“She could be an ally,” I muse softly. I don’t know what possesses me to say something so controversial and ludicrous. Maybe it’s hope that Katerina could be one of us? That I could finally have someone by my side?
“You think you can trust her? She’s practically fucking her Bratva boyfriend right now.” Alex scoffs as he points out the window.
The room silences.
I turn to see her doing leg pushdowns with Nikolai. She’s lying at his feet and raising her legs to his hands, and he pushes them down. There’s no lingering touch, but my blood boils.
How fucking dare he put his hands on her? How dare he touch my wife?
And how dare she be laughing and happy while doing so?
Who the fuck laughs while working out?
“See! That Russian whore’s loyalty is nonexistent.” Alex chuckles as if he’s made his point.
I slowly turn towards him. My stoic mask disintegrates. Fury consumes me.
“What did you just call my wife?” My voice, while even, drops to a low timbre as I demand an answer.
“It was just a joke, Dom.” Alex blanches as he says it, finally realizing his mistake. “I mean she’s basically your Bratva mail-ordered bride.” He forces a laugh as if it’ll alleviate the tension.
I’m out of my chair in an instant. I round the table until I’m hunched over him. I have my knife pressed against his throat. He hisses as I draw blood.
“Don’t ever speak about my wife that way. If you ever disrespect her again, I won’t give you a chance to apologize.” I say it loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. I need as many witnesses as possible so they spread it to everyone. My wife is off limits.
Alex just stares at me wide eyed. He looks close to passing out, and I realize if he’s ever captured, he’ll betray us in an instant to avoid pain.
Fucking pussy.
“Well?” I demand as I see the knife drawing a little more blood.
His eyes dart around the room as if anyone in here will save him from my wrath. They won’t. They’re smart enough not to insult the boss’s wife.
“Apologize, dumbass,” Roman spits out.
I know he’s pissed on Katerina’s behalf. I’ve kept her separate from my family because I don’t want her to get close to them. I don’t want them to fall for her only for her to betray us. But I also know they already view her as family. Which they’ve made known by the countless invites I’ve ignored.
“I’m sorry, Dom.” Alex’s eyes water, and I sneer when a tear drips down his cheek.
“Get out of my sight,” I growl as I let him go. “All of you. Get out!”
I turn to face the window, glaring at my wife and her fucking guard. Why do they have to look so in love? Is Alex right? Is she fucking him?
I study their movements and note how familiar they seem with each other. They’re comfortable in a way she and I aren’t.
I can’t stand it.
“Stefan, send my wife and her guard in here,” I demand without turning my back.
I’m putting a stop to this.
Chapter 29
Katerina
A cough interrupts our workout. Stefan approaches us with hurried steps.
“Mrs. Montclair, your husband needs you in the conference room,” he says in a formal tone.
