Aside from my worry about how complicated my situation was, another issue nagged at me. It was worried thatthe anger and hatred I had towards Konstantin might not displace this unnamed feeling his presence always brought.
I mustn’t let myself get carried away.
But, just as I made the resolve, a voice in my head told me I might not have a choice.
Unsettled, I screwed my eyes shut.
The sound of gunshots became more frequent, danger clear in the atmosphere as people scurried left and right. Walking more rapidly, I got to the front of the warehouse, my eyes landing on the numerous bloodied bodies.
A hand grabbed mine, pulling me away from the crossfire.
“Alina! You have to leave here! Let’s go! I'll protect you!”
But I stayed rooted to my spot, my eyes on the inside of the warehouse like I was looking for something. The person pulled harder, hijacking my attention from the warehouse.
“Let’s go! Now!”
I turned in the direction of the voice. My eyes met his blue ones.
Konstantin Lobanov.
I woke up with a gasp.
What kind of dream was that?
Konstantin pulling me out instead of killing Siroc?
Whoever said dreams lacked substance and were only a figment of our thoughts was damn right. Because the dream I’d just woken up from was such a fucked-up example.
Even as I dismissed the dream, I was angry at my mind for allowing thoughts of him at all.
Chapter Ten
Konstantin’s POV
“Loans aren’t my thing. Not to people like you, especially,” I answered, relaxing into the leather chair.
“Uh, I don’t understand, Mr. Konstantin,” Mr. Javen said, his frown emphasizing his confusion.
“You’re not a hard guy, you’re the soft kind. The type that goes on about how wicked the interest rates are, that starts pleading for mercy in the name of this and that when repayment time comes,” I explained. “I don’t speak that language.”
“I understand. And you’re right. But,” he shifted closer to my desk, shaking his head as his voice went lower, “I’m desperate.”
“Exactly why I shouldn’t lend to you, don’t you think? You're desperate now and will do anything to get the money you need. But repayment time is another story; one you’ve not thought about yet.”
“I’ve thought about it. I swear, I have!” he rushed. “I know your interest rates aren’t the lowest, but you’re my last hope. So I came here ready. I've thought about it and decided to give it a go.”
“You know what my interest rates are like?”
“I do, Mr. Konstantin,” he answered. “I know they range from 60% to 100%.”
“And you’re ready for that? What do you need the money for?”
“I ran into a blackmail web. Actually, my wife and I. We poured every penny into the payment they requested. The business account was on red, and we used our houses as collateral for bank loans. Not until one of the blackmailer’s other victims set him up and eventually sent him to prison did webecome free from him. Now, we have nothing to start again with. My company will be declared bankrupt, and I’ll lose everything if I don’t inject money back into it.”
I was right. Mr. Javen might be a hard drugs seller on the side, but he wouldn’t ask for a loan if it were something he could get out of.
“How much are we looking at?”
