Page 25 of Konstantin

I hate the way my pulse quickens at the thought of his control over me. And yet there’s a part of me that almost wants to challenge him more, to keep pushing back. But I can’t deny the way his presence fills the room, like a force of nature.

He’s not just in charge here. Heisthe charge.

“Yes, sir,” I spit out.

The smile that stretches across his face only enrages me further. It’s not one of triumph. It’s a look that says he knew how this was going to play out all along. That he already saw my answer written all over my face before I even said it.

“Very good.” That timbre is smooth, almost soothing, like he’s pleased with my compliance, and it drives me mad.

But I have no choice. This is what I have to do.

Even if it means making a deal with Satan.

KONSTANTIN

Her scent still clings to the air—sex and soft vanilla, something far too delicate for a place like this.

She doesn’t belong in my world. But that doesn’t matter. I’m keeping her anyway.

I lean back, watching her tug at the hem of her dress with nervous, fluttering fingers. A few minutes ago, all I could think about was the way her mouth shaped around those broken moans.

Now? Now, I can’t stop thinking about the faint scars beneath her arms. Subtle, almost hidden. The kind most men wouldn’t notice. Or wouldn’t give a damn about.

But I noticed. And I care.

Once we’re finished here, she’s going to tell me exactly where they came from.

I pull out my phone and tap the screen, loading a contract template. No one works for me without one. Silently, I enter her name, then hand it to her. I don’t need her ID; I already found her info.

Her brow twitches slightly as she scans the text. “Nondisclosure agreement. So I can’t talk about anything with anyone?”

“Of course not, dorogaya.” My mouth tilts. “That would make me a terrible businessman.”

She lets out a dry laugh. “Fine.”

Smart girl. Or maybe just reckless.

Her gaze drops back to the screen, until it suddenly snaps up. “Wait. This says my salary is one hundred thousand a month. That has to be a typo.” She tries to hand the phone back to me. “Here, you can fix it.”

I simply chuckle. “It’s not a mistake.”

“You’re serious?”

“I’m always serious.” My hand drops to her knee, fingers grazing her skin. I want her in my arms, in my bed, mine in every way. “I pay well. And in return, I expect loyalty without question.”

She nods.

Ms. Monroe continues to impress me.

I could end it here. Let her walk out. Pretend this is just another transaction.

But I can’t. She’s already under my skin. Crawling through my veins like poison. And I won’t rest until I have answers. Until I own every piece of her, even the ones she hides.

“Part of this arrangement requires your complete honesty,” I say, even though it’s a lie.

I don’t care about my employees’ pasts. Never have. Unless it concerns me or my business.

Her brows pinch slightly. “About what?”