The Bratva King's Lost Bride

12 Hashing Out the Past

Ivan POV

"Ivan, I believe you when you say that she drugged you, but how did you end up in our room? There is no way she got you to the room without help. I would have thought it was Dimitri, but he was gone. That was part of his warning when he told me to leave. He said I needed to be gone by the time he returned," she says. Anger bubbles up inside me knowing exactly what that ba**ard said to Meadow. I take a deep breath and focus on telling her everything I've wanted to for so long.

"Honestly, I've racked my brain so many times about that day, especially after you ran. I knew in my soul that you had seen me in bed with her even though I had prayed you didn't. I was so hurt that you ran and didn't fight for me, for us, but I realize now that was my fault. I didn't have your back the way I should have. The last thing I remember before waking up in bed with that b**ch was being in my office."

I hate the anger and sadness I see in her eyes. It makes my chest ache to know that I've had any part in hurting her. "You are right about him being gone. He was dealing with a few men that day that had stolen from the family. I remember I was sitting behind my desk replaying the fight we had the day before while drinking vodka on the rocks. Ten minutes later, the vodka was hitting me hard, which as you know never happens. I've been drinking vodka since I was a boy."

She rolls her eyes because that was a running joke in our home. My father told everyone that my first bottle was filled with vodka instead of milk. "Anyway, the next thing I remembered was waking up and being so happy that you were in my arms. I knew that you were pissed about the way we had left things the day before. I knew that someone in the house had done or said something to upset you, but you refused to tell me. I had planned on torturing you to get my answers," I say, wiggling my eyebrows.

The corner of her mouth lifts slightly, and I take it as a win. The memory of that morning floods back and my own smile fades. "When I looked down, seeing red hair splayed out on my chest, I had a feeling of sickness roll through my body. When I couldn't remember what happened, I panicked. I immediately threw her off of me. I reached for my weapon and leveled it on her. She burst into tears. She fell to her knees and went on and on about being innocent."

`"Part of me just wanted to shoot her and be done with it but I knew I needed answers. I wasn't going to keep secrets from you, but I needed answers. I called the doctor and my father. When my father arrived he glared at me."

Flashback

"What the f**k did you do," he asks, anger rolling off him in waves. "Nothing, I had to be drugged. I want that b**ch put into the cells." "No, you can't. I did nothing. I'm a victim just like you, Ivan. Someone set me up. I would never do anything to hurt you or Meadow. I know how much you care about her. I have accepted that she is your wife, and I am not," she says. "I don't f**king believe you," I say coldly.

"I want them both tested Dom. I want to know what drugs are in their systems," my papa says to the doctor. He pulls his phone from his pocket. "I want surveillance from all the cameras near Ivan's office and bedroom. I also want to know where Meadow is right f**king now," my papa says. My heart starts to race. I was so pissed about this b**ch possibly drugging me that I didn't think about where the hell my wife could be. I snatch my phone from the nightstand.

I dial Ivana and it goes straight to voicemail. I call three more times, and she finally picks up. "What Ivan," she practically growls into the phone. "Where the hell is Meadow?" "Shouldn't you know where your wife is? Why the hell would I know," she says sarcastically. "Ivana, I am not in the mood. Something has happened, and I need to find Meadow now." "Good luck," she says and disconnects the call.

I'm just about to call her back when my father orders us all to my office. When I take my seat behind my large desk my whole body is vibrating. I asked Alexi to find Meadow, and he has yet to update me. My father walks in a few minutes later, followed by Danica, her parents, and my mother. I tighten my hands into fists where they rest on the desk. They all take a seat expect my papa. The silence in the room is filled with tension before a steady knock interrupts.

The doctor sticks his head in fear clearly written in his features. "Pakhan, I have the results of the tests. Both of you had Rohypnol in your systems. It would account for why you can't recall anything that happened last evening," he says. "How the f**k did it get into my system? I didn't leave my office." "It was most likely ingested. Do you remember eating or drinking anything last night," he asks. "The vodka in my office. I want it tested immediately." He nods and I turn to face Danica. "If I find out you had anything to do with this, I will put the bullet in your head myself. Our family's relationship will not protect you."

Before she can speak, the door to my office opens. My eyes meet Alexi's and I know before he even speaks. "She is gone, Ivan," he says. I grab the gun from my drawer and level it again on Danica. "Ivan, what are you doing? You can't kill her. She is as much a victim of someone's nefarious plans as you are. Please lower your weapon, and we will help you find your bride," Maximus says. "Let me make something perfectly clear. If I find out that she had anything to do with drugging me or my wife being gone, there will be no forgiveness, only death." I stalk out of the office not offering even an angry glance in their direction.

Flashback Ends

"I swear to you, Meadow, I will get the answers about who was involved and they will all pay. No one will get away with what they did to tear us apart. I promise you that I will make all that you suffered right. I will give you the life that you deserve as my queen."