Chapter 16 #2
Kirill: I told you it'll happen once you're on the Royal Council. Until then, the Omni won't approve it.
Me: Not good enough.
Kirill: Two days. Deal with it.
The SUV turns the corner, and I make my way to the parking garage. I'm almost there when I stop dead in my tracks.
Blue barrels toward me like she's been waiting hours for her chance to strike.
Even from a distance, her expression packs every emotion she refuses to hide.
It's simmering and livid to the point her steps click sharply on the concrete.
Her purple hair whips behind her, and her designer coat flares with each step.
I curl my fists at my side.
What is she doing here?
She stops inches from me. Her wounded, angry expression deepens. She hurls with a cracked voice, "What did you do?"
I cross my arms, already exhausted. "That's a bold question coming from you?"
Her eyes widen dangerously. "Don't play dumb with me."
"I'm not playing anything."
Her nostrils flare. "You don't think I saw it?"
"Well, you probably saw everything in my life since you seem not to understand that you're stalking me," I jab.
Her blue eyes turn to flames, hot enough to choke someone. More hurt fills her voice. "You gave her a diamond?"
My pulse pounds between my ears. No one is supposed to know about Valentina and me. Once we're married, I'll have to explain, but until then, no one should know but the Underworld. So I snarl, "You don't know what you're talking about, and you need to stay out of my business."
"And she's your business?" she accuses, her expression resembling a wounded puppy.
I stay quiet, not wanting to hurt her but tired of her obsession with me. And now, she's playing in dangerous territory.
Her breath stutters out in a furious rush. She rattles, "How could you be engaged to an Abruzzo? First, Fiona marries a Petrov and now... Now you're with an Abruzzo?"
In a firm tone, I warn, "Keep your nose out of my business, Blue. You don't know what you're talking about and need to get some therapy or something."
Rage emanates from her. She roars, "I need to get mental help while you're kissing an Abruzzo like you're in love with her!"
"I'm not in love with her."
"Aren't you?" she hurls.
"No," I affirm, my chest tightening.
Am I?
Blue doesn't know what she's talking about, I remind myself.
It's a fake marriage to secure power.
She steps closer. "Then tell me you didn't give her that massive ring she's flaunting!"
"She's not flaunting it," I scold.
"She is!"
"No, she's not!" I insist.
Stop fighting with her. She's off her rocker.
"Blue, you need to stop following me. My life has nothing to do with yours. Do you understand? Now go home and get over this crazy obsession you have with me," I order.
Her mouth drops open, dramatic and offended. I think she might leave, but she pins another bruised gaze on me, stating, "So that's who you've been sleeping with. I knew there had to be someone."
I release an exasperated breath. "There's nothing between us, Blue. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that there never has been and never will be. So stop standing here and acting like I cheated on you."
She lifts her chin. "So you're going to marry her?"
I step closer, warning, "I'm only telling you this one more time. Stay out of my business, Blue, or I'm having a long talk with your father."
She scoffs, and hostility pours out of her. "Will you tell him about Valentina Abruzzo?"
Hearing her say Valentina's full name sends a chill down my spine. I snap, "Say her name one more time and I swear to God, Blue—"
"Swear to God, what, Brax? Go on. Tell me what you'll do!" she challenges.
I squeeze my fists tighter.
She snarls, "You're walking straight into a trap! That woman burns everything and everyone until she gets what she wants."
My stomach tightens. "You don't know anything about her!"
"Don't I?" Blue shouts.
"That's it!" I grab her arm and pull her inside the parking garage. I move us into the shadows, trapping her in the corner.
Her lips tremble and her voice shakes, "I know all about her. And I can't believe you're stupid enough to fall for her little game. She's playing you!"
"She's not playing me!" I argue, even though I shouldn't.
Blue jabs her finger in my chest. "She's going to drag you down and stomp all over you."
"You don't know what you're talking about. Stay out of my business," I reiterate.
She swallows hard, then tears pop into her eyes. "So you choose her over everyone you've known forever?"
I don't flinch. "I'm choosing to live without you shadowing my every step."
She flinches.
Maybe I'm finally getting through to her?
I add, "You've crossed the line, Blue. You pop up in hallways and lurk near entrances. You follow me from a distance like I wouldn't notice, but I always do."
"No, you don't," she claims.
My pulse races faster.
Don't take her bait.
I declare, "It all ends tonight. Your parents didn't raise you to be a stalker, so go home, get a good night's rest, and wake up tomorrow being the normal woman they raised."
She lets out a humorless laugh. "Stalking you? Brax, you've lost your mind."
"Stop pretending this behavior is normal," I order.
"That woman you just kissed is the one who isn't normal!" she hurls.
"That's it. I'm done being the nice guy. I'm talking to your father."
She recoils like the name physically hit her. "You wouldn't."
I sarcastically chuckle. "I would. And I will. Adrian can help you get your shit together."
Her voice cracks behind the anger. "You're serious."
"Completely."
She shakes her head, eyes darting everywhere except my face. "I'm trying to protect you."
I scoff, "I don't need protection from you."
"Yes, you do! You've lost your standards! Hell, you've lost your damn head! The only place for Valentina is a coffin!" she threatens.
My entire body tightens in one swift surge. I step closer, put my hand under her chin, and push her head up. I lean over it and seethe, "Watch your mouth."
Blue laughs, sharp and furious.
"This isn't funny," I say through gritted teeth.
Her expression hardens. It reminds me of Adrian's when he's about to kill. She claims, "She's trash and there's only one thing to do with trash."
A chill digs into my bones. I have to stop myself from lowering my hand and squeezing her neck until her breath leaves her body. If she were a man, I wouldn't hesitate. But she's a young woman. A troubled, delusional one that needs help.
I release her and step backward, afraid that if I don't, I might hurt her. "Last warning, Blue. And I advise you to take it seriously. You stay away from Valentina. If you come near her..."
"If I come near her, what?" she pushes, the corner of her mouth curling.
Before I can think, I blurt out, "She's mine. If anything happens to her, you'll see what I'm capable of."
Her breath catches.
Then I take a step toward her, forcing her backward, and putting any sympathy I've had in the past for her aside. "You want the truth? I'd pick Valentina over you every time."
It breaks something in her expression. For a moment, I think she might cry. She whispers, "Why?"
I don't hesitate. "Because she's not you."
Blue stares at me as if I just ripped the floor out from under her. Her anger fractures into something jagged, something bruised, something completely out of control.
She shakes her head quickly, trying to rebuild her armor. "You don't mean that."
"Oh, but I do."
"She cast her spell on you!" Blue states with new flames in her eyes.
"I'm done with this conversation. Don't take my warning lightly, or you will find out my wrath," I threaten, then spin and walk toward my car.
"She'll ruin you," she shouts.
I spin, grinning. I spread my arms high in the air and cry out, "I welcome it."
Blue's mouth hangs open.
My smile falls. In a firm tone, I warn again, "Stay away from Valentina."
I get to my car, get in, and start the engine. I rev it, pull out of the garage, and make a resolution.
As much as I dread it, Adrian and I are going to have a conversation. I thought I could handle her on my own, but she's gone too far. No one is going to make threats toward my wife. Not anyone in the Underworld, and definitely not Blue Ivanov.