Page 32 of Savage Truce

While we enjoy the meal and talk about business, my thoughts keep straying to Anastasia, and by the time we have our after-dinner drinks, I’m in a hurry to get back to her.

“When will you be ready to take orders?” Atanas asks as he sets down his empty tumbler.

“Now. What are you looking for?”

“A thousand AK-12s, two hundred and fifty PKMs, five hundred PP-19s, and eight hundred MP-433s. How long will it take?”

“Two to four weeks, depending on how quickly I can get four other warehouses and factories up and running.”

“I can work with that.”

Climbing to our feet, we leave the dining room, and as we step into the foyer, I say, “Thank you for coming to dinner.

Just then, Anatas’ phone rings, and while he digs it out of his pocket, he replies, “I enjoyed it.” He grins at the screen, then shows me who the caller is.

As he waves and heads out the front door, I hear him say, “Constantin, miss me already?” He takes the steps down from the porch and gives his guards a chin lift, indicating they’re leaving. “I just had dinner with Rodian… aww, are you jealous? We’ll invite you next time.”

The corner of my mouth lifts as I watch him get into his car, and as I shut the front door, I think about the information I shared with him.

Too late, I realize there’s no backing out of the wedding now, not unless I want to look like a fool.

Anastasia is probably not going to be too happy with being forced into a marriage after everything she’s been through.

She liked me once and can learn to do so again.

“It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” I mutter as I head up the stairs so I can shower and change out of the combat clothes.

While walking down the hallway, I dig my phone out and send Andrei a text.

Rodian: How are things at the factory?

I grab a black pair of cotton pajama pants and a matching T-shirt from the closet, and as I go into the bathroom, I feel my phone vibrate.

Checking it, I see an update from my friend.

Andrei: It’s a fucking shit show. They’re still burying all the bodies in the field out back. I seriously think we should demolish the entire place and rebuild.

Rodian: You do what you feel is best with the factory. Set it on fire for all I care. Be careful out there.

Andrei: I will. See you tomorrow.

Setting the device down on the counter, I turn on the faucets in the shower, and while the water warms, I strip out of my clothes.

As I wash the day off, my thoughts return to Anastasia, and in a hurry to get back to her, I move faster.

CHAPTER 10

Anastasia

It feels like I’ve been sleeping for weeks by the time I fully wake up and feel rested enough to take in my surroundings.

I have no idea how much time has passed since Rodian found me, but as I glance around the room that’s suited for royalty and unlike anything I’ve ever stayed in, I get the feeling it’s been a few days.

My memory is shot to hell, but there are glimpses of being fed, a man who I think is the doctor checking on me, and Rodian sitting beside me.

When I hear movement, I open my eyes, and seeing Rodian coming into the room, fear fills my body. I quickly sit up, only noticing afterward how much stronger I feel.

Today he’s dressed in an immaculate suit, and this time it fits his muscled build perfectly. Besides his hair that’s longer and him looking older, he reminds me a lot of when we met at the theater. It takes a blow at my bruised heart, making me want to weep.