Page 147 of Konstantin

I’m so screwed.

And here I thought being married to the head of the Russian Mob was going to be a walk in the park…

A bitter laugh’s trapped in my throat. I always knew, deep down, that once he found out the truth, he’d stop caring. He’d stop wanting me. He’d see betrayal, and he’d want me gone.

It’s too bad, though. I was actually falling for him. Falling so hard that it physically hurts right now.

He leads me up the porch steps, the boards creaking under our feet like a warning. When we enter, he gestures to the leather sofa.

“Sit. Now.”

My legs feel weak, but I obey, settling on the edge, my heart pounding in my chest. He paces in front of me, his fingers twitching around the envelope.

“What’s going on, Konstantin? What’s this about?”

He laughs, a dry, ominous sound. “Do you know how many times I’ve imagined killing you?”

His eyes latch on to mine, his words cutting deep. His stare holds me captive, the intensity of it almost unbearable.

“But every time I saw your face, I forgot why I wanted to do it in the first place.”

I’m frozen, every muscle tight, and it takes a moment to grasp the full meaning of his words.

“Do you know how difficult it’s been falling for a woman I know is betraying me?”

Oh my God…

Dizziness swirls in my head, and I clutch the sofa, needing this to end, knowing he’ll drag it out. He’ll make it hurt.

He shakes his head, a sinister half-grin creeping in. “Just answer me one thing. Why?”

A bitter taste hits my mouth. “Why what?”

“Why did you save my life that day in Chicago? Was that part of your plan?” He steps closer, his knuckles grazing my cheek.

His touch, once a comfort, now feels like a cage, and I’m desperate to escape it.

“I haven’t figured out what you were doing here exactly, Tessa. Or should I call you…Emilia Hayes?”

The blood rushes from my face, as if he’s drained it all from me. My mouth opens, but no words come out.

What’s there to say? He knows who I really am.

I was a fucking idiot for thinking I could deceive someone like him.

But if he knew and didn’t kill me, why now? What’s changed?

“How…how long have you known?” Each word feels like lead, heavy and painful.

He takes a shallow breath, his hand slipping away, and I immediately feel the cold in his absence.

“I knew who you were before you even begged me for that job the second time.” His voice is strained, as if each word is a battle. “From the moment I saw you, you intrigued me. I needed to know everything about you. And when I finally uncovered the truth, I couldn’t help but wonder what you were planning. What it was that made you want to get close to me. At first, I was going to end you...” His jaw tightens, his bicep flexing as his hand forms a fist. “But when I saw you again…I couldn’t. I had to have you. You poisoned everything I ever thought I knew about myself until all I wanted…was you.”

His confession shreds everything inside me—guilt, sorrow, and the bitter truth. I hate that I hurt him, but I know I had no choice. Nate needed me.

He moves in quickly, gripping my jaw and tilting my face up to his. “You betrayed me, my love. And now I have to decide what to do with you.”

“Konstantin, I-I had no choice. You’d have done the same if you were me.”