Page 58 of Seduction (Wicked Vows)

Morozov and Irina enter, and the American starts running his mouth off.

“The security system and alarm system are so outdated?—”

“It was nearby,” Vera says. “I heard it.”

He gives her a withering look and rolls his eyes before he catches me staring at him. He doesn’t even bother to hide his horror as his cheeks flush bright red, and he mutters something about needing rest and seeing them all in the morning.

I don’t trust this scrawny asshole.

As he exits, so do I. “Be right back.”

“Markov—” I shut the door before Vera can protest.

“Hey.”

Jake stops short, a look of terror in his eyes. “I didn’t say anything to her. You can’t give me shit about anything. I didn’t say a word.” He draws himself to his full height, still a full head shorter than I am. “And anyway, you can’t touch me.”

Oh, really?

I take a step toward him. “Can’t I? I told you to leave her alone. I told you to make sure you?—”

“Didn’t blab about who you two really are to everyone else? Right.”

Though he still looks scared, a smug look fills his face when I clamp my lips together. What does this stupid asshole know?

“I heard you talking,” he says, his trembling voice betraying his nerves. “And where are your rings? You aren’t married. No one believes you are.”

I take another step closer to him. “We aren’t? So you know the truth, then?”

He wilts and doesn’t reply. He doesn’t know shit.

“What’s the truth, Jake? Go ahead. What is it you want to share with everyone?”

“You’re not her husband,” he says, but less sure this time.

I take another step toward him so the toes of our shoes are touching. “Listen to me. Who we are or who we aren’t doesn’t impact you at all, does it? You earned your place here and so did she.” I lean closer to him. “Morozov joked about a bodyguard, didn’t he? Let’s just say he wasn’t far from the truth.”

Jake’s eyes widen.

“I’m here because that woman is worth more than you can imagine. Her life is of great value and her family of great importance.” I tip my head to the side. “You do know what the purpose of a bodyguard is, don’t you?”

“Of course,” he flusters, and I can tell by the look in his eyes he’s dying to know who she is.

“So that means that I do, indeed, take her safety very, very seriously. But more than that, Jake.” I reach over, and he flinches away. I flick a speck of dust off his shirt. “I also take her well-being very seriously. Are we clear? I want her happy, Jake. Very happy. So don’t rock that boat again.”

It seems he can’t really hold back who he is for long. The flash in his eyes tells me he’s not only jealous.

“Who is she?”

I grab him by the shirt as the door behind us opens.

“Markov.” Vera stands behind us. “Put him down,” she says in a low voice, the way someone might gently coax an angry dog to release its prey. “He didn’t hurt me. He didn’t hurt anyone.”

“Yet,” I growl, but I still toss the guy down. He stumbles and falls to one knee but jumps back on his feet, eyes darting between us. “I’m just trying to protect the integrity of our program.”

“We all have secrets, Markov,” he says, my name a mockery on his lips as if he knows it isn’t my real name. “I’ve got evidence, and if you don’t stop interfering, I’ll use it against you.” He waves it in the air and shakes his head. “About you and that self-important bitch who bought her way?—”

My fist connects with his jaw, and before he can react, I lift him and slam him against the wall. I pound the wall beside him, bloodying my knuckles in an effort to keep myself from killing him. “Don’t you fucking name call. And you do not fucking threaten her.” My voice is a low growl.

---