Page 121 of Filthy Lies

“That was Arkady,” he says, unnecessarily. “Agent Carver called. The Bureau is officially redirecting all resources to the Solovyov investigation.”

My breath catches. “And us?”

“We’re off their radar. For now.” His mouth curves into something too predatory to be called a smile, but it warms me up nonetheless. “Your strategy worked, Rowan. Better than we could have hoped.”

I sit up, sheet falling away from my naked body. “So that’s it? They’re really leaving us alone? Just like that?”

“Not out of the kindness of their hearts.” Vince’s fingers trace my spine, sending shivers across my skin. “But because you gave them bigger fish to fry. The Solovyovs are going down hard, andCarver’s going to make his career on it, and we haveyouto thank, my little doe.”

The relief hits me with unexpected force. “So we’re safe? Really safe?”

“As safe as people like us ever get.” Vince’s phone vibrates again. He checks it, and then his grin ticks one notch wider. “Costa Rica just came through, too. The development has secured new investors—legitimate ones, with no ties to either the Petrovs or us. Clean money, Rowan. Clean fucking cash.”

I laugh, the sound bordering on hysterical. After months—years—of living under the shadow of violence and fear, these victories feel almost surreal. A fever dream I might wake from at any moment.

“It’s really happening,” I whisper. “Everything we talked about. Everything we fought for.”

Vince pulls me to him, crushing my mouth with his. “Because of you,” he says again against my lips. “Your mind. Your strategy. Your fucking genius plan to feed the FBI exactly what they needed.”

His praise sinks into me and warms me from the inside out. I didn’t think I had a praise kink until the first time Vince called me hisgood girl. Now, it’s like I can’t get enough of the stuff.Because of youis borderline orgasmic.

“We did it together,” I correct him, my fingers tangling in his black-and-silver hair. “Your strength. My strategy. Peanut butter and jelly, baby.”

He laughs, a sound I will never stop loving. His hand slides up my thigh to find the wetness between my legs and turn my laugh into a strangled moan. “We make quite the team, don’t we?”

Before I can answer, a soft knock interrupts us. Vince growls in frustration, his fingers reluctantly withdrawing as I scramble for my robe.

“What?” he barks toward the door.

Anastasia’s voice filters through. “Sorry to interrupt. Daniil and I were wondering if you two might want an evening to yourselves? We could watch Sofiya.”

I glance at Vince, surprised. Anastasia and Daniil have been living under our protection for weeks now, but they’ve largely kept a careful distance from Sofiya. Whether out of respect or uncertainty, I’m not sure.

“Give us a minute,” I call back, searching Vince’s face for his reaction.

His expression is contemplative. “Do you trust them?” he asks quietly.

The question catches me off-guard. Not because it’s unexpected—Vince trusts no one—but because he’s asking me. Deferring to my judgment.

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. “I do.”

He nods. “Give us an hour,” he calls through the door. “We’ll bring her to you.”

Anastasia’s footsteps retreat, and I’m left staring at my husband, curiosity piqued.

“What exactly are you planning?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

Vince smirks, that dangerous curl of his lips that still makes my stomach flip after all this time. “Get dressed. Wear something nice. I’ll take Sofiya to them, and I want you ready when I get back.”

“Ready for what?”

“A celebration.” He rises from the bed, magnificently naked and unashamed. “We’ve earned one, don’t you think?”

An hour later, I’m dressed in a simple black slip dress, waiting for Vince in our bedroom. When the door opens, I expect to see him—not what I actually find, which is Arkady holding a garment bag and a suspicious smile.

“Boss’s orders,” Arkady explains, hanging the bag on the closet door. “You’re to change into this and meet him on the roof in twenty minutes.”

“The roof?” I echo, bewildered. “What the hell is Vince up to?”

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