Vow of Deception (Deception Trilogy #1) by Rina Kent

“Don’t allow the men to slacken around Kirill,” I say, still watching Lia. “He’s most likely waiting for an opportunity to strike.”

“They’re my best men. They wouldn’t disappoint you.”

“We will see.” I pause, tapping on the desk. “How about Vladimir?”

“We can’t tell for sure.” Kolya pauses and stares for a beat at his laptop screen before his brown eyes slide back to me. “He’s keeping his cards close to his chest, but since the Pakhan hasn’t said anything, he knows nothing.”

“He knows nothing yet. That could change any second.”

Kolya taps a few more things into his laptop. “Vladimir’s movements have been normal. He’s done nothing unusual except for going to the police station.”

“He could be getting help.”

“From whom?”

“Mikhail. Igor. Rai,” I enunciate her name. “Keep an eye on the three of them and on her husband. He has killer friends and wouldn’t hesitate to use their intel if he thinks it would benefit her.”

“Not Damien and Kirill?”

“Kirill wouldn’t have told me if he were going to choose the other side. His game is different than internal affairs. And Damien doesn’t get involved in anything that won’t allow him to use his fists.”

“On it.”

“And Kolya?”

“Yes?” He lifts his head.

“We need to have a meeting with the Italians.”

His Adam’s apple bobs up and down with a swallow. Nothing gets that reaction from my second-in-command. Not blood, not killing, and not even bombing a place just to get me out. When we were in our twenties, he single-handedly killed five men to save me from an attempted assassination.

He’s the most courageous and loyal man I know, and it’s been tested throughout the twenty-five years we’ve known each other. The fact that he’s even showing a sliver of discomfort right now is for one reason, and one reason only.

He’s worried for my life.

“I’m against it, sir.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion. I only told you that it will happen.”

“With all due respect, if Sergei or any of the others find out, it’ll be the last strike. They will have every reason to question your loyalty.”

“They already do. Might as well get things done.”

“Suspecting you and having proof are entirely different. This will get you killed. You should stay away from the Italians for some time, until we at least know what Vladimir is up to.”

“You know full well that I don’t have time.”

“You could carve some.”

“Time is like a ticking bomb; the more I wait, the faster I’m heading to the end.”

He sighs heavily, running his hand over his light hair.

“What is it, Kolya? If you have something to say, say it.”

“Remember when that man tried to kill you some time ago? We ran after him, accompanied by Damien and Kirill, but then we found him dead?”

“Yes.” I could never forget the only assassination attempt that my system failed to identify. Usually, I’d find the perpetrator and make an example out of them. Not that time, though. Not only the mercenary who was sent out to kill me was shot in the nape, but we also found evidence of someone removing the bullet from him.

“I have a premonition that the past will be repeated and the solution will be murdered before our eyes.”

“Since when have you become superstitious?”

“Since then.” His voice is hard, and while I know his concerns are genuine, I’m also certain that if I don’t take a step now, everything will fall like a house of cards.

“We’ll do the meeting on Igor's birthday.” I tap my fingers on the table. “We’ll make it seem normal. If I convince Lazlo Luciano to give us an in with his mayoral candidate, it’ll appease Sergei.”

“You can play your trump card.”

“No,” I say firmly.

“But it’s desperate times.”

“I said no, Kolya, and that’s final.”

He thins his lips but stops himself from spouting any more nonsense.

That’s one of Kolya’s best qualities. He knows when to stay quiet and when to talk.

My gaze slides back to the monitor as I notice some movement. Lia wraps her arms tightly around Jeremy to the point that he squirms awake. My entire body turns rigid and I’m about to go there until Jeremy breaks out in giggles as she tickles his stomach.

My body relaxes a little, but I keep watching them as she helps him put on his coat and wraps a scarf around his neck before she throws on her own coat and they head outside. I navigate through the hallway camera, then the stairs, following their every move.

Soon enough, they head to the gazebo in the garden. There’s a camera there, but I watch them through the window instead. I see Yan, who’s standing at a corner of the gazebo, posture relaxed but alert.

Jeremy and Lia are still struggling to build his war zone, or more like, she’s struggling. It’s the hundredth attempt, and Jeremy keeps bringing her one model after the other, wanting them all done.

Her brows draw together with concentration and she huffs a breath in frustration when it doesn’t work. She has absolutely no patience, which is why she manages to get herself a punishment—or few—every night. She still talks back and spouts things, even when she knows full well that it will get her in trouble. Sometimes, I see the regret, but other times, her expression says without words, ‘Fuck it, it’ll happen anyway, so why delay it?’