All Chapters of Keeping my Mafia Husband : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

"What do you mean I can't leave?" I snap, planting both hands on my waist. I already have my bags packed and ready to go. I'll catch whatever flight I can find and then I'll be out of here."Zver doesn't want you to leave," Niko says, his face creased with pain. We've been at this for almost fifteen minutes, the air between us growing thick with tension."Zver doesn't tell me what to do. The Pakhan can send me the divorce papers afterward, I don't care. I'll leave this goddamned place!" I know raising my voice accomplishes nothing. It won't bring back Aleksei, the one I meant all this for. It won't change the fact that my marriage ended before it really began.I didn’t marry Aleksei out of desperation, and I didn’t stay because I was afraid. Still, I can’t lie, back then, I was terrified of never finding someone who wanted me, desired me. Meeting Aleksei silenced that fear. He made me feel things I never thought I could.But now it’s over, and all I want is to forget. To move on. A pa

“Why are you so happy?” Niko asks as we roll out through the massive gates of the Drognov estate. I'm sitting in the back, Xavier drives, and Niko rides shotgun.“No reason,” I admit, eyes drifting to the window. Dry grass sways in the wind, tall trees blur by, and the land stretches bare in every direction. “Must I have a reason to be happy?”He turns his head slightly. “We won’t be going anywhere besides your friend’s place, you understand?”He has already told me this. I know it’s Aleksei’s order, his way of deciding where I should be, expecting me to fume. A part of me simmers, but I won’t give either of them the satisfaction. This plan will work. Serena lives close to the station. It won’t be hard to make a break for it and find protection.If they call me his wife, I’ll say I’m being abused. Low blow, but whatever. I’ve got a black eye and bruises to prove it. I’ll use it. I’ll get away. That’s something worth smiling about.“Are you still angry?” Niko sighs, still looking back

My stomach drops at those words. “I’m sorry, what?” I rise slowly to my feet, eyes locked on his face.The man gives me a creepy smile before stepping aside. I watch as Aleksei enters the room, his presence filling every inch of space. My shoulders tense. I move backward, eyes fixed on him like he might spring forward and snatch me.“How–how are you here?” I stammer out despite trying hard not to show how rattled I am. How did he find me this fast? I haven’t even been gone for thirty minutes.“You don’t get to ask questions.” He says so calmly it seals my lips shut. “Let’s go.” He tilts his head as he slides away from the door.I’m still reeling, but I refuse to let him order me around. Clenching my fists at my sides, I press my lips together, lift my chin, and say, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”“Don’t test me, Zayka.” His tone doesn’t rise; it doesn’t need to. “I have other things I’d rather be doing than dealing with your drama. Don’t make me repeat myself. Let’s go.”I glance

Niko doesn’t let me take anything from the room, he just drags me forward by the hand until we’re back at the car. He ignores Xavier calling after us, strides with grim determination to the passenger side, yanks the door open, and ushers me inside.“Niko, what are you doing?” I ask, apprehension making my stomach turn.No answer. He shuts the door with a hard snap and circles to the driver’s side. The engine growls to life, and we roll out of the Dragnov estate without anyone stopping us. Streetlights flicker awake one by one, and with each glow my anxiety swells. All I see of him is his side profile, sharp jaw, rigid mouth, eyes fixed straight ahead.“Where are we going?” I press when I can’t take the pressure building in my chest. “Niko.” Louder this time. His silence gnaws at me, discomfort making me shift.“I thought you wanted to leave Russia. Why are you asking me that?” He finally answers, too calm, like everything else he’s done tonight.

She sits on the bed still crying, for fucking Niko. I pace the room, restless, wanting to comfort her but she already slapped me once. It didn’t sting the way she wanted, so she tried again, and I had to shove her down onto the mattress. Now she’s there, face buried in her hands, refusing to acknowledge my presence.“Why didn’t you wait for me?” I snap, though what I really want is to speak softly. I am too riled up, fueled by the image of Niko’s audacity, dragging Claire away like that. Insubordination like his usually ends with a bullet between the brows, but I didn’t pull a gun because it’s Niko. I can’t believe he did this.Niko and I have known each other since high school. He was vice commander of our gang, just as he is now my chief of security. I’ve done everything with him, raised this empire, fought battles, buried enemies. He’s my right hand, my left leg, and there isn’t anything I would deny him. Hell, I think of him as my brother.I knew he wa