Page 8 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Seven

NAZAR

Dates with women had always been a convenient escape—predictable, temporary, and forgettable.

But Thea was different.

That kiss was different.

Brief, innocent, and as filled with fire as any kiss I’d ever experienced. The tiny touch had given me a lesson in restraint that I’d nearly failed. It had taken all my willpower to accept her thin excuse and not press the issue.

For me, that hadn’t been just another kiss. It shifted the trajectory of this plan. We were to be engaged and never make it to the altar. That end goal was now in jeopardy.

Sitting across from her, I couldn’t shake her pull on me.

It wasn’t just her beauty or her sharp mind.

It was the way she carried herself with effortless confidence.

The spark in her eyes. Her entire countenance intrigued me.

For the first time in my life, I wanted to know more, to see where this might lead—if I let it.

Maybe before she cut Marco’s throat, I’d have to thank him.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Caught off guard, I smiled. “Why do you think something is on my mind?”

Her lips curved into a knowing grin. “Because you’ve been staring at me like I’m a puzzle you’re trying to solve.”

I leaned back in my chair. “What’s the boldest thing you’ve ever done?”

A range of emotions played on her face, and I wanted to know the story behind each. “There’s bold, and then there’s calculated risk. In my opinion, I choose the latter.”

“All right, calculated risk, then.” I’d never hung on to every word a woman had uttered, but I didn’t want to miss a syllable that fell from her lips.

Instead of responding immediately, she took a sip of her water, her gaze shifting to the candle flickering between us.

“My Pa didn’t want this world touching me.

He was…” Her lips curved in a faint lift.

“Such a good, honest, and kind man. As much as you could be in this midtone world. But he was the best father I could have had.” Her gaze slowly lowered to the table.

The next words came out softly. “He didn’t understand that this world had already touched me long before we met. ”

“Before you met?”

Her eyes drifted up and locked with mine. “You’re a cybersecurity expert. I’m sure you’ve seen my adoption papers.”

If this would upset her, at least it would happen early enough that maybe we could move past it. “I have. I hope I haven’t upset you.”

An exhale as she waved me off. “When I resigned myself that I wouldn’t find anything online about you, I called a friend in New York. I’m waiting to hear back.”

“I’d expected nothing less.” I grinned .

“And you? Do you have any family?” Her fork paused midair as she asked.

Memories I’d long buried stirred, unwelcome and sharp. “Not in the traditional sense.” I kept my tone even. My mother and brother’s faces had turned blurry due to the passage of time. Their voices were a mere indecipherable hum. Thirty-two years later, the grief was still sharp as a knife.

“Traditional?” Her brows knitted in curiosity.

I forced a smile. “The people I trust… they’re my family. Blood doesn’t always mean loyalty.”

She tilted her head, her intense gaze locking with mine. “True.”

Silence hung in the air, heavy with understanding. It wasn’t pity. I was all too familiar with that emotion to mistake it, but something deeper. In that moment, it felt like a kinship had formed.

Our waiter stopped at our table with our meal.

The wagyu filet with fresh sautéed vegetables and couscous were fragrant and a pleasant surprise.

When I checked the restaurant’s website earlier in the day, it highlighted the creativity of the chef and his eclectic personality.

Each evening the menu was set by the availability of locally sourced ingredients.

I expected something I couldn’t pronounce or eat.

Based on the aroma alone, the meal would be exquisite. Little did I know that I would find myself barely tasting it because my focus would be on her. Her laughter was enjoyable, and her words seemed to wrap around me like a thread I didn’t want to unravel.

The conversation over dinner was light and playful. Her charm, intelligence, and wit were refreshing. She was everything I’d ever wanted in a woman. It was as if she’d been formed out of clay by God himself with my tainted soul in mind.

Once our meal concluded, we decided to walk since a jeweler her family used was nearby.

We’d only gone a block when she rested her head against my arm—a simple move to sell the engagement, nothing more.

I continually reminded myself that it was all for show, just another part of the act.

Yes, the brush of her skin stirred something in me that I couldn’t ignore.

It felt natural…right, as though fate had orchestrated this moment.

I’d told myself I didn’t believe in that notion, but with her beside me, my entire belief system was being challenged.

“Nazar… ”

I cleared my throat. “Yes?”

“This is nice.”

That word didn’t accurately convey my feelings. “I’m enjoying it.” I could see myself obsessively craving it beyond the current moment.

Thea pulled me to a stop half a block later in front of a jewelry store. “This is the place. This is where Pa got Ma’s ring. Ari had Anna’s made here. I guess you could say it’s family tradition.”

Why did that warm my heart? This was fake, and yet, bringing me into her circle filled me with pleasure. “Then this is where we’ll find your ring.”

I wondered what she’d choose. Small and sweet or large and ostentatious. I’d gambled many times, and my money was on the first option.

The bell rang as we stepped inside. The scent of lemon polish lingered in the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of cold jewelry.

If I were to guess, it was at least thirty years ago or more since the quaint little shop was updated.

It had the feeling of being more than just a store.

I suspected it was part of the traditions of many families.

Display cases showcased rings that were more art than jewelry with each piece a story of craftsmanship and care. I did not doubt that the person who owned the shop put his heart into everything he made.

Thea drifted to one of the cases, her fingers brushing the edges. “This one is lovely.”

“Do you like emeralds?” I asked as I stepped closer.

She glanced up, her lips curving in a smile. “I like meaning more than metal and stones. But yes, emeralds are beautiful.”

A short, thin man shuffled from the back and smiled. “My Thea.” He raised his arms, crossing the room until he had her in a tight embrace. “How are you, my dear?”

“I’m good, Mr. Marcello. How are you?” She kissed his cheek as she returned the hug.

The elderly man stepped back. “I’m just fine. That chicken noodle soup you brought me was divine.” He looked at me. “And who is this well-dressed gentleman?”

“Nazar Volkov. He’s my friend until tomorrow when we become engaged.” She eyed me with a smile. “Nazar, this is Arthur Marcello, a family friend. His wife, Isabella, and my Ma were childhood best friends.”

I stuck my hand out to the man. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Marcello. ”

His eyes narrowed as he caught my gaze and stuck out his hand. “Likewise, Mr. Volkov.” He returned his attention to Thea. “And you’re here looking for an engagement ring?”

The way Thea looked at this man, he was more than just a family friend. She loved and respected him, and suddenly, his approval was the most important thing to me.

“Yes.” Her grin widened. The genuine glow that spread across her face transformed her features, softening the sharp edges.

It was a smile I hadn't seen yet—unguarded and bright with affection… and something tightened in my chest at the sight of it. For the briefest moment, I almost wished this wasn't for show.

His gaze found me again and raked over my face and down my body.

“Young man, Thea has been coming to visit me since her father first brought her here. She is the sweetest, most loving girl I’ve ever met.

She used to come here after school with her little backpack and a peanut butter sandwich.

She’d sit on that stool over there.” He nodded his head toward the little worn wooden chair near the register.

“While I polished rings, she’d chatter away.

Once she was finished eating, she’d do her homework and then help around the store—I didn’t even ask! ”

Thea’s cheeks turned crimson. “Mr. Marcello, those were our secrets!”

He continued, the twinkle in his eyes growing. “One day, she told me she wanted to buy her Ma a new ring. Thea said the one her Ma had was too small for all the love she carried.” He looked at Thea, his smile softening. “Even as a child, she had a heart too big for this world.”

She laughed lightly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I think you’ve told enough embarrassing stories for one night, Mr. Marcello.”

“He needs to know the treasure he’s being given.

” He patted her hand before turning to me.

“When my wife, Isabella, became sick, Thea would bring her soup and sit with her while I worked. This girl means the world to me. I’m an old man, and my threats may sound weak, but if you harm even a hair on her head or cause her even a pennyweight of heartache, I’ll sell everything I own to make sure you pay. ”

A slow, sweet heat filled my chest. My Dark Angel with the heart of gold. Vengeance and grace. Love and justice. Such a divine contrast. Her list of desirable qualities kept growing .

I caught her gaze and held it. “You have my word that I will do everything in my power to keep all of her safe.”

Her eyes widened as her lips parted. I didn’t miss the hard swallow either.

I turned my attention to him and extended my hand. This man would understand a gentleman’s agreement. “I do not break my promises. If I do, I will come here and allow you to take your revenge.”

His eyes narrowed for a second before shaking my hand. “I’ll hold you to that.” A smile stretched across his face. “Now, for the ring. I’ve been holding onto this since you were a teenager.”

Thea gasped. “What?”

He lifted both hands, chuckling. “I made this long ago. When you got engaged, I wanted your ring to be something to reflect how special you are.”

“Mr. Marcello, you didn’t need to do that…”

“Need, need, need. I wanted to do it! Isabella helped!” He toddled off into the back of the store. “I just hope you love it!”

She palmed her cheeks. “I can’t believe he did this.”

I knew the moment our eyes met in the club that she was special. “I can. He loves you.”

“He and Isabella were like a second family to me. When Gianna had ballet class, I’d come here. He had the best stories, and I loved listening to him.”

“No ballet for you?” With her long legs, it wasn’t hard to imagine her gliding across a stage in pointe shoes.

She waved a hand. “Oh, no. I took a few classes and quickly discovered I didn’t like it. It was too frilly for me.”

I chuckled. “Ah. Knives were more your style.”

Her head cocked to the side as her lips broke out into a wide smile. “Exactly.”

Never had I been struck with such a strong desire to pull a woman into my arms and kiss her as I did right then. I didn’t believe in fate, but I’d fallen victim to it. Before this plan was over, this woman would own my heart. That terrified me more than any war I’d survived.