Free Protected by a Mobster 2: A Russian Mafia Romance (Volsky Mafia) by Jacee Macguire Page B

for a little while.
    I watched from a bench in the park as Ruslan talked to someone on the phone a few yards away, probably Gabriel or Vlad, if I had to guess. When the real world came calling, he had to answer. I couldn’t be angry about it. He had to handle business. He turned around, a smile on his face as he strode toward me. I felt lighter, as if we had made headway in this strange arrangement of ours. Marrying Ruslan could be a great thing. We seemed to mesh together surprisingly well. And the sex was so incredibly good. That in itself was a bonus if you ask me.
    “Sorry, sweetheart, but duty calls. I’m needed back at the house for a quick meeting, and then we’ll pick up where we left off.”
    “That sounds good to me. Thanks for today. Any doubts I had about all of this...” I waved my hand between us “... is pretty much gone. I’m still scared of not being enough for you, though.”
    “I think we’ll be just fine. How about we agree to ask questions and deal with whatever arises as it comes. Nobody truly knows anyone completely, no matter how long they know each other. We just need to be honest with one another every step of the way. Agreed?”
    “Agreed.”

Chapter Ten - Ruslan
    Liliya sat on the edge of my bed, shaking like leaf. I’ve tried to calm her nerves about the fight, but nothing has worked. She’s scared to death that something bad is going to happen, and there’s no changing her mind. I don’t have the heart to remind her that someone is going to die tonight because I don’t want her to get it in her head that it will be me. That would only make her condition worse than it already is. So instead, I say nothing about the fight.
    Normally, I’d wear my usual black suit to a Commission meeting, as is appropriate, but not tonight. Tonight I’m opting for a pair of loose-fitting workout pants, a plain shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes.
    David threw together a first aid kit and added it to the rolls of tape and the change of clothes that were in my gym bag, just in case. In all the time I’ve been involved in the Bratva, a fight like this has never occurred. The only rule is there are no rules. I’m nervous. I won’t verbally admit that shit, but I am. I’d be crazy as hell not to be. Dane’s a snake, and there’s no telling what the sneaky little piss-ant has planned. Abram assured me weapons would not be allowed in the fight, but like all things, shit happens. I hope he’s right, though.
    “Lil, are you ready, sweetheart? We need to get on the road to make it there on time.” I gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
    “Um... yeah. As ready as I’ll ever be. I just have a bad feeling about this.”
    I sit down on the bed beside my girl and pull her small frame into my lap, wrapping my arms around her. She leans her head against my shoulder. I hold her tighter, wanting to take her worries away, and in some way or another I must, because she calms down.
    “Why does he want me there?” she whispers against my neck. “I don’t understand why that makes a difference.”
    “I don’t know, Lil. Abram says he has the right to require your presence. I guess he wants you there so he can take you if he were to win. He won’t win, though.”
    “I won’t go back with him, Ruslan. I can’t do it. I’d rather die than be his wife.”
    “Look at me, Lil.” I cup her face, look into her beautiful eyes, and make a promise I hope like hell I can keep tonight. “I promise that going back with him is something you won’t have to worry about. I swear it.”
    “Okay.” She wipes away her tears, her voice weak and shaky, filled with the fear she feels.
    She scoots off my lap, pads across the bedroom, grabs my gym bag, and holds out her hand. I offer her a bright smile and slide my hand into hers, linking our fingers. This woman means everything to me. It’s strange, but I feel like we have known each other for a lifetime already. After spending time with her yesterday, we