Page 92 of Crowned

Elyah sighs. “You are probably right.”

I pat him on the shoulder. “You just need to get your head straightened out. Take your time. I like your work. I like your company. I hope that you’re not going anywhere.”

Elyah nods and straightens his back. “Thank you,Pakhan. Do not worry, I am watching everyone, not just your fiancée.”

* * *

The night before my wedding,I throw a small dinner party for a dozen people. I’m keen for Valeriya to get to know my men’s wives as she’ll be easier to handle if she has a group of sensible women who can moderate her expectations. They understand what it means to marry into the Bratva, and I’m not certain that my bride does yet.

Valeriya arrives, as giddy as a schoolgirl in a Dolce & Gabbana dress, holding a gift bag with a big satin bow. “I can’t stay too late. I need my beauty sleep for tomorrow.”

“Of course you do,” I murmur, kissing her on the cheek.

Kirill and Elyah join us for dinner, and I talk with them and my other men while Valeriya talks animatedly with the other women.

At the end of the evening, Valeriya lingers despite her determination to get an early night. She passes me a glass of whiskey, which I’m in the habit of drinking at the end of an evening. This is the sort of thoughtful gesture I hoped she’d pick up on.

“Can I sleep here tonight? I’ll leave early in the morning to get ready.” She gazes up at me imploringly.

I take a mouthful of whiskey. “But tomorrow is our wedding. Isn’t that bad luck?”

“Only if you see me in my dress. Please let me stay the night. I haven’t given you your present yet.”

I’m exhausted and I want to be alone, but I don’t have the energy to argue with her. “Fine. But let’s go now. I want to get some sleep tonight.”

I take the drink with me and finish it while she’s brushing her teeth with my toothbrush. Our lives have been so separate that she doesn’t have anything of her own here. That’s all going to change tomorrow.

I’m lying on top of the blankets in my button-down shirt and pants when Valeriya emerges from the bathroom and straddles my hips. I wonder if I have a migraine coming on because the lights in the room are refracting strangely.

“Konstantin?”

“Hm?”

Valeriya smiles, and it’s a strange smile. One I haven’t seen from her before, and she runs her nails down my throat. “Do you know what it’s like to drown?”

I frown at the incongruous question. “What?”

“Are you feeling all right, my love?” my bride asks, her tone perhaps a little too sweet now. I can’t be sure. My head suddenly feels foggy and my limbs heavy.

“I’m fine,” I slur. This is strange. I try to get up, but she holds me down with a light press of her fingers.

“We need to talk about something. Your brother.”

“You now Pyotr?” But that’s impossible. I checked up on all Valeriya’s connections and she doesn’t know my brother. I would never have been alone with her if she did. Even now, my brother probably wants me dead for what I know.

“Pyotr has been wondering if you’ve been spreading lies about him. Oh, I don’t know him,” she says with a shake of her head. “Not in any way that matters. This is a job, and I’m only interested in his money.”

Valeriya’s whole manner has changed. Instead of a simpering, stupid young woman, her expression is sharp, and her gaze is catlike.

Why does my body feel soheavy?“What lies? I haven’t said a word to anyone about my brother.”

Valeriya hesitates. “I told him that. I haven’t heard one whisper about Pyotr the whole time we’ve been engaged.” She shrugs. “But he told me it doesn’t matter. He says the problem is that youmight, and it would be terrible for his reputation. Did you know your brother is now a politician?”

“Pyotr thinks I’m going to tell people that he fucked our mother?” Suddenly everything seems funny, and I start to laugh. I’m dimly aware that my life is in danger, but I can’t summon the energy to move. In my heart, I’m panicking, but the sensation feels very far away like it belongs to someone else.

“You shouldn’t tell disgusting lies,” Valeriya tuts. She reaches over, undoes the ribbon on the bag and opens it up.

The next moment, I’m staring down a gun and the barrel is a black, gaping hole.

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