Arranged Bratva Love

Adelaide

I was fucking bored. I was so bored that I had even given boring a new name.

The curtains were open, and that meant a perimeter was nicely built around the penthouse suite. I’d already tried to ask my guard for one day out of the penthouse without Andrei knowing. Was I given that luxury? Nope.

Moving into the kitchen, I opened and closed the doors to the fridge, then the drawers. I glanced at the notice board and saw a marker. Without thinking, I grabbed said marker, made my way toward the edge of the penthouse, as far as I could go, and got to my knees.

I drew a line, and then I carried on, until I had gotten across the room to the far wall. The moment I had done it, I realized I had drawn on a very expensive-looking wooden floor, and my heart started to race. Andrei hadn’t given me permission to change anything.

I didn’t have a cell phone. Even the phone in the bedroom didn’t work. I couldn’t find a laptop. The outside world was cut off from me, unless you counted the guard at the front door, who wouldn’t even tell me his name.

This sucked.

I hated it.

Rushing to the kitchen, I grabbed a cloth, wet it, and got back to the line I’d just drawn across the floor.

“Stupid fucking thing,” I said, rubbing the cloth back and forth across the line. Of course, it was permanent.

Great. Now I was going to look like a child and any hope I had of getting out of this apartment was fading, and fast. Sitting back on my heels, I pouted, and I had a sudden overwhelming need to cry.

We’d been married nearly three weeks. He’d propositioned me a few weeks ago. A single kiss. Could I kiss him? I’d never been kissed before my wedding.

Covering my face, I cried out. Did he want me to go insane? Was this part of his plan? To drive me crazy so he could divorce me, because all he needed to do was ask. I was happy to end this farce. This was not love. This was not a good marriage. It was a fucking nightmare for me.

The sound of the front door opening and closing made me panic. Getting to my feet, I spun around, quickly shoving the cloth behind the pillow on the sofa to hide it.

I expected to see Andrei home. He rarely came home early, but it had been known to happen.

It wasn’t Andrei. It was Ivan Volkov.

“Hello, Adelaide.”

“Mr. Volkov,” I said, bowing my head. Did I look like a moron? I don’t know Bratva rules. I don’t know anything. Did this have to do with my father’s business? Get one of his men married to the daughter, drive her crazy, kill the family in some freak accident, and take claim of the company? My paranoia needed to be put in check.

“Ivan, please,” he said, moving toward me.

He grabbed my hands, lifting them to his lips. His gaze landed on the floor and he tilted his head up to look at me. “Decorating?”

“I … no. I don’t suppose you know how to get marker out of the floor?”

“Why would you draw a line?”

I take a deep breath. “I have a fear of heights. It’s crazy and stupid, but I’ve had it since I was a little kid.” I pull my hands from Ivan’s. He might seem like a nice guy, but every single sense was going off in my head to be careful. “Would you like something to drink?” I stopped and spun toward him. “Am I allowed to give you something to drink?”

“Do you plan to poison me?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“You’d be surprised how many people close to me would love to see me dead,” he said. There was a sadness in his eyes. It was only there for a fleeting second, and if I’d not been looking at him, I’d have missed it. I saw it.

He was sad.

I had an overwhelming need to hug him. To offer him comfort, so against my better judgement, I did. I stepped up to this man, who put fear into me, and I wrapped my arms around him. “It’s … it’s going to be okay,” I said. I had no idea what I was saying.

“You’re a sweet girl,” Ivan said.

He patted my back. I didn’t want to be known as a sweet girl.

I took that as my cue to step back, giving him the space he needed. I shoved my hands into my jeans pockets, and hoped I hadn’t broken any rules. This was awkward and so far out of my depth.

“Drink. You want a drink.” I turned my back on him and rushed to the kitchen, needing to put some distance between us.

My hands shook a little as I filled the kettle.

Andrei had offered to have food sent to me, but I was happy to cook for myself. It was nice not having my mother or a chef breathing down my neck. There were small freedoms here, but not a lot. I wished I could go outside. There was so much I missed, mainly volunteering at the animal shelter.

I didn’t get a reprieve from Ivan’s company for long as he entered the kitchen.

“This is nice,” he said.

“Andrei does have good taste.”

“I’m not sure he’s aware of just how good his taste is.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but I didn’t comment. My life depended on me being able to bite my tongue and not say a word.

Ivan stayed silent as the kettle came to a boil on the stovetop.

“Do you like tea or coffee?” I asked, presenting a box and a jar of each.

“I’ll let you decide.”

Again, was it wrong of me to choose for him? I settled on coffee. With Ivan Volkov here, I felt I needed to have every single part of my senses and my wits about me. This man was dangerous.

With the kettle boiled, I poured our coffee and we moved toward the sitting room. I sat on the corner of one of the sofas, sipping at the scalding liquid. I’d used plant milk for both of our drinks and I watched Ivan take a sip.

“Not too bad.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t have creamer or whatever it is you use.” I cringed. Was that disrespectful?

Ivan chuckled. “This is just fine. So, tell me, Adelaide, how is married life treating you?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him how bored I was, and how Andrei and I weren’t a good match. My life would be over if I even suggested a divorce. Not that I’d seen anything. Other than the one dinner, Andrei came home when I was asleep. Our paths rarely crossed. Sometimes I’d wake up in the middle of the night to find his arms wrapped around me. It was always so dark, I wasn’t sure if I felt it or not.

Pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I instead focused on the man in front of me, sipping his coffee.

“It’s good.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

He tutted. “I don’t like being lied to. Even I can see that you’re at your wits end.” He pointed toward the markings on the floor.

“I’m fine. Honestly.”

“You know, Andrei’s not a hard man to understand.”

“Really?” I asked. “Then tell me why he seems intent on boring me to death.” I gasped and stood. “Crap, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to … oh, my God.” I put a hand to my chest, trying to tell myself not to panic, not to worry. I had just snapped at Ivan Volkov. “I’m so, so, so sorry.”

Ivan chuckled. “You are so charming. I can see what he sees in you.”

“I have no idea what that means.”

“Oh, I know.”

He wasn’t going to kill me.

Sitting down so that I was perched on the edge of the sofa, I held my cup between my hands and waited, trying to find the right words. Ivan wasn’t a good person. I knew that, but he seemed reasonable. I was a fool for even thinking it.

“I … Andrei can’t stand me,” I said. “I think you chose the wrong sister. I know Bethany did something wrong, and I’m sure she regrets whatever it is she did.” I’m not sure if they told me what Bethany did, or if I’ve been so consumed with my own life that I’ve forgotten. “I think … don’t you think it would be better if he married someone else?”

Ivan sipped his coffee but his gaze stayed on me.

There was the fear rushing down my spine. As well as the sick feeling that I had fucked up big time. This wasn’t good. This was scary.

“You want a divorce?” Ivan asked.

“Andrei hates me. I think this is … we’re not a good match.”

“A man who hates you doesn’t keep a guard at the door all the time. My men are not known for being fools, Adelaide. Most of them would always have a guard by your side, and yet, Andrei keeps you home … alone.”

I didn’t like the way he said the last part, as if I wasn’t alone.

“I’m not sure I follow.”

“Aurora has a guard with her at all times. If Slavik isn’t around, she has someone to protect her. Andrei won’t allow another man to come near you. That is not a man who hates you, Adelaide. I am going to give you a piece of advice. He has probably already told you what he needs in order for you to have more freedom. Andrei doesn’t trust easily. He’s a hard man. Life hasn’t been kind to him, but it is his story to tell, not mine. The man you married is complicated and cruel, but believe me when I say you are the best match for him.”

He sipped his coffee, and I drank mine.

It wasn’t exactly a comforting speech. No part of it made any sense. Nibbling my lip, I stared straight ahead.

“I think it’s time that you talked to your husband.”

“He’s never home.”

“He’s home every single night. It’s time for you to stay up.”

I frowned and turned toward him.

“I have my ways of finding out what I need to.” Ivan smiled.

That wasn’t a good look on him. Averting his gaze, I sipped my coffee and wondered how I had gotten to be part of this life. What had I done to end up like this? Tears filled my eyes, and I hated it. I’d never been much of a crier, and I wasn’t going to start now.

Andrei had given me a chance to get out of this apartment. A kiss. Was that all he wanted?

“I can’t wait to see little Andreis and Adelaides running around,” Ivan said.

“What?” I asked.

“You and Andrei, having kids. I’m sure he will have a nice country house waiting for you.” He winked at me.

Again, he shouldn’t try to be the teasing sort.