Page 23

CHAPTER 23

DINARA

The next day, Sonya approaches me as I grab my handbag from the foyer, ready to head out to see a movie with Tatiana and Gregory, who are already waiting for me in the car.

“There's a package for you, Ms. Marinova.” She holds out a small brown box.

“I’ll open it,” Boris says, taking it from her. He removes a flip knife from his keychain and slices the tape.

As he pulls the contents free, my breaths falter.

A perfume box—the same scent I wear. The one Cillian stole from me.

He got me another one.

A throb spreads through my chest, heavy and bittersweet. I hate that he had to steal the first bottle. I hate that we can’t be normal. That we can’t just be us.

My fingers draw over the sleek packaging, wanting to smash the perfume across the floor.

I picture his face, the way he would’ve looked as he gave this to me. Like a normal boyfriend. I would’ve sprayed a little and he’d have leaned in, dragging his nose up my throat as he inhaled it off my skin.

But no. He stays in the shadows, and I stay behind this invisible line he’s drawn between us.

I clutch the box tighter, swallowing the lump in my throat. I’m surprised he didn’t just break in again and leave it on my pillow. Would’ve been nice to catch him on camera this time. Would’ve been nice to see him at all.

“Could you bring it to my room?” I ask Sonya, needing it away from me before I really do smash it to pieces.

“Of course. I hope you all have fun!”

She waves goodbye as I head out with Boris, opening the back of his SUV, with Artem waiting in the passenger seat. As soon as I’m inside, we set off. Gregory, absorbed in a show on his tablet, barely notices as Tatiana shifts closer, her eyes flicking to mine.

“I need to tell you something.” Her voice is thick with tension.

Instantly, I sit up straighter.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper, not wanting Gregory to hear.

“I got a text this morning.”

My brows furrow. “From who?”

She leans in and whispers, “Papa.”

All the blood drains from my face.

“What?” I attempt to control the panic. “What did he say?”

She hands me her phone, and I open the message, reading it over and over as a wave of dread crashes over me.

Dad

I miss you, Moya Tanushka. Your brother too. I will have you home very soon. I promise. We will be a real family again. You will see.

He’ll have them home soon? What the hell does that mean? Is he planning to take them?

My pulse hammers in my temples. I need to tell Konstantin about this as soon as we’re done here. This is not something I can keep from him, especially if my father’s plans against Konstantin may be escalating.

“I don’t want to go with him.” Tatiana’s words tremble out, and I notice the tears threatening to spill. “I want to stay with Konstantin.”

“I know.” I pull her into a tight hug. “I won’t let him take either one of you. Don’t worry.”

As I hold her, Gregory’s voice pulls me back to reality.

“Is Papa bad?” he asks, his innocent eyes searching mine.

I freeze. What do I even say to him?

I try to answer the best way I can. “He’s done bad things, buddy. That’s why we don’t live with him.”

Gregory nods seriously. “Was Mama bad too?”

My face contorts in disbelief, and I take his small hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “No, of course not. Mama was the best.”

“I don’t remember her.” His face cracks with sadness, and it shatters me.

“I’m sorry, bud.” I pull him close. “But I want you to know she loved you so much. Every second of every day.”

He wraps his arms around me. “I don’t want to go with Papa either.”

The words break my heart. He shouldn’t have to be burdened with any of this. He’s just too little.

“I’ll never let that happen. You and Tatiana will always be with me, even if I’m not always right there with you.” I tilt his chin up. “Understand?”

He nods, his dark eyes softening.

“Good. Now, who’s ready for the movie?” I try to lighten the mood.

“Me!” Gregory exclaims, his excitement returning as we pull into the theater parking lot.

As we step out of the SUV, I glance around, my eyes scanning the lot. I can’t shake the feeling that my father and brother might be lurking somewhere, waiting for their chance to strike.

* * *

After dropping Tatiana and Gregory off, I make my way to Konstantin’s study, where Ludmilla said he’d be.

I knock, and his invitation comes through, sharp and clear.

“Come in.”

Taking a steadying breath, I turn the doorknob and walk inside. Konstantin isn’t alone; he’s there with his three brothers.

“How are you, Din?” Kirill asks, his face taut, his fists cracking in a way that only hints at his anger. He hasn’t been thrilled about how much Cillian hurt me.

“I’m fine.” I flash a smile, hoping it masks the unease inside me.

I know him well enough to know he’s looking for any excuse to go after Cillian for ending things with me.

Before I can say more, Konstantin interrupts, his voice calm, though there’s an edge beneath it. “Ludmilla said you needed to talk to me.”

“Yes.” My throat tightens as I step closer, my nerves pressing down on me.

“Sit.” Konstantin gestures to the empty chair in front of his desk, while his brothers lounge on the black leather sofas flanking the room.

I take the seat, my heart racing despite the familiarity of the surroundings. But I can’t shake the anxiety, especially as they all stare at me.

“So, what’s going on?” The intensity in his tone is palpable.

I take a deep breath and lean forward, trying to steady myself. “Tatiana told me that our father texted her this morning.”

The muscles in Konstantin’s face strain as he leans back in his leather chair. “Did he now? And what exactly did he say?”

I swallow hard. “He said he missed her and that he’ll take Gregory and her back very soon so they can be a family again.”

Aleksei lets out a low, dark chuckle. “We need to find that rat and kill him. I’m tired of this cat-and-mouse game they’re playing.”

Konstantin’s icy smile flickers. “We’ll deal with them. Slowly. Painfully. But in the meantime…” His lips curl into something like a grin, but it’s more dangerous than reassuring. “We send a message. A very effective one.”

“What kind of message?” I ask, the words barely a whisper.

“We destroy everyone who works for them. We strip away their power until all that’s left is those two svolichy.” His fingers curl into fists, knuckles turning white. “They won’t be able to hide for long.”

A chill runs down my flesh.

“You don’t need to worry about this,” Konstantin attempts to reassure me. “Leave everything to me.”

I nod, though fear pushes down on me.

“You can go now. But if anything else comes up, let me know.”

I stand and say my goodbyes, the coldness in the room lingering long after I leave.

The SUV is waiting for me outside, but I don’t feel any relief. The thought of leaving Tatiana and Gregory behind twists in my stomach.

As Artem helps me into the backseat, the weight of what’s coming crushes down on me. The war between my father and Konstantin is unavoidable—and it’s the aftermath that fills me with a paralyzing dread.