Page 45 of Konstantin

As soon as they march inside, I’m ready for whatever questions they have coming my way. It’s why they’re here, I’d bet anything. They stop just short of the desk, and I offer them a polite smile even while my insides twist with vitriol.

The whole family is poison. Not one redeeming quality about them.

“Who are you?” Aleksei demands, his Russian accent thick with his contempt.

“Hi there.”Asshole. “I’m the new personal assistant. And you are?” I tilt my head innocently, pretending I don’t wanna run them through the meat grinder.

Kirill steps forward, the skull and rose tattoo that spills from the base of his neck to the side of his head flexing with the clench of his jaw. “Where’s Tanya?”

I shrug lightly. “Mr. Marinov just hired me. You’d have to speak to him about that.” I flash a fake smile. “I’m just following orders.”

For a moment, none of them move. Aleksei’s glare rakes over me, thick fingers sliding through his perfectly coiffed strands, but I don’t dare flinch. It’s what they want me to do.

Anton says nothing, though. He doesn’t need to. His dead-eyedlook tells me everything: he’s already imagining a dozen ways to bury me if I ever slip up.

Aleksei steps closer to my desk, knuckles tapping once against the edge.

“You won’t last long,” he says, cool and detached.

I don’t plan to. Just need enough time to do what I came to do.

“Thanks for stopping by.” I throw on a sweet, syrupy expression, and his eyes turn violent.

It almost seems like he’ll say something, but then they all turn and march out, their footsteps heavy against the marble floor.

I force myself to breathe normally, waiting until they’re out of sight before leaning back in my chair. Hopefully I don’t end up dead by sundown. I know exactly how cruel each one can be. How much blood stains their expensive shoes.

But it’s all worth the risk. And when Nate walks out of that prison a free man, I’ll disappear from Konstantin’s world like a ghost.

Stick to the plan, Emilia.

And whatever you do…

Don’t fall for the devil holding the keys to your brother’s freedom.

KONSTANTIN

From my office, I watch the security feed on my laptop, arms crossed loosely over my chest as my brothers corner her like a pack of hunters sizing up prey. Tessa doesn’t flinch.

I like that. Very much.

My eyes zero in on Aleksei as he leans in and stares like he’s ready to skin her alive. But she doesn’t let him get to her.

My mouth curves. A woman like her would belong perfectly in my world.

The fact that I’m making life plans where Ms. Monroe is concerned is very…unusual. But I’m not one to fight destiny. I let it take me where it’s meant to go, and if she’s where I belong, then I will welcome it.

The door opens without a knock, and I already know who it is. Aleksei strolls in first, followed by Kirill and Anton. They each take a seat around the conference table, and Aleksei’s eyes narrow, like I’m hiding something.

“Kto ana?”Who is she?

“What do you mean?” I give him an indifferent stare. “Just a new girl I hired. Is that a problem?”

Kirill sneers. “So you fired Tanya for no reason? Without even saying a word to us? She’s not just some girl. Don’t give me that shit.”

Of course there was a reason, but they don’t need to know that. They’ll think something’s wrong, that I’m losing my touch. Because I’d never have done what I did, hired some girl I knew nothing about, just because I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Even the thought makes me sound pathetic. And I’m far from it.

Leaning in, I glare at him. “I do not owe any of you an explanation. In case you’ve forgotten,Irun this family.” I slam a curled fist into my chest. “Me. Do not question my decisions again.”