Heart of My Monster (Monster Trilogy, #3)(9)

Not today. He looked that joke of a mother in the eye and pointed at the door. “Kristina is the only wife I will have. If you can’t accept that, leave!”

Of course, she didn’t. The sole purpose of her existence seems to be everything Konstantin. She’d rather be eaten by sharks than miss his wedding.

Now, I must point out that it was slightly comical to watch him get married with a bruised nose from when Alexei attempted to rearrange his features. Lucky for him, we share blood and I didn’t allow for him to be hurt more than necessary.

The other person I share blood with—not Yulia, she doesn’t count—teared up after Konstantin and Kristina were pronounced husband and wife.

Let’s say Karina was actually the most giddy about this turn of events. Probably because she got to hold on to my arm during the entire ceremony and didn’t experience any panic attacks. She seems to have forgotten her slight animosity toward me about Sasha’s departure.

Since my sister has the attention span of a goldfish, she’ll probably go back to her favorite hating game once we’re home.

Once the wedding is over, she takes off like a bullet and hugs our brother. “Congrats, Kosta!”

He ruffles her hair. “Thanks, little Kara.”

She grins and shakes Kristina’s hand. “Welcome to the family. I’ll show you all the things.”

“Thank you,” Kristina says quietly, shyly even. So many emotions from the robot in one day is starting to feel like an overdose.

“You’re like the perfect couple!” Karina holds both their hands in hers, excitement emanating off her in waves.

I stroll to her side and adjust my glasses. “Is it just me or did you not sound this happy when I announced my marriage, Kara?”

She smiles awkwardly and links her arm with mine. “Of course I was!”

“Try again without the subpar acting skills.”

“Well…I just didn’t think Kristina was for you.” She smiles at her new sister-in-law. “No offense. I do believe in you and Kosta.”

Interesting. Karina and I happen to share the same sentiment.

I look at the newlyweds, who are wearing the rings I chose—or more like, Viktor did. I told him to get Konstantin’s size, not mine, because I saw this scene long before it happened.

The only difference was that I was so close to pitying the sorry fuck for liking a robot. Turns out, she’s not a robot around him. Which is all that matters, I suppose.

“Congratulations are in order,” I say in my cool tone.

“Thank you,” Kristina says. “I owe you.”

“You sure as fuck do. I’ll hold you accountable to that.”

“Hold me accountable instead.” Konstantin interlinks his fingers with hers, but he’s not looking me in the eye.

“You’ll both be. Make her pregnant as soon as possible or else I won’t be able to defend you if Igor finds out the only reason he allowed this to happen is a sham.”

Karina squeezes my arm. “Can you stop ordering people around, especially on their wedding day?”

“I decline,” I say absentmindedly while checking my watch.

There’s a text from Maksim.

Fucking finally.

There were some complications, Boss. I’m going to need to stay in hiding for a while. I’ll speak to you when I have better capacity. I’m safe.

I know he said he’s safe, but the fact that he has to stay in hiding and isn’t returning immediately like I asked him to is derailing me from the initial plan.

He didn’t even mention if the mission was a success.

Everyone heads out to the wedding reception that’s been held at my house. I’d like to bail on this soul-sucking reception, but that’s impossible, considering that the highlight of the day will happen during the event.

The afternoon weather is beautiful with a clear sky and a slight chill in the air. The reception is set up in the garden and around the pool with an enormous buffet section. Classical music echoes in the air, played by some famous quartet the wedding planner found somewhere. The guests chat and drink their hearts out, or more like gossip about the dramatic groom swap.

Brothers, no less.

As is customary, Kristina takes the heat since she’s the ‘whore’ who got between brothers. I hear Rai putting anyone she hears saying such rubbish in their place.

“You should add Adrian to the list since she was engaged to him a long time ago,” Rai tells someone. “It’s not her fault she’s popular and you can’t have her.”

God forbid anyone speak ill of any woman in front of Rai. She’ll skin them alive and wear it as fur.

Konstantin and Kristina, who are the main topic of discussion, seem to have checked out. Over the past hour, they’ve been either dancing or kissing like some hormonal teenagers.

I expected Karina to hide in her room, but she appointed herself as Kristina’s nonexistent bridesmaid. She’s spent most of the time either adjusting the bride’s hair, makeup, dress, or all of the above. She’s taken a thousand pictures of them, too, and made me pose in a few of them—including some selfies of the four of us.

I’m just waiting for the day to be over already. Rai and Vladimir have been glaring at me nonstop, Adrian has shaken his head at me more than once, and Mikhail seems more confused than a virgin on her wedding night. Damien has misread the whole fucking atmosphere, and, I kid you not, he thinks the fact that I’m not married means we can fight.