Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
NATASHA
I should have told Julian that I’m meeting with my father for lunch. I should have called him and let him talk me off the edge of this meltdown that I’m about to have. Not to mention, I don’t like keeping secrets from my husband. It feels wrong.
It feels like a lie.
But Julian didn’t come home last night, and he said he was busy with work, so I didn’t want to interrupt him. Distractions could mean the difference between life and death, and I need him to be safe.
God, I’ve fallen in love with him. I hated being in our bed by myself last night. I’m too used to sleeping while wrapped up in his arms. Our home is too cold and quiet without him. I did break down and send him some meaningless messages, but he never replied, so I stopped.
Now I’m wishing I had at least texted him one more time about my father because I could really use his deep, soothing voice in my ear right now, assuring me that everything will be okay and that my father can’t hurt me.
But I can handle this on my own. We’ll be in a public place.
And I’m so much stronger since I’ve been with my husband.
He makes me feel like I can do anything. I need to thank him for that later.
I have two men with me, like I always do.
They’re sitting up front, and we’re all silent as we drive into the city.
My detail never says much to me. I don’t know if that’s because Julian has told them to keep a distance from me or if they simply don’t like me.
But if these two are going to be with me for years, I’d like to get to know them.
“So, you’re Benji,” I say, gesturing to the driver. “And you’re . . . ?”
“Gary,” the other one replies.
“Thanks for taking this assignment.”
“We don’t volunteer for things,” Benji reminds me. “We’re told. The boss wants us with you, so we’re with you.”
“Do you not like this assignment?”
Benji shrugs. “It’s fine.”
“I just wondered because you guys don’t say much.”
“We’re not here to be your friends,” Gary says. “We’re here to make sure no one can take you or kill you.”
“Maybe we could do both?”
They smirk at that, and it makes me relax a bit.
“We don’t have to be best friends, but we don’t have to be so formal.”
When we reach the shopping center, I go to the store first to pick up the bag I had on order, and then I leave my shopping bag with Gary and make my way to the restaurant to meet my father. I feel better knowing that these big, scary guys are just a few feet behind me.
They won’t let Papa hurt me.
When I walk inside, I turn to both of them and offer them a shaky smile.
“I shouldn’t be too long.”
“We’ll be right here, watching,” Benji says with a nod. “Take your time. Signal if you need us.”
I draw in a deep, nervous breath and walk into the dining room, spotting my father at his favorite table, and to my surprise, he stands as I get closer. Even Viktor stands, but he doesn’t smile or say anything.
He’s always leering at me, though. Always has a smarmy sneer on his face.
My father, however, smiles at me and reaches out to hug me, plants a kiss on my cheek.
“It’s good to see you, malyshka.”
“Um, hi, Papa.” I offer him a smile, but everything in me is on high alert. This is not how my father usually treats me. Not even close. I don’t remember the last time he kissed my cheek. He certainly never smiles at me.
“Sit, sit.” He points to the chair across from him and takes his seat once more, and I fold my hands in my lap, waiting for him to start the conversation. “I haven’t seen you in weeks. How is everything going with your new husband?”
His face is calm and pleasant. Who is this man?
“It’s been going well,” I reply carefully. “He treats me well, and I don’t have any complaints.”
“Good.” He nods at me and then gestures for the server to leave us alone rather than order lunch. “Does Julian discuss business around you, malyshka?”
He wants information.
I should have known.
“No, he doesn’t do much work from home.” I keep my eyes on his and don’t so much as flinch. I may not like keeping things from my husband, but I’ll lie to this motherfucker all day long. “Is that why you brought me here?”
“How much time do you spend with the other three men?”
“None.”
All pleasantness leaves his face, and he drops his voice. “You listen to me, you worthless little brat, I put you in that luxurious life with that man, and you’re going to do your job and tell me everything you know.”
His eyes fall to my necklace, and he glares.
“I thought you loved your grandmother.”
Um, what?
“You know I did.”
“Yet, you don’t wear her necklace all the time.”
Confused, I sit back in my seat and scowl. “How would you even know that?”
He shakes his head in disgust and then, to my horror, reaches across and rips the chain from around my neck and tosses it on the table.
I grab for it and hold it tightly in my fist.
“Why did you do that?”
“You don’t deserve anything from her,” he snarls, his lip curled in disgust. “She’d be disgusted by you. You whore yourself to him—”
“He’s my husband,” I hiss back at him, and he lifts his arm, like he’s going to strike me, and I flinch back, my heart pounding, feeling so damn small again.
“You may not live under my roof, but you won’t talk back to me, Natasha.
Do you think your husband gives a shit if I hurt you?
I’m your father, I can do whatever I want to you.
I can’t believe he stepped up to marry you.
You’re so fucking worthless, so stupid. He deserves far better than you.
He must have pitied you, after the way even his son discarded you.
How does it feel to be married to a man who never wanted you in the first place? ”
“That’s not true.” It’s a whisper, because that’s all I can force out of my throat. I’m shaking, and I just want to hide.
I want to disappear.
No one can make me feel as small as my father does.
I need Julian to hug me and tell me that Papa’s wrong. He married me because he wanted to. He’s grown to care about me.
I know he cares about me.
“Those four men, the Kings of Vegas”—he smirks—“they’re excellent liars.
Manipulators. I’ve been told that Julian is the worst of them, and it seems that rumor is true, given how devastated you look.
You know this world, malyshka. It should come as no surprise to you that he married you for the deal and nothing more.
When we’re finished, he’ll cast you off. That should be any day now.”
Shaking my head, I feel tears push their way to the surface. He’s wrong. Julian wouldn’t cast me aside. He told me that he’ll give me anything I want. That I’m safe with him.
Was it all an act?
I’ve never been treated as well as my husband treats me, but maybe that’s because it’s not real.
“He wouldn’t do that.”
“Oh, he would. Do you think his late wife’s death was an accident?” Papa laughs as if the thought is ridiculous. “You’ll be lucky if he just kicks you out rather than killing you when he’s done.”
“You’re my father.”
“And you’re my pawn,” he says, his voice hard. “Now, you go back there, and you listen to everything that goes on in that house. You ask questions. You get information. And then you feed it to me. If I’m satisfied with your work, I won’t let Julian kill you.”
“No.”
His eyes narrow menacingly. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“No, I won’t spy on my husband for you. He may be a bad man, and he might throw me out when he’s done with me, but I won’t betray him.”
“So, you’ll betray me?”
“I’ve already done what you asked. I married him. That’s all I’ll do for you.”
Papa leans forward, pure hate staring back at me now.
“You’d better hope and pray that the piece of shit you’re married to never tosses your ass out because you won’t be welcome at my house.
I’ll kill you before I’ll let you through the door.
I don’t care what he does with you. He can share you with his men or slit your throat, it means nothing to me.
If you don’t get out of my sight in ten seconds, I’ll break both of your knees. ”
With a soft sob, I stand on shaking legs and rush out of the restaurant. My guards share a look. Gary is on the phone, but the ringing in my ears is so loud, I can’t hear what he’s saying, and then they follow me out to the car.
I need to get home.
I need my husband.
God, it feels like just before my wedding all over again. Worthless. Helpless. So fucking terrifying.
What if everything he said is true?
My husband is the head of a Mafia family. I should know better than to trust anyone in this world.
But he’s been so sweet and tender with me.
You’re letting that horrible man get in your head. That’s not Julian. That’s not your husband. Think of all of the times he’s spoiled you, held you, smiled at you. He shares his family with you. He’s not going to discard you.
I almost believe myself when we pull up to the house. When I step out of the SUV, I frown at the two black garbage bags sitting on the steps.
That’s unusual.