Ruthless Saint

XXXIX

MISCHA MALIKOV

I turned to Alessio and tilted my head with a cold smile. "Should have killed you when I had the chance."

He shuddered and dropped his gaze. "I'll let you two talk." He muttered under his breath then disappeared towards the foyer.

I exhaled a rough breath as I walked towards Mika.

        I placed the gun on the island and caged her with my body. She didn't even attempt to move but simply accepted her fate.

Those soft brown eyes met mine and she shook her head.

"I can't do this right now." Her eyes glossed over slightly.

I could feel a hand tightening around my heart, choking it until it was reduced to ashes.

I inhaled a deep breath, forcing my heart to slow its trepid beats.

"What were you thinking, lisichka?" I said, slower this time. Controlled. "Do you have any idea—any idea what could have happened to you?"

Her mouth tipped into something sharp and humorless.

I shook my head at the thought of someone hurting her. Anyone.

        "You could have gotten hurt."

A small laugh that sounded downright sarcastic. "What? You care?"

"Da."

"Why?"

"Because you're my wife." The words sounded foreign as they slipped out of my mouth. That wasn't the reason.

"Go back to Russia please."

I stared at her like she'd grown two heads. "Am I missing something here?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line, hesitation flickering in her eyes. "I don't want to be married to you anymore."

        Oh-

A quiet rage simmered in my veins, but I forced myself to stay silent. Let her speak.

She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll talk to my papá about the whole marriage. I'm sure we can work something out."

A dark chuckle left my throat. "Funny you think you have a choice."

Her expression tightened, frustration creeping into her features. "Mischa—"

"This about the Cassano boy?"

Deep line knotted between her brows. "No, It's not about him."

"Then what?" My voice dropped low. "Fuck is this about?"

She hesitated, her eyes darting down. Her voice came out in a soft whisper. "I don't want to be married to a man who's cheating on me"

My heart stuttered. The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I hadn't expected that. "What the fuck does that mean?"

"Your step-mother." She spat, the accusation heavy in her voice.

I blinked at her, completely thrown off.

For a second, it felt like I'd missed some part of the conversation where I'd cheated on her with Irina. But I hadn't.

Hell, I barely remembered the woman existed half the time. 

"You think I cheated on you?" I asked, disbelief lacing my words.