Nikolai and I, though? The Desolation Bratva? We believed women were just as strong—if not far fucking stronger in certain aspects—than even the men were.
I threw away the bag of food I’d grabbed earlier, sucked down my third beer, then sat in the uncomfortable, outdated chair and stared at the TV sitting on the scarred dresser on the other side of the room. It was off, and my blurry visage was reflected.
One day. Twenty-four hours.
That’s how long I’d given her to really think about what I’d said. I didn't even know why I’d given her any time at all. Even if she tried to deny being with me, I was a persistent motherfucker when I wanted something, and I’d never desired anything more than Claudia.
She wasn't getting away from me.
But frightening her with the intensity of what I felt wasn’t something I wanted to do to her. At the thought, it actually had this hard and painful tugging at the center of my chest.
I cracked open my fourth beer and drank half of it as my mind wandered to thoughts of having her up against that tree again. God, I was sick of jacking off, but having that image on repeat in my head while I came in my hand hadn’t been the worst thing I’d ever done.
My cell vibrated and skittered across the bedside table, and I reached over and flipped the burner open. A text from Nikolai came through.
Nikolai
You bringing my sister-in-law back to Desolation soon?
I smirked and shook my head, typing out my reply.
Dmitry
Sister-in-law?
Three dots popped up right away.
Nikolai
Shit, did you already force the little thing to marry you?
I snorted but was grinning, because truth be told, picturing Claudia as my wife made me feel all kinds of fucking possessive.
Dmitry
I have to ease her into that shit. Didn’t get myself an easy arranged marriage like your ass did.
Nikolai
When have you ever eased anyone into anything?
He was right, but this was different. She was different. I wanted her… happy. I didn’t want her tied to me because she was afraid.
Dmitry
Spoke to Gio about the plans. He’s hesitant, but he’ll give in to it all. He’s backed into a corner and he knows it. He isn’t going to deny me shit or he’ll start a war with the Bratva. I don’t give a fuck if you’re married to his sister. I’ll break that fucking alliance if he doesn’t comply.
Nikolai
I sent over the documents earlier today. Didn’t hear back, but we know he’ll get in contact. Keep me updated on what the fuck is going on. Keeping this shit from Amara doesn’t sit well with me, brother.
Dmitry
If you need to tell her, by all means do it. In the end it doesn't matter because Claudia will be mine. Your wife will find that out sooner rather than later, and besides, I’m not gonna have you bust my balls over Amara being pissed because you kept shit from her.
Nikolai
Fuck you.
I grinned and set the phone down. I finished my beer just as my phone vibrated again. I assumed it was Nikolai giving me more shit, but when I saw a number I didn’t recognize, I knew it was Gio. He was the only one other than Nikolai who had this burner’s number.
“Yeah?” I said lazily into the phone and leaned back into the chair.
A tense second passed through the receiver. But I knew Gio was on the other line, probably hating that he’d reached out. The fucker was just as stubborn as Nikolai and me.
“I looked over the bullshit contract your brother sent over.” I held in my chuckle at the sound of his teeth scarring together. “I have a few changes, but agree with the rest.”
“That’s good.” Not that I would have let him get out of it anyway, but if he wanted to think he had control over this…
“When can you be here to get the paperwork sorted for this bullshit deal?”
I grinned. “End of the week. I have some business to handle where I’m at first.” And that business was making Claudia come a few times. Then I’d break it to her that I was taking her away from this bullshit place and she was mine. “Have everything readied for me because I’m not waiting around.”
“Jesus Christ,” Gio cursed. “Are all Russians as fucking insane as you?”
I thought of Claudia and grinned. “I may have broken the mold with that.” I disconnected the call, stood, and got ready to do a little stalking.
Chapter 33
Claudia
I’d gotten back to the convent several hours ago, did my studies and prayers, placating the Sisters with my “duties” being a good Catholic girl in the eyes of God. And now I found myself out in the gardens.
The burner phone I had was from Gio, one that the nuns kept locked up until our weekly phone call every Sunday, or if he needed to get ahold of me in between that.