Page 64

Dinara

Sure. Thanks again for everything.

Cillian

Anytime, baby.

I smile as I stare at the screen, but before I can reply, Tatiana’s voice pulls me in.

“My God, do you hear anyone when you talk to lover boy?”

“Shut up!” I shove her playfully, and she giggles, throwing an arm around me.

Meanwhile, Gregory has already zoomed off to play with his new toy.

“Okay, davay, eat,” Ludmilla calls. “It’s probably cold now.”

I glance at Tatiana with a playful grimace as I start for the chair. She bites her lip, fighting a laugh.

“Where’s Konstantin?” I settle onto one of the stools, while my sister takes the seat next to me.

“He’s in his office with Aleksei. I don’t know what they’re doing,” she explains.

I nod, taking a deep breath. I haven’t spoken to him since I returned from New York, but I’m sure Boris has already given him the full rundown. Hopefully, he continues to accept my relationship with Cillian.

Maybe it’ll be that easy. Maybe I can be with this guy even though he’s not part of our world. The biggest hurdle will be him accepting me. It’s one thing to know the Mafia exists and another thing to date someone who’s a part of it. But I can’t change who I am. I hope Cillian likes me enough to appreciate that.

I’m almost finished with my borscht when I register footsteps approaching. When Konstantin walks in, his small grin greets me like a punch of familiarity.

“There she is. Privet, dorogaya.” He pulls me into a hug as I get up. “When you’re done, I’d like to have a talk with you.”

A knot forms in my stomach. “Uh, sure. I’m done.”

What could this be about? Is it about my father? Or maybe something to do with Cillian? My mind races with the possibilities.

“Come to my office. We talk there, yes?” Konstantin gestures.

I nod, trying to mask my nerves. As we walk across the house, I glance back at Tatiana, but she’s already lost in her own thoughts.

Glancing at me, he furrows his brows before he laughs. “Are you scared? Because you look scared.”

“Uh, no, of course not.” My voice trembles, giving me away.

“I promise there is no dead body in my office. Okay? I already gave it to the pigs.” His laughter grows, but I’m not laughing.

Because he does have pigs. Big, black Calabrian pigs—and if the rumors I’ve heard are true, he does feed human body parts to them.

A shiver runs down my arms at the imagery.

When we reach Konstantin’s office, Aleksei’s already there, holding a crystal glass filled with clear liquid. He nods in greeting, his usual stoic expression in place.

“Oh, you’re here too?” I say, trying to ignore the tension that suddenly fills the air.

“Sit. We must talk.” Konstantin shuts the door behind him with a loud bang.

I settle beside Aleksei, my foot bouncing nervously.

Aleksei lets out a small snicker. “I promise no dead bodies hiding in the closet.”