Page 22 of Viparious

She nods and that curve deepens.

“Yeah, something really great.”

The delusions of normalcy are going to get her hurt.

My voice comes out rough as I straighten.

“As long as you don’t forget that the monster is there, you won’t get hurt.”

But Inessa is stubborn and argues despite how her lashes droop, exposing her exhaustion.

“You won’t hurt me, you can’t. Underneath all the blood you continue to bathe yourself in, you’re a protector. You weren’t meant to be this violent, destructive force. I see you, Vlad.”

The last three words sound eerie, and I can’t disagree with her. She has the uncanny ability to get under my skin but seeing too much will do more harm than good.

“You seem to have a problem with your other senses because you never listen.”

Proving my point, she forces herself to stay awake and acts like she’s my junior.

“Do you want me to come with you to the Vory? Play up your proximity to the Pakhan?”

Her mind is fucking extraordinary. I thought she was just being conceited when she said she’ll play her part, but the longer I’m around her the more I see that she can back it up with her actions. I soften my voice as I reiterate the rules of the Vory.

“Women aren’t permitted.”

She gets offended, and her tone hardens. “I’m not justanywoman.”

Pride fills me as I stare down at her. It wraps around my voice, making it deeper.

“Trust me I know, you have a bigger set of balls than the majority of them fuckers, but I wouldn’t trust them in a room with a goldfish, never mind my wife.”

If one of them opened their mouths and tried to tell her to be quiet, I’d have to kill them. It would undo all the hard work I’ve put in and she’d end up complaining if it turned into an internal conflict with the different security groups.

She leans back, pushing her head into my thighs and stares at my face with her brows slamming together.

“Did you just compliment me? I think you did, but you said it so aggressively that I’m not sure.”

I didn’t think she had an issue with her ego that required it to be stroked. Inessa is beauty personified and she has a wicked mind to match.

“Do you need compliments when you have eyes and access to your reflection?”

She turns on her side and pushes one hand under her cheek as she fights a smile. “You just did it again. And to answer your question, yes. It would be nice if my husband actually liked something about me, rather than constantly telling me to shut up.”

“Okay,” I hum and massage her scalp above her ear. “Now shut up and go to sleep.”

But she doesn’t listen.

“Make me,” she playfully fires back.

“Ride me.”

“Make me,” she repeats.

“Blow me.”

“Make me.”

“Sit on my face and cover my ears with your thighs so I can have peace.”

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