Page 34 of Savage Truce

While I’m struggling with my chaotic emotions, he drops a bomb on me that shakes me to the core.

“I will marry you.” If he weren’t holding my chin, my jaw would’ve dropped to the ground. I inhale a sharp breath, and before I can process what he just said, he continues, “As soon as you’re better, I’ll make arrangements for the wedding. It will bring peace to the Bratva.”

“W-what?” I gasp, shock hitting me in waves and making my head spin.

Rodian leans even closer until it feels like the intense energy that he gives off is threatening to consume me.

With a serious expression on his face that makes panic coil around me like a boa constrictor, he orders, “You and I are going to get married and put an end to the war.”

The darkness in his tone tells me it’s an order I don’t dare disobey if I want to stay alive.

Unable to keep eye contact with the pakhan, I pull my chin free and lower my head. My gaze falls on my trembling hands, and I bite my bottom lip so it will stop quivering.

“Anastasia.” Rodian’s voice is softer this time, but I just don’t have it in me to look up.

He moves closer, and gripping hold of my shoulders, he pulls me toward him. My body goes rigid, and the shivering grows when he wraps his arms around me. As he presses a kiss to the side of my head, I jerk in his hold.

“You liked me once,” he murmurs. “You will learn to like me again.”

I liked the stranger who made me feel special and took an interest in my work and asked me if it was okay to hold my hand.

A sob builds in my chest, but instead of escaping, it just sits there.

I liked the man I got to know that night, who not once said anything about the Bratva.

The one holding me now commands an army of monsters. His world is dark and dangerous, and it has sucked the life from my very soul.

Rodian is going to make me marry him.

Not because we’re in love. It’s a strategic move to gain more power.

Any hope I’ve ever had of living a normal life where I can be a seamstress at a theater is obliterated with one brutal blow.

The man who was supposed to save me has become my captor, and once more, awful choices are being made for me.

Unlike with Ms. Fedorova, where I could escape into my dreams, I’m forced to stay present as hopelessness suffocates me.

We hear movement, and when Rodian lets go of me, I keep my face turned away. I listen as he speaks Russian to the housekeeper who knows some broken English. At least she’s been kind to me.

Now that I’m forever stuck in this godforsaken country, I’ll have to learn the language.

The aroma of eggs and toast hits me, making my stomach growl so loud that my face goes up in flames.

“Dr. Kravets said you can eat more from today,” Rodian informs me. “We’ll talk again after you’ve had breakfast.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Rodian and the housekeeper leave, and unable to resist, I throw the covers back and dart out of bed. I rush to the round table, and while sitting down on one of the chairs, I pick up a slice of cheese and pop it into my mouth.

Oh God.

After having only soup for the past few days after the week and a half of starvation, I’m unable to pace myself. Moans drift from me as I find comfort in the wonderful breakfast, and by the time there’s nothing left, it feels like my stomach is going to burst.

At least I’m allowed to eat delicious food here.

I glance around the room again, taking in the soft cream covers I’ve slept in and the beautiful dressing table. There’s a shelf with three small burgundy pots, the plants’ leaves hanging down like waterfalls.

Getting up, I walk closer to look at a thick book, but it’s in Russian. It seems to be about geography, though.

Noticing an ensuite bathroom, I step inside and shut the door behind me. Desperately wanting a bath, I put the plug in the tub and open the faucets.