Page 14 of Bratva’s Vow (Bratva’s Undoing #2)

CHAPTER TEN

WREN

T he screen on my phone lit up with a delivery update, and I nearly squealed in my chair.

Your package is ready for collection.

Finally.

I’d been tracking the damn thing like a hawk for days, checking the estimated delivery window every few hours.

And now it was here. The gift I’d poured way too much thought and money into.

Something I was convinced would actually surprise Maxim.

Something thoughtful. Sentimental. Something that screamed, “I know you, even if you don’t always let me in. ”

I bounced a little in my seat, glancing around the mostly empty hallway, then flicking back to Maxim’s calendar on my monitor.

Meeting with M. Voronov – Estimated Duration: 1hr.

Yes. Perfect. Maxim was locked away in his office with his phone turned off and at least two heavy hitters sitting in with him. He wouldn’t notice I was gone. Not if I was quick.

I grabbed my phone again and dialed Nik.

It rang.

And rang.

Then clicked to voice mail.

Weird. Nik always answered. Always.

Frowning, I hung up and tried Jess.

She picked up on the second ring. “Hey, sunshine. You miss me?”

“Hey, like a hole in the head. You wouldn’t happen to know where Nik is, would you?”

“Sleeping. He’s been working overtime lately. Why?”

“I need to pick up a gift I had customized for Maxim’s birthday.”

“Want me to wake him?”

“No, no. Let him sleep. It’ll take him a while to get down here, and I need to grab this gift before Maxim notices me missing.”

“Nik won’t mind. Don’t go out on your own.”

“Please don’t. I’ll ask someone else at the office. You know the place has been crawling with Maxim’s bodyguards recently. You’d think the president was gracing us with his presence.”

“All right. But call me as soon as you get back.”

“I will.”

“I mean it, Wren, or next time Maxim threatens to tie you to the bed, I’ll provide the rope.”

“Traitor. You’re supposed to be my friend.”

“Anyone who buys me Louboutins has my undying affection. Remind me to tell Maxim thanks, by the way. They’re absolutely gorgeous. ”

I frowned. “I still have no idea why my boyfriend’s buying you expensive shoes.”

“Oh, Wren, don’t be catty. You’re the one with the sugar Daddy now. You can at least share.”

“He’s not my sugar anything. He’s my equal.”

She gave a loud snort.

“He is.”

She only snorted louder.

“Bye, Jess! I need to get that gift.”

“Call me.”

“Okay.” I hung up the phone, shaking my head. She was as bad as Maxim. What did everyone think was going to happen? That if I took a step outside without Nik, I would be abducted by aliens?

I pocketed my wallet and tugged my jacket off the back of my chair.

Everything had to be perfect for Maxim’s birthday tomorrow, and that meant collecting his gift.

I could have had it delivered to the house, but that meant Maxim would have seen it.

Not risking the exposure, I’d chosen to grab it in person.

I took the elevator down, heart fluttering a little as I thought about my plans for tomorrow. Maxim’s calendar was light for the day. I’d done that deliberately for him to have a fantastic birthday. Then in the evening, all our friends would join us for his birthday party by the poolside.

I couldn’t wait to see Maxim’s face when I gave him his birthday gift. Although I’d spent way too much time obsessing over the details, it was worth it. This wasn’t just any present. It meant something. Hopefully, he’d see that.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and I stepped into the quiet lobby.

“Wren.”

I turned, pulse skipping. Bradley stood near the reception desk. He had a manila folder in hand and that same unreadable look he always wore when he wasn’t trying to flirt, which was rare.

Shit. Since he walked in on me blowing Maxim beneath his desk, I’d been avoiding him as much as possible. It was hard to look him in the eye after my misconduct with our boss.

“Hey,” I said cautiously. “What’s up?”

“Do you have a second?” He stepped closer. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you but never seem to be able to get you alone. It’s important.”

“I really can’t right now. I’ve got to run out and grab something for Maxim, umm, Mr. Morozov.”

Bradley lifted his brows slightly, but he didn’t move out of my way. “It’ll only take a moment.”

I shook my head, firm but polite. “I’m sorry, not right now. Maybe later? I’ll be back before Mr. Morozov’s meeting ends.”

He hesitated, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. “Before the end of the day,” he said finally. “Please. It’s important.”

But was it, though? It was too late to listen to cautionary tales about sleeping with one’s boss. In a week, I was done with this place anyway, so it didn’t matter. I could bear being called a shameless gold digger for five more days.

I nodded. “Okay, sure.”

He looked like he still wasn’t satisfied, and I almost sighed with relief when Viktor stepped through the entrance. He wore a charcoal blazer over a black button-down shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbow, revealing a fresh-looking scar that cut across his forearm.

“Wren,” he said with a small nod, eyes scanning Bradley with something like quiet disapproval.

“We’ll talk later.” Bradley walked briskly toward the elevator, not even sparing me a backward glance for someone who’d been so eager to speak to me.

“Be careful around that one,” Viktor said.

“Who, Bradley?” I gave a shallow laugh. “We’re coworkers. He was nice to me when I just started working here.”

And I’d pulled back from him because I was seeing Maxim. Fuck. Was I the bad guy in this? Despite his flirting, Bradley always treated me with kindness. When Maxim’s men ignored me after I got stabbed, he’d taken me to the hospital.

Viktor grunted. “Where are you off to?”

“I need to go to a jewelry store.”

“Now? In the middle of work?”

“Yes.” I grabbed his arm and steered him toward the exit. “Maxim’s in a meeting, and I need to get back before he’s aware I’m gone.”

“Wait.” Viktor dug his heels in, and man, was he strong. I couldn’t budge him. “So bossman doesn’t know about this little trip?”

“He can’t know. It’s for his birthday.”

“I’m not sure about this.”

I growled. “It’s either you take me or I go on my own. Which is it?”

He shook his head, scowling at me. “Why are you making my job difficult?”

“I don’t mean to, but Maxim’s birthday has to be perfect.”

“All right, but no detours, and if bossman comes for my head, you have to take the blame.”

“Don’t worry. I will.”

Outside, the afternoon was windy, and the sky stitched through with a heavy gray blanket.

Viktor was glued to my side as he walked me to a sleek black SUV with smoked windows and a faint shine on the tires like it had been freshly detailed.

The second I got in, the doors locked automatically.

Viktor got behind the wheel and pulled smoothly into traffic .

I watched the city blur by. Shadows stretched across buildings, and people hurried by in coats, heads bowed. My phone lit up again with a reminder of the pickup time and location, this time through my email. I shuffled between the two front seats to get Viktor’s attention.

“Hey, Vik, you ever buy a birthday gift for someone you love so much you get kind of nauseous about whether it’s good enough?”

“No,” he said flatly.

I chuckled. “Figures.”

“It doesn’t matter what you get Mr. Morozov. He will like it because it’s from you.”

“Maybe.”

Or he would hate it but pretend to like it. I really wanted him to like it.

The jewelry store was tucked in the corner of a quiet upscale plaza, the kind with too many glass walls and not enough foot traffic. It had that moneyed hush, like even the air was expensive. Viktor parked directly out front, engine idling, eyes tracking everything in his mirrors.

“Ten minutes,” he reminded me.

“I know.” I stepped out.

Nik wouldn’t have let me walk in alone, but for that reason, I didn’t mind Viktor tagging along with me everywhere I went. There were always little moments I got to be alone.

Inside the jewelry store was a tranquil little bubble of warmth.

Wood-paneled walls, velvet-lined display cases, and soft instrumental music that didn’t quite match the sharpness of the diamonds inside the glass.

A well-dressed woman with a neat bun and a warm smile approached the counter as I walked in.

“Mr. Holloway?” she asked.

Damn, she remembered me from one visit ?

“That’s me. You remember all your clients by name?”

She chuckled. “Well, Mr. Morozov is an important man.”

Ah, the engraving.

“Come this way, please.”

She led me toward the back to a long class showcase and retrieved a matte black box. “Here you go. We took extra care with the engraving.”

“Thank you.” I took the box from her and flipped it open. The air punched out of my lungs.

The bracelet was sleek, brushed titanium with a matte finish, subtle in design but quietly luxurious.

No medical symbol stamped on top, no flashy red text.

Just a simple, masculine band that wouldn’t look out of place next to Maxim’s Rolex.

I turned it over and ran a thumb across the engraving. It was perfect.

My chest squeezed a little. It wasn’t flashy or romantic, but it was real.

Practical. A tiny piece of peace of mind.

Something he could wear without feeling exposed.

Because I knew Maxim hated the idea of fragility.

And maybe he didn’t like talking about his epilepsy, but if something ever happened and I wasn’t there, this might help someone help him.

And that thought helped me too.

“It’s perfect.” I snapped the box shut with a quiet click.

“I’m happy you’re pleased. Anything else I can interest you in?”

Not likely. I’d already blown over a grand on the bracelet. More money than I’d ever spent on any kind of apparel or jewelry. But if not for Maxim, I wouldn’t have that kind of money to spend in the first place. Nothing was too expensive to buy for him.

Well, that I could afford anyway.

Viktor was waiting right where I left him, leaning against the hood of the SUV, arms crossed, sunglasses hiding his eyes. The second I approached, he straightened and opened the door.

“You got what you needed?”

“Yup. Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it.”

He nodded. “Let’s get back before anyone notices.”

“Good idea.”