Page 93 of Konstantin

What I really want to say, though, ismaybe it wasn’t Konstantin.

It’s like I’m grasping for any sign that he isn’t involved. Like somehow that would make him a good person or give me permission to be with him.

“It’s possible, yeah. If he was working with the DeLucas and their relationship went sour, they’d get rid of him. It’s too soon to know for sure, but I’ll keep digging.”

“Okay. I have to go. Do me a favor and only call me if it’s anemergency. I’m gonna have constant eyes on me.”

“What happened?”

I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the absurdity of it all. There’s no way to explain how absolutely insane all of this is without it sounding like a bad joke or one of those Mafia romance novels where the girl falls for the big, scary guy who forces her to marry him.

“Long story short, I killed someone in the DeLuca crew, and now they want me dead for it. So, my boss decided it would be best if I became his wife instead. Now I’m living with him.”

There’s a pause. A long, heavy silence that makes me want to laugh but also cry. Because of course this is my life now.

“Holy shit…” she says, disbelief clouding her voice.

“Yep.” I let out a shaky laugh, rubbing my temple. “I can tell you where to send a wedding present if you’d like.”

“How the hell are you gonna get out of this?” she whispers, her tone still laced with shock.

Dropping the back of my head against the wall, I close my eyes. “He promised me a divorce once he kills the crew.”

There’s more silence, and I can practically hear her mental wheels spinning.

“And you believe him?”

I can’t help the small laugh that escapes. “No, I don’t, but what choice do I have?”

She lets out a weighty sigh. “Yeah, I get it. Just don’t do stupid shit and keep your head down.”

“Don’t worry. I’m trying not to let the whole ‘my husband is a Mafia boss and I’m his prisoner’ thing set in. It’s really starting to cramp my style.”

I can almost picture her rolling her eyes on the other end of the line before she lets out a laugh. “I can definitely see how that would be a problem.”

“Do me another favor.”

“Anything.”

“Can you fill Fiona in? She’ll kill me if I tell her.”

Riley’s laughter is lighter this time. “I’ll handle her. You stay safe, okay?”

“I will. Thanks.”

As soon as the call ends, I delete the call log and stuff my phone into my handbag.

Then I grab a duffle and toss in a few other clothes his people couldn’t fit in, just enough to make the visit look legit.

Because if Konstantin even suspects what I’m doing, I won’t just be married to a mobster. I’ll be buried by one.

KONSTANTIN

“I can’t believe you married her.” Aleksei takes another puff of his cigar, the scent of leather clashing with the bitter sting of cigar smoke.

“I did.” My gaze lands on each of my brothers. “And all of you will be your best selves when you see her for dinner tonight, or I’ll have your heads.”

“You really care about her, don’t you?” Kirill eyes me intently as he leans against the wall.