Page 60 of Wicked Vows (Suvorov Bratva 2)

All eyes are on the cell. Stepan and Kostya aid Dr. Atlee while two other brigadiers watch with blank expressions. We’re robots observing a surgical procedure like the life of the man on the other side of the bars isn’t necessarily important. His safety is my responsibility, and I’m always hoping for the right outcome.

But not because I care abouthim.

When I look at my wife, she’s wearing the same blank expression. It sends another wave of unease through me to sense that her energy has shifted, too. Those caring and compassionate eyes are now void of emotion.

In the past, Liya has been able to handle high-pressure situations while also processing her fear and anxiety out loud. But right now, she doesn’t seem to be experiencing anything other than impatience.

I don’t like how it looks.

“Liya,” I say in a low voice as I continue watching Dr. Atlee work. “What’s going on with you?”

“Why do you need to know?”

I bristle with annoyance. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Who taught you how to speak like that?”

She clears her throat lightly and folds her arms over her chest. Despite her cold, hard expression, she’s still trying to guard herself.

She shrugs nonchalantly while avoiding my gaze. “Viktoria.”

I fold my hands behind my back. “She shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why?”

Hurt ebbs and flows in my chest. “I preferred the Liya who didn’t slip into the same mindset as a pakhan.”

She turns to me with her arms tightened over her chest. “Excuse me?”

“Your cruelty is worsening by the second.”

“You’re being ridiculous, Pavel,” she snaps, keeping her voice low so no one else can hear our spat. “Do you prefer the old Liya? TheweakLiya?”

I shake my head. “You misunderstand.”

“Then set the fucking record straight for me.”

I whirl on her, pinning her with a sharp gaze. “What I love about you isn’t your ruthlessness, Liya.” She doesn’t step back when I lean toward her. It just makes me advance even more. “It’s your fiercely loving nature. It’s your compassion, your loyalty, your commitment to morals that no one else could possibly survive with.”

Her lips form into a disappointed frown. Is she upset with me about this? That’s absurd. Her personality is precisely what drew me to her in the first place. She should know that.

“Other people haven’t witnessed those parts of you like I have,” I continue. “And I don’t want to see you lose them.”

“Only because it benefits you.”

I scowl. “Is it wrong for me to enjoy you just the way you are?”

She squares her shoulders. “You had no problem taking advantage of me when you thought I was weak. And then you took advantage of me because I helped you achieve your goals.”

“Why wouldn’t I want my wife to become my partner?”

“The only reason you’re saying that is because I’m starting to surpass you.”

I stifle a laugh. “Careful, Liya. Big heads make for bigger targets.”

“Like you’re not proud of the things you do?”

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