Chapter 4 – Konstantin #2
“Well,” I say flatly, “that’s fucking why.”
Dimitri’s scowl deepens. Roman’s expression sharpens. Lev doesn’t move at all.
I lay it out without embellishment. Facts only. Clean. Brutal.
Raelyn Hart carries the remaining fragments of the file—scattered, disguised, unknowingly embedded into her academic work. Her papers. Her research. Her citations. A perfect Trojan horse. Rival syndicates have been tracking her movements for weeks. Possibly months.
“She’s already compromised,” I finish. “Whether she knows it or not.”
Roman exhales slowly. “We agree the threat is real.”
“But,” Dimitri adds, eyes narrowing, “since when do we solve intelligence leaks with weddings?”
That lands.
Roman’s gaze pins me. “Why a marriage?”
Lev’s voice follows, softer—but more dangerous. “What aren’t you saying?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I stand straight, making sure to hold all their gazes. “How did you all manage to get married? Why are you all acting so fucking shocked about this?”
They have the effrontery to look embarrassed. Fucking nosy bastards.
“Well…marriage is serious business,” Lev says. “No matter what, the Rusnaks are loyal. If you marry her, whether you hate her or not, you owe her loyalty.”
“This is business,” I say evenly. “Marriage creates absolute jurisdiction. No loopholes. No third-party claims. No ‘extraction’ attempts from rivals without starting a war.”
Roman tilts his head. “You could assign her to a secure site.”
“She could disappear,” Dimitri says. “Plenty of ways.”
I shake my head once. “Containment without attachment makes her a prize. A bargaining chip.”
Lev’s eyes flick to the surveillance feed still running in the corner—Raelyn’s room, her pacing form barely visible.
I turn around and flip the feed off, uncomfortable at the thought of someone else, even if he’s my brother, watching her.
“And attachment,” Lev says quietly, “makes her untouchable.”
I meet his gaze. “It makes her mine.”
The room stills.
Roman studies me for a long moment. “You’re tying her to yourself.”
“Yes.”
“To your enemies.”
“Yes.”
“To your vulnerabilities,” Dimitri says.
I don’t answer that one.
Roman’s voice drops. “And what are you hiding, Konstantin?”
The truth presses hard against my ribs.
That I don’t trust anyone else to keep her alive.
That the idea of another man touching her—interrogating her—breaking her—makes something feral rise in me.
That this stopped being just strategy the moment she looked at me like she’d rather die than kneel.
I straighten.
“What I’m hiding,” I say coldly, “is irrelevant.”
Roman and Dimitri exchange a glance. The kind that doesn’t need words.
Lev doesn’t look away from me. “Tell me something, Konstantin,” he says calmly. “Is this woman a mission?”
I say nothing.
“Or,” Lev continues, voice still even, “has she become something far more dangerous to you?”
My jaw tightens.
I don’t answer.
The silence stretches—heavy, loaded.
It’s answer enough.
Dimitri exhales through his nose, rubbing a hand over his face. “If we’ve heard about your plan to marry her,” he says, “then her father’s enemies have too.”
Roman nods once. “Which means delay is a liability.”
Dimitri’s gaze locks on mine. “You have to make it immediate. And private. No external visibility. No interference.”
I don’t hesitate. “Fine.”
Three pairs of eyes lift.
“The ceremony takes place tonight,” I say flatly. “Inside the mansion.”
Lev studies me for a beat longer. “You’ll need a witness outside us. For propriety.”
I shrug, already turning toward the door. “Agreed.”
“Nik.”
The door opens instantly. Nik steps inside, posture rigid, eyes alert.
“Arrange for Ellie Carver,” I say. “Raelyn Hart’s friend. Bring her in safely and discreetly. No alarms. No delays.”
Nik inclines his head. “Understood.”
“I’m marrying Raelyn this evening,” I add. “She will serve as the single neutral presence.”
There is no flicker of surprise on Nik’s face. No curiosity. Just acknowledgment.
“Yes, sir.”
He exits as efficiently as he entered.
I turn back to my brothers, my gaze pointed. “So what now?”
They all sigh, almost in unison.
Roman steps forward first, his tone gentler than before. “We’re on your side, Konstantin. Whatever this turns into—we’re with you.”
“I know,” I say.
Dimitri nods once. “We’ll take our leave. Preparations will stay contained.”
Lev holds my gaze a moment longer, searching for something he doesn’t name. Then he inclines his head. “We’ll be back for the wedding.”
I nod.
They exit.
The door closes behind them, sealing the room in silence.
I remain where I am, hands braced on the edge of the table, and take a slow, measured breath.
Then I walk out.
Raelyn is in the corner of the guest room when I enter, knees drawn to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around herself. She looks smaller like this. Fragile in a way she refuses to admit. Her eyes snap up when she sees me, fear and fury colliding in equal measure.
I close the door behind me and cross the room.
I kneel in front of her.
Her breath stutters.
“The wedding will be today,” I say calmly. “There will be no delay.”
Her head jerks back as if I’ve struck her.
“No,” she whispers. “You’re insane.”
“You will be protected,” I continue, unmoved. “But you will also be bound. To me. To the Rusnak family. Completely.”
She recoils, pressing herself farther into the corner, shaking her head. “You’re a monster,” she breathes. “You can’t do this. I want my life back.”
Something sharp twists in my chest.
I ignore it.
“This is your life now,” I say evenly. “And soon enough, you’ll understand why this was the only way.”
Her eyes fill, but she doesn’t cry. She just stares at me like she’s memorizing my face—like hatred alone might keep her whole.
I rise to my feet.
“Rest,” I tell her. “You’ll need the strength.”
And as I turn away, I do not allow myself to look back.
She hates me, but I don’t care. She’ll be my wife, and I’ll never let her go.