Page 47 of Wicked Vows (Suvorov Bratva 2)

“You’re a traitor to the Bratva,” I state. “And a traitor to Cardona. You change your allegiance like a man changing socks in the morning. You are untrustworthy. Understand?”

“I do.”

“If you return to the Bratva, you won’t get your stars back. You’ll restart at the bottom of the ladder as a foot soldier.”

He bows his head farther. So far, he shows no resistance to what I’m saying.

“You’ll still wield authority due to your name and former reputation. But the entire Bratva must know you are a man without honor.”

His head snaps up.

I have his attention now.

His eyes search mine for more information, but he’s aware I won’t give anything away for his benefit. This is my game. This is my Bratva.

He’ll either play ball or get off the court.

I hold his gaze. “Do you understand, Kiril?”

“Yes, pakhan,” he responds, almost grumbling. He clears his throat and says more confidently, “My only request is that amends be made as quickly as possible so I can make sure that my Zoyechka is safe.”

I lift my phone from the desk and click on Stepan’s information in my phone. A few rings later, he answers the phone.

“Bring Kozar with his equipment to Apex,” I instruct him. “You have thirty minutes.”

“Yes, Pavel Sergeyevich.”

The call ends quickly and I set my phone back into its place, staring at the screen until it dims and then locks. No notifications from Liya appear.

She said she was going to her interview today.I casually smooth my hand over my tie.She hasn’t texted me about it. I wonder how it went.

“Permission to speak, pakhan.”

I glance at Kiril and nod.

“I must say that everyone underestimated your wife,” he says slowly. His eyes drop to the ground. “Myself included.”

I remain still and emotionless, waiting for him to finish.

“She’s far more fit for this lifestyle than I could ever have anticipated.”

“I agree.”

Putting Kiril into place had always been the plan. But discovering that Liya’s reputation has been solidified among the Bratva as well as elsewhere is a plus.

Jonas’s execution unraveled her. I watched the aftermath of her shock, the way she mourned his death. It pitted her against herself, making her second-guess her ability to function in the compound and in the world at large.

And while her compassion is appealing to me, others won’t find it as admirable. This world insists on wringing dry the weak and then devouring them. Every last good thing inside Liya would be smashed to pieces if anyone became aware of her fiercely loving nature.

Zoya couldn’t hold a candle to her.

We sit in silence as the minutes tick by. Finally, three knocks come at the door.

“Come in,” I call out.

Kostya opens the door, allowing Stepan and Kozar to enter the room. Kozar goes to the table in the corner and begins setting up his ink equipment. Stepan stands to the left of Kiril just in case Kiril gets any ideas about backing out of this deal.

It’s going to be a long road of reconciliation for him.

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