Page 37 of Fierce Vows

Chapter Fourteen

After The Darkness Fades, A Shining Beacon Of Truth

Willow

Everyone turns to stareat me, not the big Russian.Thalia looks both pissed off and terrified at the same time.I want nothing more than to draw her into my embrace and hug her until all of this is over.

“What will this information cost us?”Dom asks, breaking the silence that has descended over us all.

“An alliance,” I say, watching Rafe closely.

Bogdon and I have already discussed everything in the hours we spent waiting for my husband and I know what I want to do.But I also know that we are stronger together and I need to run this past Rafe before diving in head first.I’ve made mistakes, and my errors have gotten people hurt and killed.I don’t want to go through that again, and Rafe will be able to help me see more clearly instead of just following my need for vengeance and bloodshed.

“Let’s move to my office,” Bogdon says when no one speaks.“I’ll have some coffee brought in and we can discuss in detail what we all want out of this situation.”

Taking Rafe’s hand in mine, I lead him down the hallway to where I know Bogdon’s office is.We are once more cloaked in silence as we wait for the young man to deliver the coffee, although I’m sure all of us would have preferred something a little stronger.

The same young man from before enters the room and places the tray down before taking a seat.

“This is my son, Dima,” Bogdon introduces.“He has been working at my side for years to collect the information required so we can finally get vengeance for Ania.”

Dom and Rafe nod.Everyone sitting in this room has done something in their lives to take revenge for either themselves or a loved one, making it easy for us to understand the compulsion.

“Tell me,” Rafe says calmly as he stares at the man who saved my life, “why would I consider aligning myself with you?I don’t know you, and I sure as shit don’t trust you.”

I want to hiss at him for being his regular asshole self, but Bogdon’s booming laughter silences me.

“I see why you two are feared by others in the underworld,dikaya koshka.”His smile is directed at me and I can’t help but return the gesture.“Neither of you have any fear or any filter.”

“What did you call my wife?”Rafe asks, his voice low and menacing.

Thephakanraises his hands with a chuckle.

“It means wild cat,” his son supplies.“It’s what all of the bratva calls her.”

“All?”I ask in shock, at which he nods.“I don’t understand...”

“There is a story about the wife of a don,” Dima explains.“A woman that had abusive husbands served as wedding favors.”

“You respect her?”Dom asks in shock.

“If she was not married to Rafael I would be trying to marry her myself,” Dima replies honestly.

Thalia giggles, drawing all our attention.She waves us off, fighting to stop the laughter.She seems like a complete nut until I see my husband’s face and join in the laughter.He is glaring at the young man who is probably closer to my age than his but I know where his mind has gone.

“It’s not funny,” he grumbles.“When are we going to meet a man that doesn’t want to steal my wife away?”

“Technically,” Bogdon counters.“I don’t want to steal your wife.I bought her to return her to you.Now, all I want is your help so that we can kill thepodonokKirrill.”

“How do you propose we do that?”Dom asks.“You know that we have hunted him for years.The closest any of us have gotten to him is Willow, and I would prefer not to put anyone, especially her, through that again.”

Everyone nods in agreement with his words.I know that neither Thalia nor myself ever want to repeat our experiences with Singleton again, no matter the situation.

“It’s a nice thought,” Thalia says softly.“And I know that I would sleep better tonight if I knew that animal was dead.But it’s impossible.”

“Not really,” I counter.“Bogdon is part of Kirrill’s inner circle.It’s how he was able to get me out.”

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