Page 72 of Wicked Vows (Suvorov Bratva 2)

With my husband.

I’m staring mindlessly at my phone when Viktoria shuffles into the room.

“Ah, our very own statue,” she teases. “Right in the middle of the dining room. Pavel will be pleased.”

I raise my eyebrows. “What?”

“Is something wrong with your phone,krolik?”

“No, it’s…Willow is coming over.”

She takes my phone and then takes the packet out of my hands. A Russian word flies from her lips. Though I still don’t understand the language, I can tell by the inflection that it’s most certainly something I’ve flung around as a curse.

“I got in,” I whisper. “I start in September.”

She rubs my arm where she usually pinches me, speaking Russian. Again, only the inflection tells me it’s affectionate praise.

She nods and then says, “I’ll go make a cake to celebrate.”

“What kind of cake?”

She lifts the package of Oreos from the ground. “I have some ideas.”

She winks and slides past me to get into the kitchen. I’m still stunned as I tuck my phone into my pocket and adjust my cardigan. I glance down at my blue jeans and blouse.

I can’t tell Pavel looking like this.

Without thinking, I dart through the living room and down the hallway. I grab one of the sundresses from the closet that Pavel adores and yank it on, tousling my hair just the way he likes. A little mascara, black eyeliner, and rosy gloss enhance my appearance, sending me right back to the living room.

I bounce like a ball between the couch and the chair across from it.Where do I sit? How do I welcome him home? Do I act normal or reveal it all at once?

God, why is this more nerve-wracking than the damn interview?

Viktoria steps into the living room. “Do you want vanilla icing,krolik?”

I blankly at her until her question sets in. “Uh, yes.”

“Sit. You’re nervous.”

“I’m fine.”

She shakes her head. “You’re manic,krolik.”

“I should get flowers, right? Does Pavel like flowers?” I laugh nervously while shooting toward the door. I slip on my flats, grab my clutch, and whip open the door. “I’m getting flowers—or something nice. Don’t wait up!”

“Easy,krolik!”

I tug the door shut behind me as I race toward the elevator.

Maybe I’ll run into him on the way and we can walk to the florist together. Wouldn’t that look absolutely normal? Wouldn’t it feel like we were just a newlywed couple on our way to celebrate something amazing?

My heart leaps into my throat as I hit the button. The pulleys on the other side whirl.

Or I’ll run into Willow and she’ll join me. People always say we look like sisters. That means she’s about to be an aunt to the baby.

I rest my hand over my stomach. The elevator beeps and the doors slide open, allowing me to board. I hit the ground floor button and wait patiently for the doors to close. My reflection greets me—along with the most radiant smile I’ve ever worn.

My thigh muscles twitch.

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