Chapter SixteenIrina

Chapter Sixteen

Irina

"I told you he wasn't a monster."

I throw myself on the bed, grinning at the ceiling, and kicking my feet with my phone in one hand. I'm thinking of last night, how hot Alexei was and how hard his cock was in my mouth. I'm blushing, my body throbbing at the memory of what happens to be the best sex I've ever had.

"Considering how good he is in bed, I would say he is a monster," I say to Arielle over the phone. I'm sure she's also blushing.

Alexei went to his study early this morning after he received a call from Dimitri, but he agreed we'd have breakfast together, before I go to see my family.

My best friend coos. "Now I wish it was me who married him."

I chuckle. "Easy, girl. I get jealous when it comes to my husband."

Arielle giggles over the phone. "Don't be greedy. It's so hot having a husband who'll shoot someone and have the hottest sex with you afterwards. Girl, you're so lucky."

"I am." I'm still not open to Alexei shooting people over the smallest things, but I do agree it's hot knowing he would kill and burn down the world for me. He's like a morally gray character from a novel, and I'm in love… "Shit!"

"What is it?" Arielle asks.

"I… I think I'm starting to fall in love with him." It's fun daydreaming about my mafia husband but falling in love with him makes everything too real. I can't continue my anti-mafia efforts if I do. I'd be living a life against everything my father taught me.

I don't think this is right.

"Why do you sound like you're upset about that?"

"Because I am, I shouldn't love him, Ari. He's the enemy." I even feel stupid admitting that to myself. Alexei is the enemy, but he feels more like a lover right now. I'm insanely attracted to him. Insanely.

"I don't think you'd fall for him if you truly considered him an enemy, babe," she says. I catch the sarcasm in her tone. "Maybe he's not as bad you think."

"Maybe he's worse than I think, Ari. He shot a man for saying rude things about me last night. I imagine he does worse behind the scenes."

There's a long pause before Arielle exhales. "How about we grab lunch later and discuss it some more?"

"Sure." I twist my wrist to look at my watch. "I'm visiting my parents after breakfast this morning. I'll spend an hour or two with them, then I'll call you."

"Great. Don't forget we're going to meet."

I smile at reflection in the mirror. "I won't. See you later?"

"Yeah. Love you."

"Love you too, bestie." I blow kisses to my phone and hang up. My smile takes a while to fade. I'm certain Arielle will give me an earful for speaking badly about Alexei. I need to hear what she'll say, at least I'll know I'm not insane for feeling the way I do about him.

Alexei is already in the dining room when I go downstairs for breakfast. He looks up from his phone and inhales. "You smell good this morning."

"Thank you." I don't bother to tell him he looks good himself. He's wearing a gray shirt and black sweatpants. His dark hair is disheveled in a sexy way. I bet he hasn't bothered to brush it after all that pulling last night.

I settle on a chair next to his and grab an empty bowl from the center of the table, filling it with the oats I specially asked Nina to make last night. I add a tablespoon of sugar and pour in some milk, then I top it with berries. "Do you have plans for today?"

"I'll be busy most of the day." He places a chicken wrap on his own plate. One of the maids, who'd been standing in the corner, fills his glass with orange juice. "How about you?"

Contrary to what I thought, it's a lot harder to tell him I'm visiting my parents today. Given their history, he'll probably think I'm spying on him for my Dad, but I know I have to tell him.

I'm still mad at my Dad for arranging this marriage, but I've missed my family. It's been ages since I last saw them.

"I'm going to see my parents today." I can't fight back the urge to explain myself further. "We've been married for weeks now, and I haven't seen them since the wedding. I won't stay for long, I have a lunch date with Arielle after."

"Okay." He takes a bite from his chicken wrap. "But you're not allowed to go alone. I assigned three bodyguards to you this morning, they'll follow you wherever you need to go."

I'm torn between thanking him for not making a big deal out of me visiting my parents and arguing about having bodyguards tagging along. But he could change his mind and now allow me to go, so I don't argue.

I finish my breakfast and get dressed.

Alexei is standing outside when I return downstairs. He has three men with him, and they're all as tall as he is. One look and I can already tell they're going to be my new bodyguards.

Alexei introduces them, "This is Viktor," he says, pointing to the one with long curly hair. "Twinky and Illya," he adds, gesturing to one with a spear tattoo on his bald head, and then to the most normal looking one with trimmed brown hair and a beard.

"Viktor, Twinky, and Illya," I echo, looking at each of them as I call their names. "Nice to meet you."

They nod, but they don't respond with words.

"They'll be your bodyguards from now on," Alexei tells me. "Try not to go anywhere without them, and know that they'll put their lives on the line to keep you safe."

I frown. "I don't want anyone to sacrifice their life to keep me safe, Alexei. My life is not worth more than theirs."

"It's not about what you want. It's about what you need." Alexei walks towards me. He cups my face and plants a kiss on the top of my head. "To me, your life is worth more than anyone else's, even mine."

His kiss is like honey as it seeps into my head. I suddenly want more than a kiss to the head, but I manage to hold myself together. I want to tell Alexei that to me, a world without him would be empty, but I don't.

I'm just lusting after him. This is nothing more than infatuation, I tell myself. I know it's a lie, the fluttering in my chest is all the evidence I need. But it's easier to live in denial.

"Fine." I pull away and smile at him. "I'll see you later?"

"I'll be home early today." He curls his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. He presses a soft kiss against my lips this time.

My new bodyguards look away. My cheeks turn red with embarrassment as I push Alexei away and gently beat his bicep. "They're looking."

He gives me the most seductive smile ever, his eyes flickering with mischief. "I don't care."

I roll my eyes. "I do. I'm leaving."

He walks me to one of the black Mercedes parked in front of the entrance and holds the door for me to get in in the backseat. Illya gets in the driver's seat, while Viktor and Twinky take the car in front of mine.

"Stay safe, okay?" Alexei's forehead is creased with worry.

I nod. "I'll be safe. Make sure you come home early."

"I will." He closes the car door and takes a step back.

I wave at him as Illya drives the car away from the entrance. I rest back in my seat, my mind heavy with thoughts. For two people in a forced marriage, Alexei and I are sure acting like we're a couple in love with each other.

A while later, Illya brings the car to a stop in front of my father's mansion. The house is quiet when I enter. I look around for a sign of my mom or one of the housekeepers. Besides the security men outside, the entire place feels like a ghost town.

"Mom! Dad! Damien!" I call out from the bottom of the stairs. I grew up in this house, and I've been gone for only a few weeks, yet it feels strange being here. This no longer feels like home. Alexei's home is my home now.

"Mom!"

"Darling."

I turn around to face my mother. A wide smile splits her face, and her eyes are gleaming with genuine happiness to see me. I'm happy to see her too. I've missed her.

"Mom!" I throw myself into her arms and hug her really tight. I squeeze my arms around her and inhale. My mother's lavender scent has always been a source of comfort to me. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, baby." She pats my back lovingly. "How have you been?"

I pull away from our hug. "I've been good."

"How is he treating you?" she asks, examining my body as if looking for injuries or a sign I'm being mistreated.

A chuckle ripples from my throat. "Relax, Mom. I'm fine. He treats me well enough."

She doesn't look like she believes me. "He's not hurting you? Did he threaten you to say that?"

"No." I take her hands and squeeze them lightly. "Alexei is good man to me. I'm really fine, I swear."

She heaves out a relieved sigh. "I've been so worried, but your father doesn't want to get involved in your marriage and he doesn't want me getting involved, either."

A pang of sadness splinters through me. So, he wouldn't care if Alexei was hurting me? All that matters to him is what he stands to gain from whatever deal he made to marry me off.

"Where are Dad and Damien?" No doubt my brother would have hurried down the moment he heard my voice. The only reason he isn't down yet is because he's not home. I know him well enough.

"Your father went to meet some business partners. He took your brother with him."

I narrow my eyes. "Business partners?"

She huffs out a breath. "He wouldn't tell me anything more, and I wasn't in the mood for an argument, so I let him be.

I try not to think too much of my father's supposed business partners, but he's always been open with me when it comes to his business. The fact he didn't tell my mother what it was about is enough grounds for suspicion.

Since I married Alexei, I haven't been able to shake off the thought that my father is involved in something deeper and deadlier than he lets on. I want to find out what it is, but it's not like he'd tell me if I simply ask.

My mother notices the worry etched on my face. "Are you okay, darling?"

"I'm fine." I draw in a breath and force a smile. "Is Dad coming home soon? I'd like to see him before I leave."

"Um—I'm not…" She glances over my shoulder and sighs. "Well, it looks like he's back already."

I turn around. My dad is getting out of a black SUV. My brother's already out from another parked behind it.

Damien's face lights up when his eyes meet mine. We both smile at each other. My Dad doesn't smile at me though, he just walks into the foyer, looking at me as if he's seeing a ghost.

"Hey, Dam." I give my brother a tight hug. If there's anyone I've really missed, it's him.

He hugs me back, fingering the lower part of my hair. "Hey, Ri." He pulls away and skims me from head to toe. "You look—"

"Good. That's the word you mean to say, right?" My lips curve with a full smile.

"Surprisingly so," he agrees with a nod. "Should I take it that your time with Alexei Vadim is not as bad as I worried it would be?"

I don't try to hide anything. My father arranged the marriage, he should be fine with whatever outcome he gets. "He treats me well, brother. Better than I expected."

My brother pats my head like he used to when we were kids. He hates Alexei just as much as I hated him until recently, but my brother will put his hatred aside for me. He'll give up anything for my happiness, that is how much he loves me. "Then it's good. I'm fine as long as you're happy."

Thank you, I mouth to Damien. My smile withers as I turn to face my father. "Mom told me you had business to take care of."

"Your mother was right. What are you doing here?" he asks, as if he doesn't trust that I'll be on his side now that I'm married to his archenemy.

I furrow my brows at the unpleasant tone in his voice. "Why? Am I not allowed to visit my family anymore?"

"That is not what I meant, Irina." He presses two fingers to the bridge of his nose. "I'm happy to see you, I just want to know if there's a problem. Did Alexei ask you to deliver something?"

"No, he didn't." It's a struggle not to roll my eyes. He's not even asking how I've been coping or if I'm happy. All he cares about is business and whatever else he doesn't want anyone to know about. "I'm just visiting. Do you have any problem with that?"

"This is your home, Irina. You're always welcome here." He sighs. "Come home whenever you need to. Call me if that bastard treats you badly or if anything happens. I'll come to you."

A part of me is relieved he at least feels concern for my safety. "Don't worry, Alexei is not that type of man, he'll never hurt me." Before my father can come up with an argument, I turn to my mother. "What are you making?"

"Cinnamon rolls and pineapple juice made from scratch. Come, I'll get you some." I spare my father a glance before I follow my mother to the kitchen.

We spend the next two hours making the rest of the cinnamon rolls together and catching up with each other. When it's time to go, I say goodbye to Damien in his room and go to my father's study to let him know I'm leaving.

He glances at me from his oak desk when I enter and quickly buries the paper he's holding under a stack of files.

I stand in front of his desk and keep my gaze on the stack of folders. "What was that?"

"Nothing you should concern yourself with." He steeples his fingers in front of him. "Are you leaving already?"

"I have a lunch date with Arielle." I hold the strap of my purse with two hands. "Are you hiding something from me?"

He squints. "Something like what?"

"Like why I had to marry Alexei. I've given it a lot of thought. Alexei didn't initiate our marriage, which means you did." I pause and exhale. "The question is why?"

My father leans back in his seat. "There are somethings you're better off not knowing, Irina. This is one of them."

"Dad!"

"You should leave, I'm busy." Sitting up, he picks out a folder and starts to flip through the documents inside.

"Fine, but I want you to know I'll find out whatever it is you're hiding from me." I turn and storm out.

Arielle waves at me from where she's sitting when I get to the restaurant. Her smile is so broad I can see her teeth from the entrance.

I walk in and sit on the chair across from her. "Hey, girl."

"Hey." Her eyes widen and she covers her mouth to smoother a scream. "Jesus, Ri. Have you seen yourself? Girl, you're glowing."

My cheeks burn and I know I'm blushing. "Am I?"

She nods. "I guess being a happy wife who's having good sex can do that to a person. You're so beautiful, and is that a Versace dress you're wearing?"

"Alexei took me shopping, it's one of the dresses we bought."

It's a nude, long-sleeve dress that stops above my knees. While I love the detailing on the dress, Alexei picked it out for me. He said it would look good on me and he was right. He has an eye for nice things.

"Sis, mafia boss or not, that man is a catch." She sips her cappuccino. "Let's place our order, then you tell me everything."

I laugh. "Sure."

Arielle waves the waiter over. He takes our orders and leaves.

"How are your parents?" she asks. "I haven't had time to visit them since the wedding."

"My Dad's grumpy as always. My mom is still a golden ball of energy. Nothing has changed, and I like it that way. I only wish my father would keep less secrets from me. I'm really worried about him."

Whatever Arielle is about to say is cut off when gunfire erupts. A bullet flies between us, shattering the flowerpot sitting on a window next to me.

Arielle and some of the other customers scream, but it fades to a mere ringing in my ear. I freeze for a second as I watch the chaos unfold in front of me. Everyone's ducking and scurrying to safety, Arielle's is reaching for me from under the table.

But I don't move. My muscles are rigid and it takes a while for me to process everything that is happening.

"Irina! Snap out of it!"

I regain my senses when Arielle shakes me violently. She drags me under the table.

"Irina, you're bleeding."

I glance at my friend's panicked face, then I follow her gaze to the blood on my hand. I can barely feel any pain. I didn't even feel it happen so I can't tell if I was grazed by a bullet or a shard of glass. I put my hand over the wound. "It's nothing. Just a scratch."

"No, it's not," Arielle cries. "There's blood everywhere. You're bleeding too much."

Fuck, she's right. Most of my dress is soaked with blood, and I'm starting to feel a throbbing pain. "I need to control the bleeding," I say, trying not to panic. Arielle is doing enough of that for the two of us already.

She rips off her shirt and ties it above my wound. It's tight enough to control the bleeding, but I've lost too much blood already and I'm getting dizzy.

Footsteps approach our table. A man in brown boots stops in front of us and shoves the table aside. "Stupid bitch!" he growls as he reaches for me.

"No, you can't take her." Arielle tries to fight him off but he slaps her so hard across the face she collides with one of the chairs and thuds to the ground.

The man grabs me by the hair and starts to drag me along with him, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

"Let go off me!" I scream at the top of my lungs, fighting and scratching.

He doesn't stop, even as I feel myself grow weaker and weaker.

"Get your fucking hands off my wife," a deep voice that I recognize as Alexei's, growls.