Page 34 of Konstantin (Marinov Bratva #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

KONSTANTIN

Guests shuffle into the grand entryway two days later, their laughter and voices bouncing off the marble floors. But none of them really interest me, my eyes constantly flicking toward the stairs, waiting for Tessa to walk down.

She’s been quiet since the day at the store, understandably shaken, and I blame myself for taking that business call. If I hadn’t, no man would have laid a finger on her. It’ll never happen again as long as I live.

Every time I close my eyes, I can’t get her expression out of my head. The way she looked while she choked the life out of him, like she wasn’t really there. I don’t even think she heard me calling her until I touched her.

My fingers curl at my side. Whatever she’s been through, it left an impact, and I will do everything I can to give her a better life.

More guests begin to pour in, drawing my attention, and soon, the Quinns appear at the entrance. Tynan, head of the Irish family, steps inside first with his wife, Elara, on his arm.

“Congratulations.” There’s a hint of amusement as he says that. “Can’t say I ever expected to see you tie the knot.”

Elara quickly elbows him, offering a warm smile in contrast. “What he means is, we’re truly happy for you. We can’t wait to meet her.”

“Bolshoye spasebo, dorogaya.” Thank you very much, darling.

Tynan’s brother Fionn and his wife, Amara, follow with their congratulations, more genuine and polite. Then their youngest sister, Eriu, steps in with her husband, Devlin.

“A bloody congratulations, you fecker,” Devlin says with a sharp grin, slapping me on the back hard enough to jar bone, while Eriu laughs, clearly amused.

And then Iseult Quinn-Marino struts in with her husband, Gio of the Messina crime family, right beside her.

Her eyes lock on to mine as she strides toward me, that trademark smirk playing at her lips.

I pity any man or woman who underestimates her.

She’s a force, the oldest sister in the family, and one of the deadliest assassins I’ve ever encountered.

“Well, well, well, Konstantin,” she drawls, her tone laced with mockery. “Never thought I’d see the day you got married. I could’ve sworn you’d die alone. I was almost getting sad for you. Almost.”

A grin spreads across my face as I approach, wrapping my arms around her before greeting Gio with a nod. “You flatter me, dorogaya.”

She steps closer, her smile ice cold. “I’ll offer my condolences to your wife as soon as I meet her.”

“She’ll enjoy that.”

“Oh, then we’ll get along so well.” Her eyes sweep the room. “Where is she, anyway? She’s like a mythical creature. One has to see her to believe she’s real.”

Laughter ripples through the room, mine included .

“She’s getting ready. Should be down soon. In the meantime, head outside. There’s food, drinks, and more than enough to keep you entertained. I promise she’ll make her rounds.”

“Can’t wait.”

Then Cillian Quinn steps through the doorway with my cousin, Dinara, on one arm and her sister, Tatiana, beside them.

“My girls.” I pull them both into a quick embrace.

They used to live under my roof, but everything changed when Dinara married Cillian and Tatiana decided to live on her own, which has been good for her.

“It’s nice to see you too,” Tatiana says warmly, while Dinara fixes me with a glare.

“A phone call would’ve been nice to let your family know you were getting hitched.”

“She’s not wrong,” Kirill chimes in from behind us. “We didn’t even know until after.”

“It all happened fast,” I say, brushing it off. “But let’s not dwell on the past. Go and enjoy yourselves.”

Dinara’s eyes narrow. “I know you’re just trying to get rid of us.”

“Can you blame him?” Cillian scoffs.

“Never thought you’d ever defend him.” Fionn laughs.

“Me either.” I grin. “But I told you one day we’d become good friends, Cillian. And look at us now.”

I slap him on the back, earning a scowl.

“Too much?” A smirk settles on my face.

“Yeah, a little,” he mutters.

“Alright, alright,” I chuckle. “I’ll learn to keep my excitement to myself next time.”

“All jokes aside…” Iseult says, her smirk softening just enough to pass for sincerity. “I think I speak for all of us when I say we’re happy for you, Konstantin.”

I incline my head. “Spasebo.” Thank you .

“But…” She tilts hers, one brow lifting. “I do wonder…”

“Wonder what?”

Her eyes gleam. “How much did you have to pay the poor woman to get her to say yes?”

Before I can fire back, Fionn cuts in with a grin. “Please. He didn’t pay her. She was thrilled to marry him…right after he put a gun to her head.”

A few laughs ripple through the group.

“That’s not exactly what happened.”

Cillian snickers. “Which part? The gun or the marriage?”

“Well…” I shrug. “Let’s just say the courtship was…persuasive.”

Tatiana shakes her head, laughing. “You’re lucky she hasn’t stabbed you in your sleep yet.”

“There’s always tomorrow.” My mouth tips up.

That earns another round of laughter.

But it all fades, every sound melting into background noise as something inside me shifts. I feel her before I see her. As if some invisible thread pulls my gaze toward the stairs.

And there she is. Standing at the top, haloed by soft, golden light, wearing a white gown of silk and lace that hugs her body like it was made just for her.

Those luscious waves are half-pinned, dark curls cascading down one shoulder, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

She doesn’t look like she belongs here, yet she owns the space, casting everyone else into shadow.

But it’s her eyes that tear me wide open, that burning gaze cutting through me like it’s carving something deep into my soul. I can feel the weight of her stare, like she’s searching for something—some hidden part of me I’ve buried. And in this instant, I feel exposed.

For the first time since I can remember, the vulnerability I’ve spent years running from creeps in, and that’s when I remember what my father once said. That love is a weakness.

But he was wrong. There’s power in it too .

And in her eyes, I find that power.

It’s then I realize something I’ll never admit: I’m not in control anymore. And it’s the most alive I’ve ever felt.

I start toward her as she begins her descent, one step at a time. By the time she reaches me, I’m already taking her hand. She places it in mine without hesitation, and I pull her in, not giving a single fuck who’s watching. My lips find her cheek, warm skin that smells like vanilla and danger.

“I think my heart forgot how to beat,” I murmur against her skin.

She turns her face, her smile jerking at the corner. “Might want to get that checked, husband. Doesn’t sound normal.”

A laugh rumbles out of me, unfiltered and real.

“Nothing about this is normal.” My thumb brushes across her cheek. “But for the first time, I don’t want it to be.”

Her eyes meet mine, holding me in place, and the world outside of her doesn’t even exist. She’s the only thing that makes sense in this mess, the only thing worth holding on to. And somehow, for the first time in a long time, I find myself hoping.

Not for peace, nor for power. But for a future that includes her.

EMILIA

The night air is cool against my skin as I sit beside Konstantin, his palm heavy and possessive on my thigh.

He’s always touching me, no matter where we are. It’s as though he needs to make sure that I’m real. And I realize I like it. Maybe it’s that quiet protectiveness, the ownership, the claim. Whatever it is, I don’t want him to stop.

Guests dance and laugh as I scan the scene from our long table beneath the stars, the estate sprawling out before us like a kingdom.

A good few hundred people have gathered for the reception, enjoying the endless food and entertainment.

Glittering vases with hanging Swarovski crystals adorn each table.

Acrobats twirl and flip, suspended in the air like circus performers.

It’s hard to believe all this is for us.

Us.

It seems strange to think of Konstantin and me as an us , but for all intents and purposes, that’s exactly what we are.

A sharp pang hits my center, the betrayal crashing into me. Because that’s what this is. I’m betraying my brother by even allowing myself to think of Konstantin as anything other than the enemy.

But what if I had it all wrong? What if he didn’t do it? What if I’ve built this entire mess on a lie?

Does that change anything? I’m a fed, he’s a criminal. What future can we possibly have together?

“Are you enjoying yourself?” The question cuts through my thoughts like a blade.

Startled, I turn toward him. “What? Oh…yes. Everything is beautiful.”

His gaze sharpens, as if he can see straight through to my subconscious.

Then, just as quickly, a tight and unreadable smile tugs at his mouth. “I’m glad. I want to make you happy, Tessa. I want to give you everything you could ever want.”

My heart twists in my chest, caught somewhere between longing and confusion. Who could possibly say no to that?

But I know better. Nothing he offers comes without a cost.

And I don’t mean the billions he has. I mean the kind of price that can’t be measured in money. Only in the pieces of yourself you lose trying to survive someone like him.

But I want him. My God, no matter how wrong it may be, I want Konstantin Marinov with every fiber of my being. And if there’s a way that I can keep him and save my brother at the same time, I’ll take it. Because being with him has been more than I ever thought it would be.

My pulse skitters, and I take a long drink of ice water to cool the fire rising in my body.

“This dress is beautiful on you.” His fingers lazily roll up my thigh.

I glance down where his touch brushes the delicate lace. It fits like perfection, hugging my body in all the right places.

“I hope so. It cost you thirty grand.”

He chuckles, the sound low and rough. “I’d give it all up to have you.”

His fingers tug at my chin, gripping tight, and a jolt of heat runs through me.