Page 51 of Bound Vows
“Yesterday morning. Our surveillance team captured these images during a meeting at a warehouse in Queens.” Katarina moves around the desk to stand beside my chair. “The meeting lasted four hours and concluded with handshakes and what appeared to be financial exchanges.”
“Financial exchanges?”
“Briefcases, wire transfer confirmations, and signed documents we couldn’t decode from this distance.” She leans over my shoulder to point at details in the photographs, and her breast brushes against my arm. “Though our lip readers caught references to ‘extraction protocols’ and ‘target elimination.’“
The contact makes me inch away from her, but Katarina follows the movement and places her hand on my opposite shoulder.
“They could be planning rescue operations for Maya, or they could be working on a plan to eliminate key personnel from my organization.” I stand and walk to the window, putting distance between us. “Without audio surveillance, we’re making assumptions based on incomplete intelligence.”
“The assumptions are supported by additional evidence. Three more of our lieutenants have died in apparent accidents over the past week, and our revenue streams are being systematically targeted.” Katarina approaches the window and positions herself close enough to touch. “Someone is providing our enemies with detailed operational intelligence.”
“Someone with access to sensitive information about our organizational structure.” I turn to face her, noting not for the first time how her pupils dilate when I make eye contact. “The question is whether that someone is a traitor within our ranks or simply someone who’s been compromised by external pressure.”
“Or someone who’s been distracted by personal attachments that compromise professional judgment.” Katarina’s voice carries pointed criticism as she glances toward the bedroom where Maya is recovering. “Your marriage has created vulnerabilities that our enemies are eager to exploit.”
“We’ve been over this, Katarina.” I move away from the window and return to my desk, though Katarina follows like a shadow.
“Maya’s family connections are being used against you. Her brother’s coalition wouldn’t exist without the legitimacy her kidnapping provided.” Katarina sits on the edge of my desk, close enough that her knee touches my thigh when I settle intomy chair. “That Italian woman has made you blind in ways Elena never did.”
The comparison to Elena crosses a line. “Maya is a?—”
“Maya is a liability who threw herself through a window rather than accept her circumstances. That’s not the behavior of someone who’s adapted to her new role.” Katarina’s hand moves to rest on my forearm. “You’re allowing personal feelings to override strategic thinking, and it’s going to destroy everything we’ve built.”
“EverythingI’vebuilt.” I remove her hand from my arm. “Your role has been intelligence coordination, not organizational leadership.”
“My role has been whatever you needed it to be. Intelligence coordinator, strategic advisor, and emotional support during your darkest moments. I’ve been loyal to you since Elena’s funeral, Andrei. That loyalty hasn’t wavered despite your recent… distractions.”
“My recent marriage, you mean.”
“Your recent obsession with a woman who will never love you the way Elena did. Or the way I do.” She sucks in a breath, pretending to be shocked by her admission, but I see right through it. She said what she meant to say. “I could protect you better than she ever will. I understand this world and what you need to survive in it.”
Before I can respond to this inappropriate declaration, movement in the doorway catches my attention. Maya leans against the frame, wearing sweatpants and one of my shirts with her bandaged arm cradled against her chest. The bruisingaround her ankle has darkened overnight, but she’s mobile enough to move around without assistance.
“Am I interrupting something important?” Maya asks with a smirk, though I catch the edge in her voice.
“Katarina was briefing me on organizational developments in the city.” I stand and move toward Maya, noting how her green eyes track every gesture between Katarina and me. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Like someone who threw herself through a window and lived to regret it. Though I’m feeling well enough to take an interest in business matters that affect my husband.”
The possessive emphasis on “my husband” makes Katarina press her lips together with barely concealed hostility. She slides off the desk and smooths her skirt before she says, “Maya, how lovely to see you recovering so well from your… accident. I was just explaining to Andrei how your family’s activities are creating security complications for us.”
“My family’s activities are creating security complications because you kidnapped me and forced me into marriage. Cause and effect. Though I’m sure you have suggestions for how to resolve these issues.”
“I have suggestions for protecting Andrei from threats that extend beyond family loyalty.” Katarina’s gaze drops to Maya’s hand as it settles on my arm. “Some situations require solutions that prioritize organizational survival over personal attachments.”
Maya’s right eyebrow hikes up, and her smirk grows. “Personal attachments like marriage vows, or personal attachments like unrequited feelings for unavailable men?”
The verbal dagger finds its mark, and Katarina’s composure cracks just enough to reveal the fury underneath. “Unlike some people, I don’t allow personal desires to compromise professional responsibilities.”
“No, you just allow professional responsibilities to justify personal desires.” Maya’s voice carries the kind of sweet venom that precedes bloodshed. “How convenient that your strategic recommendations align with removing me from Andrei’s life.”
“Ladies,” I interrupt before the conversation escalates to physical violence. “Perhaps we should focus on practical solutions rather than personal grievances.”
Katarina gathers her surveillance photographs. “Some personal grievances have practical implications that can’t be ignored indefinitely, Andrei.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning your wife’s jealousy is showing, and jealous women make dangerous decisions when they feel threatened. I hope you’re prepared for the consequences of that emotional volatility.”
