Page 51 of Vows of Blood
I put the photo and the letter back in the box and close it. In this current reality, Isabella is my wife and if things go wrong, I have to make sure the same fate doesn’t find her. All I need to do is discover who within the brotherhood wants me dead.
What I didn’t tell Isabella on the drive back home this morning was how difficult it was to snap some of the other brigadiers in line. It was as though they had collectively decided that my word wasn’t law when my father was indisposed. I was questioned when I gave an order, several of the other brigadiers talked under their breath with one another while I spoke. It was an insult at best.
I know Pavel noticed it, even though I didn’t bother mentioning it to him when we were done. The two of us are going to have to put our heads together and figure out who wants my head.
That’s for tomorrow, however. I look out the window and see the sky is starting to change. Father will probably be out later today, and I know he will want to see Pavel and me as soon as he is. I’d better go back to bed and attempt sleep.
I waketo the smell of coffee. I roll over, my hand reaching out to Isabella. She’s already out of bed.
I get out of bed and follow the warm smell to the kitchen where she’s standing at the counter, rubbing her eyes as she watches the coffee machine hiss. She’s wearing one of my dress shirts, which fits her like a nightshirt. The sleeves swallow her arms when she puts them down at her sides. She looks up at me and smiles sleepily.
“Good morning,” she says.
“Good morning.” I feel like I should kiss her, some loving thing that couples are supposed to do. I don’t, however. I cross my arms across my bare chest. “You’re up early.”
She nods. “I was going to do a little shopping. I need new panties.”
I raise an eyebrow, and a part of me wants to object… but I did rip a pair off her last night in the heat of passion. I clear my throat and say, “You’re not going alone.”
“No,” she said. “Anya’s coming with me.”
I nod. I’m glad she’s getting along with Anya, especially right now. The only other person I trust implicitly is Dmitri, but I would rather she shopped for underwear with Anya. “Don’t stay out all day,” I tell her. “I expect you home by the time I return.”
She nods as the coffee slows to a drip. “What’s on the agenda?”
“I’m waiting to hear from my father. I expect he’ll be out sometime today, and once he is, he’s going to want to speak to Pavel and me.”
She glances over her shoulder at me as she moves to the cabinet and retrieves a mug. “So, you’ll probably be gone all day?”
That sounds suspicious. “Isabella, don’t even think about it. I don’t need you bolting on me right now.”
“Please. I’m not going anywhere, okay? I have no plans on running with assassins lurking around the corner.”
I nod. Her tone is almost joking, but I know she’s being serious right now. “All the more reason to stay safe while you’re out,” I tell her. “If you need anything, call me.”
She’s yawning and pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Roger that.” I turn to leave and she adds, “What? No kiss for the little wifey before you leave?”
She’s smirking at me, poking me for fun. I just smile back at her and say, “Nope,” then walk out of the kitchen.
I shower and dress and by the time I’m clothed, the call comes in. Pavel telling me that father’s just been released and we’re to meet him at his house. I tell him that I’m on my way as I finish dressing. By the time I’m walking out the door, I pass Isabella as she sits on the couch, her eyes on the television. I don’t care for how suspiciously casual she appears right now. If she’s like this when I get back, I’ll have to give her something to do.
It takes me less than thirty minutes to get to Father’s house. When I get there, Pavel’s already waiting in Father’s office, sitting in his chair, feet on the desk. He doesn’t see me as he leans back, his eyes closed and no doubt dreaming of being aPakhan. I can’t be mad at him. I used to do that same thing when I was younger.
I clear my throat and he nearly falls out of the chair. The moment he sees me, he rolls his eyes. “Shit, Alexei. You scared me. I thought you were Pop.”
I snicker. “Why on earth would you risk sitting in his chair? You must have a death wish.”
He gets up and walks around the desk, greeting me with a smile. “I guess I enjoy living dangerously sometimes. How’s the little wifey doing? You two getting along these days?”
I just scoff at him. “I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”
He cocks his head, looking me over carefully. “You do look a bit more relaxed than usual. You’re at least fucking her, right?”
“Pavel.”
“What? You got yourself hitched to the most popular ride in Fortune and you expect menotto want details?”
“She is my wife now, however it happened. I’d appreciate some respect.”
