Page 55 of Gloves Off

Maria gives him an arch look. “Would you sit down? You’re making your wife nervous.”

Your wife. A funny emotion perches in my throat, ready to escape. A laugh, maybe. Or a scoff. I’m this guy’s wife and I didn’t know a thing about his parents. Worse, I’m shocked at how nice they are.

She places a big bowl of soup in front of me with a spoon. “Eat.” She puts another bowl beside mine before giving her son an expectant look.

“Thank you, Maria. This looks amazing.”

“Thank you, Mama,” Volkov murmurs, taking the seat beside me. He catches my eyes, and his expression is clear:Eat the fucking food and don’t you dare insult my mom.

Maria’s back is turned while she makes tea so I roll my eyes at him, slip a spoonful of soup into my mouth and?—

“Oh my god,” I moan, and a muscle in Alexei’s jaw twitches. The soup is full of chicken, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and what tastes like horseradish, among other herbs. “This is amazing.”

“Excellent, Mama,” Volkov echoes.

Maria waves us off, but she’s pleased. “Food and flowers are my ‘love languages.’ I heard that phrase on a podcast.”

She’s so sweet. How could she possibly be this guy’s mom? “Do you cook a lot?”

“Oh yes.” She nods resolutely, with pride. Alexei’s eyes are sharp on me, watchful, like he’s waiting for something. “When I have time. My flowers keep me busy.” She sighs dramatically, the corner of her mouth twitching, the same way Volkov’s does sometimes. “So many weddings.”

Oh god. She probably wished she could have been at our wedding. Guilt pinches in my stomach.

I need to change the subject, fast. “Where’s the shop?”

“Fourth and Lonsdale.”

“Oh.” I straighten up. “That’s close to here.”

“You should come visit me.”

“The doctor doesn’t have time,” Alexei cuts in.

Her eyes close briefly. “Of course. You’re busy with your job, I’m sure.”

The embarrassment on her face makes me feel like the lowest scum.

“No, I have time.” I don’t know why I’m agreeing to this. I shouldn’t be spending time with her. “And I’d love to come by and see it.”

He glares at me, but I ignore him.

“Wonderful.” She beams that smile again. Her eyes snag on my left hand and she grabs it, frowning at the ring. She gives Volkov a dark look.

“Alexei.” Her tone is firm as she holds my hand up. “What is this?”

CHAPTER 28

GEORGIA

Volkov’s eyescut to me in warning.

That feeling rises—I want to fuck with him. This woman is too nice, though, and I can’t upset her. To my utter shock, I actually like her.

Besides, I’m not going to tattle on him to his mommy. That’s not how I play this game.

Oh, and we’re supposed to be happy newlyweds, totally in love.

“This is the one I wanted.” I give her a bright, reassuring smile. “I take my rings off for work so often that I didn’t want to lose it, and a big ring would tear up the latex gloves.”

---