Page 62 of Toxic Salvation (Krayev Bratva #2)

KOVAN

I had two months.

Two fucking months to corner the bastard and blow his brains out.

But finding Ihor is proving harder than actually ending him, and my two-month deadline officially expires today.

Because today, Vesper goes back to work—whether I like it or not.

At least, unless I plan on breaking every promise I’ve made to her since we got married and turning into the controlling asshole she already fears I am.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Annabelle walks into the kitchen, her cane tapping against the hardwood floor. She moves slower these days, but the chemo is holding the worst of things at bay for the time being. Small victories.

“You don’t want to hear what I’m thinking right now.”

“Let me guess—because Vesper starts work today?”

I turn from the coffee maker. “She told you?”

“I’m her mother. She needed someone to vent to.” Annabelle settles into the breakfast nook with a small wince. “She may be putting on this tough act about going back to work, but she’s worried about upsetting you.”

Somehow, that doesn’t make me feel any better.

I help her into her chair even though she despises when I do that. “I’m not trying to control her,” I argue, pouring Annabelle coffee. “I want her alive when this thing with Ihor is over. Can’t protect her if she’s never home.”

“Vesper inherited the best and worst of her father.” Annabelle accepts the mug with a grateful nod. “She’s brilliant and fearless and stubborn as hell. The more you push her to stay home, the harder she’ll push back.”

“Which is why I backed off completely. It doesn’t change the fact that there’s a psychopath out there who wants to hurt me through her.”

“You can explain until you’re blue in the face. She’ll understand. But that doesn’t mean she’s going to do what you want.” Annabelle’s smile is sad. “She was always headstrong. I believe that’s what attracted you to her in the first place, is it not?”

I can’t deny it. “Yeah, well. Her stubbornness might get us both killed.”

“You married a strong woman, Kovan. Life would be boring if she rolled over and played dead every time you got worried.”

I drain half my coffee in one gulp. The caffeine does nothing for the knot in my stomach. “Maybe.”

“Be supportive, even when you don’t want to be. She’ll remember that during the hard times.” Annabelle pats my hand. “Trust me—if you’re married long enough, there will be plenty of hard times.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know you are.”

Fifteen minutes after Annabelle heads back to her room for her morning nap, Vesper walks into the kitchen wearing black slacks and a silk blouse that makes my mouth water.

She stops short when she sees me. “I thought you’d already left for work.”

“Actually, I thought I could drive you.” Her eyebrows climb toward her hairline. “It’s your first day back.”

“Kovan…” She sighs my name like I’m a misbehaving child.

“What? I’m being supportive.”

“Or possessive.”

“Why not both?”

That almost gets me a smile. Her lips twitch before she turns to pour coffee. “I have six bodyguards following me everywhere. What’s the point if you insist on hovering, too?”

“Because I don’t trust anyone else to keep you safe.” I slide the leather case across the counter before she can turn around. “And because it’s your first day back. I want to be the one to drop you off.”

She spins around, coffee mug in hand—and freezes when she sees the case. Black leather with sterling silver clasps and her initials embroidered on the front.

“What’s this?”

“A peace offering. Maybe an apology.” I lean against the counter, watching her face. “I had it custom made.”

She sets down her mug and opens the clasps. Her breath catches when she sees the medical instruments nested in plush velvet—stethoscope, reflex hammer, otoscope, all engraved with her initials.

“Oh my God.” She lifts the stethoscope with reverent fingers. “Kovan, this is…” She looks up at me, and for the first time in weeks, there’s no wariness in her expression. “You had these made for me?”

“I want you to know how proud I am. You’re an incredible doctor, Vesper. This is me supporting your career.”

She throws her arms around my neck and buries her face against my throat. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

“Given how hard you fought for it, I think I do.”

She pulls back to look at me. “You don’t have to worry so much, you know. I’ll have security with me constantly. I’ll be in a hospital surrounded by people. Nothing is going to happen.”

“It better not.” The worry bleeds through despite my best efforts. “Just humor me, okay? Be careful. Call if anything feels off. Don’t go anywhere alone, and don’t ditch your security no matter how tempted you are.”

She cups my face with both hands. “I promise. I’ll be fine.”

“You have to be.” I cover her hands with mine. “Whatever happens, stay alert. Protect yourself.”

“The same goes for you.” Her palm slides down to rest over my heart. “I love you too much to lose you.”

I lean my forehead against hers—it’s become our thing, this quiet moment of connection. She smells like coffee and the expensive shampoo she uses. If I ever lose her, I don’t know how I’d go on.

“If it comes down to a choice between saving yourself and saving a patient, be selfish. Save yourself.”

She doesn’t hesitate. “I will.”

I have to smile. “You’re lying.”

She kisses me hard and winks. “Come on, husband. You promised to drive me, and we’re going to be late.”

She squeezes my ass on her way out of the kitchen. But she’s hardly a step out of the door when my phone starts buzzing with texts.

I glance at the screen.

PAVEL: Red alert. Come now.