Page 49 of Konstantin

“Takes one to know one.”

Her lips twitch, but it fades fast. “Fine. But promise me one thing.”

“Don’t die?”

She sighs. “Fine, two things. Promise me you won’t sleep withKonstantin or any of them.”

“What?” I scoff. “Are you crazy? Of course I wouldn’t sleep with him. Why would you even think that?”

Okay, maybe he went down on me. But that’s not the same thing.

Fiona crosses her arms, glaring at me with a gaze that could pierce through steel. “Because even though I hate them, I have eyes, and those Marinovs are nice to look at. But they’re the definition of toxic. And Konstantin is the worst of them. Don’t let him crawl under your skin.”

“Don’t worry. That won’t be a problem.”

What a liar…

I deflect, fast. “Speaking of problems, are you still seeing Aleksei everywhere you go?”

The shift in her body is subtle, but telling. “Unfortunately. I mean, it’s not everywhere, but it’s enough. I even had to be careful coming here, make sure he wasn’t following me.”

I raise a brow, the realization settling in. If Aleksei makes any connection between her and me…well, that would be a serious problem.

“I know what he’s trying to do,” she adds. “Scare me. But I don’t scare easily. It’s just annoying now. I go out with coworkers, and he’s already there. I stop for coffee, and he’s in line ahead of me. I turn my phone off every time I leave the office. I sweep for trackers. Nothing. But still, it’s like he justknows.”

I hate the way that makes my stomach twist. If that jerkoff does anything to Fiona, not even Konstantin will be able to save him.

“You need to be careful. Seriously. I’ll keep an eye out too.”

“No,” she says quickly. “You handleyourpsychopath. I’ll handle mine.” She settles beside me and grabs my hand again, her grip tighter now. “But promise me, Em. Don’t let your guard down. Not even for a second.”

“Don’t worry. That’ll never happen.”

The sun filters through the tall windows of Konstantin’s office, casting golden lines across the polished floors.

I sit behind my desk, chewing slowly through a Caesar salad I barely taste. My fingers tap lightly against the wood as I skim over a list of scheduled meetings, trying to look busy while my brain whirs with a thousand thoughts. Mostly about Konstantin. About last night with Fiona and how worried she is.

All I need is a little more time for Riley to do her magic. And if she finds nothing, I’ll have to find something else of his for her to hack.

He has to be connected to Tim’s murder. It all makes sense.

My phone buzzes against the desk, cutting through the silence. I glance down and find Gerardo’s number there, and my pulse kicks up. He wouldn’t be calling unless it was necessary.

God, I hope it’s not something with Nate.

I know he’s doing what he can for my brother. He’s always been one of the few people I can depend on, the closest thing to a father either of us ever had.

“Hey.” I try to keep my voice low in case Konstantin has listening devices around the office.

“Hey, kid. Can you talk?”

I glance toward the office door. “Yep, but I only have a few minutes because I’m working.”

“Got it. But you’re alone, right?”

“Yep.”

“Alright, listen. There’s something you should know. There’s been talk that the DeLuca crew’s making moves against the Marinovs. A war is coming, and I need you to be careful, got it?”