Page 142 of Konstantin

I like it. A lot.

He rushes back to me, like he can’t stand the idea of being away from me. His hands cup my face as his lips press gently to my forehead and emotions flood behind my eyes, too overwhelming to name.

Damn this man—always making me feel too much, too fast.

Clinging to his arms, I wish for it to stay this way. This good, this happy.

But I know I’m only kidding myself.

The rhythmic pounding of my feet on the gravel echoes in my ears as I continue my jog, the cool morning air filling my lungs. I focus on the path ahead, the sound of my breath blending with the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze, but I can’t shake it. Everything with Gerardo has invaded my thoughts, and I hate how much control he still has over me.

When my phone vibrates in my pocket, I instinctively think it’s Konstantin, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. But when I glance down, I see it’s Fiona. I immediately slow my pace and answer the call.

“Hey,” Fiona’s voice rings in my ears through the earbuds, laced with an undercurrent of concern.

I keep running, forcing myself to push through the tightness in my chest. “Hey. Everything okay?”

“Did you forget what today is?”

I almost stop in my tracks, but I can’t afford to, not with Maksim and Dmitri a few yards behind, watching my every move. They won’t stop unless I do. So I keep my pace, my mind racing to figure out what I’ve missed.

Repeating the date in my head, over and over, I almost think she’s messing with me. Then it hits me.

“Oh my God, Nate’s trial!”

A wave of shame floods my face. How the hell did I forget? The hospital, the constant stress…it’s all been a blur. But still, what kind of sister forgets when her brother starts his trial?

“It’s okay. I know you have a lot going on. Can you talk? I wanna tell you some good news for once. Wait, are you running?”

“Mm-hmm, and please, I could use some of that. Tell me they dropped all the charges and that he’s coming home.”

“No, but his lawyer was able to get him an ankle bracelet, so he won’t be in jail for the duration of the trial. Unless he tries to run, of course. Then he’s fucked.”

I nearly stop running, the relief rushing through me.

“This is amazing.” My legs push harder, adrenaline surging through me.

He won’t have to stay in that hellhole anymore. I smile, even though it’s bittersweet, thinking of Nate finally getting a sliver of peace amidst all this chaos.

“Yeah, I figured you’d wanna know since you can’t be there. He should be home soon.”

Emotions flood my system, unable to wait to talk to him.

Fiona’s voice softens for a moment as she asks, “Are you okay?”

I almost laugh.

No, I’m not okay. Nothing will ever be okay.

But I lie instead. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

She sucks in a breath. “I can’t wait until you’re done with those damn Marinovs.”

“They’re not so bad…”

She’s gonna take my head off for that in three…two…one…

“I can’t believe you just said that! Have you met Aleksei? He’s a real piece of work.”