?” She’s biting her lip like she’s trying not to cry. It makes me want her even more, knowing that she’s emotionally invested in me. I can’t remember anyone caring about how I feel like that.
“Now I know where I stand. I don’t have to hold back anymore.” I pull her close. I don’t want her to be upset for me. I’m not upset for myself—not even a little bit. Getting stabbed wasn’t fucking fun, but it was almost liberating.
I can fight this war the way I should’ve from the start.
Total brutality.
No more leniency.
I feel free.
“You’re a good man, Arsen.”
“What’s good about what I just said?”
“You tried the right way first. You even got yourself stabbed. I don’t think most people in your position would’ve gone that far, but you did.”
“I care about family. It’s everything to me.”
“Is that why you wanted to marry me so badly?” She sounds surprised, like she’s only just figuring it out.
“You’re carrying my child,” I say, and maybe she’s finally getting it. “Family is everything, and blood is forever.” I touch her belly where our baby is growing. “This is a bond deeper than anything else in this world.”
She looks stunned. I kiss her and pull her tight against me. Yeah, she’s starting to figure it out. Family is the most important thing in the world, and she’s my family now.
Which means I’d kill for her.
I’d happily die for her too.
“This was a good day,” she murmurs, sounding like she’s half asleep.
I let her drift off.
She’s right—it was one of the best I’ve had in a very long time.
Chapter 23
Lena
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to make you stay?” I waggle my eyebrows and reach out with my toes under the breakfast table.
Arsen grunts as I stroke his crotch with my foot.
“I’m positive.” His eyebrows raise and he doesn’t seem like he’s going to stop me. “But I’d gladly sit still for a quick foot job.”
I pout and pull away. “You’re no fun.”
“I’m the one with a hard dick and no toes to finish me off.”
“What did the doctor say? You should take off a week?”
Arsen stands and comes around the table. He bends down and softly kisses my lips. “I love that you’re trying to keep me here, but you know I can’t.”
“I know.” I lower my eyes, not even sure why this is bothering me so much.
A few days ago, I would’ve been psyched to have the place to myself. I loved it when Arsen would leave in the morning—it meant I’d get to explore the grounds all to myself without having to worry about my psycho husband causing problems.
Now though, it’s like one little stupid stabbing broke my stinking brain.
I can’t stand the thought of him being away for too long.
It’s like anything could happen to him out there, and what would I do with myself if he got hurt?
Sure, I’d be financially comfortable—but what about him?
Money can only buy me so much.
“Look at me, baby.” He tilts my chin toward him. “I love that you want me here with you. Believe me when I say, there’s nowhere I’d rather be in this whole fucked-up world than in this house by your side with your stinky, callused feet in my lap—”
“My feet are dainty and beautiful,” I say in mock outrage.
“They’re trollish and gnarled. But I love them anyway.”
“Then stay and I’ll try on a dozen different pairs of heels.”
“Tempting.” He kisses me lightly. “But I can’t. Have a good day, my wife. Yes sirum yem k’ez.”
“What’s that mean?”
“You’ll figure it out soon enough.”
Then he’s gone and I’m left at the table alone. Maud gives me a sympathetic smile as she cleans up the remains of his breakfast. “How about some French toast?” she offers. “Or maybe blueberry pancakes? Something sweet to take the edge off.”
“No, that’s okay.” I stretch and look out the window. The house’s garden blows in the soft breeze. “Can I admit something to you?”
“Only if you want the whole staff to hear about it.” I raise my eyebrows and the old woman just shrugs. “I’m a terrible blabbermouth.”
“I guess it’s not really a secret.” I lean back and stretch my neck with a sigh. “I like having him around.”
“He’s your husband. That’s not exactly a bad thing.”
“I know, it’s just, I didn’t expect it.”
Maud frowns at me for a moment before tapping a finger on the table. “Arsen’s a good man. If you fall for a good man, then so what?”
“He’s a criminal. He kills people.”
She waves that off. “He’s direct. You know what you’re going to get with him. Better than marrying some banker.”
“What’s wrong with a banker?”
“They kill people too, just not with their own hands.”
“I didn’t know you were a revolutionary.”
“Pragmatist, my dear, just a pragmatist.”
Maud pats my cheek lovingly and wanders off. I smile to myself and sink deeper into the chair. Fact is, when I first came to this house, everything felt strange and terrifying. The ancient hallways and creaking floorboards scared the shit out of me as much as they drove my curiosity insane.