Page 80 of Relentless Sinner

I asked Eve to tell Gabriella a bit about my parents, but only enough so she would know that my mother had died and myfather is sick. I asked her to keep the specifics about my mother’s death for me to tell. Everything about Jacob too. Those are conversations Gabriella and I should have. At another time. Not tonight.

“Tell me about her.”

I give her a sad smile, wishing the things I knew about my mother were things I’d experienced for myself. “She was an artist. She grew up and studied in St. Petersburg. She was obsessed with flowers and the landscape there, so she was always painting everything she could, every chance she got, and in every season. She became famous long before she married my father. People all over the world used to head to Russia for her yearly exhibitions.”

“That’s amazing.” A little smile dances over her lips.

“Yeah. I’ve always thought being so in tune with nature must be nice. I’m not like that. I’m more like my father.” How can I explain that my father hated me even more for that? I was more like him than Jacob was.

The only thing I got from my mother is her eyes. My personality, mannerisms, and even my abilities are like an enhanced version of my father. Like the Universe decided to make a copy of him with everything he wished he could have had for himself. But he didn’t want me.

“Maybe you got the good parts of him.”

Good?I stare back at her, wondering if she can actually see good in me. The best of my father. It’s a good way to think about it. A better way.

“Maybe.”

She presses her dainty hand to my chest and watches the slow rise and fall of my breathing. She stares as if she’s trying to figure something out. Then her eyes meet mine and I see the storm of conflict brewing inside her again.

“What is it?” I decide to ask.

She shakes her head. “Nothing.”

I want to push but I decide not to since most of her worries are to do with me and my plans. Perhaps that’s a conversation for another time, too.

“I’d prefer if you stayed home while I’m away,” I change the subject.

She’s supposed to be working at the hospital tomorrow. I have my best men watching her but I don’t like the idea of being away and knowing anything could happen to her. There is too much danger hanging over our shoulders.

I suppose my invincibility complex believes that my presence alone deters my enemies. I know that’s not true, but I’d prefer to be around if she’s going out.

Worry fills her eyes. “Are you stopping me from going out again?”

“No. It’s not that. I just want to take precautions while I’m away. Precautions against people like your father.”

I didn’t need to know the details of their conversation to figure out that his threats really shook her up and it was worse than when he came to the house. She was still shaking for a long time after and didn’t even realize it.

I know he’s going to try to take her back at some point, so I have to be on the lookout. The best time to do it would be anytime between now and the wedding.

If he waits until after the wedding, anyone he gets to help him will be more reluctant to steal the wife of a Bratva boss. Especially when the boss is me.

“I’ll be okay. I’ve been fine in the past.”

“You weren’t with me in the past.”

“It’s the hospital. I should be okay there. I just got back to civilian life. Please don’t take that away from me.” Her eyes plead with me and she grips my arm.

The simple touch tames the beast, and I realize the danger of being with her is that she could make me agree to anything. That’s not something I want her to know.

“Okay. I guess you’re safe with the guards. But you call me if there’s trouble, no matter what it is, and I’ll come back.”

“You’d fly back from your precious trip for me?” She smirks and the sight of the mere smile on her face captures something in me I can’t describe. It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile.

I cup her face and look at her mouth, then trace my finger over the soft color that enters her cheeks. “I would fly back if I knew you needed me.”

Her eyes become more open, less guarded than ever. “That trip to Italy sounded pretty important.”

“You’re important to me.” I kiss her again.