Page 100 of The Beast of Moscow

“Yes, she could have protected me. From doctors, lawyers, and everyone else that was being paid by my fucking mother from a bank account she didn’t even know existed before that day. Remember?”

It was a bit dirtier than that.

More traumatic, too.

But it wouldn’t happen again.

“Except she said no,” Vaslav added, sinking further into the seat.

“Who—what? What in the hell happened in Paris?”

“Vera. I need a wife, and she said no.”

It took Igor fifteen entire seconds to reply. Vaslav counted. “Did you ask?”

He considered that.

“Define ask.”

“Jesus Christ. You really are fucking crazy. How did you even come up with that?”

“No, not really. I only need to show her why she’s wrong.”

“Vas—”

“I assume it’ll be easy,” he continued.

Depending on the way he went about it. Although, she could still make it hard.

Everybody had their prerogative.

“Well, when they’re dragging your ass through the streets, at least she’ll be something beautiful beside you to look at,” Igor said under his breath.

Vas laughed. “Like beauty and the beast. How does the next part go? I’m supposed to steal her and lock her away?”

“Nobody said anything about—”

“Oh, don’t worry. That woman will come willingly.”

Even if he had to make her.

*