Page 95 of Dark Promise (Suvorov Bratva 1)

I lean in before she drifts away and inhale her scent. Champagne bubbles. Spring flowers. A hint of the honey milk soap I keep ordering for her.

“I know it’s not much,” she says, snapping me back to reality. “I didn’t have a lot of time.”

I blink while grabbing a cloth napkin to tuck into my collar. “It looks great, Liya. Thank you.”

We eat quietly. The steak is perfectly seasoned and cooked just the way I like it: rare. The potatoes are flaky, buttery, the skin crisp. The carrots are soft, tangy with citrus. Everything is amazing. I don’t see how she could doubt herself so much.

When I look at Liya to compliment her, I notice her pushing carrots around her plate. Her steak is only partially eaten. Her salad is untouched. Even the wine sits undisturbed in the glass.

“Liya?”

She blinks and looks at me, a smile appearing instantly. “Yes, Pavel?”

The tone of her voice reminds me of my brigadiers. I know that tone anywhere.

It’s defeat.

“What’s wrong,rodnaya?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing.”

She sips her wine slowly, eyes hooked to the silverware on the table like it’s going to get up and waltz away. Her nostrils flare slightly as she sets her glass down.

She’s lying.

But I don’t push. I finish my meal, enjoying every bite as if it might be my last.

When I’m done, she collects our plates and says, “I just need space tonight, okay?”

I catch her wrist lightly. “Won’t you stay,Lisichka? Sit with me. Talk.”

“I…” She shakes her head. “I can’t…”

She walks away.

And I let her do it.

Once the plates are in the sink, she wanders past me, hugging herself as she cuts through the living room to get to the hallway. I should be angry with her, mortified by her behavior, but all I can manage to do is stare at her ass.

My mouth slacks as my cock throbs to life.

Why am I asking her anything?I drool when I notice the gentle shimmy of her hips.She’s my wife. I have every right to do what I want when I want.

But then again, she’s mywife. She wears a crown on her shoulder. She wears the ring I gave her. I should honor her, care for her, and keep her safe—as I promised.

And what am I without the honor of my word?

I snatch the napkin from my collar and wipe my lips. The waitress flashes in my mind. And then Vorobyov. And then Jonas.

How can I protect her when she thinks I’m a monster?

It makes sense why she would put distance between us. She’s trying to protect herself.

From me.

But still, I need her.

I stand abruptly, nearly knocking over the chair. I’m marching through the living room to the hallway before I can think about it, before I can even consider anything else.

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