Page 53 of Ruthless Bonds

“Good morning.” I plastered a smile on my face, which made Gavriil narrow his eyes. “Gavriil, it’s too early to be scowling.” I sat down at the little breakfast nook just as an older man came around the corner.

“That’s his permanent face.” The older man chuckled and came right toward me with his arms open. “You must be Alora. I’m Vlad, Anya’s husband and head chef.” He squeezed me in a tight hug, then looked me up and down. “Too skinny. You’ll need to eat more since you’ll be eating for two soon.”

My eyes widened at his comment. The rest of the room erupted in laughter.

OK, it was too early for baby talk.

“Let me prepare you a proper breakfast. You like eggs, meats?” Vlad rolled up his shirt and walked over to the stove, not waiting for me to answer.

Anya checked her watch, then stood. “The Pakhan ate early this morning, but you will typically eat your meals with him in the master dining area. This room is for staff.”

“Oh, I can’t eat in here?” I quirked my eyebrow.

“Leave her, Anya,” Vlad scolded. “She can eat wherever she likes.”

Gavriil cleared his throat and laid his newspaper down in his neat little stack. “You’re up early, Miss Wolfe.”

“Yes, Kreos said I could go out as long as I had security with me.” I glanced at Tash and Grigori. “I have some errands that I want to run, so I thought I’d get a head start.”

“What kind of errands?” Kreos’ deep voice came from behind me, and I startled. I swiveled around in my stool, and immediately wished I hadn’t.

There he stood, a Greek god carved from flesh and ink.

He was shirtless, using a towel to wipe down the sheen of sweat on his body. My gaze traveled from his black training pants that molded to his muscular legs, up to the “V” of his lower abdomen. Tattoos covered his entire torso, up his chest and arms, way more than he’d had years ago.

I was fairly certain I stared at his Adonis belt for far longer than was socially acceptable. When our eyes finally met, a knowing smirk played at the corners of his lips. He took a step forward, deliberately into the space between my spread legs, and reached for a cup of coffee. His scent of sweat and pure masculinity enveloped me, and I couldn’t stop myself from inhaling as he leaned over me.

“Good morning,kotic,” he murmured, his lips brushing my ear. The low timbre of his voice sent goosebumps down my arm, and I had to bite my bottom lip to stop whatever traitorous sound was about to come out.

If he could make me unravel this easy, what was going to happen when we slept in the same room together? Or maybe we wouldn’t. Maybe it wouldn’t be that type of marriage.

Fakemarriage.

“We have staff who can take care of your errands.” Kreos sipped his coffee, crossing one ankle over the other as he leaned against the counter.

“Yes, but I need to go to the art studio to pick upsome photos. And you said I could go out if Tash and Grigori babysat.” I glanced at them as if for help, but they wouldn’t look at me. If he denied me this, I might just lose it.

“OK. But they must stay with you at all times.” He stared at them until they both nodded, straightening their backs. “Gavriil will get you a phone and credit card before you leave.”

Vlad placed a plate of food down in front of me, and my stomach growled right at that moment.

“Eat, then meet me in my office. I have someone I want you to meet.” On that note Kreos left, Gavriil following behind him.

I bounced happily in my seat, knowing that I was getting out of the house.

Gavriil came back a few minutes later and handed me a brand-new phone. For whatever reason, I wasn’t allowed to keep my old one, but I didn’t argue with him about it. He also slid a black credit card over and said I could buy anything I wanted, which he didn’t seem so happy about. Maybe I would stop at the bookstore and get him a book on how to chill the hell out.

After I finished eating, I met Kreos in his office—he was now fully dressed, thank God. We walked down a series of hallways until we ended in front of a set of glass sliding doors. Two men with guns stood outside, and they stepped to the side as the doors swooshed open. Nadya walked out, her arms full of dead flowers. She gave us a curt nod and limped down the hall. I wondered what had happened to her leg, but thought it might be rude of me to ask.

We went inside the bright white room, and I wassurprised to see a man lay in the bed, hooked up to a heart monitor and some other machines. Kreos walked over, moving the man’s hair off his forehead.

“Who is this?” I stepped closer, looking between the two of them. They both shared similar facial features, and I realized they must be related.

“My brother, Constantine.” There was coldness in his voice, and I really hoped Kreos wasn’t the reason his brother was in this condition.

“What happened to him?”

“Someone tried to kill him. They almost succeeded, but us Zokrovs don’t go down easy.” His jaw clenched, and I could sense his anger.

---