“Yeah?” I answered, not looking to the side to see his face.
“I’m not sorry for taking you. Because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had these few but wonderful days with you. I wouldn’t have had a taste of what it feels like to really live instead of just existing.”
I swallowed as he went on.
“But I’m sorry to have put you in this position. I know I told you this before, but I also know a simple apology won’t cut it. I want you to know that I’m sorry for ever doubting you. Regardless of what tomorrow holds, I hope you can forgive me.”
I didn’t say anything. I felt the depth of his words, and I didn’t need to search his face.
I leaned into him and lay my head on his shoulder.
Just then, the front door burst open, and Mila approached, her face pale and serious.
“The last name on the contractor’s list isn’t Morozov,” she declared, approaching.
“What does that mean?” I inquired, taking my head off Konstantin’s shoulder.
“The mole within the Bratva,” he started. “The names he gave during his confession were looked up to find the full members of the network.”
I nodded, and Mila went on.
“His name is Dimitri Volodin. He worked with Morozov and is currently trying to run the system alone in his absence.”
Konstantin sighed. “I recognize the name. I know the bastard.”
“Really?” Mila asked.
“He’s an old enemy of the Lobanov Bratva. Never misses a chance to resurface,” he explained, his voice turning cold as he added, “It’s about time I ended him for good.”
I realized the war was not over yet. But a bigger and colder realization that hit me was that the target might not just be Konstantin this time, it might be me as well.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Konstantin’s POV
“Greta was right,” Alina pointed out. “She said this is one of your favorites. I can see you love it.”
“I love eating with you. That about sums it up.”
The meal was delicious, but even then, it didn’t feel as good as eating with Alina beside me. It had been a few days since the mole was caught, and she’d barely looked me in the eye during a conversation. I knew she was thinking about the new state of things and was wary of getting too close. Still, I was glad I found her on the balcony last night and that I told her what I did.
Eating with her had become a luxury I’d rather have, given the option. It was simple, yet so intimate. I could stare at her all I wanted as she ate. I didn’t have to bother about coming off too strong since I couldn’t do anything more than touch her hand.
“Well, you’re not exactly bad company,” she remarked.
“I’m not bad company, or you like eating with me?” I pressed.
“I love eating with you,” she confessed, chuckling.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Liza said you’re barely here. That you’re always away. Russia, everywhere else. But you’ve never traveled since we left Russia. Why?” she inquired.
“Who travels when they have a beautiful wife in their home?” I joked.
She rolled her eyes. “I just realized it. I was just wondering.”
I dropped my fork. “She’s right, I travel out of Manhattan a lot. I’m mostly in Russia. But it’s not just because I lovetraveling. It's beyond that. There is a bit of a wider age gap between my brothers and I, so they were already going here and there with my dad’s men when I was still a child.”
