Page 118 of Wicked Vows (Suvorov Bratva 2)

My head spins while I try to get a grip on reality.

Viktoria? Dead?

It’s not possible.

I lick my lips. “No…”

He catches my waist and steadies me. “He was going to grab Zoyaandyou. That was his plan.” His angry glare rolls over my shoulder to the hallway. “He told me that much so far.”

“And Viktoria…?”

He focuses on me, his gaze softening with concern. “When all he found was Kolya and Viktoria…”

The knot in his throat bobs. The rims of his eyes redden, and a single tear threatens to overwhelm his left eye.

I swipe it away with my thumb, preserving his stony expression to hide his grief.

He swallows hard and proceeds, “He murdered them.”

My vision nearly blackens. As my head drops back, I feel Pavel’s hold on me tighten. The world tilts. Everything shifts. It’s as if someone has shattered the ground beneath me. Hardwood nips my heels, but I don’t quite register the feeling.

It’s not until I feel the cool cushions beneath me that I notice the den. Pavel dragged me to the couch. He’s sitting on the ground beside me, hovering over me like a hawk. But he’s not searching for prey. He’s trying to guard what’s inside his precious nest—what little remains.

He might have killed Janine and dragged me to Brooklyn to hide, but he’s still trying to protect me. He’s still watching over me.

If only he would listen to a word I’m saying.

I part my lips to speak, but he stops me.

“Don’t,” he warns. “Just sip.”

He slides his hand under my head and tilts my head up while raising a bottle to my lips. Cool water greets my tongue. I’m so parched that it’s painful to drink. Once I have a few sips under my belt, I recline and stare listlessly at the ceiling.

Viktoria. Dead.

Emptiness stings my gut. When did I last see her? This morning? Yesterday night? What did I say to her? Was I nice? Was I annoyed? Wassheannoyed? I can’t even remember. Why can’t I remember?

I just know that I won’t be seeing her ever again.

She won’t pinch me again as she calls mekrolik. She won’t prepare my tea or teach me so much more about a life that I’ve just started to scratch the surface of. She’s gone.

Forever.

Another name added to an endlessly growing list.

Thunder rumbles the windows. Wind beats the sides of the house. Waves crash dangerously outside. The war rages both within and without. And we’re trapped.

When Pavel comes back into view, I try to focus on his eyes. They’re still red-rimmed. But they’re clear of tears.

It makes me wonder if he cried when he found out or if he’s been holding back this entire time.

Do monsters cry?

I know I do.

“I’m so sorry, Pavel,” I whisper. “I know how much she meant to you.”

“Sharp must die.”

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