Page 14 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Thirteen

NAZAR

The city skyline blurred as I furiously paced before my second-level bedroom windows.

As I spoke to Marco via video call, I bit back on my barely contained anger.

“You set her home on fire?” The thought that Thea could have died pained me in ways I couldn’t count.

“While I was inside with her?” I’d yet to complete the job he’d hired me to do.

Once Thea had chosen the room she wanted, one on the first level and closest to the door–a smart choice for a woman staying in a penthouse with a man she didn’ t quite trust—she asked for a little time alone. I obliged and immediately retreated to my room to call Marco.

He smirked. “I thought it’d give you good cover. If they think I’m trying to kill you too, they won’t suspect we’re working together.”

In theory, it made sense. “But you didn’t warn me.”

“It made the reaction authentic, right? Had I told you, and you’d reacted differently, it might have made her suspicious.”

“If something had gone wrong… your plan would have burned with us.” Death was a hazard in general, but in my line of work, it was commonplace. Still, we were supposed to be working together.

He smiled. “I had faith you’d get out in time.”

“Did you know how old the house was? How quickly it’d go up in flames?”

He shrugged. “I knew the area, the average age of the home, and that she’d remodeled. I guess she skimped on the fire protection.”

I gripped the phone tighter, my knuckles whitening.

The casual way he discussed nearly burning us alive made my blood boil.

I thought of Thea’s face when I’d finally set her down outside—the way she’d pulled away and hugged herself.

The trust she had in me was fragile and likely splintered.

No doubt, there was a part of her that suspected I might try to do something to gain her trust, like rescuing her from a fire I might have had a hand in starting.

“Don’t tell me you’re developing feelings for her.” Marco’s voice carried a patronizing tone.

I kept my expression blank as I seethed. “I’m concerned about professionalism, trust between partners, and not getting burned— literally —by the person who hired me for security.”

“Then consider this another successfully passed test.” Marco’s smirk returned. “Now, how’s the setup for the auction coming?”

Keeping my temper in check, I replied, “The LLC has been established, and I’m working on securing the location.

” The auction setup was the least of my concerns now that he’d decided to take action without informing me.

Would he do it again? “Once I have access to the property, I’ll work up a detailed security plan and send it to you. ”

“Good.” He leaned back, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Has Thea begun planning for the wedding?”

I shook my head. “Nyet. She was preparing for the holiday with her family. Now that Thanksgiving is over, I’m sure that’s where she’ll turn her attention.”

His expression darkened slightly. “Have you set a date yet? I want to know when I’ll be rid of them.”

“ Nyet ,” I replied smoothly. “But I’ll make sure you know as soon as I do.”

He adjusted his shirt collar. “Good.” His eyes narrowed. “Just make sure you keep your head on your shoulders. We don’t need any complications—for the auction or their extermination.”

“ Da . No complications. I’ll be in touch.” I ended the call before my contempt could show. Turning to the window, I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message to Pasha about the phone call with Marco.

Once I showered and changed clothes, I took the stairs to the first level, stopping as Thea came into view, standing in front of the windows. Her reflection showed a pensive stare.

I took a breath and cleared my throat with the hope that I wouldn’t startle her. She’d been through enough.

She glanced in my direction and smiled. Though tentative, it eased some of the tension in my shoulders. I wasn’t sure what reception to expect, especially since there was plenty of distrust for her to question whether I had a part in destroying her home.

“I hope you don’t mind. I had some tea.” She gestured to the cup on the kitchen island. “I needed something to help calm my nerves. The water should still be hot if you’d like some. I don’t mind fixing you a cup.”

I moved closer, carefully maintaining enough distance so she wouldn’t feel crowded. “ Spasibo . I appreciate the offer.” Even when her world was turned upside down, she was gracious. “I think I’ll have something a little stronger in a moment.” I grinned.

I felt a strong urge to ask how she was doing, but based on what I knew about her, the question would be met with deflection. Instead, silence filled the space as we shared a view of the city.

She turned back to the window, wrapping her arms around herself. “It’s strange. I’ve spent so many nights looking at this city from different angles—alleys, doorways, fire escapes. I never get tired of it.”

The casual mention of her time on the streets made something in my chest tighten.

I wanted to step closer, pull her to me, and offer comfort, but it’d been a long day, and I didn’t want to cause her more distress.

I felt like I needed to regain her trust after Marco’s stunt.

As someone who’d learned early that trust could be a weapon, she wouldn’t give it easily.

“The view in New York is spectacular. I’ve spent many nights watching the city. It helps me think,” I said. “Sometimes maybe too much.”

“Oh? What might you be thinking about tonight?” Her voice was soft as she continued to stare out the window.

I faced her and leaned my shoulder against the window. “I spoke to Marco. Apparently, he thought it’d help you to trust me more if I rescued you from a fire.”

She gave a tight laugh. “Ah.”

“He didn’t seem all that concerned that I could have been a casualty as well.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not sure how he expects me to finish his job if I’m dead.”

Shaking her head, she exhaled. “You’d think he’d be smart enough to avoid starting a war with the Russian mafia.”

I so enjoyed her wit. “You think there’d be a war?” I teased.

Thea angled herself toward me. “I don’t have to know you and Pasha well to know your Pakhan would salt the earth with the Morettis if they killed you.”

True. Marco was not just playing with physical fire. Pasha wanted to take revenge the moment I told him. It wasn’t easy to convince him to stick to the plan. “I need to thank you for not taking offense that I took the call with him.”

“Your first responsibility is to him. I’m not so na?ve that I don’t understand that.”

“ Da , but most women would have been upset that I took that call during a crisis. You continue to surprise me,” I said softly.

She shrugged and faced the window again, but I caught the slight upturn of her lips.

“I understand hierarchies and who answers to whom. Her gaze remained fixed on the city below. “Besides, I figured you were telling him about the fire. You’re friends. He’d want to know if someone tried to kill you. ”

“It was the focus for most of the conversation.” I didn’t elaborate, confident she would understand that this delicate dance between truth and necessary secrets was becoming familiar to us both .

“So, your reaction to the fire. Did Marco buy it?”

My affection for her grew rapidly. I was impressed by her ability to read a situation and how she held herself. Meeting her had to be more than luck. As much as I wanted to deny it, fate seemed to have intervened on my behalf and gifted me a woman I could have only wished for.

“He seemed satisfied.” I gave a slight shrug. “Though I might have shown more anger than he expected.”

She looked at me. “Because he set the fire while you were in the house?”

I locked eyes with her. “Because he put you in danger.” The words came out more intensely than I’d intended, but I didn’t try to soften them.

Her breath caught slightly, but she maintained eye contact. “You know, that’s the kind of reaction that could make it hard to remember this is all pretend.” Teasing coated the words.

Straightening, I took a small step closer. “Just because it started as pretend doesn’t mean it can’t move beyond that.”

She blinked. “What?”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "I meant it. Maybe this thing between us isn' t just strategy."

Her breath caught.

I slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against me. "I want you. All of you."

Her eyes met mine—full of hope and doubt. And then she dropped her gaze. "I… still smell like smoke."

"I don't care."

Her lips parted in surprise, her eyes wide.

Why did that only deepen my desire for her? “Most men are afraid of you, aren’t they?” My eyes roamed her face, memorizing the lines and curves.

“Well…” She smiled and relaxed against me. “I am very good with knives.”

I chuckled. “I'd say that's a reason to be afraid." I leaned in, my voice low. "It's also the reason I haven't left."

She tilted her head. “And yet, you seem remarkably unafraid.”

“ Nyet , my Dark Angel. Perhaps I should be afraid. Anyone with sense would be.” As I spoke, I brought my lips closer to hers, keeping my eyes locked with hers. "But if you wanted to kill me… I'd go gladly. At least it would be by your hand."

I caught the slight swipe of her tongue across her bottom lip. “Oh.” As she whispered the words, her hand came to my chest, and she toyed with the button on my shirt. “Do you always lavish women with such sweet nothings?”

A low growl rumbled in my chest. “ Nyet . There’s never been a woman as intoxicating as you commanding my attention. You walked out of my dreams, and I’m still slightly in awe that you’re real.”

Something shifted in her eyes, and she stiffened. “Nazar, I’m… I’m broken.” The last word seemed to catch in her throat. “I’ll never be able to love you the way you want or deserve.”

I brushed my thumb across her cheek. “ Nyet . I don’t see broken. I see a woman who fought and survived. You’re perfect.”

“No one is perfect.”

Taking her hand, I pressed my lips to the back of it. “Perfect for me.”

“You’ve known me less than a week. What if…”

Just as I went to press my lips to hers, my phone chimed. It was the alarm system alerting me.

She startled and pulled away, putting distance between us.

Chilly disappointment settled in my gut. I’d tasted those lips once, and it was far too short. “I believe your sisters-in-law have arrived.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and tapped the screen. I was right.

A sigh came from her. “Good. I desperately need a long, hot bath.”

While I needed a long, cold shower. “I’ll go get them so you can visit and they can deliver your items.” I turned to walk away.

“Nazar…”

I stopped. “Yes?”

She chewed her bottom lip. That was the first time I’d ever seen uncertainty in her. Silence stretched a moment, almost like she was trying to figure out what she wanted to say. “Thank you for letting me stay here.” She crossed the small space and pressed her lips to my cheek.

“You’re welcome.” I smiled as my skin flamed and the flush spread through my limbs.

I wouldn’t call it love—not yet. But I’d fallen. And somewhere between the fire and her kiss, I saw a life with her written across the horizon. She could be mine. If I could convince her.