CHAPTER 23
Anastasia
For the past two weeks, Rodian has been working long hours, and I don’t get to spend much time with him, so whenever he’s home I make every second count.
Shortly after we returned from the factory, a woman named Rosie came over to give me a tracking device, and I found out Rodian has one as well. She also gave me a phone with an app so I could see where Rodian was at all times, which I really appreciated.
Thinking of that…
I pick up the device and log into the app, then frown when it shows he’s in St. Petersburg.
Quickly opening my messages, I type out one and send it.
Anastasia: You’re so far from home. Will you make it back tonight?
I set the device down again, and unable to concentrate on the cloak I’m making, I let out a sigh. I’ve been spending my days in my workshop, designing costumes I know will be popular with theaters.
The instant my phone beeps, I grab it and check his reply.
Rodian: Yes. I should be back around eleven, but you don’t have to wait up.
Anastasia: There’s no way I’m going to bed without you. Will you grab something on the go, or can I make you a late dinner?
Rodian: Now there’s an incentive to get my ass home sooner. I want to taste your cooking.
Anastasia: Great! I love you. Be safe out there.
Rodian: Love you more, moya krasavitsa.
Getting up from my chair, I leave my workshop, thinking of what to make. When I walk into the kitchen, I head straight for the fridge. I check the contents, and finding lamb shank, I grin.
“Bingo.”
As I put the meat in warm water so it can defrost quicker, Mam and Marina come into the kitchen, and Mam asks, “I’m making tea. You want some?”
“Please,” I reply.
Marina peeks into the sink. “Are you going to make it?”
“Yes. I told Rodian I’d make dinner for him.”
A smile curves her lips. “You hear that, Irena. We need to go to bed early to give the kids privacy.”
“I always sleep by nine,” my mother-in-law mutters. “You stay awake late.”
I let out a chuckle and join them at the table for tea.
“I wanted to talk to you about wives of the senior men in the Bratva,” Marina says.
“What about them?”
“You need to invite them to tea.” I don’t like the sound of that at all, but before I can reply, she continues, “It’s important. They’re waiting to meet you.”
Ugh. The last thing I have energy for is a bunch of catty women giving me the stink eye like all of Yelena’s friends did.
Clearing my throat, I sugarcoat it as I reluctantly admit, “I don’t have a good history with other women. They tend not to like me.”
“It doesn’t matter if the wives like you, Anastasia. You’re the pakhan’s wife. You have to make them respect you. All these women whisper in their husbands’ ears, and if they’re loyal to you, they won’t make trouble for Rodian.”
Well, crap. I didn’t think about that.
Marina places her hand on mine. “I’ll teach you everything, and if one of them dares to insult you, you shun her in front of the others.
Make an example of one, and the rest will fall in line.
You reward good behavior by letting the woman sit closest to you or inviting her for a private lunch in front of the others.
They all want to be the most important in our social circle, so they will be eager to compete for your attention. ”
Squeezing Marina’s fingers, I nod. “Okay. How do I invite them?”
We spend the next thirty minutes adding all their numbers to my phone and sending out personal invitations for tea this coming Thursday.
Mam pats my cheek lovingly as she gets up. “I go take nap.”
As soon as we’re alone, Marina says, “Always remember you’re a queen now, and that gives you all the power.”
Gathering the cups, she takes them to the sink before leaving.
With a lot to think about, I get to work, prepping the lamb shank so it can go in the oven, as it will need a long time to cook.
Usually, I’d make it with mashed potatoes, but not ready to face that vegetable yet, I make roasted butternut, cauliflower with cheese sauce, and Yorkshire puddings to soak up the gravy.
It’s the first time I’m getting to cook for someone because I want to, and instead of it being a chore, I find myself enjoying every second.
Wanting a cozy mood, I set the kitchen table instead of the one in the dining room, and even find a candle, which I place in the middle of the table.
I check that there’s enough freshly squeezed orange juice for Rodian, and with everything ready, I hurry to our bedroom so I can change into something prettier.
Picking the red blouse and white skirt with a red flower pattern that I finished making yesterday, I get dressed before pulling a brush through my hair.
Just as I come down the stairs, the front door opens, and I hear Rodian say, “Blyad?, that smells good.”
“No inviting me to dinner tonight?” Andrei asks jokingly.
“Hell no.”
I hear Andrei chuckle for the first time. “Have a good night with your wife.”
“Trust me, I will. See you tomorrow.”
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I watch as Rodian shuts the door, and when he turns around, a broad smile forms on his face. “Wow. You look breathtaking, moya krasavitsa. Is the outfit new?”
“Yes.” I meet him in the middle of the foyer, and as he bends down, I stand on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. “I missed you so much today.”
His beard has grown longer, and when he presses another kiss to the tip of my nose, the bristles tickle me.
“I missed you too. Is there time for me to take a quick shower?”
“Of course.” I nod. “Just come to the kitchen once you’re done.”
While I cross the foyer, I watch him take the stairs two at a time until he disappears from my sight.
I check on the food before pouring a glass of orange juice for Rodian and a Coke for myself.
Sitting down on one of the chairs, I check my phone, and seeing dozens of messages, my eyes widen, and I gasp.
As I go into them, I realize they’re all from the wives. Every single last one RSVP’d.
My God! Thirty-seven women are coming here on Thursday morning, and I have to entertain them.
The moment I hear Rodian’s footsteps, I set the phone down and get up to take the serving dishes out of the oven. Placing them on top of the stove, I turn around just in time to say, “Ta-da.”
“Iisus Khristos, moya krasavitsa, that’s nothing short of a feast.” He grins as he comes closer, and hooking his arm around my waist, he smiles lovingly at me. “Thank you for making me dinner. I can’t wait to taste your cooking.”
“Sit down while I dish up. Can I give you some of everything?”
“Not some,” he grumbles playfully as he takes his seat. “A lot.”
I load his plate to the brim and place it in front of him before helping myself.
When I notice he’s waiting for me, I say, “Dig in, my love. I don’t want it to get cold.”
He cuts into the tender lamb shank and takes a big bite, and as I sit down across from him, I watch as his eyes drift shut and he groans as if he’s orgasming. “Fucking delicious. This has just become my favorite.”
A type of happiness I’ve never experienced before floods me. I didn’t know it could be so rewarding to feed someone I love, especially after the long day he’s had.
I get to take care of him.
Rodian focuses on eating for a while, cleaning half the plate before he slows down enough to ask, “How was your day?”
“Good. I completed two designs.”
“Yeah? How many do you plan to make?”
I shrug. “I don’t know yet.” Picking up my glass of Coke, I sip on it before saying, “I sent out invites to the wives of your senior men.”
His left eyebrow lifts. “Are you ready to deal with that kind of pressure?”
No. Not by a long shot.
Avoiding the truth, I reply, “Marina explained how important it is that I meet them, so I’m arranging tea for Thursday morning.
” Stabbing a cauliflower, I ask, “Do you know any of them? Or can you suggest who I should pay close attention to? Marina said the wives could influence their husbands, and the last thing I want to do is mess things up for you.”
Reaching across the table, he squeezes my wrist. “Firstly, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.
Secondly, if any of my men can be swayed by their wives, then they shouldn’t be in the Bratva.
” He swipes a piece of the Yorkshire pudding through the gravy and eats it before adding, “I will say this, though. If any of the women gives you shit, I want to know about it. An insult to you is an insult to me.” He locks eyes with me.
“Don’t try to hide anything from me.” When I nod, he lifts an eyebrow.
“Be honest. Are you ready to deal with so many women?”
I shake my head and clear my throat. “But I’ve already sent out the invites. It’s not like I can cancel.”
“You can,” he grumbles, his expression darkening.
“I’ll talk to my aunt. I appreciate that she wants to teach you about the social politics, but this should’ve waited.
You haven’t even had a month and a half to recover from all the hell you went through.
I won’t stand for anyone pressuring you into doing something you’re not ready for. ”
Oh crap!
Realizing I just got Marina in trouble without meaning to, I quickly try to do some damage control by pleading, “Please don’t be angry with Marina. She meant well. I appreciate her guidance because I don’t know much about the Bratva. Let’s see how Thursday’s tea goes.”
He stares at me for a long moment before he finally nods. “Okay. I’ll leave it in your hands for the time being, but don’t push yourself to do more than you can handle.”
“I won’t,” I promise. Desperately wanting to change the subject, I ask, “Will it be okay if I go shopping for fabrics on Friday?”
“Of course, moya krasavitsa. I’d love to take you for your first shopping trip, but I have an important meeting. Just tell Sergei what time and where so he can get a team ready to go with you.”
“I will.” I smile, then add, “I just need to get my bank card from you. I hope it still works after all this time.”
Rodian takes the last bite of his food, then leaning back, he pulls his wallet out of his pocket and removes a black card.
“My debit card was blue. I think that might be Yelena’s.”
Shaking his head, he slides it over to my side of the table. “It’s my card.” Before I can reply, he continues, “I’ll still give you your debit card, but I want you to use mine.”
“Oh…” I glance at it, then say, “If you really insist. It will feel awkward, though.”
Once again, he levels me with one of his serious looks.
“You are my wife. It’s my honor to provide for you.
Get whatever your heart desires, moya krasavitsa.
Jewelry, handbags, shoes, cars, clothes.
If you want to buy a damn island, then buy it.
Don’t call to check with me. If you like something, just swipe the card. I will not take no for an answer.”
Well, okay then.
I get up and move closer, and framing his beard-covered jaw, I tilt his head back and press a kiss to his mouth. “Thank you, my love.”
His eyes soften on me while he scoots the chair back and climbs to his feet. Taking my hand, he leads me out the back door to where the gardens are illuminated with lights.
Even though it’s cold, it feels magical as we take a leisurely stroll.
“Get more lamb shanks,” Rodian mentions. “I’d like you to make it for me once a week.”
A grin spreads over my face as I glance up at him. “What did you think of the Yorkshire puddings? I didn’t want to go with mashed potatoes.”
“The entire meal was perfect.” He pulls me to a stop near some bushes with purple flowers that are hanging on for dear life as the winter approaches.
Wrapping his arm around my back, he tugs me closer. “Now I’d like dessert, and there’s only one thing I’m in the mood for.” His other hand cups my head. “You.”
I place my arms around his neck, and as his mouth claims mine, raindrops begin to fall around us.
Rodian chuckles against my lips before grabbing my hand and jogging back to the house. As soon as we enter the kitchen, he shuts the door and pushes me up against it, then proceeds to rock my world with hungry kisses while his hands caress my body.