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There’s no easy path back from this.
But the path forward, difficult as it may be, at least has a light to help me see the way. Her light.
“And she has fallen for me,” I say carefully as I look at them one by one. “I have no desire to harm her tender heart. For that reason, it is my wish to make her my proper wife.”
I expect Kostya to speak up. But to my surprise, he ducks his head, shoulders shrugged to his ears, body slumped against the table. He looks uneasy about my decision, but there’s no fire left in him to fight me. The other men bow their heads until no one is looking in my direction.
Mikhail steps forward. His arms are like fence posts trapped to his sides. “If this is truly your wish, then I support you, my pakhan.”
My heart thunders.
“I also support you,” Nikolai says loudly.
Bogdan and Lev share a look before they move into place together. “Us as well.”
Soon, all of them have declared their vocal approval of my marriage. Kostya is among them, though he utters his words in a bitter hush.
“You are the pakhan. Your duty is to lead, and ours is to obey. If you say you wish to make your marriage with Galina a real one … Who are we to stand in your way?”
I don’t need them to be excited for me. I just need them not to stab me in the back.
“Good.” I nod. “Inform your boeviki. Let them know.”
Finished with my business, I leave the building, taking wide strides toward my mansion. The tension that had grown in my shoulders like a cancerous tumor fades away with every step I take. I don’t know if it’s because I’m done telling my brigadiers my plan … or because I’m getting closer to Galina.
Entering my house, I slam the door, moving with intent. I’m driven by a singular hot need to see Galina. Her face—just looking upon it—will help soothe the rabid monster in my brain that demands proof that I did the right thing. I want her to know what I’ve risked for her. Her approval … her eager reaction … it’s all that can comfort me.
I find her in the hallway near her bedroom. She’s looking off into the distance, distracted by thoughts I can’t see or hear. Not announcing myself, I sweep my arm around her middle, pulling her into my chest.
“Arsen!” Instead of hugging me back, she rips away. Stumbling back two steps, her eyes flash with uncertainty. It’s a simple rejection, but it cuts me down better than any blade could. “What are you doing?”
Drawing myself upward, I don’t hide my annoyance. “Hugging you. Is that so wrong?”
Her alluring lips part, but she says nothing. To my surprise, she shrugs me off her and hugs herself, arms binding tight in the way I wanted to touch her. I’m jealous that she can feel her body when I can’t.
“Did you need something?”
Baffled by her chilly attitude, I try to make sense of what’s gotten into her. “Why are you acting like this?” I ask tersely.
She still doesn’t look at me. “Like what?”
“Like this!” I gesture wildly. “Did something happen?”
For a fleeting second, she glances at her mother’s door. “No.”
“Galina,” I say in a tone that brooks no argument. “Talk to me.”
“About what?” Frowning in my direction, she starts to walk by me toward her room. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
My hand grazes her shoulder as she passes. My aim is to halt her, but Galina shoves against me with all her strength. I could push back, easily stopping her in her tracks, but I don’t. Her behavior throws me into a mire of confusion. I’ve never seen her acting like this. Not since she first arrived here. Back then, Galina was a true ice queen. She hated my guts.
I don’t have a clue why she’s treating me like we’re enemies again. But I know one thing for sure. Her body language is screaming at the top of its lungs.
She’s hiding something from me.
36
GALINA
