Page 41 of Savage Truce

As I walk to the living room, they all follow me, and when I gesture for them to sit, I’m given a combination of worried and curious looks.

“Remember Anastasia?”

How could they not. My family watched me mourn a woman I only met once for years.

After they all nod, I say, “I’ve found her, but things are very complicated. She’s Yegor’s granddaughter and a rogue group had her for give or take ten days, so she’s… she’s recovering.”

I don’t want to go into details, especially seeing as my parents and Artem aren’t used to violence. I’ll speak separately to Aunt Marina, as she’s from the Bratva and knows how ugly things can get.

Mom gasps, lifting a hand to her mouth. “I can’t believe you found her after all these years.”

Aunt Marina’s eyes narrow. “She’s a Fedorov? How do we know she wasn’t sent to seduce you?”

I level my aunt with a glare, not sparing her my anger just because she’s family. “Don’t be stupid. We’ll talk alone in a minute.”

She bristles and lowers her head submissively.

Glancing at my other family members, I say, “I’m marrying Anastasia in ten days. I know it doesn’t leave a lot of time to arrange everything, but I’ve put a team of people together to help. There will be around a hundred guests, excluding the army, which will all be here to protect you and keep the peace.”

“My God!” Mom exclaims. “Ten days leaves no time.”

“We’ll make it happen.” Determination laces my tone. “I need you all to be gentle with Anastasia. She’s been through a lot and struggles with anxiety and coming to terms with everything. She’s English, so be respectful of her and don’t speak Russian around her.”

Artem seems to lose interest, and getting up, he wanders out of the living room while touching his thumb to each of his fingers in a repeated motion that helps keep him calm.

With him gone, I say, “Yelena and the rest of Anastasia’s family were killed in front of her, and even though her family mistreated her, it had to be fucking traumatic to see. She was starved for a week and a half and tortured, so be patient and comforting. You all know what she’s meant to me since our time in England, and it’s the most important thing for me right now that you welcome her to the family. Even though it’s a forced marriage, it will be a true marriage in every sense.”

“Forced?” Aunt Marina asks. “Anastasia doesn’t return your feelings?”

“We haven’t had time to get to know each other again,” I tell her. “Right now, the wedding is happening to set Yegor’s associates at ease and to bring peace to the Bratva. Anastasia isn’t happy about the arrangement, but she’ll go through with it.”

“Why, though?”

Getting annoyed with my aunt, I bark, “Because I fucking say so!”

“I apologize, Rodian.” She stands up and comes closer. “I just want to understand Anastasia better.”

Taking a calming breath, I explain, “She will marry me because she has no choice, but afterward she’ll see it’s for the best. Don’t interfere with my relationship with Anastasia. Just be there for her.” I let out a sigh. “That’s even if she lets you. People have treated her like shit her whole life, so it might take time for her to warm up to you all.”

My phone rings, interrupting the meeting, and digging it out of my pocket, I see Andrei’s name.

“That will be all for now. Welcome home.” Leaving the living room, I put the device to my ear. “How are things?”

“Too quiet. All the captains have informed me there have been no further attacks in their areas. I don’t trust the silence.”

“It’s because I sent out invitations to the wedding. Zubkov, Yeltsin, and Popov already RSVP’d. I’m still waiting for Sokolov to respond. The fucker is just as stubborn as Yegor was.”

“It’s because they were best friends. I’d be murderous if someone took you out. Honestly, I don’t think he’ll ever back down.”

“I know. I just wanted to show the other three I’m willing to sign a truce. If Sokolov refuses, it’s on him.”

Andrei lets out a sigh. “How are the wedding plans coming along?”

“Good. I employed Tamara’s services, so she’s arranging everything. My mom and aunt are home, so they’ll probably help.” I walk into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the fridge, and as I walk past the window, movement catches my eye. Seeing Artem and Anastasia, I stop dead in my tracks. “I have to go. Talk to you later.”

Ending the call, I rush to the back door but pause when neither of them runs away from each other. Artem’s standing near a flower bed, scratching his head and looking unsure, while Anastasia has her arms tightly wrapped around her, biting her bottom lip nervously.

Suddenly Artem holds his arms out and moves his thumb to touch each of his finger pads. “It helps me. Try it.”