Page 42 of Sinful Union

Nikolai tilts his head, considering. “She was cagey about the details of their relationship.”

That doesn’t sit right. He’s treating her differently than all his other girls, but why? If she doesn’t mean anything to him, why keep her hidden? Why make sure no one in his family knows about her?

Something isn’t adding up. “She either has something on him,” I say, more to myself than to Nikolai, “or she’s smart enough to know how dangerous he is.”

Nikolai nods. “Or both.”

It’s a risk. A big one.

I’m still thinking that this could be a trap, a setup, a way to get me chasing my own tail while Piotr plans another move. Or this could be the only way forward. Information is the most valuable weapon in the Bratva. Money hasn’t bought the truth. Threats haven’t forced it out. But this woman could hold the key.

“Bring her in.”

Nikolai smirks, pushing off the edge of my desk like he’s been waiting to hear those words. “Figured you’d say that.”

I narrow my eyes. He seems too smug, too fucking pleased with himself. “You already set up a meeting, didn’t you?”

He shrugs, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “She’s expecting to hear from me. I figured that once you learned all of this, you’d want to move fast.”

I let out a slow breath, tamping down my irritation. Nikolai is good at what he does, but sometimes he forgets his place. I give the orders. I make the calls. But I don’t tell him he’s crossed a line because the truth is, he did good, and I need this information.

“She doesn’t want to be tied to Piotr anymore,” he continues. “Doesn’t want to be part of his world.”

I tap a finger against the desk, thinking. Fear can make people reckless, but it also makes them desperate. “So she could have something on him that gives us an edge.”

“She could, or she could be talking to Piotr right now.”

“You think she’d do that?”

“My opinion? She thought she was getting a ticket to Easy Street, realized she was in way over her head, and now doesn’t know how to get out of it.”

“And that’s where we can offer a lifeline,” I say.

Nikolai nods in agreeance.

“If she talks to me, she’s protected,” I state matter-of-factly.

The weight of that promise settles between us. This is my game now, my rules. If she has legitimate information, it could change everything. If she doesn’t, it’s back to square one.

Nikolai heads for the door. I watch him go before exhaling a long breath, then dragging a hand over my face. I should be focusing on the bigger picture, on what this woman might know, on what Piotr’s next move might be. But instead, my thoughts drift back to Kat, to my wife, to the woman who could very well be my biggest threat. That, or the only thing keeping me safe. She’s still the biggest mystery of all.

I have no idea which side she’ll choose when the truth becomes clear, but I’m going to find out.

Chapter 19

Kat

Iwake up starving.

Not just normal morning hunger either. I’m ravenous. A sharp, insistent pang gnaws at my stomach, and the only thing that sounds even remotely satisfying is fried potatoes with onions from Belov’s.

I groan, rolling onto my back, staring at the ceiling as my stomach growls in protest. I haven’t had cravings like this since… I shake my head, banishing the thought.

This is ridiculous. I can make my own damn potatoes. They won’t be the same—nothing ever tastes quite like Belov’s buttery, golden-fried perfection—but it’ll have to do.

I climb out of bed, stretching as I pad across the room. The penthouse is quiet. It’s early, the morning light still soft as it filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows. I don’t know why I thought Pavel would still be in bed. He’s never in bed when I wake up.

After grabbing a glass of water, I find him in his home office, the door slightly ajar. He’s standing near his desk, putting on his cuff links, his suit pristine, tailored, and perfect. An image of power and control. He glances up when he hears me, a slow smirk curving his lips. “You’re up early,” he says. “Miss me?”

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