God, there’s no way in hell I’ll ever be able to resist him.
“I’m still working for you?”
“Of course. You’ll have some time off to adjust to your new life, but there’s no one better than you.”
I stare into the eyes of the monster I can’t escape.
This is a nightmare. But I have to play along. For Nate. Let Konstantin think he owns me. Because the truth is, the closer he pulls me in, the more power I have to destroy him.
Yet the more power he has to destroy me too.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
KONSTANTIN
I watchher from the corner of my eye. Arms crossed tightly over her chest, hair still tousled from sleep, and defiance gleaming in those sharp irises of hers.
Not exactly how most women imagine their wedding day, but to me, she’s the epitome of perfection. My angry little viper of a bride.
She shifts beside me, just enough to put distance between our bodies, but not enough to stop me from feeling the heat radiating off her skin. I catch her glancing at the door, probably calculating if she can outrun my men.
Of course, she can’t. That would only delay the inevitable.
“I never dreamed of getting married,” she snaps, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Let alone in a mobster’s house, dressed like I just rolled out of bed.”
I bite back a smirk, taking her hand in mine. “You’ll make it up to me on our honeymoon.”
“You wish.” She tries to pull her fingers free, but I tighten my grip, not letting her go.
Not now. Not ever.
Dmitri laughs under his breath, turning to Maksim. “Dayu tri dnya, prezhde chem ona yego zarejit.”I give it three days before she stabs him.
Maksim snickers. “Pozhaluysta. On prosto poprosit yeyo sdelat’ eto snova, no medlenneye.”Please. He’d just ask her to do it again, but slower.
I shoot them a look, and those smirks vanish instantly.
“What?” Dmitri flips a hand in the air. “We’re just happy for you.”
Father Pasha clears his throat as he begins the ceremony.
“We are gathered here today under the eyes of God to witness the union of this man and this woman.” Each word is thick with a Russian accent as he continues the sacred lines.
I never saw myself getting married, but if I ever did, it would be to someone like Tessa—strong, smart, capable, and utterly breathtaking too.
She exhales. I can feel the tension in her fingers, the way her body fights every spoken word.
My blood drums with possession. This may not be real, but it’s ours, and I will remind her of our vows every chance I get. Because they mean something to me, no matter how we got here.
The priest continues guiding us through the vows. When he asks me if I take this woman to be my lawfully wedded wife, I answer without hesitation.
“Da.”Yes.
Tessa says nothing at first. Then, after a long pause, she mutters, “I guess.”
Gripping her jaw, I turn her face to mine. “That’s not an answer.”
She lifts her chin, ferocious as ever. “Fine. Yes.”
