Chapter 49 Ivy
IVY
My heart hammers against my ribs as I sit up in bed, instantly alert despite the fog of sleep. The way Viktor said "FBI" makes my blood run cold, and I can feel Konstantin's entire body tense beside me.
"How many?" Konstantin's voice is deadly calm as he swings his legs over the side of the bed, already reaching for his clothes.
"Two. Agent Cole and another one I don't recognize," Viktor replies, his eyes carefully avoiding looking at me as I pull the sheet up to cover myself. "They're waiting in the main room."
Konstantin's jaw tics as he pulls on his pants, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his head. "Tell them we'll be down in five minutes."
Viktor nods and closes the door behind him, leaving us alone in the sudden tension that fills the room like smoke.
"Ivy." Konstantin's voice is softer now, but there's an edge to it that makes me look up at him.
He's standing by the dresser, his shirt in his hands, and those green eyes are studying me with an intensity that makes my skin flush despite everything.
"Whatever they ask you, remember, you're my wife now. You're family."
The way he says it, like a promise and a warning all at once, sends heat spiraling through my chest. Even in this moment, with the FBI downstairs waiting to interrogate us, he can still make my pulse race with just a look.
"I know," I whisper, and I mean it more than I've ever meant anything in my life.
He crosses to me in two quick strides, cupping my face in his hands and pressing a hard, possessive kiss to my lips that leaves me breathless. When he pulls back, his thumb traces my bottom lip.
"It’s going to be okay," he murmurs, and the promise makes my knees weak even as I'm getting dressed.
By the time we make it downstairs, I've managed to compose myself on the outside, but inside, I'm a mess of nerves and conflicting emotions. Agent Cole is standing by the window, her blonde hair pulled back in that same severe bun, while a tall, thin man with graying temples stands beside her.
"Mrs. Mikhailov," Agent Cole says, and there's something in the way she emphasizes my married name that makes Konstantin's hand tighten on my lower back. "Thank you for joining us."
"Agent Cole," I reply, proud that my voice doesn't shake. "What can we do for you?"
The other agent steps forward. "I'm Agent Martinez. We're here about the incident at the Antonov warehouse last night."
I feel Konstantin go completely still beside me, though his expression doesn't change. That mask of controlled indifference that he wears so well slides into place, and suddenly, he's every inch the dangerous man I know him to be.
"What incident?" Konstantin asks, his voice perfectly level.
My stomach drops. The warehouse where Vadim held me. Where Konstantin and his men came to get me back.
"There was significant violence," Agent Cole continues, her sharp eyes moving between Konstantin and me. "Several casualties. The building was destroyed. We have reason to believe this was the result of a territorial dispute between families."
Konstantin's expression doesn't change. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."
I stare at him, shocked. He's not going to tell them that Vadim kidnapped me? That everything that happened was because Vadim took me against my will?
Agent Martinez pulls out a tablet, swiping to what looks like crime scene photos. Even from where I'm standing, I can see the destruction. "The warehouse was registered to a shell company we believe is connected to Vadim Antonov. Do either of you know Mr. Antonov?"
"I know of him," Konstantin says carefully. "But we don't associate."
The lie rolls off his tongue so smoothly, it's almost believable. But I know the truth of the decades-old blood feud, the way Vadim's jealousy has poisoned everything between their families.
"Mrs. Mikhailov," Agent Cole's attention turns to me, and I feel Konstantin tense beside me. "Were you at home last night?"
"Yes," I manage, my voice steadier than I feel. "We had dinner and went to bed early."
It's not entirely a lie. We did go to bed—after Konstantin's men rescued me from hell.
Agent Cole studies me for a long moment, and I can feel Konstantin's eyes on me too, watching my every reaction. The weight of both their gazes makes my skin prickle.
"Mrs. Mikhailov, could I speak with you privately for a moment?" Agent Cole asks.
"No." Konstantin's response is immediate and final.
"It's okay," I say, surprising myself. I place my hand on his arm, feeling the tension coiled in his muscles. "I don't mind."
His green eyes search mine, and I see something flicker there—surprise, maybe even pride. After a moment, he nods curtly.
Agent Cole leads me to the far side of the room, near the windows overlooking the gardens. But she doesn't lower her voice when she speaks.
"Are you here of your own free will, Mrs. Mikhailov?" she asks, loud enough that I know Konstantin can hear every word.
"Of course I am." The answer comes without hesitation. "This is my home. Konstantin is my husband."
She nods, then leans closer, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "Do you have what we discussed?"
The thumb drive. My heart races as I think about it, probably still in my purse back at that warehouse. But even if I had it right here in my hand, I know with absolute certainty that I wouldn't give it to her.
Something has shifted inside me. Maybe it was seeing Konstantin's face when he thought he'd lost me. Maybe it was the way he held me afterward, like I was the most precious thing in his world. Or maybe it was the moment I realized I'm carrying his child.
"I wasn't able to get it," I lie smoothly, channeling some of Konstantin's composure. "I only said I had evidence because I wanted to leave. I was being petty after an argument with my husband. You know how it is. Sometimes we say things we don't mean when we're upset."
Agent Cole's eyes narrow. "Mrs. Mikhailov—”
"I love my husband," I interrupt, and the words ring with absolute truth. "I'm not going anywhere."
For the first time since I've known her, Agent Cole looks genuinely surprised. She studies my face, searching for cracks in my resolve, but she won't find any.
Because this is my choice. Not made out of fear or desperation, but out of love.
Out of the knowledge that this dangerous, complicated man is mine, and I am his.
That the child growing inside me deserves to know their father, to be part of this family that would burn the world down to protect each other.
"I see," Agent Cole says finally. She straightens, her professional mask sliding back into place. "Well, if either of you remember anything about last night's incident, please don't hesitate to call."
She hands me a business card, which I take politely but have no intention of using.
The agents gather their things and head toward the door. Konstantin follows them, probably to make sure they actually leave the property. I watch him go, admiring the confident way he moves, the authority he carries without even trying.
When he returns a few minutes later, Viktor is with him. The big man looks unusually serious, even for him.
"We need to talk," Viktor says, glancing between Konstantin and me. "Both of you."
Konstantin nods toward his office. "Let's go."
As we walk down the hallway, Konstantin's hand finds mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in a gesture that feels both protective and possessive. The simple touch sends heat racing through my veins, and I'm struck again by how completely this man has claimed me.
We enter his office, the familiar scents of leather and his cologne wrapping around me like an embrace. Viktor closes the door behind us, his expression grave.
But before he can speak, Konstantin turns to me, his green eyes intense and knowing.
"Want to give me that thumb drive now?"