Page 23 of Bound Vows (Empire City Syndicate #3)

Andrei

Watching Maya sleep peacefully after yesterday’s medical crisis while Katarina stands in my doorway demanding my attention proves that some women have impeccable timing for creating problems.

“We need to discuss the situation in the city immediately,” Katarina announces as she enters my office without invitation. “The organization is fracturing faster than anticipated.”

I close the laptop containing Maya’s latest psychological evaluation and lean back in my chair, noting how Katarina’s usual composure seems frayed.

“How did you get past perimeter security?” I ask before addressing her supposed emergency. “They weren’t supposed to let anyone inside the house.”

“I’ve been your intelligence coordinator for eight years, Andrei. They know that order doesn’t apply to me.” Katarina approaches my desk with the confident stride of someone who considers herself indispensable. “Besides, the information I’m carrying is too sensitive for electronic transmission.”

“What information?”

“Max Mastroni’s coalition has expanded beyond our worst projections.

He’s recruited military contractors from three firms, secured financing from sources we haven’t identified, and convinced two Chicago families to provide logistical support.

” She opens her briefcase and spreads surveillance photographs across my desk.

“They’re planning something ambitious, and Maya’s continued absence is accelerating their timeline. ”

I study the images, recognizing faces from our intelligence files mixed with others I don’t immediately identify. The scope of Max’s coalition indeed exceeds what our previous reports indicated, and the professional quality of his recruited muscle suggests serious financial backing.

“When did you acquire these photographs?”

“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 into my 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. ”

“Everything I’ve built.” 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 bruising around 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.”

After Katarina leaves with promises to return with additional intelligence reports, Maya and I remain in uncomfortable silence.

“How much of that conversation did you hear?” I ask as Maya settles into the chair Katarina vacated.

“Enough to confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that your intelligence coordinator has feelings that extend beyond professional loyalty. The question is whether you’re aware of those feelings and what you plan to do about them.”

“Katarina’s personal feelings don’t affect her professional performance. She’s been loyal to this organization for years.” I pour myself a glass of vodka from the bottle in my desk drawer. “Whatever attraction she might feel is irrelevant to our working relationship.”

“Irrelevant attraction that manifests as touching you inappropriately and making comments about protecting you better than I can.” Maya’s voice is laced with something I’ve never heard— jealousy mixed with possession.

“She wants you, Andrei. She’s wanted you since Elena died, maybe even before, and my presence threatens whatever future she’s been planning. ”

I offer Maya the vodka, which she accepts despite the early hour. “Her feelings are unrequited, Piccola. I’ve never given her reason to believe otherwise.”

“You don’t have to give someone reason to hope. Sometimes, proximity and loyalty are enough to feed delusions about eventual reciprocation. Her unrequited feelings make her dangerous to me specifically.”

“Katarina understands the consequences of threatening what belongs to me. Her intelligence makes her valuable, but not irreplaceable. I’m more interested in discussing your reaction to her presence.”

“My reaction?” Maya scoffs.