Page 64 of Vengeful Embers

“No. It has to do with the RMSAD's Jewel Initiative project.”

“What the fuck did Leonid Zorin take from there?” Konstantin’s brows knit.

“Subject number eleven—the New Jewel of Russia,” I tell him, and his eyes widen. “We know her as Tara Craft!”

His body stills. He blanches. “No fucking way.”

I nod. “She’s the Jewel.”

Konstantin leans back like I’ve slapped him. He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.

“And now she’s pregnant…”

“Second generation from one of their test subjects,” I finish for him. “Do you get it now? She’s more than an asset. She’s a legacy.”

He stares at the table, speechless.

“And I’m taking her as my wife.”

He looks at me like I’ve lost my goddamn mind. “You do realize what that means? The RMSAD will come for her. For you. For the baby. They won’t hesitate. Not to mention they have their top fucking assassin on Tara’s trail.”

“I’m counting on it.”

“Then you’ve grown too overconfident, Ruslan.” He shakes his head. “We’re not ready. Our men are not ready.”

“We are now,” I say. “DS-Security is more than just a front. It’s the resurrected Dragunov Guard. And we’ve got the best general in the business training them.”

He’s quiet.

So I go for the jugular.

“Have you compromised the mission?”

His jaw tightens. “No.”

“What about your allegiance? I need to know where those are.”

“My allegiance has always been to you, Ruslan, and that has not changed,” Konstantin assures me, and I believe him.

He checks his watch and stands. “We need to get moving.”

I stand too.

“Did you fuck her?” I ask.

His shoulders go rigid and his fists clench.

“No.”

He looks me in the eye when he says it, and I believe him. But there is still something he is holding onto. I can feel it. He’s coiled like a spring.

I goad him. “Pity.” I shrug. “She sucks cock like she was born for it.”

The punch lands clean on my jaw.

Pain explodes through my cheekbone as I stagger back. Before I can react, he grabs my collar and slams me against the wall.

“You think that is fucking funny?” he snarls. “I’ve done every damn thing you’ve asked. Even when it kills me.”

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