4 Not Mad, My Foot

Meadow POV Ivan Petrov is a li*r. There is no way he isn't angry at me. Not because he loves me but because I dared run from him. Dared to leave the King of the Bravta. I hurt his fragile ego as Pakhan of the Petrov family. How dare I leave before he could cast me aside for that c**t Danica. He doesn't care about me. You don't treat a person you supposedly love like he treated me when you truly care. No, he is definitely angry. Angry that I caught him with his wh*re. Angry that I left and kept his daughter from him for five years. He is only saying he isn't angry because he doesn't want to upset Ava. He doesn't want her to fear him. The minute he has me alone he will stop holding back. Will he torture me? I've only really seen Ivan angry once when I was living with him and I never wanted to be on the receiving end. He made a grown man piss his pants. I feel like I can't breathe. I can't lose Ava. I know Ivan. He won't care that I am her mother. He is going to take her from me. He probably won't even kill me. He might torture me, but I'm positive he will leave me alive. He will leave me to suffer knowing I can never see my baby girl again. That is a fate worse than death. I can't let him take her. I need to find a way to run. A way to get my daughter away from him. An arm wraps around me, and I'm shocked to see it's Alexi Petrov. He is offering me a warm smile, but I know where his loyalty lies. He won't help me get away from Ivan. He loves his brother and will follow his orders. He lived with us because, in his words, "my mother is a raging b**ch, and I can't kill her." When I left, he was a lanky teenager who loved to play chess and watch movies. He was sweet for a mafia prince. Now he is definitely a grown man. He is muscular and almost as tall as Ivan. He is almost as handsome as Ivan, almost. "Breathe little sister. No one is going to harm you. We all want to keep breathing," he says. "I am older than you," I blurt out. He throws his head back and laughs before pressing a kiss on the crown of my head. I look at him like he has grown ten heads. "Brother, as much as I love you, if you do not get your hands off my wife I'm going to be unhappy, and you know what happens when I'm unhappy," Ivan says. Ava giggles as she wiggles out of Ivan's hold. He sets her on her feet, and she rushes to Alexi, who scoops her up in his arms. She squeals as he presses kisses on her cheeks. "Are you really my uncle," Ava asks. "I really am, and you are our beautiful princess and your mother is our queen. I am very happy to meet you," Alexi says. I notice Ivan is moving toward us, but I keep my eyes focused on my daughter. "Ava, this is your Uncle Alexi. He is Ivan and Ivana's brother. They also have another brother, Nikoli. He is younger than Ivan but older than Alexi. Alexi is the baby." I'm rambling because Ivan just moved to stand in front of me. Before I can open my mouth to speak, I'm being pulled into familiar strong arms. I fight the urge to melt into his embrace. No matter how much my heart still wants this man, he betrayed me. He left me to the wolves despite me telling him I wasn't comfortable around both of those a**holes. I'm not the same Meadow who loved him and I refuse to pretend I am. I stand stiffly in his arms. His breath against my ears sends a shiver down my spine. I hate that my body still reacts to him. "Did you not miss me, my little wife? I've missed you every day that we've ben apart." "I will not discuss this here or in front of Ava, but I assure you I am no longer your wife." When he pulls back, his hands hold my shoulders firmly. He waits to speak until I finally let my eyes meet his. "I assure you that you are. I believe the vows we took said until death do us part. I meant them and so did you, malyshka (baby girl)," he says low enough that Ava can't hear. I knew I was right. He just threatened to kill me. "Ivan, please just let us go. Go back to Russia, back to Danica. She is a better fit." "Enough Meadow, as you said, we will not discuss this in front of our docha (daughter)." His tone brokers no argument. Besides, I don't want to scare Ava. He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to his side. "Ivan, please," I start to whisper, but he ignores me. "Mama, can we go home so I can show Papa and Uncle Alexi my stuffies and my room," Ava asks, pulling my attention away Ivan. Our home, that would be perfect for torture. No one would hear me scream. "Breathe Meadow. No one is going to hurt you," Ivan whispers. "Bullsh*t, for once in your life don't lie, Ivan," I whisper yell. He ignores me again. "Ivana, would you and Alexi follow us in that beast my wife calls a truck? We have much to discuss, and I think she would be more comfortable away from little ears," he says. Again, I feel like I can't breathe. I don't want him in my home, my safe place. "Breathe malyshka, we are simply going to talk," he says. Every part of me wants to scream he is a l*ar, but I stay quiet. When he starts to lead me out of the store, I notice Ivana and Alexi are flanking us. Alexi is holding Ava, who is thankfully oblivious to the gravity of what is happening. The four of us are surrounded by men in suits as we make our way through the mall. I know we are drawing stares, but I can't focus on any of the people around us. I need to think of a way out of this. I can't lose Ava. "Malyshka, I know you think I'm lying, but I am not angry. Disappointed yes, but angry no. I could never be angry with you in my arms. You are my heart, Meadow," he says. Before I can open my mouth to speak, someone calling my name has my steps faltering. I force a smile when Derek, Ava's preschool teacher, approaches us. He is a handsome man, trim but muscular. If Ivan hadn't ruined me for other men, I probably would have taken him up on his offer of dating, but I couldn't. As much as I hate it, my heart still belongs to the man that is glaring at Derek. "Hi Mr. Blane. It's good to see you again." "Meadow, I've told you to call me Derek. Is everything alright," he says, looking at the large men surrounding me before landing on Ivan. "Derek, is it? Let me introduce myself. I am Ivan Petrov. Meadow is my wife and Ava is my daughter. How do you know my girls," he asks. Derek looks shocked by his admission because I've never said I was married. Well, I've never said I was single either, but most people presume. Technically, I am single since I had the divorce papers sent to Ivan. It took me two years to finally do it, but I had to move on. I almost chuckle because clearly I haven't. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize Meadow was married. Besides her and Ava's last name is Jones. Meadow, are you in trouble," he asks. I can feel Ivan's irritation without even looking at him. "We aren't in trouble, Mr. Blane. This is my papa. He isn't mad at mama," Ava says with a giggle. I force a smile onto my face. "She is right, Mr. Blane we are both fine. This is Ava's father and his family. They are here for a visit from Russia. Have a good day." I can see he wants to say more, but thankfully he nods and walks away. "Mr. Blane wants to be mama's boyfriend," Ava says. Oh God, she did not just say that. "Ava Ivy Jones, that is not true," I say panic welling up inside me. "Yes, it is mama. He sends you flowers, and he is always saying how pretty you are. The only reason he isn't your boyfriend is because you said boys are stupid," she says. My eyes get big before I notice Ivan smirking out of the corner of my eye. "I never said that, Ava. We have talked about lying, young lady." "I'm not lying mama. I heard you tell Auntie that you would never have a boyfriend again after falling in love with a man that was either blind or dumb and a cheater," she says. I swear my heart is going to beat out of my chest. I remember the conversation with Ivana. We had drunk too much, and I thought she was fast asleep. "It seems we have a lot to talk about my little wife. I'm glad to hear that you didn't accept the pr*ck's offer. I'd hate to have to kill our daughter's teacher for touching my wife," he says, low enough that Ava can't hear him. The panic is quickly replaced by anger. "Only one of us is a cheater. Besides, we are divorced. I can date or f**k anyone I want." Fury flashes in his eyes and his jaw tightens. "Alexi, take Ava home in the truck, since we don't have a safety seat for her yet. My wife and I need a word in private before we reach the house she has been staying in," he says. "My home, the house that is mine and my daughter's home," I say defiantly. "I am glad to see you are as fiery as I remember maylshka," he says. He grips my hand tightly, pulling me toward the exit. "I would rather go in my truck and meet you there, Ivan. I don't trust you not to take my daughter from me no matter what you said to Ava about not being angry." His steps falter just before we reach his black SUV. He turns to look at me and I see the anger that he has refused to acknowledge. "Meadow, I am trying not to lose my patience with you, but you are making it very difficult. Ava is our daughter. Not yours or mine, ours. A daughter you kept from me for the last four years after you ran like a coward," he says. I feel like he just slapped me. How f**king dare he call me a coward? "F**k you Ivan Petrov. You are a cheating pig. How dare you call me a coward for not sticking around to watch you f**k your wh*re," I scream before I can stop myself. "Meadow Petrov, get your a** in the car before I turn it a shade of red before I remind who is your husband," he practically growls.