Page 47 of Vengeful Embers

But the moment’s gone.

I kill the call and toss the phone on the seat beside me.

“Change of plans,” I bite out.

Pavel glances at me in the rearview mirror. “Where to?”

“RMSAD headquarters.”

He doesn’t ask questions. He turns the car around without a word, tires humming against the asphalt as we reroute.

I lean back in the seat and close my eyes, fists clenched, fury simmering just under the surface. Nadia’s used her last fucking free pass.

This time, I’m done with the warnings.

When I’m finished at RMSAD, she’ll be on lockdown. Confined to Dragunov Village under the watchful eye of our cousin Agafan. And if she so much as tries to cross the boundary, there will be consequences. Family or not.

14

TARA

It’s been five days since our trip to Russia, and I’ve done everything in my power to avoid being alone with Gavriil. I’ve even bailed on lunch with Irina twice, claiming I’m buried in final edits for my dissertation.

It’s not a total lie—I am busy. But that’s not the real reason I’m avoiding them.

My phone buzzes on my desk. I glance down and smile.

Renfield: What are you doing for lunch?

Renfield is what I’ve listed Konstantin as in my contacts. It’s not just a private joke—it’s protection. Because I already know how judgy Irina or Gavriil would get if they found out I’ve become friends with Irina’s older brother’s fixer. The right-hand man to the guy they’ve officially labeled The Enemy.

So yeah, if they ever saw me messaging Ruslan Dragunov’s second-in-command? I can already hear the lectures.

He’s dangerous.

Yes. I know. So are pit bulls. And just like them, if you treat one right, it might just become your best friend. Still... you don’t turn your back completely.

He’s spying on you. He’s using you.

Also noted. But I’m using him right back. Because honestly? It’s been kind of nice to have someone checking in. Someone I can message in the middle of the day and who always answers.

My sister’s always working or out. Just over a year ago, she was off gallivanting through Europe on some mission with a Bratva prince, chasing after our best friend Leigh. Meanwhile, I work. I come home. I study. Rinse and repeat.

Once they get what they want, he’ll disappear.

Yeah. Probably. Everyone does, eventually.

But right now? He’s giving me the support I need, when everything else around me feels like it’s unraveling.

And the real kicker:

He’s not who you think he is.

Okay, sure. But is anyone? I just found out the people I’ve called my parents for twenty-six years might not even be my parents. I don’t even know who I am anymore. Am I Tara Craft... or Lidiya Zorin?

Right now, Konstantin is exactly who I need him to be.

We’ve been talking constantly these last few days. Two, three times a day. He sends ridiculous cartoons, unhinged news stories, weirdly sweet animal videos. I send him back worse ones. We’re in a full-on meme war, and honestly? It’s one of the few things keeping me sane.

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