ILL-FATED JOURNEY™

Chapter 43

When Vladimir finally came to bed, it was after I was long asleep, but his groping had awoken me

to the smell of alcohol seeping out of his pores. I gagged, and he continued with his hasty, 

sloppy lovemaking until he passed out on top of me, leaving me unfulfilled. Then came the test

of strength as I rolled his massive form off of me.

"Kitten." He murmured in his sleep as I crawled off of him and off the bed. I was done sleeping

here for the night. Not with him smelling like a distillery. I walked through the connecting door

to my old room and dived under the covers. He would be mad in the morning, I thought but then

again, I was mad and sexually frustrated enough for both of us.

The events of the night would never end, it seemed. I was jolted upright at the crack of dawn,

wondering if I heard correctly. The voice came again, and my blood boiled. I jumped out of bed

and ran to the fireplace picking up the poker as I passed by on my way to Vladimir's room.

The source of my anger was sitting on our bed, dabbing delicately at her greedy eyes as she wept

on my husband's broad shoulders. I stepped up behind her and said one word; "Move!" She

turned and looked down at my crumpled nightgown and frowned then turned back to Vladimir

as though I didn't exist. I raised the poker.

Vladimir moved off the bed and stood between us keeping the bedding wrapped around his

waist. With his back to her, he smiled down at me taking the poker from my hand. I had the

sudden urge to kiss him and wrap my hands possessively around him. He was mine, after all.

"My wife and I need to be properly dressed for this conversation Slava..."

So, this was the infamous Slava! I scrutinized the competition and felt stupid for cutting off my

hair. Lifting my chin and keeping my hands away from my hair, I appraised the dark-haired 

beauty. At my best, she would give me a run for my money. When she stood, she was taller than

me and looked like a Goddess with her emerald green eyes, red full lips and flawless pale skin. 

No wonder Yuri had fallen under her spell!

Lifting an elegant brow, she appraised me as well and by her sneer, I was found lacking. I was

hustled back to my bedroom and before he could head to the shower, I stopped him,

questioning. "What the hell is she doing here? And on our bed no less!"

Vlad grinned as though my question pleased him and he crooked a finger. "Come, Kitten come

put your brand on me, so Slava knows who I belong to."

His words made me frown as he didn't answer my question. He hardly does, now that I think

about it. But I wanted a straight answer for this particular question. I placed my hands on my