Page 90 of The Mafia and His Obsession Part 2 (Tainted Hearts 5)

He made his offer sound tempting. The knowing smile on his face said it all.

“I’ll give her to you now, if that’d make you happier. Tonight would be the last time I had ever touch her. Think of what I am offering. She is my most prized possession, Konstantin. I am giving you my wife.”

I stilled, the wheels in my head turning.

Valerie would be safe from him. Safe in my arms. Protected by me. Far away from the devil.

It was everything I had ever wanted for her…for us.

This story was tainted since the beginning. It was not meant to be. Forbidden in many ways yet…

It was the rightest thing I had ever done in my life.

No matter what Alessio said, or Valentin threw at me, Valerie’s life and heart were now mine to safeguard.

I locked eyes with Valentin. His deal was tempting. But I was no emotional fool.

Valentin was not the type of man to easily hand over what he believed belonged to him.

And I didn’t trust him. Not one bit.

“You strike a good deal,” I drawled, trying to look unfazed. I lounge back into the seat, placing my elbows over the armrest.

Posture meant power.

Power always intimidates your opponent.

And right now, my posture said I was in control. The look on Valentin’s face said he was slightly intimidated. I pinned him into his seat with my gaze, watching him carefully. “Although…I don’t believe you are the type of man to make a deal not in your favor. This is a game. In a game, there are always rules. So, tell me, Valentin.”

He cleared his throat, a ghost of a smile on his face. “You are smart. Three weeks, Konstantin. That’s all you have to finish your job. Three weeks.”

“Or else?” I countered quickly.

“I take Valeria back. And you’ll never see or touch her again.”

I stood up, still watching him. Valentin seemed to wait for my confirmation, yet the look on his face said he thought he already won.

Maybe he did…

Valentin started tonight knowing where this would end.

Him fucking Valerie in front of me? Planned.

Him making me fuck her? Planned.

Him leaving us alone to bond? Planned.

Him calling me here and playing with my head? Planned.

It was all fucking planned, and he played his damn game very well. I had to give him credit for that.

Okay then, fucker.

“Deal,” I muttered, arrogantly.

Three weeks.

I stared into the face of the man whom I needed to kill in three weeks.

Three weeks he gave me.

Little did he know…Valentin Solonik started his own death timer.

Three weeks was all he got to live. And then, I was burying his ass down ten feet under. Not. Even. Seven. Fucking. Feet.

He smirked, looking quite happy with himself. “Deal.”

Taking a step back, I turned around to walk out. But his voice stopped me once again. “Do I get to say goodbye to my wife?”

I coughed back a humorless laugh. He wasn’t coming near her, ever again. “No. You already said goodbye a few hours ago.

When you made her bleed and cry.

Keeping those words to myself, I spared him a glance over his shoulders. “You already knew how tonight would end. Also, she isn’t your wife anymore.”

Valentin chuckled low under his breath. “Touché. But duly noted, son.”

Good. Now, you can fuck off.

Instead of saying what I wanted to say, I waved a hand in the air. “Have a good night.”

I walked out of the office before he could say a word.

Yegor gave me a look, and I saw his silent concern. I nodded his way, letting him know that all would be okay.

Three weeks to put my plans in action.

Three fucking weeks was all I got.

My mind went to Valerie. I have made her mine. And tonight, I had claimed her right in front of her husband. It was now over. He would never touch her again. I’d make sure of that, even if that was the last thing I’d do.

My feet took me down the corridor, toward her side of the Estate. I walked mindlessly to her room and then stopped in front of her door.

When I walked inside, the room was dark and she was there…sleeping in the middle of the bed. Like the most exquisite angel I’d ever laid eyes on.

I came closer and stood still beside the bed, watching my sweet myshka.

She looked small. Her hair was sprawled out on the pillows, and she was curled into on her right side with her hands under her cheek. Delicate. Elegant. Perfect. Mine.

Soon, we would be free from the shackles that kept us here.

And then…I’d show her how beautiful the world could be. Together.

Three. Fucking. Weeks.

And my time started…now.

Today was day zero.

Alessio trusted me.

He came here, in the lair of our enemy…because he trusted Viktor.

Today I wasn’t Viktor.

Today I had been Konstantin. The man who shot Alessio, put a fucking hole right in the middle of his chest, that was Konstantin.