Page 60 of Mafia King’s Dangerous Vow

“I like watching you work.”

A faint color touches her cheeks before she looks away.

I move farther into the room. “We’re going to dinner at Igor’s place tonight.”

“Should I be concerned?”

“I don’t think so. Their cook is significantly better than what you’re used to.”

That earns me the smallest smile.

“Come out with me first,” I say. “I want to get you something to wear.”

Suspicion appears. “Out? Does that mean the house arrest is finished?”

“You’ll be with me, and I have a security detail.” I shrug into my coat. “Consider it a final walkthrough before Thursday.”

Her eyebrows lift. “Before the site visit?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Relief flashes openly across her face before she can hide it. “I’m down for going out. Less enthusiastic about the shopping part, though.”

“You need something for tonight.”

“I own appropriate clothes.”

“Still.” I glance toward the laptop tucked under her arm. “You also apparently own seventeen shades of beige.”

“I’ll have you know this sweater is The Row.” She gestures toward herself with mild offense. “And cashmere.”

“Forgive me. Your seventeen shades of expensive beige.”

“Speak for yourself.” She takes in my charcoal sweater and black trousers with deliberate judgment. “You dress like a luxury funeral.”

I look down at myself. “She’s getting funnier,” I mutter toward the ceiling.

“I’m saying this right now, Aleksander, so there’s no misunderstanding later.” She folds her arms. “I’m not going purse shopping.”

“I know. That’s why we’re not going to Bergdorf’s first.”

“First?”

“You’ll be fine, I promise.”

Twenty minutes later, Yuri pulls the SUV alongside Bryant Park. Tamara looks out the window, visibly confused.

“You brought me to a Christmas market?”

“I did no such thing. It’s January.”

“That feels like gaslighting.”

I laugh and open the door before she can start arguing semantics.

Tamara steps out beside me, boots crunching over fresh snow. Her scarf lifts in the wind before she catches it with one hand.

Yuri and two of my men remain behind us at a discreet distance. Tamara notices.