“I don’t need your fucking advice. If I remember correctly, your wife didn’t even choose to marry you.” Throwing their elopement in his face is a low blow, but he doesn’t fall for the trap.
Cecilia has calmed and mellowed his formerly wrathful demeanor. Normally it’s a good thing, but right now, when I’m itching for a fight, it’s pissing me off.
“First, spoil her. Treat her like a princess. Women are gifts, and we don’t deserve them.” Roman begins.
“Work hard to earn her!” Matthias cuts in.
“I don’t want your advice either. You fucking kidnapped Margot!” I seethe.
They just ignore me.
“Learn to do things she likes to do.” Roman continues. “Oh, and don’t expect her to do things for you. She’s your wife, not your maid.”
I gesture around my mansion, conveying that obviously I have a team that cleans, cooks, and upkeeps the house.
“Make sure she’s always protected. Don’t ever let her out of your sight without protection.” Matthias’s voice gets serious.
He’s referring to what happened to his wife. It’s been almost two years since that situation, but he’s still scarred.
“That won’t be a problem. Her personal guard is coming with her. It’s not ideal to have a full-fledged Bratva member in the house, but I thought she’d feel better if she had some semblance of normalcy.” I was against the idea when Viktor first suggested it, but then I realized it was the only thing Katerina has asked for, so I gave in.
“Don’t lie to her. Don’t hide anything,” Roman says.
I roll my eyes. There’s no way I’m telling her anything. She’s the enemy. She doesn’t get to know any Syndicate information.
Now, I understand why Roman hid so much from his wife. It all makes sense. In fact, what seemed ridiculous now seems reasonable.
“If she tries to fight you or run away, she will forgive you for cuffing her to the headboard, just until you know she’ssensible again.” Roman chuckles as if it’s a fond memory for him, and to my upmost surprise, Bash nods along as if it has merit.
“That’s a good one. I just slept on top of her. She can’t stab me in my sleep if she can’t get out from under me.” Matthias grins.
They’re all fucking psychotic. Even Bash, who would typically be scolding them for such behavior.
I just consider my hand. Instead of placing a bet, I fold.
I look at Bash expectantly, but he’s on his phone again.
“Bash! It’s your turn!” I huff, annoyed at him. This is the third time he’s gotten distracted by his phone.
“Got it,” he says with a grin as he puts it away.
“What are you doing on there? You’ve been glued to it all night. Is it something for the Syndicate?” I’m hoping it is, begging for the distraction.
He shakes his head, only to be interrupted by Matthias’s curiosity.
“Is it something for Syndicate Enterprise?” He sounds disappointed by the thought. I guess work’s not as exciting when you have a wife at home.
It’s not something I’ll experience. There’s no way Katerina will ever come between me and the Syndicate.
“No, it’s not any of that. It’s… personal.” Bash’s vague answer piques my curiosity, but when he refills my tumbler and hands it to me, I drink away my interest.
I drink away all my emotions until I’m just as frigid and detached on the outside as I am on the inside.
Chapter 13
Katerina
The morning passed in a blur. My anxiety has passed and now I’m just numb.
