She certainly won’t get the same patience from me.
I head toward the bar at the other end of the living room, some distance away from the others. But I can still hear her, muttering beneath her breath. “I hate him. I hate him with all my heart,” she murmurs. I steal a glance at her, my chest tightening. It’s her brother who fucked me over. Not her. But they’re family, so they’re the same. It might not be fair to punish her for his deeds, but life isn’t fair. I’ve learned that more times than I can count. I’ve been fucked over, let down, beaten…I’ve been through hell and back, and it only made me stronger. This will make her stronger, too.
At the end of the day, I’m doing her a favor, helping her grow. She’ll see it eventually.
Chapter 4 - Benedikt
All three of the other Pakhans, including myself, have moved into Joseph’s mansion. After a vote, we decided on both the practicality and placement of his place. It’s got incredible beach views, a lot more privacy than the other available residences, and it will be the easiest to keep secure while our new wife is adjusting to her role.
Maria is making a point of letting us know how much she disapproves of all of this. It’s a bit late now. She should learn to embrace what is going on and make the best of her situation.
I’m sure that in time she will come around.
Some of us are not as patient as I am, though.
“Where is she?” Artur snaps, sitting down at the dinner table.
“I’m not sure,” I reply, taking my seat as well.
“She hasn’t been to the last two dinners. Why would you expect to find her at this one?” Joseph growls at Artur. The two of them have been at each other’s throats at every possible moment. It’s starting to drive me crazy, but for now, I’m trying to give them the space to work it out between themselves. If it carries on like this, though, I’ll have no choice but to intervene.
For now, my main concern is the girl. She is the one I’m most worried about.
Especially with how aggressive Artur is when he speaks to her. He treats her like he hates her. I wonder if there is something in their past.
“She has to attend dinners. I’ve already told her that! I made myself clear!” Artur snaps.
Kazimir huffs, “Leave the girl alone. She’ll come to dinner when she wants to come to dinner.” He’s so easygoing and uncaring, I swear I could drive over his foot with my car, and he’d be unfazed.
“I will not leave her alone. I’ve told her…” Artur stands up, shoving his chair back, and instantly, I see trouble brewing.
“I’ll get her,” I say quickly. “You sit, start eating. I’ll go call her. She probably didn’t realize what the time was, that’s all.”
I’d rather have her face me than him. That guy has mood swings that put most women I’ve dated to shame.
Artur shoots me a disapproving glare but sits down. “Fine, you deal with her attitude,” he huffs.
Heading upstairs to her room, I think about Maria. Her cute, plump little cheeks. Her rosy pink lips and strawberry-blonde hair that waves down her back and looks like silk. I think about how bright her hazel eyes are, piercing and captivating.
She has been quiet over the past three days and mostly avoiding us, but on the brief occasions I have been able to speak to her, I’ve seen a sharp wit and fierce resilience.
She hasn’t said as much, but I can tell she is no stranger to the Bratva world.
“Maria,” I call her name softly as I tap my knuckle against her door and push it open. The light is on near her bedside table, but her room is empty. Just to be sure, I check the adjoining private bathroom, but that is empty, too.
Avoiding the dining room and Artur, I go through the back door out into the garden. For the past couple of days, I’ve noticed her spending a lot of ttime here.
And my intuition was correct.
I find Maria sitting on the grass beneath the lush green ferns and broad leaves of the palm trees in the corner of the garden facing the lake.
“Hi, you,” I say, friendly and smiling.
The little jump and tension that shoots through her tells me I caught her off guard and gave her a fright. Maria looks nervous, as though she’s trying to work out if she should jump up and run away or stand her ground. She reminds me of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
“What are you up to?” I ask, trying to make small talk.
She glances at me and scrunches her nose before looking away without responding.
