Where the Snow Falls (Seasons of Betrayal #2)(33)

“For one thing, no, it is not a Russkaya thing, as you said. It’s a Boykov thing,” he said, a sly smile tilting the corner of his mouth upward. “We’re very … personable people.”

“Or you like inserting yourself into other people’s spaces.”

Violet was only teasing, and guessing by the amusement in Konstantin’s gaze, he knew it, too.

“Personable, a nuisance—same thing, no?”

“You and I have two different ideas of what being personable means,” she said.

Konstantin only shrugged, picking the newspaper back up. “Perhaps if you dressed when you woke up, you wouldn’t be put in these sorts of situations, yes?”

Violet knew he was just trying to get a reaction out of her, as it seemed Konstantin liked to do that with people—especially those he was friendly or close with. But she wasn’t so stupid of a girl that she didn’t recognize what else he had done.

He hadn’t answered her question about Kaz’s whereabouts.

“You must think I’m an easily distracted, simple Italian girl, huh?” Violet asked before lifting her coffee for a sip.

Konstantin’s attention never wavered from the paper. “Tell me, Violet, what was it like growing up in a Cosa Nostra family?”

What did that have to do with anything?

Still, she answered. “Suffocating.”

He dropped the paper just an inch. “That is an … interesting word to use. Why?”

“I didn’t realize it as I grew up, but now that I can look back at it all from the outside, it’s a lot clearer to me. It’s all about being groomed, from the clothes I wore to the way I did my hair. My behavior, my attitude, my image. Everything was checked, rechecked, and constantly monitored. That’s suffocating when you’re never really making choices for you but for your family.”

“What makes you think being with a Bratva man is any different? You still need to consider how you or your image may affect or reflect on him, especially a man like Kaz.”

“There’s a big difference.”

Konstantin dropped the pretense and the newspaper, discarding it to the island as he turned to face her fully. “Go on, tell me.”

“I was never given the choice with my family. Kaz has always been my choice.”

For a long while, Konstantin didn’t respond. He simply stared at her, taking in her words, and probably weighing them. Frankly, Violet didn’t give a shit what he or anyone else thought about her or the relationship she had with Kaz. People were always going to assume things about them—that she was just following behind a man, rebelling in a new way. Or maybe some might assume Kaz was using her as a way to push against the constraints set out for him by his family.

She honestly just didn’t care.

Violet didn’t need to explain or correct anyone.

Kaz knew.

She knew.

The rest could politely f*ck right off.

“You surprise me,” Konstantin said, watching her in the most unnerving way. “But it isn’t the first time, and I learn quickly, so I doubt you’ll manage it again.”

“I’m well aware some people don’t think I’m … up to standard. For Kaz, I mean.”

Konstantin chuckled. “Would there not be people who thought the same of him where you’re concerned, Violet?”

She hadn't really considered that, but when she did, one single thought came to mind.

A moment.

As passing and quick as it had been all those months ago.

Her father’s statement to Kaz as he held a gun to Alberto’s head.

If only you were Italian, my boy.

It didn’t matter that he would die for her—kill for her. He wasn’t good enough because he wasn’t Italian.

Konstantin’s smile faded away the longer Violet stayed silent. “You made the choice, yes? That’s what you said—he was a choice.”

“What about it?” Violet asked.

“You also chose the hell that comes with it, girl. Being Italian is just one of those things. You were right. People will always think you aren’t up to par, but I’m sure as you did with me, you’ll find a way to surprise them. You don’t have to be good enough for everyone else, Violet, only him.”

Violet took those words in and decided to keep them in the back of her mind whenever she felt out of place in their world. Maybe it was the culture, the language barrier at times, or just simply feeling like she was always being appraised and judged, but she’d needed those words.

“Thank you,” Violet said, not explaining why she was grateful.

Konstantin waved her statement off. “No worries. How do you feel about taking a few days to … well, get out of this townhouse and do some things?”

Violet just stared at him. “Kaz is gone, isn’t he?”

“What makes you think that?”

It was simple, really.

“He’d never let me leave this house after what happened—at least, not without someone he trusted with me. And you said a few days, so he isn’t coming back anytime soon.”

She tried not to be angry that Kaz had gone and not told her.

“I like you,” Konstantin said. “You’re quick.”

“Where is he?”