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Anna had told me she worked in one of the casinos when she arrived on the first day. I did think she was a whore in one of his brothels, and they had come up with an elaborate lie to claim she wasn’t. I had to wonder if she was doing this to get into Andrei’s pants. Everyone wanted him. I understood it. The man was a catch, and I had felt jealous. I don’t know if it was getting shot, the crap with Bethany seemed to have died down, or what. My emotions were all over the place. I felt like crying one moment, laughing the next.
I was so tired as well. The doctor had said it would pass with time. All I had to do was heal.
When it came to Andrei, my feelings were all over the place. I felt so many different things, and not all of them were good. I hated the control he seemed to have over my life. It was so unfair, and the moment I thought like that, I couldn’t help but feel childish at the same time.
“Yes, of course. They all know I had to do whatever it took to take care of them.” Anna clicked on her phone and then showed me a picture. “That there, is my husband. Fucking asshole he is.” She closed her cell phone and threw it onto the coffee table, making me flinch at the sudden loud noise. “He was addicted to gambling. Did I know this? Hell, no. I was at home raising our babies, thinking he was doing everything to bring home the bacon, and what do I find? He’s gambling away our money, our everything, until he skips town, leaving me with all his debts. It’s why I went to Andrei Belov. I needed money and fast, and other than selling my body, I showed him that I would be a damn fine investment in his casino.” She shrugged. “The debts are nearly paid off. Mr. Belov dealt with the loan sharks who wanted to pimp me out on the street, and I was able to provide for my family. That is the most important. Family.”
“You sound like a wonderful mom,” I said. She did. My mother wouldn’t do anything to help me. She was more than happy to use me to get what she wanted.
“I know you don’t like me,” Anna said.
“It’s not that.” I groaned. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m a real bitch.”
“Not at all. I’m used to people acting like this. Even before I worked for Andrei, when I worked at the hospital, I had nurses who thought I was getting special treatment. I seem to create a lot of anger by just being myself. It can get very ugly at times.”
“Have you had encounters with other wives?” I asked.
“No, I don’t fuck married men. There are plenty of single men who enjoy my company, or at least like to be distracted by me when they’re losing money.”
“What happened to your husband?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I’m still married to the little weasel, but not for much longer. I’m working to get a divorce. I will never tie myself down to a man again. Never.” Anna smiled. “Not that there’s a problem being married.”
This made me laugh. The big ring on my finger, and the fact I was Adelaide Belov, declared my married state. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to take offense.”
“In all honestly, Mrs. Belov, you have an amazing husband. He is nice.”
This surprised me. “No one calls him nice.”
“I know. I mean, he is nice so long as you don’t end up on his bad side.” Anna laughed. “I guess I have a soft spot for the man. He was nice to me and he didn’t turn me away. He helped me get back on my feet.”
There were not many people in the world who’d call Andrei nice.
“He is a man full of surprises.”
“He loves you,” Anna said.
Now I had heard enough.
Pushing off the blanket, I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that. You don’t need to lie.”
I was getting tired again, but I had to do something.
Anna put her hand on my arm. “Please, don’t hurt yourself.”
“I need to use the bathroom,” I said.
“Okay, but I’ll be here waiting.”
I had no doubt about it.
Andrei didn’t love me. No one loved me.
I kept a wide berth away from the windows, going to our bedroom, and then into the bathroom. Even though I didn’t expect her to follow me, I still made the effort to lock the door and leaned my back against it.
Reaching my hands up, I rub at my temples and feel a sickness swirling in my gut. I hadn’t tried the cinnamon bun, and I hated to be rude, but the thought of food didn’t appeal right now. I stepped away from the door and went to the sink. Gripping the edge, I look at my reflection. I was paler than normal.
