Page 77 of Wicked Vows (Suvorov Bratva 2)

Tea on the terrace would reduce the tension in the room. But the heat would surely raise our fury once more.

It’s best to let her calm down inside where it’s cooler.

“Liya,” I whisper. “Have a cup of tea.”

“I’m not thirsty.”

Regardless of her response, I prepare two cups. The scent of lavender floats from the cups and tickles my nostrils, reminding me of all the tea we’ve shared since she first got here. She’s always preferred lavender. It’s the one tea Viktoria swears calms her down.

One sip should suffice.

The spoon clinks inside the porcelain cup, drawing her attention as I thought it might. She hesitates one step, then two. Soon, she’s at my side, extending her hand without looking at me. I hand her the cup and stand next to her with mine, patiently avoiding her gaze.

She’ll come around in her own time.

She sips her tea and releases a shaky sigh. I can see the tension mounting all over her body, those lithe muscles clenching so hard that the pain shows on her face.

“All this stress isn’t good for you,” I whisper. My eyes drop to her stomach. “Or for the baby.”

“I know.”

I nod. “That’s why I want to make sure to reduce as much stress as possible.”

She shakes her head. “You’re a bastard for forcing me to choose like this.” She closes her eyes. “I don’t know why you’re doing this to me.”

I set my cup on the tray and take her waist. She nearly fumbles her teacup until I catch it, setting it next to mine and placing her hand over my heart. She resists for a moment until my rapidly beating heart registers.

Her eyes widen as she looks up at me.

There’s a moment where nothing happens—and these are often my favorite moments with Liya. Moments where no one interferes—where the world beyond our penthouse doesn’t even exist.

Just us. Alone.

The only thing I feel is the proximity of our lips, the heat roiling off her body, the flutter of her eyelids while she attempts to keep holding my gaze. She’s unsure, yet she knows where she stands.

And that’s precisely what makes her so attractive.

Her passion, her commitment, and her desire to see the whole picture before acting is what makes her such a phenomenal partner.

And it’s more than that.

It makes her a spectacular wife. It makes her a spectacular partner.

She wants this baby as much as I do. We haven’t said as much to each other, but I know that what exists between us is a fiery bond that can’t be doused by water. This is an enduring flame, one that will burn anyone who attempts to force us apart.

Cardona is going to try to get between us. He’s going to throw everything he has at us. He’s going to sear us as much as possible to get us out of our guarded tower.

And I won’t let it happen. I refuse to expose her to any risk that could tear us apart. It’s so much more than protecting my heir at this point.

It’s protecting her, too.

I press her palm harder to my chest. “You know exactly why I’m doing this,” I tell her. “I know you can feel it.”

She licks her lips. She stares at my hand over hers, the digits wiggling slightly while my heart beats faster. The silence seems to stretch on forever until she lifts her gaze.

Her eyebrows wrinkle together. “You’re using my pregnancy against me.”

And something about the way her face looks tells me she isn’t having it.

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