Page 80 of Konstantin

Because if I’m not careful, I might stop resisting. I might start letting him win.

He mutters something low and sharp in Russian, too fast for me to catch, before stalking straight to my dresser like this is his home, not mine.

My stomach knots.

Yanking open the top drawer, he pulls out a pair of black leggings and a cotton tank top.

I freeze. “How the hell did you know where those were?”

He doesn’t answer.

My blood turns cold.

Shit.

He’s been here before.

When? How many times? Was I asleep? Has he touched my things? Watched me?

He could’ve planted a bug. A camera.

A shiver rips down my spine, but I shove it down. I sweep for bugs every night. I scrub every inch of this place. I would’ve found something.

Wouldn’t I?

Still, I can’t be sure anymore. I have to be careful from now on. That is, if I ever come back to this place. God knows I’ll probably end up dead in his mansion. Probably fed to the pigs I’ll never get to meet.

When he tosses the clothes into my lap, waiting for me to strip, a bitter laugh escapes me.

“Turn the hell around, Marinov, and stay like that until I tell you otherwise.”

His gaze dips to my mouth and lingers. That arrogant smirk tugs at the corner of his lips as he towers over me, like temptation in humanform.

“I like it when you’re bossy,” he murmurs.

A pulse of need tightens in my core, unwelcome and infuriating. God, I hate that he can do this to me. That my body reacts even while my mind screams danger.

I roll my eyes, and he finally turns around, giving me his back. But even facing away, he radiates control.

Still, this…this is good. It might look like I lost this round, like I gave in, but this is the opening I’ve been waiting for.

What if he didn’t do it?

The thought hits like a tsunami, slamming into me with no warning or mercy. My fingers freeze against the hem of my shirt.

What if you’re wrong?

No. That’s not possible.

Is it?

I squeeze my eyes shut, chasing away the doubt sinking its claws into my gut. I can’t afford to believe in that. I can’t afford to believe inhim.

Not when Konstantin Marinov is the monster I’ve built this entire mission around.

But monsters aren’t supposed to kiss like he does. And they’re definitely not supposed to make you feel like maybe, just maybe, you’re not alone in the dark.

“You can look now.”