Page 37 of Savage Truce

Anastasia shakes her head. “I can manage.”

I glance over the shirt she’s wearing and how it only reaches to her mid-thighs. Not wanting the doctor to see her like this, I say, “Just give me a minute to get you something else to wear.”

Hurrying out of the bathroom, I go to my parents’ bedroom and open Mom’s side of the closet. I check through her dresses until I find one that’s loose-fitting.

When I pass Miss Zoya in the hallway, I say, “Anastasia will stay in my bedroom.”

“Can I bring her chamomile tea? It will help calm her.”

I nod at my housekeeper and rush back to my bathroom where Anastasia is still sitting on the closed toilet lid.

“I grabbed you something from my mother’s closet. Once you’re better, we’ll get you clothes.”

“All my belongings are still at Ms. Fedorova’s house.” She comes across as very cautious, as if she’s afraid of doing or saying something that might set me off, and I don’t like it one bit. “Maybe… if I’m allowed… I could go get everything.”

I set the dress down on the counter, and crouching in front of Anastasia again, I cup her cheek and capture her eyes with mine.

“I need you to hear me, krasivaya. You have nothing to fear from me. I will never harm a hair on your body. I’m so fucking sorry for what my men did to you. I wish I had the ability to change the past five years, but I don’t. However, I can promise you all the abuse and insults are in the past. I’m here and will do everything in my power to protect you.” For a brief moment, I swear I see something akin to hope flicker in her eyes, so I keep going. “I’m still the same man you got to know at the theater. You trusted me back then and felt comfortable with me. Remember?”

She nods, the hope flickering to life again, but just like before, it’s short-lived. “But you’re the pakhan now.”

Wanting to know where her head’s at, I ask, “How does that change things?”

“It takes a bigger monster to control the evil you call your men.”

Her words slam into me like a ten-pound hammer, and it takes a few seconds for me to think about where to go from here.

“That might be true,” I reply with a dead serious tone. “But you need to understand something, Anastasia. Whatever kind of monster I am to rule the Bratva, I will never be around you.”

Knowing we don’t have much time before Dr. Kravets comes, I let out a sigh and say, “Bathe so you can get back to bed. I’ll be right outside the door if you need me.”

Getting up, I step out of the bathroom and pull the door shut. I glance around my bedroom, then grabbing one of the pillows, I toss it on the leather sofa where I’ll sleep for the time being.

Coming to a standstill, I stare at the shut door, wondering if I’ll ever be able to get us back to where we were when I kissed her goodbye outside the theater.

CHAPTER 12

Anastasia

After having scrubbed myself until my skin was red to get the feel of the grime off, I put on the dress Rodian placed on the counter.

I smooth my hands over the soft khaki-green fabric. It has a relaxed fit, three-quarter sleeves, and a flowing skirt that falls to my calves.

At least the wound on my leg looks much better.

Feeling a bit calmer after the breakdown, I glance around, taking in the bottle of cologne, beard trimmer, toothbrush and paste, and personal items that make me think this is Rodian’s bathroom.

Picking up the bottle, I sniff it, getting a strong hit of the earthy scent I’ve smelled on Rodian.

I set it down and pick up a hairbrush, then glance at the door, not sure if I’m allowed to use it.

A knock at the door has me jerking, and I drop the brush, which falls with a loud clatter on the tiles.

“Anastasia?” Rodian calls, his tone gruff. “Can I come in?”

“Y-yes.”

I quickly bend down, and as I grab the brush off the floor, the door opens and his sharp blue eyes lock on me. I set it down on the counter and wipe my palms over my sides before wrapping my arms around myself.