Page 28 of The Russian's Stalked Bride
“You’re compromised, whether you want to admit it or not,” Roman murmurs, eyeing me closely.
A rush of irritation pulses through my system at the claims. I would say it’s because they’re wrong, though that isn’tit. Maybe I am compromised given the position I’m in, but that doesn’t mean I’m an idiot. They don’t think I’m capable of doing what needs to be done.
Sure, I’ve spent quite some time indulging rather than focusing on settling down like the rest of them, but that doesn’t mean I’m useless in this.
“That’s not true.”
Wyatt sighs, giving me a look that says he wants to be charitable, but can’t fully. “We had plans, Ivan. You were supposed to work with me on this, but you went ahead and put it all at risk.”
“And you brought her here, more specifically,” Roman utters.
“I wasn’t just going to leave her at home, plus I figured this would help her feel a little more human,” I grind out. “Not that you’ve been overly welcoming.”
I receive several irritated glances at that, but Artem stands a little straighter and cocks a brow at me. “Why not leave her at home if she’s just leverage?”
Hesitating to form an answer, I try not to make it too obvious, but there’s no denying how it catches me.
“If you’re claiming we need to remove her from the equation, then we do it fully,” he continues, watching me closely still, like he’s waiting for me to lash out. “Send her somewhere else. Somewhere away from her brothers, and away from you. Somewhere safe and out of sight while the rest gets ironed out.”
My stomach twists hard.
“No,” I say immediately, feeling as everyone’s eyes snap over to me. “That’s not necessary.”
Scrutiny drips from his words as he continues to argue, “It’s the cleanest solution both for you and for her. You can’t keep her.”
As hard as I’m trying to keep myself together, an ugly rage curls inside my chest, begging for the chance to be let out. I grit my teeth. “We don’t need to treat her like a package to be shipped. Just let me handle it.”
“This doesn’t look like someone handling it,” Roman mutters, taking a purposeful step towards me. “You sound like someone making excuses for something they refuse to acknowledge.”
Determined not to flinch, I meet his gaze and hold it, hoping to get my point across even if he doesn’t want to listen. “I’m being someone who understands the value of timing, and not throwing away something useful.”
The office feels more like a pressure cooker with their focus on me, but after a long moment, with the slightest note of concession, he sighs. “Figure it out, Ivan. If you don’t, we will.” A beat later, he adds, “And don’t fuck up Elena’s day.”
Without any room to argue, I watch as he stalks away, and after giving me their final looks, the others follow. Whether I like it or not, the conversation is over.
Remove her from the equation. Send her away.
Those words repeat in my head long after they’re gone, and the idea chips at my ribs.
There’s no way. No goddamn way I’m doing that after everything.
Whatever this is…obsession, fixation, or potential mistake, I’m not done with it yet. I’m not done with her.
Brothers or not, I’m not letting anyone take her out of my reach.
Chapter 10 - Mila
I’ve never felt more like I’ve overstayed my welcome than I do right now.
It’s not because anyone is being rude or ignoring me, and it’s not that the women around me aren’t warm, curious, and more genuinely kind than I’m used to.
They talk to me like I’m interesting, they laugh with me like I’ve always been in this fold of theirs, and they don’t ask me questions that end up being traps. They’ve asked more about me than anyone has in a long time, and there’s something so painfully normal about it.
But to me, it isn’t normal.
I’m in a luxurious living room decorated in soft pink while their kids keep each other occupied, surrounded by women who look at each other like they belong to something far bigger than themselves. Something about it makes my heart ache.
I’ve never had this.
