Page 54 of Paved in Hate
We walk up the stairs together, and I use his arm for support. Not that I’ll ever admit it to him, but I really wish I hadn’t worn these damn high heels because my feet are really starting to hurt.
The front door opens as soon as we reach the top step, and I recognize the woman who answers it as one of the servants I’d met the first day I arrived here. It feels like forever since I’ve been here, but as soon as I step foot in the house, my entire childhood comes rushing back to me. This may not be the house I grew up in, but the feel of it is the same, and the fear that threatens to consume me shocks the hell out of me. Vitaly immediately notices and leans in so his mouth is by my ear.
“Just breathe,ptichka.”
When he hears me take in a deep breath, he whispers, “Good girl, baby, just like that. No one will ever hurt you again. I promise. I’m not leaving your side today.”
I feel his lips against my ear, and the sound of his voice calms me like nothing else ever has. I let it become my anchor; I lethimbecome my anchor, the one thing that I’m tethered to that will be strong for me so that I don’t always have to be. I’ve been scared of my brothers my whole life, and I’m tired of always being afraid. I feel like the anxiety lessens its grip on me when Vitaly is near. I know he’ll keep me safe and that I no longer need to fear them.
“Glad you two could make it.”
At the sound of Konstantin’s voice, Vitaly kisses the shell of my ear and whispers, “You’re mine now,ptichka.I will always protect you.”
He gives me one more kiss before pulling away and giving my brother a smile. “Good to see you again.”
The transformation is so seamless that I’d never suspect anything if I hadn’t heard for myself the sweet things he’d just been whispering in my ear. He brings his hand to the nape of my neck, making it look like it’s a possessive, domineering move, but he’s secretly caressing my skin with his thumb, the gentle touch a constant reminder that I’m safe and loved. Two things that I never felt before I met Vitaly. The man I was forced to marry, the man I was convinced was a monster like my brothers, is the only person in my life who’s ever shown me what real love is.
“You two are looking well,” Konstantin says, eyeing me like he’s trying to determine whether or not I’ve been obeying him or displeasing him. His eyes turn to Vitaly, and he seems satisfied by what he sees in my husband, so he smiles down at me and gives me an obligatory hug that sends a wave of disgust over me.
“There’s our little sister.” Osip walks over to join us, taking the cue from Konstantin and hugging me like he actually gives a shit about me. “We’ve missed you around here.”
I bite my tongue to stop the harsh laugh I want to give and instead say, “This place is so big. I’m surprised you’ve even noticed I’ve been gone.”
Konstantin ignores my comment and turns to Vitaly. “I take it the marriage is going well.”
“Very well,” Vitaly says as we follow my brothers into the dining room that’s been set up for lunch. “If I would’ve known marriage was going to be this good, I would’ve done it years ago.”
My brothers notice when I take a step and wince because of the pain in my foot. Konstantin lifts a brow at Vitaly, assuming I’m wincing and sore because he’s beat me or fucked me too roughly.
Vitaly shrugs and gives an easy laugh. “What can I say? I’ve got a big cock.”
They share a man laugh while Vitaly pulls my chair out for me, letting his fingers run along my back before he takes his own seat next to me. When I look over at him, he’s wearing his mask, and I can’t help but be impressed at how damn good he is at this. I mean, he’s not wrong. He does have a giant cock and I am sore as fuck from it, but he’s made it seem like he’s been raping me for the last several days, and when I look over at my brothers, I can tell they’re pleased with the news. Konstantin even gives me a small nod of approval, reminding me yet again how sick and twisted my family is.
“Where’s Oksana?” I ask, looking around for her.
“She wasn’t feeling well today.”
I search Konstantin’s face, but he can be just as unreadable as Vitaly when he wants to be. Not feeling well could be anything fromshe’s taken too many drugs and can’t function well enough to be heretoI became enraged last night and killed her. I’m desperately hoping it’s the former and she’s upstairs passed out in a state of bliss that her own reality can never give her.
“Please tell her that I hope she’s feeling better soon.”
Konstantin smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I will.”
While my brothers start eating, I chance a quick look at Vitaly, wondering if he’s as miserable as I am at being here again.
Chapter10
Vitaly
Ihave a feeling this is going to be the longest lunch of my life. All my instincts scream at me to get her out of here, but I can't do that. I can't risk everything just so we can run out of here. I can't risk Alina for that, so I look over at Konstantin's smug face and smile like everything is perfect and not like I want to reach across the table and rip his goddamn throat out.
"So what have the newlyweds been up to?" Osip studies us with a slight smirk playing at his lips. "I mean besides the obvious."
"I've been busy with the club," I tell them. "Let me know when you both can come by, and I'll arrange something special."
Konstantin smiles. "We'll do that."
We're saved from more awkward conversation when several women walk in carrying plates of food. Soon the table is piled with salads and pasta and freshly baked bread. When the woman closest to me offers me wine, I gladly nod my head and motion for her to fill the glass in front of me, and when mine is full, I wave a hand towards Katya's glass, knowing she probably needs it even more than I do.
