Page 48 of Savage Reign

Eva stares at him like he’s grown a second head. “You’re eating that after our workout? Seriously?”

Vadim shrugs, spoon halfway to his mouth. “What? It’s delicious.”

Eva leans on the counter, her expression mock-stern. “We did two hours of cardio and strength training, and now you’re going to undo it all with sugar-coated cardboard?”

Yelena chimes in from the stove, barely glancing back. “Let the man eat. He works hard. Besides, it’s better than that green sludge you call a drink.”

“Thank you, Yelena,” Vadim says, pointing his spoon at Eva. “At least someone gets me.”

Eva rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. “You do realize this is why you’ll never have abs like me, right?”

Vadim snorts. “I don’t need abs like you. I have a personality. Besides, you’re only jealous of my beautiful face.”

I laugh at their ridiculous bickering.

“As if,” Eva shoots back before glancing at her watch. “Anyhow, I have a meeting with the Orlovs to get to.” She claps me on the back. “See you later, Sofiya. I’ll remind Niko to take you shopping.”

“Yeah, I’d really like my own underwear, too,” I admit.

Vadim’s brows rise in surprise, but he hides his grin by focusing intently on his cereal.

“I’m sure you would,” Eva calls over her shoulder before disappearing through the doorway.

Her comment about meeting with the committee surprised me. I didn’t expect Eva to have a job. Most women tied to men like Nikolai don’t, though my sister is an exception. Then again, her relationship with Roman isn’t exactly traditional.

I sigh, guilt bubbling up. Every time I’m not utterly miserable here, I feel like I’m betraying Liza, Roman, the Syndicate, my friends, and everyone who’s affected by this. I know it’s ridiculous because me feeling like crap won’t fix a thing.

“Whoa, what’s with that frown?” Vadim asks, grabbing the cereal box and giving it a shake. “You know what could turn that upside down?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I’m sorry, I can’t imagine you working for Nikolai Zhukov. You’re way too?—”

“Fun? I get that a lot. But we’re like yin and yang. We balance each other out.”

I grab a handful of cereal and toss it into my mouth because why not? I swear Yelena shoots me a dirty look from across the kitchen where she’s kneading dough. “And how did you two meet?” I ask.

“In prison.”

I nearly choke. “I didn’t expect that… not sure why.”

“Yeah, most people don’t, especially because of my military background.” He shrugs. “But life has a way of throwing curveballs.”

I lean my head into my hands. “Tell me about it.”

Vadim’s eyes soften as he rests his elbows on the table. “You’re tougher than you look, you know,” he says, his tone unexpectedly sincere.

I huff out a laugh. “I don’t feel tough.”

“Trust me. Most people wouldn’t have lasted this long. And they wouldn’t be laughing while eating cereal with me.”

Before I can respond, Nikolai strides into the room, his presence commanding as always. His dress shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a hint of inked skin. His suit jacket hangs loosely over his arm, and the faint shadow of stubble adds to his rugged edge.

Vadim grins, gesturing toward me with his spoon. “Your wife has a pressing request. She’d like her own underwear.”

My eyes widen, and heat rushes to my cheeks. “Vadim!” I hiss, mortified.

Nikolai’s brow arches slightly, but his expression remains composed. “Noted,” he says, his gaze sweeping over me briefly before shifting back to Vadim. “You ready?”

“Born ready,” Vadim replies, rising with a grin. As they head for the door, he calls back, “I’ll make sure he gets you the good stuff, Sofiya.”

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