Chapter Fourteen
Pavel
It’s earlier than usual.
Liya rolls herself into a ball when I leave the bed. She curls into the center of the bed and sighs into my pillow. I’m transfixed by the sight of her fingers curling into the bedding. Where I slept. Where the sheets smell like me.
I turn away.She’s still going to leave when it’s all over.
The bathroom feels empty without her. Even though she’s nearby, and I can hear her breathing on the bed behind me, the center of my chest jerks. It’s like my body anticipates our separation—for today and the future.
I lean against the counter and stare into the mirror. My future has never appeared so bleak. Before Liya, everything was set: take over the Bratva, take over the city, run everything smoothly.
When did everything get so damn complicated?
I’m trying to choose BratvaandLiya. I’m trying to create a place where my child will thriveandrule. It’s hard to picture any of it being separate, but there’s a part of me that wants to separate it. I want to see how the pieces look when they’re not connected.
I peer through the doorway. But I don’t want to see how she looks disconnected from me.
It’s not something I can allow. Any strong pakhan would put his foot down.
If I push her too hard, then I risk pushing her away. But how do I know I haven’t already done that?
Frustrated with my thoughts, I bow forward, wash my face, and shave. I pull out a fresh charcoal gray suit from the closet. And I’m in the middle of getting dressed when Liya sits up in bed.
Her hair is tousled from sleep. Her eyelids are heavy. Her lips are pink, swollen, and begging for attention.
It takes every ounce of strength to resist her. Remnants of sleep cling to her voice. “Where are you going?”
I drift toward the bed while fixing my tie. When she drops her hands, she peers up at me, all doe-eyed and innocent.
My cock hardens instantly.
I caress her cheek. She doesn’t stop me. “I have to head to Manhattan.”
“For?”
“Men and weapons.”
Realization lights up her eyes. She bows her head, resting her forehead on my stomach. I cradle her head and brush my fingers through her hair.
“We’ll be fine,” I assure her. “This is just a formality.”
“I believe your words last night werecontingency plan.” Venom drips from her lips with each word.
“Cross the T’s. Dot the I’s.”
“You can dress it up however you want, but this is a suicide mission.”
I stiffen.Has she been talking to Stepan?
His words circle my mind.This sounds like something my old commander would do.
As I stroke her hair, she doesn’t stop me. But she doesn’t seem soothed by the gesture either.
I step back. “Karina will keep you company today.”
“Like she does every day.”