Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“The same could be said for you,” Ivan said.
“I … it doesn’t matter.”
“You didn’t feel love. You’ve never known the loving embrace of anyone other than an old lady a few times in your life. Yet, you have a lot of love to give.”
“Please stop,” I said.
He talked about being able to give a lot of love, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the baby I had lost. It still hurt. The wound cut too deep.
“And that is another reason why your father is going to die.”
“Do you plan to wipe out the Byrne line?” I asked.
“No, because I have no intention of killing you.”
This conversation right now was blowing my mind. I didn’t know how any of the other wives had been able to handle Ivan. I didn’t know whether to laugh at him, or just weep.
“Did you give the other men’s wives this choice?”
“No, they were not in a position like you.”
“It all comes down to money?”
“No, it all comes down to what you desire, Niamh. If you want to be free of this world, I will help you find that way. If you want to stay married to Peter and join the Volkov, then that is open to you as well.”
“Peter doesn’t love me.”
“Yes, he does. He just doesn’t realize it yet.”
And then, the main door opened and closed. It didn’t sound too gentle either as seconds later, Peter entered his penthouse apartment. He didn’t look happy.
“About time you joined us. I got you lunch,” Ivan said.
****
Peter
I’d heard the whispers of Ivan arriving at fellow Brigadiers’ homes without an invite. Enjoying their wives, not in a sexual way, but in a fun and friendly way.
I couldn’t quite read the atmosphere based on Niamh’s facial expression, even though I wanted to know what the fuck was going on. For several seconds, my wife looked at me, and then she went back to eating her sandwich. I’d been made aware of Ivan arriving at my home, by the alarm I had on my door.
Before I’d even married Niamh, I had security placed throughout my penthouse suite. When you had enemies far and wide that wanted you dead every other week, you learned to protect yourself. Even when I wasn’t home, I activated the security and I was able to keep an eye at every single residence I owned. I’d known Ivan hadn’t left my territory. He’d also not come and seen me either.
Several of his spies were always around. I knew he trusted me, and sometimes he played the Bratva game just for his own personal entertainment, but I was not amused. I didn’t know what Ivan had to say to Niamh.
In the past two weeks, we were … existing together. This situation wasn’t ideal. I knew Niamh was hurt by my lies. At the same time, I knew she couldn’t quite be so angry. She knew she had lied just as bad to me. Although, I had known who she was. Our situation was a little fucked up, but it was workable.
I’d decided to give her space, and she’d been sleeping in the spare bedroom. Only, Ivan had made the decision that not only was he going to pay us a visit, he was going to stay the night as he didn’t feel like going to one of those boring hotels.
After lunch, Ivan stayed and watched a movie with Niamh. He told me I could get back to work, but I didn’t want to leave Ivan alone with my wife.
After the first movie finished, and I watched as Ivan made himself comfortable, which pissed me off. I made my escape and went to the bedroom. Pulling up Slavik’s number, I called him. At first, he didn’t answer. It took several rings before he finally picked up.
“What’s up?” Slavik asked.
“How the fuck do you get Ivan out of your home and away from your wife?” I asked.
There was silence on the line and that didn’t exactly bode well for me. I didn’t want silence. I wanted answers.
“Wait it out. Spend time with your wife. Go on dates with her. Show her attention,” Slavik said.
“What?”
“I’m telling you what to do. You don’t like the answer, then enjoy Ivan being a best friend to your wife.”
He hung up and I called Andrei, who also said the same. Next I called Ive, and he pretty much said the same. I’d already been gone too long, and I made my way out of the room to find another movie put on “pause,” and there was laughter coming from the kitchen.
Gritting my teeth, I walked into the kitchen, and there at the stove stood my wife and Ivan, and it was like they were two best friends as they attempted to make popcorn. The kernels were popping and Ivan chose that moment to open the lid for a couple to pop right on out.