Page 65 of Deceptive Vows
She nodded. “Yes, well, as fine as it can be.” Her eyes narrowed. “You look tired.”
I scrubbed my face with my hands. “The last couple of weeks have been stressful. Keeping a close eye on the contractors, making sure everything is getting done properly, takes a lot of oversight.”
“Is everything on schedule?”
“Da, it is. I keep pressing Marco for the location of the women, but he keeps telling me that I’ll get the information when I need it. I’m beginning to suspect he’s going to hand that task to the Gray Wolves since they’re more aligned with his brand of business.”
A tremor ran through her. “It’s frosty out here.”
I tipped my head toward the outdoor heater by the lounge. “Let’s move over there where it’s a bit warmer.”
She passed me, her frame illuminated by the lights. Instead of sitting on one side of the lounge,she stepped onto the seat and perched on the back of it. “Come here.”
When I hesitated, her lips lifted in a smile. “I promise I’m unarmed.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Her laughter was light. “Okay, fine. I’m not, but you’re safe with me, you have my word.”
I ambled over to the lounge and sat in front of her, twisting at my waist. “Okay…”
“Sit back.”
I closed my eyes as her fingertips pressed against my temples and began to massage. A rush of air escaped me as I sank into the cushion, allowing myself to relax. “That feels nice.”
“Pa would sometimes get migraines when he was tired, and Ma would do this for him. It helped relieve the stress and let him relax.”
“I can see why.” The words came out mumbled. None of the women in my past had ever done anything like this for me. Mostly because I didn’t allow it; giving myself this sort of luxury wasn’t typical.
Her thumbs dug into my shoulders, kneading the tension away. It was incredible.
I groaned. “You’re good at this.”
“I think you’re tired, and it would feel good if anyone?—”
I took her hand and brought her palm to my lips. “Nyet. I couldn’t relax like this with anyone else.”
She brushed her fingers along my neck. “Tell me about your tattoo.”
“It’s a two-headed eagle. One head watches the past, the other the future." I tilted my chin slightly, letting her see the edge of it above my collar. "Old symbol. Power. Vigilance. And a warning that nothing escapes my notice.”
“Is it the only one?”
Shaking my head, I replied, “Nyet. I have several more, but those are for me.”
I stood and pulled off my Henly T-shirt.
Thea’s eyes roamed my chest before she rose to her feet. Goosebumps lined her arms as a light frosty breeze blew over the terrace. When I reached for her, she ducked and circled behind me. Silence lingered, stretching to an almost uncomfortable degree before she finally asked, “What does it say?”
“Family, honor, loyalty, and trust.”
I nearly jumped as her fingers ghosted across my back in a slow, sweepingmotion. “I like that.”
“Do you have any?” I quickly added, “Tattoos?”
“No. I thought about getting one, but I could never settle on a design.”
As the last word left her lips, she turned to face me, her gaze sweeping over my arms. “I didn’t realize how many you had until tonight.” Her eyes met mine.
