Page 143 of Konstantin

“Yeah, a few times, and I mean, I can tell why you like him. You two would have some amazing se?—”

Her tone cuts through like a knife. “I swear if you finish that sentence, we are no longer friends. I’m cutting you out of my life.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’d never. Don’t lie to yourself.”

“Seriously, watch your back with that one. He’s the worst.”

“You two aresogoing to sleep together, and I’m gonna say I told you so.”

Her response is instant and sharp. “Never going to happen. It’s just too bad I never managed to send his ass to prison. That still haunts me at night.”

A teasing laugh rises in me. “I’m pretty sure plenty of other things about him haunt you at night too.”

“Seriously, shut up. I’m getting off now.”

“It’s cute watching you deny this.”

She groans before the call disconnects.

And as I continue my run, I wonder when Aleksei is going to force her into a marriage quite like my own. Wouldn’t that be hilarious?

Okay, maybe not for her…

Hours later, on the bench out back in the garden, I dial Nate’snumber, desperate to hear his voice. My fingers tremble a little as I bring the phone to my ear, Maksim and Dmitri keeping a safe distance.

“Hello?”

My eyes pinch shut, a smile stretching as soon as I hear him.

“Glad to see you’re alive.” I try to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, almost thought I wouldn’t make it.” Nate laughs, the sound dry and strained. But it quickly shifts into a low groan, and I’m instantly on alert.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’ll live. That’s all that matters.” He pulls in a sharp inhale, like even moving hurts. “Getting my ass beat the other day did help my lawyer make the case for the ankle bracelet, though.”

“I thought you were in solitary.”

“I was, but they moved me back.”

“Fucking great…” Frustration builds inside me.

“It’s fine. It worked out. I’m out for now.”

My eyes squeeze shut. “I want to come see you, but I can’t right now.”

“Don’t worry. I get it. I’m lying low in the apartment anyway. Don’t worry about me.”

I pause, unsure how to say what I need to. He deserves to know this too. That man means just as much to him as he does to me.

“What is it, Em?”

My God, he can see right through me.

“Are you okay? Did that Marinov fucker do something to you?”

“No, it’s not that…”