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“Caught me.” I hoped I could slip it past her with her embarrassment, but she was still sharp enough to push through.
“What do you usually deal in? I should probably get an idea if I’m going to be involved as your wife.” Guess she started to feel a little bolder.
“The typical stuff that I’m sure you are used to. Besides, you of all people know that empires like ours aren’t built on clean money or by decent means. It’ll be easier to tell you what we don’t partake in, which is forced prostitution and human trafficking. I abhor such things and anyone who partakes in such activities. Other than that, we have our hands in a little of everything.” Though there were some things that netted us more profit than others, we didn’t want to close off any avenue unless it proved too risky.
Aside from the family business, my brothers and I did have legitimate business that didn’t serve as fronts. If it ever came to the point where we had to shut down the family business indefinitely, which I will never see happening, then at the very least we had our own businesses to fall back on. If we were careful, which we were overly so, then we had nothing to worry about.
“What skills are you going to bring to the table?” I wanted to glance at her strengths and weaknesses, see what use she would have for the family business if she was going to partake.
“Well, I’m a nurse, so I’m usually patching my own men up. Surprisingly I’m good with interrogation, even though I hate getting my hands dirty most of the time. I’m a good leader since I’ve been taught to be one growing up.” I feel as if she wasn’t giving herself more credit for what she can do.
Humble. I like it.
With a small hum and tilt of her head, she asked in a curious voice, “Are you going to let me become involved?”
“Only if you wish, and even then, it’s up to you on how much you want to be involved. Just because you are my wife doesn’t mean I am going to force you to partake if you do not wish. I’m not the kind of person who forces these things upon people. All my brothers, all my men, are all here of their own volition. I’m also not going to keep you completely shut out and oblivious either.” Forcing my hand only meant a bigger headache and less trustworthy people. If I had my own men hating me then the chances of them turning against me or questioning my authority would increase significantly.
I was forced into this life, and it was by my own will that I chose to stay and run the Volkov Bratva after my father’s demise. I could have ended it all, but I saw an opportunity to make the shitshow my father created better. I never forced any of my brothers to work with me either, they wanted to support me because I’m their brother, which is why some of them aren’t as involved as others.
“You seem to care for your father a lot, but it’s obvious that you’d rather watch the devil drag your stepmother down to hell. Why?” Was this Lady Qing really that bad? Or was it some personal grudge between stepdaughter and stepmother?
Sighing softly, Angel leaned in and settled her head on my shoulder. “Besides her being a total bitch?” She forced a dry chuckle out as she settled more against me.
“There’s no love lost between us. She’s hated me ever since I could remember, way before becoming my father’s wife after my mother’s accident. To be fair, I always hated her too, just a gut feeling when I was younger, but as I grew, I put reason to the hatred. She’s a narcissistic, greedy, arrogant, and twisted bitch. She’s with my father for the power of her position and his money, his empire. My father, the way he ran things, there were things that were off limits to him when it came to how we got our means, but she didn’t care about it. She had been dabbling in everything my father stood against for years, and by the time we figured things out, she struck us. She’s the reason my father’s health tanked, because of the stress and bullshit she placed on him. She’s the reason behind the deaths of so many innocent people. She’s the reason why I’m so guarded.” A heavy sigh followed the end of her words.
I could hear the subtle crack in her voice, even if she tried to hide it. No doubt there was something more and deeper—a sore subject. Sensing she was upset made me frown as I wrapped my arms around her fully and held her tightly. As much as I wanted to pry, this wasn’t the moment. “You’re giving her her dues.” I stated is a low voice as I stroked her hair.
“Her long overdue dues, yes. I hate that I want to though. I shouldn’t be stooping to her level, I should take the higher road. I mean, would I be any better than her if I went as low as her?” I could feel her conflict as she squirmed in my arms.
Breathing in deeply, I fisted her hair and tilted her head back. “You and I both know there’s no such thing as a higher road in this life. We’re already damned to hell, so might as well make the trip worth it.”
Slowly, her soft features twisted with her little frown. “You’re not going to have mistresses or other women, are you?” Her worried voice tugged a little at my heart.
“No. I’m not the kind of man who indulges in such things. I have seen how my mother suffered with my father and his indiscretions, and I was taught better by my mother. You are the only woman that is going to be in my life from here on out.” I assured her with a firm voice and look. The marriage may be a business transaction of sorts, but I still agreed to take her when I could have refused. I didn’t want or need anyone else in my life but Angel.
She looked at me for a moment, the broken look in her eyes shifting to one of need. “Kiss me, please.” Those pleading eyes paired with her whispery voice nearly broke my resolve.
“Please, I need to feel your lips on mine Kolya, I need to know how my husband tastes, just a little.” She continued to beg, leaning up until our lips were nearly touching.
Growling softly, I pulled at her hair more, moving her head back so her neck was exposed to me. “I already told you, tonight.” I breathed heavily against her neck as I ran my teeth down the length of it, making her shudder and whimper.
“I can’t wait until tonight, please, just a small taste, please, sir, please.” She was persistent, I’d give her that.
Too bad she wasn’t in charge, but who am I to deny my sweet wife such a request?
“On your knees.” I could feel my low voice rumbling against her neck before my teeth sank into her supple skin, making her squeak and jump.
“What?” She looked as stunned as she sounded, which I found very adorable and amusing.
Chuckling deeply, I pulled back and looked deeply into her eyes. She had a knowing look with a mix of denial. She was a smart girl, I’m sure she knew what I hinted at but didn’t want to accept it. “I don’t like to repeat myself Angel, but I’ll forgive you this time. Now, on your knees.”
