Page 16 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Fifteen

NAZAR

“That smells delicious.” Nearly an hour later, Thea ambled into the living room in silk pajamas, her hair still damp.

I swallowed hard. She had no idea what she looked like—soft, real, and more dangerous to my focus than any woman I'd ever met. I took it as a sign of trust that she felt comfortable enough to appear this way.

"Blini." I flipped it in the pan, refocusing on the task.

My day had been full as I negotiated terms for the theater acquisition, lining up contractors, and prepping for inspections. The building was sound, but it would need reinforcement and surveillance setups before it could serve our purpose. And I still hadn't heard back on the offer I'd submitted.

When her eyebrows knitted together, I added, “Similar to crepes. My father used to make these when I was little, when I needed comfort.” I’d fixed her breakfast earlier too. Nothing special, just eggs and bacon, but I’d relished the light sparking in her eyes.

It did something to me. That look made me ache to be the reason she looked that way again.

She joined me in the kitchen. “And there's meat?”

“Fruit as well. Savory or sweet to fill them.” I gestured to both options with my spatula, keeping my movements controlled despite my awareness of her proximity.

“Breakfast, now dinner. If you keep doing this, you’re going to spoil me.” She leaned her hip against the island counter.

I glanced at her as I stirred the fruit. “A man should spoil a woman, da ?” She was the only woman I wanted to take care of, to spoil, to dote on. Her smile was worth every bit of effort.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Pa would spoil Ma. He’d bring her flowers for no reason. More than once, I caught them dancing in the kitchen. Of course, they had their disagreements, but they were so in love.”

“My father would often tell me stories about my mother. Their courtship, what she was like.” My fingers tightened around the handle of the pan.

“How old were you when you lost her?”

“Ten.”

A soft exhale. “I’m sorry. Is it okay if I ask how?”

Nodding, I set my spoon on the rest and returned to making the blini.

“She was with my baby brother, coming home from the store when they were gunned down outside our home. My father and I were across town when it happened.” I flipped the blini, jaw tightening as memories surfaced.

“I will never forget his scream when he found out. It was the most gut-wrenching thing I’d ever heard. ”

Thea’s fingers wrapped around my wrist. “That’s awful. Are the killers dead?”

“ Da ,” I replied through clenched teeth.

“Igor, Pasha’s father, and mine killed them all.

But we didn’t know Lev Popov had a son, Sergei.

Lev had deliberately hidden the boy, and he’d sworn revenge.

Last year, after spending years underground rebuilding, the Gray Wolves announced their return by killing our fathers in an ambush. ”

I’d stopped cooking and was staring at the blini in the pan.

“My father and I were close. He was a good, decent man. On the darker end of morally gray than I, but good to me nonetheless. I still find myself wanting to seek out his guidance.”

Thea released my wrist, wrapped her arms around my bicep and set her chin on my arm, looking up at me. “Yes, and to not find them there makes the wound fresh once more.”

“ Da .” The word came out soft.

She released me and slid her hand over mine. “Here, let me finish this one up. I’m sure we’ll need cups, and based on the size of this kitchen, we could be here all night while I look for them.”

This time, I allowed myself to look at her. There was nothing in her eyes akin to pity. Just understanding. We hadn’t just suffered loss. We’d suffered similar loss. We’d both lost the ones who made us feel safe. “All right. I’ll grab the plates while I’m at it as well.”

Once we had our plates, we sat at the table and ate.

“This is delicious, especially the fruit filling,” she said after a few bites. “Truly a lovely surprise.”

I shrugged, watching how the low kitchen light caught in her still-damp hair.

“It hasn't been that long since you lost your home and everything else you own. I felt you needed to be taken care of.” A hint of a grin tugged at my mouth. “Besides, a full belly will lead to a good night’s sleep, I hope.”

“Me too.” She rested her hand on her stomach before she stood. “You cooked, so I’ll clean.”

Before she could finish the sentence, I was on my feet. “ Nyet .” I caught her hand. “I’m taking care of you tonight. I’ve got it.”

She scoffed. “You’ve been wonderful. It’s only fair?—”

“ Nyet .” I slowly rubbed my thumb over the back of her hand and noted how small it felt in mine. “Relax. There aren’t many dishes, and I have this fancy invention—a dishwasher.”

That made her laugh. Our eyes locked, and I witnessed the moment she decided to surrender. “All right. I’ll… keep you company. Is that okay? ”

Narrowing my eyes, I smiled as I teased her. “No helping.”

She held both hands up. “On my honor, I will not lift a single finger.”

“ Harasho ,” I quickly added. “Good.”

Once I was sure she’d relented, I cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. In the midst of all of this, she remained close, keeping me company. When I was finished, I motioned to the clean kitchen. “See? All done.”

She chuckled in response. “I’m amazed by your domestic prowess.” The exhaustion was even more evident in her voice now than it was before.

“Are you tired?”

“Yes, but I doubt I could sleep.”

I pushed off the counter. “How about we check out the rooftop terrace? It’s rather peaceful up there. Maybe it’ll help.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Rooftop terrace?” She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Of course, there would be one. No one would pay the amount of money this home fetched without that.”

“It was a perk.” I smiled.

“I’d love to see it.”

As before, when I led her through the house, I held out my hand, but this time, I laced my fingers with hers. To be honest, I had expected her to pull away, and when she didn’t, I wondered if it was because she was tired or feeling as I was that this could be more.

When I opened the door onto the roof, her gasp was what I’d hoped for. One of the reasons I enjoyed the space was the serenity it offered. The previous owners had created a retreat that resembled a Tuscan garden.

String lights wove through potted cypress trees, casting warm pools of light across stone pavers. The city sounds were muted here, replaced by the gentle burble of a small fountain. The night air carried traces of lavender and rosemary from the herb garden.

“I’ve seen my fair share of rooftop gardens, but this is incredible.” She drifted away from me, strolling through the greenery. “I’m so glad I was wrong about the pool.” She glanced at me over her shoulder and smiled.

“Pool?”

She gave a slight shrug. “I thought you might have one. Usually, it’s all concrete with a place to sit. Nothing like this. This is magical. ”

It made me happy to see her happy. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it.” She looked at me again. “You may have a hard time getting rid of me now.”

“You’re welcome up here anytime you like.” I found my favorite double lounge chair overlooking the city and sat while she continued looking around.

It wasn’t too long before she sat next to me. “I love this time of year.” She shivered. “It’s cold, but the sky is so clear.”

I got to my feet, walked to the storage closet next to the door and pulled a thick blanket from it. When I returned, I spread it over her. “I wasn’t even thinking. I should have brought you a coat.”

As she snuggled under the blanket, she shook her head. “No, I prefer a blanket. Thank you.”

For a while, the only sound was the city hum. Car horns, the L train… The one thing I was acutely aware of was Thea. I enjoyed this. Her. The feeling of not being alone. Of having a partner.

“What are you thinking about?” Her voice was soft, almost like she was fighting sleep.

“I’m enjoying your company.” I smiled as I looked at her, catching her gaze. The string lights reflected in her eyes, making them look like they held stars.

She met it until tension bubbled between us and then pulled away, casting her gaze to the ground.

Maybe I should have let it be, but I couldn’t. I wanted her closer.

As I swept her onto my lap, she sucked in a sharp breath. “What…?”

“You’re tired. I thought you might want somewhere to lay your head.”

Her hand flattened against my chest as she braced herself to look at me. Whatever she was about to say died on her lips because instead of arguing with me, her eyes locked with mine for a brief second before she slowly pressed herself against me.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been held.” The words were spoken so quietly, I almost didn’t hear her. A couple of deep breaths, and she was sound asleep.

I wrapped my arms around her, set my cheek against the top of her head, and for the first time in my life, felt like I was holding my future.

She’d burrowed under my skin so fast, I hadn’t even felt the sting. But now, the thought of losing her… It wasn't just a bruise waiting to happen. It'd break something in me. I didn't want to go a day without her.

But holding her has stirred something darker, more primal.

I wanted to sink my fingers into her hair, drag her head back, and taste the pulse at her throat. To breathe her in until she knew she belonged to me. To carve my name into her mind so deep she’d never forget who owned her.

But she wasn’t the kind of woman who bent—she’d bolt and then vanish. And the thought of her running from me was the only thing that kept me in check. For now.

The Kalantzis family had values. Strength. Loyalty. Maybe there was more to this alliance than survival.

And if Pasha agreed… this fake marriage wouldn’t stay fake for long.