Page 27 of Twisted Fate
I made sure to sit on the side of Konstantin that meant he wouldn’t brush up against my left thigh.
There’s a gun strapped underneath my dress, a long, silky khaki-colored maxi—that the guide side-eyed when we walked out to meet him.
It’s not appropriate attire for this kind of excursion at all, and I’m sure he thought I was one of the stupidest tourists he’d ever taken on this trip.
But I need to be able to get to a weapon tonight—either the gun or the knife I have tucked inside my bra.
Next to me, Konstantin looks like he stepped out of a safari catalog, in tan linen pants, a thin white button-down with the sleeves rolled up and exposing both his arm tattoos and his muscled forearms, and his gold chain resting just below his collarbones.
The sun glints off of it, drawing my eye over and over again to the muscled planes of his chest beneath the shirt, and the hint of blond hair and tattoos crawling up from the V of the top button.
"Look there," our guide says, pointing to a distant tree. "Leopard."
“Great,” Konstantin mutters under his breath. “I think I’ve seen enough big cats on this trip to last me a lifetime. And we’re going to sleep out here?”
I glance over at him, unable to stop the teasing grin on my lips. “Are you scared, Konstantin?”
He glares at me. “I should have brought a gun.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I did.
I think he’s actually, genuinely nervous, and I find myself oddly wanting to reassure him.
But while I’ve been able to make up excuses for my excellent self-defense skills, I have no plausible reason right this second why I, Sophia Moretti, would have brought weapons along on our honeymoon.
The guide drives us to a small clearing where a tent has been set up—much more luxurious than I expected, with a proper bed visible through the open tent flaps, and even a portable shower enclosure nearby.
A fire pit sits ready for the evening, and a table with two chairs has been arranged for dinner.
"I'll leave you to settle in," the guide says, as he sets our bags just inside the tent and returns to the Land Rover. "I'll be camped just over that rise if you need anything. Dinner will be served at sunset."
As he drives away, I'm suddenly aware of how alone we are. Konstantin walks to the edge of the tent, gazing out over the savannah, his profile sharp against the setting sun.
“This is more luxurious than I expected,” he says finally. “I’m glad I wasn’t expected to pitch the tent.”
“Not in your skill set?” I tease lightly, and he chuckles.
“Not even a little.” He rubs a hand over his mouth, turning back toward me. “About last night, Sophia?—”
“We don’t have to talk about it,” I say quickly. “It happened. I told you, I didn’t bring you out here for?—”
“I think we do,” he replies firmly. “I recognize that I might have given you…mixed signals. That wasn’t my intention. I stand by the decision I made, but I don’t mean to confuse you. I understand this is… difficult, for you.”
I press my lips together. His walls are as up and sturdy as ever, and it doesn’t give me much hope that they’ll break down over the course of tonight.
But they don’t have to. I’ll be sleeping next to him, finally.
I just have to manage to get my weapon and kill him before he wakes up.
It won’t be easy—as well-trained as he is, he’ll be attuned to sound, even in his sleep.
But I’m well-trained too. And tonight will be the best chance I get.
“It won’t happen again,” Konstantin adds firmly. “Just so we’re clear.”
“Crystal,” I murmur, letting my disappointment shine through in my tone. It makes sense, as his wife, that I’d be disappointed. I don’t need to lie about that, at least.
The sun begins to set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks.
Our guide returns with dinner—a surprisingly elaborate meal of grilled meats and vegetables, with a bottle of dry red wine to accompany it.
We eat in relative silence, the sounds of the wilderness filling the space between us.
I can’t help but wonder what Konstantin thinks I’m thinking about—or if he even cares to wonder himself.
If he thinks I’m mulling over the lack of romance tonight, the silence on this otherwise once-in-a-lifetime experience, when I’m really thinking about how I’m going to finish my mission tonight.
As we sit, finishing the bottle of wine under the cover of the acacia tree, I notice the sky is turning hazy. The bright canopy of stars I’d expected is dulled, and instead, it looks like a thick cloud cover is taking over.
A sudden wind whips up, almost out of nowhere, sending the nearly empty bottle of wine thudding to the ground. Konstantin starts in his chair, frowning as he reaches for it, and another wild gust nearly knocks him backwards.
“What the fuck?” he mutters, just as the radio crackles.
“You should get to the tent.” Our guide’s voice comes across the radio, tight and concerned. “A dust storm is rolling in, fast.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Konstantin grabs the radio. “We should head back then, shouldn’t we?”
“Too dangerous to drive in it. Take shelter in the tent, and I’ll do the same. It should pass by morning.”
“Fucking—” Konstantin drops the radio, just as another swirl of wind sends a cloud of dust past us. I cough as he jumps to his feet, grabbing for my hand. “We’re not coming out here again,” he grits through his teeth. “Come on, Sophia. Let’s get inside.”
A gust of wind knocks his chair backwards, sending it hurtling into the tree. I stare at the oncoming storm, as Konstantin yanks at my hand, urging me toward the tent.
For once, I don’t argue.
I just follow my husband inside.