Page 73 of Dark Promise (Suvorov Bratva 1)

When will this end?

“Liya,” Viktoria calls from the kitchen doorway in a soft voice. “Your brother is here to see you.”

I blink while setting the mug on the counter, instinctively running my fingers through my hair to brush it. “What?” I adjust the cardigan, my jeans. “Who?”

“Jonas,” she repeats. “Your brother,krolik.” A teasing smile splits her lips as she adds, “Or do I need to pinch you again?”

I roll my eyes. At least one of us is in a humorous mood today. “No, thank you, Viktoria. I’ll meet him in the den.”

“Tea?”

I frown mournfully at my mug and whisper, “He hates tea.”

“You can still have yours,” she assures. “Go. I’ll bring you biscuits, too.”

My headache doubles down. But I know if I don’t eat that I won’t survive the day.

Or my unexpected visitor.

I lift the mug. “Thank you, Viktoria.”

As I pass her, she pats my shoulder gently, all the weight of her comfort infecting my bones. I ease up a little bit. Viktoria is here. I’m perfectly fine.

Jonas looks pensive as I walk into the den. I probably look like total shit, but it doesn’t matter. It’s my home. I can look however I want while I’m here. And only while I’m here.

Everywhere else, I have to look like a queen.

I clear my throat to grab his attention, but he keeps his gaze on the immaculate view of the city. “Liya,” he says flatly. “What are you doing up here?”

“I, uh…”

“How long do I have to wait for you to do what you need to do?”

I frown while rubbing my palm against my forehead. “I’m sorry, Jonas. I don’t know what you mean.”

Disappointment pours from his expression as he turns to face me. The sunlight halos his body and darkens the shadows on his face, deepening the menacing frown that greets me.

“The agreement, you moron. How long do I have to wait for Pavel to fulfillhispart ofmydeal?”

Of course. Why else would my brother visit? No concern, no worries, noI miss youorhow are you feeling?Just Jonas. Always Jonas.

That feeling of being locked in a tower returns. Maybe the monster outside my door isn’t Pavel. Maybe it neverwasPavel.

I know I’m being watched, so I stand as tall as I can and say, “You have to leave, Jonas.”

He steps toward me. “What?”

“You have to go. You can talk to Pavel about it later. He isn’t here.”

“I’m not leaving until I get what I want.”

I dig my heels into the carpet to steady myself. “Pavel won’t like that.”

“I don’t care what he likes, Liya. I gave him what he wanted, so now he needs to give me what I want. That’s how a trade works.”

It stings to hear him say it like that, but I try not to let it show. “You never did have patience. You just have to trust his word.”

“Trust!” He scoffs. “What a fucking joke. His word doesn’t mean shit to me without results. You need to do your duty and get Pavel to give me the Citta Nostra. Like he said he would. Like youpromised.”

---