Page 6 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Five

NAZAR

Hours later, her image still filled my mind.

My dark angel.

She’d walked into her brother’s office in an emerald-green dress and black heels, and my heart had hummed. The sight of her should have been a fleeting moment of admiration.

Fate wasn’t something I believed in. My world was one of deals, alliances, and bloodstained logic. And yet, there she was, defying everything. It was maddening. I shouldn’t want to know her, but the pull was undeniable.

Away from the club’s shadows, I could truly see her. Rich mahogany hair cascaded over her shoulders, honey-colored eyes with a quiet defiance that hinted at battles fought beneath that polished exterior. She intrigued me in ways I didn’t have time to explore.

Pasha watched me for a long moment before breaking the silence. “I’ve known you a long time, my friend, and you say she isn't the one. I think we both know that isn't true.”

“Like I said, it isn't the time for relationships."

In our world, marriages were transactions. Vows were binding contracts to strengthen families, not promises of love. But with Thea... the idea of binding myself to her felt like something else entirely—a need to understand the secrets she guarded.

And that was dangerous.

I forced myself to focus. Whatever spell she’d cast would fade. It had to. A relationship forged in blood and revenge had no hope. But as her smile lingered in my mind, I couldn’t shake the thought that maybe she was the exception to every rule.

“Now it’s clear why you were still thinking about her.” Pasha settled into the blue armchair across from me with a knowing smirk. “She is fire and brimstone. ”

I laughed. “And a man would walk away feeling lucky to have been blistered.”

“Did you suggest this marriage alliance because it’s a good strategy or because you want her?”

“Both?” I sighed. The truth was, my wants meant nothing. She didn’t know or trust me, and based on our circumstances, she never would.

He set his ankle over his knee. “You know, we could forge a real alliance. You could marry her and see where it leads.”

“ Nyet. If Lucas agrees to the plan, I’ll stick to it.” I was juggling too much to add feelings to the mix.

“You’ll be spending time with her either way. Maybe it could become more...”

“Don’t.” I shook my head. “This is business. That’s all.” I needed to remember that too.

“What about that fortune teller in Voznesenskaya? Remember her?”

I waved him off. “Since when do we listen to drunken village witches?”

Pasha leaned back, smiling. “She said you’d be drawn to fire. Seems she wasn’t wrong.”

My jaw tightened. “My friend, even if she wasn’t, a fire burns. I’m not sure I can afford the scars.”

His phone chimed. He answered, eyes never leaving mine. “Mr. Kalantzis, I’m pleased you called.” He smiled. “Yes, we could meet to discuss Nazar’s proposal. My penthouse tomorrow morning? You have my word, no harm will come to you or anyone with you.”

My eyebrows shot up. If the Kalantzis were agreeing, my money was on Thea convincing them. No way would I let my sister do something so dangerous. Then again, this worked in my favor. While nothing real could come of it with Thea, that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the game.

Raking my hand through my hair, I opened the door and greeted Lucas and Thea.

My men had already checked them before allowing them into the private elevator, a necessary precaution given the circumstances.

The arrival hadn’t been subtle—Pasha and Lucas agreed to make it a show.

We wanted Marco to know we were talking to them.

It took effort to maintain my composure when Thea came into view.

Yesterday, she’d dressed for business. Today, she was a predator in broad daylight.

I dug into her past the night before by scrubbing databases, sifting through sealed records, and found what most would’ve missed.

Before she became Thea Kalantzis at age ten, she’d been Abigail Stewart.

The Kalantzis family gave her a new name—one that suited the sharp edges and quiet confidence she wore like armor.

Her blue dress hugged her curves, a strategic slit revealing her legs. I forced my gaze back to her face, refusing to let my thoughts wander.

As she passed me, she brushed her hand against my chest. “Good afternoon, lover.”

She would test my patience… and my willpower. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Lucas sighed and shook his head at his sister’s behavior. “Thank you for the invitation.”

Pasha stood at the edge of the living room, arms crossed. “I appreciate you coming.” He gestured toward the couch. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Thank you, but I don’t drink,” Thea replied.

I frowned. “I saw you?—”

She turned, one corner of her mouth lifting. “ Saw me? Whenever did you see me?” Her head tilted, lashes fluttering in mock innocence while her eyes issued a challenge.

I hesitated. “You looked familiar yesterday, and I thought I saw you at a club named Dead Shift.”

“If you did, you saw me drink water. My mother was an alcoholic and drug addict. I never touch the stuff.”

Another layer to unravel. I’d learned she was valedictorian in high school and graduated from college with honors, procuring a degree in business management.

Yet each fact led to more questions, like how Lucas’s parents had bypassed traditional channels to adopt her.

Likely, her adopted father used his contacts to make everything appear legal.

“I see. Perhaps I’m mistaken.”

Her grin widened. “No harm. We all make mistakes.”

“Lucas? Something to drink?” Pasha asked.

“Thank you for the offer, but no.” Lucas smiled tightly.

Pasha cleared his throat, and he and Lucas moved to the living room. Pasha took his usual high-back armchair, while Lucas sat at the end of the couch closest to him.

Thea glided to the armchair facing Pasha and sat, crossing her legs. Her every movement seemed calculated to draw attention.

Lucas’s gaze tracked me as I positioned myself beside Pasha. “Thea has convinced me that your plan will work.”

I knew it. She was the only reason they were here.

Pasha nodded. “It’s the only move that makes sense if we’re going to track down the women Marco’s taken. Nazar’s handling security, both digital and physical. He’ll have direct access to Marco’s operations.”

“Marco’s not exactly sending me Christmas cards these days. I’ve been picking away at his men, and he knows it’s me.” Thea may as well have been discussing the weather as casually as she mentioned killing.

I had so many questions, and I’d give her all the time in the world to answer them. Not only would I get to hear her sweet voice, but I’d get a glimpse into her mind.

“You aren’t supposed to be aware of our meeting with Marco or our business arrangement, so most likely, Nazar will need to devise reasons he’ll need to step away from you.”

Her gaze landed on me. “Oh, then I guess I assumed correctly? I’m betrothed to Nazar?”

Nodding, I replied, “Yes, I will be playing the part of your fiancé.”

“What if I prefer Pasha?” Her eyes glinted with mischief. “What then?

Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Thea…”

“Can’t a girl getting hitched have a little fun?” She flashed a teasing smile, batting her lashes at me like she knew exactly what it did to my resolve.

With a smile, I sighed. “Do you not find me acceptable? Or?—”

“No, no. You’re perfectly fine.” She pushed out of the chair and strolled to me. “Thanksgiving is three days from now. I guess you’re my new plus one.”

My stomach tightened. A family gathering.

“You’re serious.” The words tasted like ash in my mouth.

A devilish little smile lifted on her lips. “But of course. Family is everything, correct? And that gives us a couple of days to get our story straight.”

I sighed. “Naturally, my love. What better time?”

She planted a hand on my chest and leaned in with maybe a hint of murder in her eyes for the disparaging comment. “The simplest explanation—your idea—is that we saw each other and instantly knew. My lethal tendencies and your superior security skills were a match made in heaven. Don’t you agree?”

She was testing me, and I… loved it. The push, the pull, the tease. She was everything I wanted in a woman. Brilliant. Cunning. Absolute trouble—and I wanted every part of it.

I covered her hand with mine, and a landmine went off in my body. For a moment, all I could do was stare at her. Her eyes widened, the reaction fleeting but impossible to miss.

“Perhaps once we have everything worked out, we should go for dinner and do a little ring shopping,” I said.

“Anything for you, darling.” The way she purred the last word stroked a fire in my gut—unexpected, unwelcome, and far too tempting.

Her brother exhaled sharply, frustration edging his tone. “Thea, enough with the games. We need to focus. This auction—did Marco give any specifics?”

Pasha glanced at me before shaking his head. “No. Nothing concrete. But now that you’ve agreed to work with us, I’ll reach out to him. Let him know we’re in. Once I do that, Nazar can start digging into the details.”

“And you’ll keep us informed as you go along.” Thea’s gaze locked on me, sharp and unyielding. “ Right , darling?”

I met her stare, unwilling to back down. “Yes. We’ll share everything we uncover about Marco and the victims.”

“All right.” Lucas stuck his hand out. “It’s a partnership.”

A partnership. And yet, the only thing with the potential to destroy me wasn’t Marco—it was Thea.