Page 136 of Wicked Vows (Suvorov Bratva 2)

I mean, did I ever stand a chance? My life has always precariously hung over the edge of a cliff. What’s the difference now? That I feel guilty about it?

Mr. Austin is screaming at this point. I don’t need to hear his words to understand his anger and his pain. I deserve it. I know it’s my fault that his precious little girl is all tied up in a warehouse, facing God knows what.

But I don’t have time for his emotions. I don’t have the energy to process them. All I can do is hang up the phone and look to my husband for answers.

Because I’m out of solutions. I can’t think of a damn thing.

My phone explodes with texts. That’s fine. Mr. Austin can get it all out while I plan on rescuing his daughter.

His Willow.

My best friend.

Pavel cups my cheek, running his thumb down my face. “You all right?”

“No.”

“What can I do?”

I shrug. “Let’s just put our heads together and move forward.”

Uncertainty flickers in his eyes.

No, don’t do that. Don’t turn back. We’re just getting started. We need to keep moving. We can’t give up.

His hand slides from my cheek.

“Pavel,” I croak. “What can we do?”

He doesn’t respond. His eyes drift away.

No.

“Is there anything we can do?” I ask. “Anything at all?”

More silence.

No. No. No.

“Please.” The whisper is so small that the syllables barely break the space between us.

I’m almost sure he didn’t hear me until he replies softly, “I don’t know.”

Those are the most frightening words I’ve ever heard him say.

They’re worse than the orders he gave to his brigadiers to strip me naked in my kitchen the day my brother sold me to him. Or the insistent look he gave me before he ended my brother’s life.

Or the ones that reduce me to tears when we argue.

I crumble.

“Oh God,” I whisper as I collapse into the chair. “Oh God, what have I done…”

His hand reflexively extends to catch me. Despite his uncertainty, he’s still with me. He’s still next to me. He’s still comforting.

That should provide some hope.

At least enough to get me through this.

---