Page 139 of Wicked Vows (Suvorov Bratva 2)

But then anger floods his features when he spots Liya. “You have some fucking nerve.”

“You wanted to meet,” she says.

“Youwanted to meet.”

She tilts her chin, retaining her pride. “Webothwanted to meet to discuss what’s happening. So, tell me what you know.”

“What I know is that this wouldn’t have happened if Willow had dropped you as a friend years ago. I have nothing worth saying to you.”

I see the hurt whiplash her features, but only briefly. In the blink of an eye, the hurt is gone. And the only reason I see it is because I know her so well.

Her throat flexes as she swallows. Her nostrils flare as she draws air. And then she says, “I’ve always cared about Willow. She’s always cared about me. We’re best friends.”

“A best friend doesn’t lure my daughter into a trap. A best friend doesn’t get her involved in this bullshit!”

I lean forward to snap back. The warm hand on my knee that urges me to pause is all that keeps me from tearing this fucker’s head off. When I glance down at Liya, I see the pain in her eyes.

Not now, she pleads silently.Please.

It’s then I realize this isn’t my fight. It’s hers. And that’s theonlyreason I defer to her.

“You led her astray,” Mr. Austin continues. “You yanked her into some bullshit that she can’t escape. It’s all your fault, Liya!”

Liya nods curtly. “Maybe I didn’t keep enough distance. You’re right about that. But you have no idea how big a heart Willow has. She’s a strong, fierce woman who won’t let the bad outweigh the good in the world.”

“That’s rich coming from a goddamn criminal.”

She opens her mouth to defend herself, but Mr. Austin doesn’t give her the chance to do so.

“You’re out of control,” he says. “You’re a fucking thug. Your friends are thugs. And now your thug friends havemydaughter.”

Her hand goes limp on my knee. The fury I tried my best to bite down rises so forcefully that it makes me stand up.

“Enough,” I snap.

He snaps his head toward me.

“The more you complain about this situation, the less time your daughter has to live,” I snarl. “Do you understand?”

The fight drains from him.

“Liya is doing everything she can to make sure your daughter survives,” I continue. “She’s been pulling strings around the fucking clock just to ensure her safety.”

His mouth opens and closes silently like a fish. I know I’m getting to him.

I square my shoulders as I step in front of Liya. I notice the name displayed on his desk in gold-embossed letters.Clayton Austin. “Save your lecture for later. Your daughter is your number one priority. Or am I wrong about that?”

He narrows his eyes. “You have no right to speak.”

“When you insult my wife, you involve me. Remember that, Clayton.”

“It’sMr. Austinwhile you’re here.”

“I’ll be happy to drag you outside and handle this differently if that’s the case.”

Liya grabs my hand. “What we need to know—thereasonwhy we’re here, Mr. Austin—is whether there might be someone in your company who might have paid Willow a little too much attention.”

He blinks and looks at Liya like he’s just noticing she’s in the chair behind me. I sit on the armrest. Not giving up power. But not advancing.

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