"I know. I still worry, though. Also, I really think you should see a doctor about this." Covering the wound, I slowly tape the gauze into place.
"We have an in-house one," Kon replies. "I will see them tomorrow."
"Promise?" I glance up at him between tape placements.
"I promise." He sounds dead serious as well, and my heart lifts ever so slightly.
Once the wound is covered, I sag into his hold and tuck my arms against his chest so they end up caught between us. Kon's arms slide around my middle and up my back, holding me in a tight, firm embrace.
"Are you sure there is nothing I can help you with?"
I press my ear to his chest and close my eyes, simply listening to the thump of his strong heart. "Just don't die," I murmur, somewhat alarmed that the thought of him dying makes the urge to cry stronger than ever. "I don't want you getting hurt."
"I will not get hurt," he replies softly. "Ethan found a name on one of the men we killed and is confirming a few things so once I am satisfied, I will act."
"A name?" I slowly lift my head. "Do you think others will come after you?"
"Yes," Kon replies. "But I do not want you to worry."
"What name did you find?"
"It was…" Kon glances away as if searching his thoughts. "Vasiliev. Yes, Vasiliev. Ethan believes there are family memberswho may seek revenge which is ironic given the circumstances, but I am not concerned. I will kill them all if I have to."
His words barely reach me as a chill enters my veins and a roaring floods my eyes.
Vasiliev.
No wonder Mathew left abruptly.
This is bad.
This is really fucking bad.
15
ROSE
Fuck.
For three days, I've been calling Mathew, and for three days, he's ignored me. No texts. No calls. Not even an email.
Radio silence.
I've barely slept since Kon let slip that he killed someone called Vasiliev and he's utterly blind to the significance of something like that.
One of the brothers is dead, which means Mathew will be on the warpath. My family is right in the middle of that path and without any word from Mathew, I have no idea if they're even still alive.
This carefully laid plan might already be over and I'll have no idea until Mathew turns up at the door, guns blazing.
I don't want Kon to get hurt, but I can't tell him who the Vasiliev brothers are without revealing that Mathew isn't my brother and this whole wedding has been a sham.
It's making me ill.
"Rose?" Kon's comforting voice cuts through my restless pacing across the patio and I nearly trip with how abruptly I stop.
"Mhm?"
"What is wrong?" He walks toward me with slow steps and the sun gleaming in his hair. "You have been off since the party. Is everything alright?"
