They freeze halfway out of their seats.
I lean forward, elbows on the table, voice pitched low and lethal.
“From this second forward, you do not speak my wife’s name. You don’t text it, type it, whisper it, or fucking think about it out loud. You don’t look at her. You don’t drive down her street. You don’t ask anyone how she is. You don’t breathe in her direction. She no longer exists to you.”
Arthur’s eyes flick to me, and I let him see the promise of death in mine.
“Seraphina is a Kovalyov now. My wife. Which means every member of the Kovalyov Bratva will do whatever is needed to protect her. To keep her happy.”
Tyler’s throat works. Arthur’s hands shake but I suspect it’s from anger. The arrogant fuck isn’t used to not getting his way.
“Ifanyonein your family forgets.” I continue, “If I hear that her name has left your mouth for any reason, I will come for you.” I give them both a cold smile. “And I will take my time before dropping off whatever is left of your miserable corpses on your company’s front steps.”
Sera’s hand finds my thigh under the table, a small, steady pressure. I don’t look away from Arthur when I finish. “Get the fuck out of her sight.”
Tyler stumbles backward heading for the door. Arthur holds my stare for one more second then turns and follows his son.
The bell jingles again as the door swings shut behind them.
Only then do I exhale, slow and controlled, the monster sliding back into its cage.
Sera’s fingers lace through mine. She squeezes once.
I squeeze back.
She grins at me. “I think that was your best murder-face yet, Gangster.”
39
SERA
I’m halfway to my car, keys jingling in my hand, when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, glancing at the screen, and a smile tugs at my lips.
Liev: Be careful.
Me: Are you watching me on the security cameras?
I pause under the corner of the house, spotting the small black dome mounted high on the wall. With a grin, I flip it off, middle finger extended playfully.
Liev: That’s not very nice.
Me: Neither is stalking me.
Liev: I just don’t want you to overdo and be sore later.
A warm flutter stirs low in my belly. God, even over text, he has this effect on me.
Me: Big plans?
Liev: Naked plans.
The tingle spreads, heat blooming across my skin. I bite my lip, imagining his hands on me.
Me: In that case, I’ll take it easy on Finn and preserve my strength.
Liev: Good idea.
I shake my head, chuckling as I slide into the driver’s seat. After our meeting with Tyler and his father, Liev went to Koval Industries to meet with Alex and figure out how his new position in the Bratva will mesh with his duties there. We’ve been together practically every minute for almost two weeks, and it feels a little weird for him to be off doing something else.
