Page 159 of Konstantin

“I’m going to fucking tear your heads off!”

But then a thought shreds through me.

What if they’ve already killed her? What if this is all just a trap, luring me to the same fate? She and our baby could be gone, and I’ve been sitting here, useless, unable to save them.

I should’ve told her what she really meant to me. That I was falling in love with her. But I said nothing, and now it might be too late.

I don’t know how long I’ve been driving, but when I pull up a few yards from the address they gave me—a house in the middle of nowhere—I don’t see any bodies. Just two sedans sitting in the driveway.

With a gun in hand, I step out first. My men follow close behind, every nerve in my body on fire, ready to destroy anything that makes a sound.

We move cautiously, checking corners, scanning for any signs of life. But there’s nothing. No one.

Where the hell are you, lubov moya?

As we creep toward the back of the house, a bullet cracks through the silence, and a feral smile twists across my face.

So it’s like that.

They want a fucking party? Good. I’ve been starving for one.

I whip around, scanning for the source, but before I can fire back, another bullet hits one of my men in the chest. Blood bursts out, splattering against the ground as he drops, dead before he even hits the dirt.

“Come out and fight like men!” I roar, releasing a few rounds toward the shadows, but no one shows themselves.

Another shot rings out. This time, it strikes my second man in the head, and he crumples.

They have a fucking sniper.

My rage flares, burning hotter, and I know what I need to do. Time to call my brothers. My fingers dig into my pocket for my phone, eyes still darting across the area, trying to pinpoint where the shots are coming from.

The phone rings when I dial Aleksei’s number. But before I can hear a single word, a tear gas grenade explodes near me, the air thick and suffocating.

My phone slips from my grip, the world around me turning hazy as my lungs burn with every breath. I stagger forward, swinging wildly, fighting through the thick cloud that clings to me, but my legs are like stone, dragging me down. My chest tightens, the weight of it crushing me, and I can barely keep my eyes open.

Then, out of nowhere, a sharp pain sears through my neck, and everything goes black.

The last thing I see before everything fades is Emilia.

EMILIA

I sent a text to Aleksei, telling him where I’m going and why. I know they’ll be here soon, but I can’t just sit around and wait for that to happen. For all I know, the DeLucas could be killing Konstantin right now.

The thought of losing him, of never feeling his arms around me again, of never hearing him call me “katyonak” or any of the other pet names he’s given me…it’s a pain I can’t bear to even entertain.

I want to see him again so badly, but the fear that I’ll walk in and find him dead keeps gnawing at me. It twists inside me like a knife.

I have to save him. Iwillsave him. I won’t let him die.

Parking a few streets away, I make sure they don’t see my vehicle. Because as soon as they do, they won’t hesitate to shoot me down.

As I slip out of the car, my sneakers hit the pavement with a soft thud. A gun rests tucked into my waistband, another secured in the holster around my ankle. I’ve never been more ready for a fight, yet the fear of the unknown presses against me.

The colonial house looms ahead, completely unassuming, as I pull my gun free, keeping it low, my fingers wrapped tight around the grip. Each step is calculated, the air heavy with unease, every sound amplified as I move behind the cover of trees in the back, praying they don’t see me.

Maybe they even assumed I wouldn’t show up. That Konstantin means nothing to me. But I’m here, and I will take everything from them.

I reach the corner of the house, flattening myself against the stone wall. Every inch of me is strung too tight, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Taking deep, controlled breaths, I cinch my fingers aroundthe gun.