Chapter 11 - Kolya
I glanced at Sophia as I started the SUV. My heart was beating in my throat and making it hard to swallow. My pulse raced as I took to the road. She could have been captured. She could have died! My mind was screaming before I even opened my mouth.
That was a close call. She was more resourceful than I had anticipated. But this could have turned out very badly. She had to know that she couldn’t just run off like that. She was my wife, and her life could be in danger at times.
As I pulled out, I couldn’t help but scold her for being so idiotic. I could hear the harshness in my tone. “Sophia! How could you be so stupid? Why did you go out on your own? What was so important?” Glancing at her, I noticed her shoulders were hunched. She was staring out the window, not moving.
The rage bubbling inside me was uncontrollable. “Especially now!” I spat at her. “You are my wife. Connected to my name. Do you realize how many people out there would like to get to me? You are an easy target!”
Breathing in deeply, I tried to calm the storm.
It was harder than ever. Something inside me wouldn’t let go as I continued to shout at her.
“Don’t you know, once you’re connected to a Bratva name, my name, rivals climb out of the walls.
Just like the man back there that I had to kill, he was sent by just such a rival!
You could’ve gotten hurt, you could’ve gotten killed. Do you realize that?”
I parked close to the door as I pulled into the mansion driveway.
I felt my anger still taking control as I got out and moved around the car to her side.
Flinging open the door, I held a stiff hand out.
As Sophia slipped out of the seat, I realized she had not only been quiet all the way. But she was actually shaking.
She had gotten the fright of her life. As we entered the mansion, I guided her to the small living area.
My anger was finally starting to subside.
I hadn’t realized how scared she must have been.
I had her sit down on one of the couches.
Bending down before her, I spoke in a softer tone.
“I’m sorry for scolding you. But you have to realize the seriousness of carrying my name. ”
Sophia nodded, but I could see she was swallowing hard. Tears were building up in her eyes. “I am so sorry,” I breathed out. Looking down, I tried to push back the last of my anger.
Getting up, I walked to the drink cabinet and poured two glasses. One scotch and one wine. Turning back, I held out the glass of wine for her. She took it without question. I could see her hands still shaking.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “I’ve never seen such violence in my life. It’s wrong, it’s all wrong.”
Raising my glass, I took a big gulp before sitting down opposite her. “Sophia,” I said softly. My voice is a lot calmer. “The man I shot was going to kill you.”
Lifting her head, she glanced at me as she sipped some wine. “I know he might have. But it’s wrong. You can’t go around killing people. It’s not the way life works.”
Shifting in my seat, I tried to reason with her. “Okay, I understand that. But what if it’s an awful person? I mean, really, truly bad?”
Moving forward, I placed my glass down on the table. Taking hers from her, I placed it next to mine as I took hold of her hands. “Look at me, Sophia,” I asked.
Lifting her eyes slightly, she glanced at me.
I could see the tears still pushing to be released.
“This guy, the one I shot. I’m sorry I had to do that before you.
But believe me, he was a bad man. He was part of a Bratva group like the ones you read about in those books.
If I tell you what he has done… Well, you’ll have nightmares for the rest of your life. ”
Squeezing her hands, I hoped she was listening as I continued.
“He has killed so many people. Kidnapped women for other reasons you won’t like.
Been part of gun and drug smuggling. Please believe me when I say, he was bad.
He would’ve continued with those things if he had lived.
So, in fact, don’t you think it’s actually a good thing he can’t? ”
Sophia turned her head to the side as the first tears rolled down her cheek. Moving slowly, I gently wiped it away. “I am very sorry,” I whispered.
I sat with her, holding her hands as more tears flowed. My anger is almost non-existent now. I took out my handkerchief and held it for her. Sophia took it and wiped her cheeks. I pondered a little on what she had gone to do. “Sophia?” I asked calmly. “Where did you go and what did you do?”
As she replied, she glanced at the door. I could see she was thinking very hard. She swallowed hard before speaking. “Well…, I went to see if everything was fine at work. If they were worried or looking for me. Maybe they needed something?”
She looked into her glass as if it were going to speak for her. She turned it slowly in her hands. I could see she was lying to me.
“Sophia, please. We haven’t lied to each other since the first time we met. Well…,” I added, swallowing the spit suddenly accumulating in my mouth. “I hope you haven’t lied to me. I know I haven’t lied to you. Please tell me why you went there?”
Her breathing changed. It was deeper and slower. Before looking at me, she inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly. “I went to meet Melody. I know she’s innocent. Someone else is framing us both. I want to prove it. So, I went to see her in case she wasn’t aware of it.”
“Well, then…” I interrupted, clearing my throat. “I guarantee she’s not innocent. No one is framing her. She’s the one doing the framing, and she is targeting you. That is, unless…,” Looking into her eyes, I continued carefully. “Unless you’re both in on it. But no, I’m sure she’s framing you.”
“No, please,” Sophia begged. “Give me a chance. I will help you clear the lawsuits if you let me do some research. I want to prove her innocence. Please, I beg you, Kolya, give me the opportunity. No more lies. I will tell you everything I find, and that is happening. Please, allow me to prove her innocence.”
Letting go of her hands, I rose quickly. I felt slightly angered and somehow disappointed. “Okay,” I agreed, pushing a hand through my hair. “You can do that. But you don’t go anywhere without me knowing. You let me in on whatever you find and allow me to handle business. Agreed?”
Sophia gave me half a smile as she rose. Extending her hand, I shook it. “Okay, I agree,” she said. Her skin was as soft as silk. Her touch is warm. Staring at our hands, it felt like they were meant to fit together.
I didn’t want to let go. Looking up, I caught her gaze.
My heart jumped as it started racing. For the first time, I felt lost in her eyes.
My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. A deep longing for her ignited in my soul.
I wanted to pull her close and kiss her. But I fought the feelings.
“You can let go of my hand, if you don’t mind,” she said, pulling softly. Glancing down, I realized I was gripping it harder and harder. Feeling silly, I let go and smiled at her before turning.
Should I tell her what I was feeling? Am I even sure what was happening? That touch was amazing. I want to feel it again, feel all of her, and never let go. Shaking my head, I decided to let it go and walked away instead.