Page 17 of Vows in Violence

I step toward Brodie, whose eyes widen in fear. Vivi utters a soft, “no, please, no...” Brodie opens his mouth to say something to Vivi, but I cut him off, reaching down and snapping his neck with a swift, practiced motion.

The sound is a gunshot in the quiet room, and Brodie’s body crumples forward. I relish the sight for a moment, and when I look back at Vivi, the fire in her eyes has changed. She is looking at me with horror and pure, unadulterated hatred.

I push aside the niggling sense that I fucked up, that maybe it is too much.

No.Her hate is good.Hate is what I am used to dealing with. Hate will keep me from going soft for her.

Angel stands, his fingers threading through the bars of the cage. "I would have done the same thing,sorellina."

I move swiftly across the room and kick the cage. “I don’t need your defense.” Angel steps away before my foot makes impact, putting up his hands in surrender, but the smirk on his face says otherwise.

As soon as the Azrael situation is taken care of, I plan on wringing his neck until I can watch the light leave that bastard’s eyes. He has no say here.

"Nikolai, take care of the body and send the hands to Brodie’s mother," I command, my voice sharp as I continue to give Angel a death stare.

"No!" Vivi exclaims, her voice trembling with emotion.

I spin toward my deceiving wife. "Yes, my pet. It’s the Romanov way, and you are a Romanov now. When a son betrays his Don, his mother gets pieces of him on her doorstep," I say, my tone leaving no room for argument.

"He didn’t betray his Don. His Don was Angel," she protests, her voice breaking.

"Sorellina…" Angel starts, but I cut him off with a glare.

The room falls into a heavy silence, the weight of the evening’s events pressing down on all of us.

"No, Angel," Vivi interrupts, her voice firm. "Too many people have paid for the decisions you have made." She turns to me, desperation clear in her eyes. "Husband, please listen to me. I don’t know a lot about your father, but I know his reputation. Maxim Romanov never led a large family, but he was respected by everyone, even my father. Brodie was sent to your house years ago by Angel, before Angel even disappeared. He earned your trust and betrayed you, but he did it all for his Don. Your fatherwould see that this was a man loyal to his family. He tried to outsmart you, but he failed. That is why he is dead, but he was never your man. Your father would have respected Brodie."

She knows only the highlights of my father, the image he projected to the world. She never knew Maxim like I did, never experienced the man who made monsters. Yet, she is right. Every violent act I’ve committed has been against those who betrayed my trust. Maxim always said that death is not the worst thing that can happen to a man; dishonor is. Every enemy Maxim defeated that came from another family was sent back in a casket to that family, his honor intact.

I bare my teeth in frustration. Changing my command in front of a man like Nikolai is not ideal, but there is a thread that connects me to my father in the grave, a string that controls me like a puppeteer with a marionette. I hate it. I want to cut it off, but everything that I am was made by Maxim.

I take a deep breath, forcing the words out. "Do as she says."

Nikolai’s eyes widened slightly, his surprise evident. "As the girl says?" he asks, almost incredulous.

"Yes," I snap, my patience worn thin. "Is there a problem?"

Nikolai shakes his head, his expression guarded. Yet he doesn’t make a move to discard the body.

Vivi’s gaze softens a fraction, and I can see the relief in her eyes. But the fire is still there, smoldering. I have not won her over, merely bought a moment of peace.

I take a step closer to Nikolai, my eyes locking onto his. "Do as mywifesays, Nikolai. For the first time tonight, she has told the truth. I would remind you to remember her words. The worst treatment is saved for those within my service who disobey me."

I can see Nikolai’s jaw working as he tightens it. Oh, Nikolai. Don’t you know? That is an invitation for the monster that is Ivan Romanov. You don’t want to experience that bite.

Nikolai backs down, his eyes flickering with a mix of anger and respect. He calls others into the room, and they remove Brodie’s body, leaving the room eerily quiet. I’m not even close to being done or letting out all my anger over tonight’s events. I have only one thing left to do.

I turn on Vivi again, and she swallows audibly as if she understands that it’s her turn now to be punished. I don’t speak as I reach her and grip her arm.

Angel is back to clutching the cage, fear etched into his face. I grin at him as I direct his sister out of the room. I hear a bang against the cage, but I don’t react or slow my pass. I lead Vivi, who doesn’t fight me, out of the sitting room and up the stairs to our bedroom.

I release her and close the door behind us. Her gaze wavers with fear, but she nods as if she is ready for whatever punishment I’m ready to dish out.

She shouldn’t look so enticing. I should hate her right now. But it’s an odd feeling. I want to protect her, and yet she betrayed me.

I take a step toward her and take her face in my hands. Her whole body tightens, and I’m curious if she’s thinking I will snap her neck just like I did to Brodie. Her ending won’t be so quick if she ever truly betrays me, though.

My lips land on hers, and I taste her tears, salty, warm, and sweet. My kiss is slow as I savor the flavor and the softness of her kiss. Her body sags into me with relief, or maybe she is enjoying the kiss. It’s always hard to tell with Vivi.

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