Page 30 of Blood Oath Christmas
IVY
The way Konstantin moves is pure reflex—one hard step and I’m behind him. His men draw their weapons in the same breath. Steel clears leather with a sound I feel in my ribs.
“Ivy!”
The voice sounds familiar, but I can’t place it. Not with all the dangerous activity going on around me. I lean to the side and catch a glimpse around Konstantin’s arm.
Frank!
I only get a brief glimpse before Konstantin blocks me again, but I saw Frank standing across the street, his hair windblown and his cheeks red from the cold.
“Konstantin, wait!” I cry as my fingers earnestly grip his coat. “That’s Frank! Don’t hurt him!”
This time, Konstantin lets me move around him and my eyes immediately go to Frank. Now he stands with his hands raised, his face pale, and a look of pure terror on his face as he stares at the men holding guns aimed at him.
Konstantin doesn’t respond right away. His shrewd gaze scans our surroundings, his body tense as he continues to hold the gun aimed at Frank. Viktor is positioned in the middle ofthe street, his eyes covering the area as well. There’s at least five other guys, guns drawn, set up strategically around us.
Finally, Konstantin lowers his gun and nods at Viktor. Viktor lowers his and then the others do as well. Cautiously. As if Frank would or could hurt anyone! Especially Mafia guys armed with guns!
“Ivy?” Frank calls out, his voice a bit shaky. “What the hell is going on?”
I want to run over to him, give him a hug and just feel his familiar arms around me. The fear for not just his life, but for mine as well, shines in his eyes. His eyes keep bouncing between me, Konstantin, and the other guys.
“I’m alright, Frank,” I call out to him as I start walking across the street. Konstantin immediately falls into step next to me, one of his muscular arms snaking around my lower back.
I stiffen and shoot him an irritated glare, but Konstantin ignores it. I know what he’s doing. This isn’t about my protection. It’s him putting his claim on me, and I don’t like it one bit. Well, maybe a little part of me likes the possessiveness, the way his strong arm feels around me. It makes me feel safe, and the fact that he’s dangerous and knows how to take care of himself makes me feel even more protected.
But I don’t like him doing this in front of Frank. Last time we saw each other, Frank had asked me to go to his family’s cabin for Christmas. Everything has changed so drastically since then. Not just for me, but for him, too. At least I know the reason—because I witnessed a murder. But Frank is clueless. All he knows is we were together one moment and now I’m standing here with a Mafia boss’s arm wrapped around me.
We reach Frank, and if possible, his eyes widen even more. “The stalker?” he asks incredulously.
I stiffen, but Konstantin doesn’t react to Frank’s words.
“What are you doing withhim?” Frank demands. His eyes narrow. “Do you know who he is? I mean, who hereallyis?” His lips firm and he stares deep into my eyes. “Is he forcing you to be here?”
This time Konstantin does stiffen, his fingers digging softly into my side. “Ivy is here of her own free will.” His voice is calm, almost polite, which warns me he’s insulted or angry. The quieter Konstantin is, the deadlier he is.
Frank scowls at Konstantin then looks back at me, a question in his expression. “Ivy?”
I’m trapped and I know it. God, I hate this. I don’t want to hurt Frank, but he needs to know that I am not being forced and that I chose this. As the FBI guys told me, anyone I’m close to can be used as a weapon against me. They could be hurt or even killed. I can’t let anything happen to Frank, not because of me.
“It’s true,” I finally say, keeping my gaze steady with his to let him know I’m serious. “Konstantin… we’ve become… close.”
“She’s my fiancée,” Konstantin says bluntly when I hesitate. “We’re getting married on Christmas.”
“Married?” Frank echoes, his tone full of shock and confusion.
I wince. I can’t help it. And then I shoot Konstantin another glare for being so rude.
“It just… kind of happened,” I say lamely. When Frank’s eyebrows raise with suspicion, I hurry to explain. “I mean, we weren’t planning on getting married so soon, but, well?—”
“We didn’t want to wait,” Konstantin interjects. “And now, as great as this little catch-up has been, we’ve got to go.” He turns to me. “Ivy?”
I clamp my teeth together to keep from chastising him, then try to smile at Frank. I know, even though I can’t see myself, that my smile is watery and sad.
“We have a lot to do,” I say softly.
Frank’s expression darkens. “So, has all this been a ruse because you couldn’t tell me the truth? That you decided to marry your stalker?—”
