Page 35 of Konstantin (Marinov Bratva #1)
“Every penny I have,” he says, slower this time. “Just to keep you.”
A tight knot forms in my stomach, twisting painfully.
“Then you’d be poor,” I try to joke, but my voice is too thin. “And trust me, that’s no fun either.”
He leans in, his forehead brushing mine, hand still wrapped around my jaw like he’s anchoring me to him. “I’d be the richest man alive with you beside me, moya lyubimoya.”
The words don’t just knock the air from my lungs. They crack something open inside me. Because beneath all the fear and the lies, beneath the badge and betrayal, a part of me aches to believe him.
And that part—that foolish, reckless part—might be my undoing.
His eyes search mine as he pulls back, devouring every flicker of hesitation.
“What does that mean, lyubimoya?”
“My love,” he answers softly.
My heart stammers like it doesn’t know what to do with that.
“Does that word scare you, Tessa?” His thumb brushes over my lips, sending a current through me that makes my skin burn in its wake .
“No,” I whisper.
Yes.
He may not have said he loves me, but this? This is as close as he’s ever come. And the prospect of him ever loving me… I don’t know what to do with it. I don’t even know what love means, let alone from someone like him.
“Just so you know, I don’t need expensive things to make me happy.”
A flash of a smirk pulls at his lips, but his eyes burn with something more. “I still intend to give you the world, Mrs. Marinova. Whether you want it or not.”
I want it. With you.
But I don’t say that. Instead, I let the hunger in his eyes swallow me whole as he leans in and crushes his mouth to mine.
The world falls away. The party, the people, the music…it all disappears when his lips devour me, greedy and full of promise.
It’s not just a kiss. It’s a declaration. A brand. And I let it consume me.
When we finally break apart, I’m breathless. Drunk on him.
“I thought you two were going to start undressing right here.” Iseult cuts through the fog like a knife.
I turn to find her and Gio beside us, two glasses of wine in her hands.
“You have impeccable timing,” Konstantin mutters, his tone clipped as he keeps his arm tightly wrapped around me, like he’s daring anyone to try to take me.
“Don’t I always?” She grins, handing me a glass. “Here. Hydration is key. You’ll need it to survive tonight.”
A laugh escapes me. “I actually don’t drink.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh. Well, lucky me.” She raises both glasses. “Double the fun.”
My grin spreads. I like her .
Settling into the empty seat that was occupied by Aleksei earlier, she throws a leg over the other side, eyes twinkling. “So, tell me about yourself. What do you do for work?”
Something that could get me killed if you knew the truth.
“I’m Konstantin’s assistant. That’s how we met.”
She lifts a brow. “Interesting…”
“Yeah… For someone who didn’t have a lot of options, I guess I haven’t done so bad.” I swallow hard, tamping down the flood of memories threatening to surface.
“So, life liked to knock you around a bit, huh?”
“Sometimes.” I shrug, feeling Konstantin’s eyes on me. “I didn’t come from much. A shitty mom. No real stability. I did what I had to do.”
She leans back in her chair, eyes sharp. “And look at you now.”
“You should see her with a gun,” Konstantin cuts in, full of pride.
Iseult perks up, her expression lighting with interest. “Really, now? Do tell…”
I shift in my seat, a little uneasy. “Yeah. My older brother taught me.”
Iseult’s lips curve into a sly, dangerous smile. “Well, then I think it’s only right we test your skills with a little shooting contest.”
My eyes widen. “Wait, what?”
Before I can fully process, her gaze flicks to where her siblings have gathered nearby, mischief dancing on her face.
“What’s going on?” Fionn asks, brows raised.
“My wife just challenged Mrs. Marinova to a shooting match,” Gio pipes up, sounding far too amused.
Fionn lets out a bark of laughter. “That sounds like my sister.”
“Come on.” Iseult shrugs. “It’ll be fun.”
Konstantin chuckles beside me. “I say we do it. What’s a wedding without a few bullets between friends?”
Honestly? It does sound fun. And it’s not like this will somehow out me as a fed just because I know how to hold a gun.
“Alright.” I get to my feet. “Let’s do it.”
Iseult throws her hands in the air. “That’s what I’m talking about! Let’s go, people.”
Gio’s eyes trail her body with open admiration. “You with a gun and five-inch heels? Sexiest damn thing every time.”
She elbows him, but there’s affection in the move. “Behave.”
He groans with a smile. “That’s how she says she loves me.”
I laugh. “No judgment here. Whatever works.”
They’re chaotic, a little unhinged, but honestly? Kind of adorable.
Konstantin takes my hand and leads the group to the far edge of his estate, away from the lights, the laughter, and the rest of the wedding guests.
With the grass beneath our shoes, we move through the lit-up path.
One of his men steps forward on command, lining up empty glass bottles along the fence line.
Eight in total—four for me, four for Iseult—set at a distance that’s clearly meant to impress.
Iseult flips her bright red hair off her shoulders and pulls a sleek pistol from the holster strapped to her thigh, hidden beneath her long black dress. Her grin is razor-sharp as she rolls her neck and flexes her fingers. She lives for this, doesn’t she?
Konstantin hands me his weapon. The metal is cold and unforgiving, like the world I’ve chosen to infiltrate.
“Four shots. Four targets. One winner.” His gaze bounces between us.
The tension tightens around me like a noose. I’m incredibly competitive. I don’t lose.
Iseult stands at one end of the line, posture flawless, her gun already raised and waiting. I steady myself on the other side, heels planted, grip firm.
“Ready?” Konstantin’s voice rings out.
We both nod.
“Go. ”
My breath slows. I block out everything. The brightness of the lights above, everyone’s stares. Just me and the bottle.
We fire at the same time.
Glass shatters in unison.
She turns her head, smirking. “Nice shot.”
“You too.”
“I never miss,” she tosses out, like she’s trying to make me nervous, but I only admire the cockiness about her.
“Neither do I.” My mouth curls.
We fire again. Both bottles shatter cleanly.
Then two more.
Only one bottle remains for both of us.
She turns her head, flashes an arrogant smile, and fires. The bullet goes wide.
And she misses.
Whoops…
I try hard to hide my grin, but fail miserably.
“Fuck!” she hisses, the gun falling to her side.
Now it’s my turn. I take one steady breath, center the target, squeeze the trigger, and…the glass explodes.
A low whistle escapes Gio. “She’s gonna be pissed.”
“She’s dangerous when she’s pissed,” someone mutters behind him.
Iseult shakes her head, pacing once in frustration before spinning to face me. “How the hell can you shoot like that? Shit, are you a cop or something?”
My pulse stalls for a fraction of a second, but I force a laugh. “I sure as hell hope not. Don’t think that’d end well for any of us.”
She narrows her eyes at me, then snickers like it’s all just a joke. “Rematch? I think you owe me one.”
I start to answer, but Konstantin cuts me off, a hand winding around my hips .
“How about you let my bride rest? That’s enough for tonight. Wouldn’t want people wondering where we’ve gone.”
He plucks the gun from my hand and slides it into his holster.
His palm presses gently against my back as we begin the walk back to the glowing lights of the reception. I glance over my shoulder at Iseult, her eyes still sharp and calculating.
They’re all watching me. The most dangerous people in the world.
Sooner or later, one of them is going to figure out who I really am.
And when they do, I won’t see the bullet coming.