Page 70 of Mafia King’s Dangerous Vow

“She is bringing bratva muscle to a design consultation.”

“She is bringing a project manager,” I correct. “Who happens to carry a concealed weapon and is charming enough to go unnoticed while dangerous enough to move quickly if necessary.”

“That was almost a compliment.”

“Don’t get hung up on it.”

I push the route packet across the desk. Mikhail takes it and flips through the pages, sobering as he scans the building plans.

“The Healy apartment has three access points,” Yuri says. “Main elevator, service elevator, west stairwell. The service entrance is the problem. Staff rotation is heavy because the renovation is active.”

“Contractors cleared?” Mikhail asks.

“Primary crew cleared. Stone vendor cleared. Two alternates pending.”

“No alternates today,” I say.

Yuri nods once. “Will block them.”

Mikhail glances up. “And if Amelia Healy throws a tantrum because her preferred marble whisperer can’t get through the door?”

“Let Tamara handle the client. You are the project manager.”

He looks offended. “I know how to talk to rich women.”

“You know how to fuck rich women. That is not the same discipline.”

I lean back in my chair and look at Mikhail fully. “No visible intimidation unless there is a real threat. No hand on your gun because someone raises their voice about limestone. No correcting Tamara in front of clients. No answering for her. No standing close enough that she has to negotiate around your body to do her job.”

Mikhail stops smiling.

“You’re not trying to keep her contained anymore,” he says.

Yuri looks at nothing. Igor looks directly at me.

I pick up the tablet again. “I’m trying to keep my promise.”

Mikhail is serious for once. “I’ll make sure she can forget I’m there.”

That is why I chose him. Not because he’s the safest option on paper. He isn’t. Mikhail attracts trouble the way expensive things attract damage. But he understands rooms. He understands women who hate being cornered. And for reasons none of us understand, Tamara likes him.

Mikhail checks his watch and stands. “I need to go collect my new employee identification before Tamara decides I’ve been hired without her consent.”

“You have been hired without her consent,” Igor points out.

“Then I should definitely arrive with a latte.”

He buttons his coat, the humor fading as he looks at me. “She’ll be safe.”

“I know.”

Mikhail hears what I mean. He nods once and leaves.

David Kalinin’s name appears on my phone. Igor notices the name on the screen. “Speak of the devil?”

“Something close.”

Every conversation with Tamara’s father ends with me needing to wash my hands. I brace and answer, putting him on speaker. “David. Igor and Yuri are with me.”