Page 78 of Paved in Hate

“Damn, we should do anal more often,” I tell him, reaching for the mug.

“I like to spoil you. It has nothing to do with anything else.”

I’m not sure I fully believe him, but when he hands me a plate of waffles, I decide I no longer care what the reason is.

“You cooked?”

“Sort of.” He laughs and motions towards the plate. “I microwaved.” He gives me a wink. “Still counts.”

“I’m not complaining.” I cut off a piece of the syrupy waffle and groan in appreciation when it hits my mouth.

“Keep making noises like that, and I’m going to fuck you again.”

I’m still a bit sore from the night before, so I keep my appreciative moans to a minimum while I take another bite. He sits on the edge of the bed, drinking his coffee while I run my eyes over the jeans and black sweater he’s wearing. It looks buttery soft and hugs his impressive frame, accentuating the broad shoulders and trim waist.

“Don’t forget to eat, sweetheart.” He gives a soft laugh when I meet his eyes and realize he’s caught me eye-fucking him again. When I take another bite, he says, “Dominic Alessi is coming over today. Danil finally got a meeting set up with Casimir, so that’s happening this evening, and we’re going to need to meet with your brothers and come up with some explanation for the men Matvey and Roman killed last night.”

“I’ll go with you,” I quickly say, but he just laughs and looks at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.

“Not a chance in hell,ptichka. I told you the last time we were there that you would never see them again, and I meant it. Danil’s going with me. We obviously can’t trust Matvey or Roman to behave themselves, and we need Lev to stay here and make sure they don’t leave.”

“I don’t want you around them again either.” I set my fork down, no longer hungry, and try to push my plate away.

“Hey, you need to eat more than that.” His hand covers mine, giving me a soft squeeze. “My job will always be dangerous, you know that, but I can handle things with your brothers.”

“Don’t you usually just do strip club stuff?”

“I only started Pink because we needed a cover and a way to gather information. When we first got here, we spent a lot of time at the Red Viper, getting close to David and Aaron.”

“God, I hate those two. I’ve never been to the club, but I’ve heard enough over the years to know they’re a couple of bastards who will do anything to keep my brothers happy.”

“They are, yeah,” Vitaly says. “We’ve been looking forward to killing them.”

When I take another bite of food, he gives me a wink, and I have the ridiculous urge to clean my plate just so I can see that proud look on his face again. I try not to think too hard about what I would do for one of Vitaly’s sexy winks. I’m guessing the list would shock the hell out of me.

Popping another piece of waffle in my mouth, I say, “If I can’t go with you to see my brothers, then I at least want to be there for the meeting with Dominic.”

The corner of his mouth quirks up the tiniest bit. “I’m not sure you understand how this works, baby.”

“I know exactly how this works. My brothers tried to keep me in the dark, but that’s not how I want things to be with you. The Bratva is all I know, Vitaly. It’s been my life since my first breath. I don’t expect you to let me go into a gunfight with you.”

He snorts out a laugh and shakes his head in anover my fucking dead bodykind of way, but I ignore him and keep talking.

“But it’s my two brothers you’re planning on taking down. Maybe I can help.”

Leaning closer, he gives me a soft kiss, running his tongue over my lips before dipping inside for more. He threads his fingers in my hair, deepening the kiss before pulling back with a smile.

“So goddamn sweet.”

“You’re trying to sidetrack me.”

“Is it working?”

I laugh and grab his wrist, kissing the scarred palm of his hand. “Yes, but I still want in on the meeting.”

Vitaly lets out a pained sigh. “Is this the happy medium everyone talks about? Marriage is about compromise and all that?”

“I think it might be, yes.”

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