Page 43 of Dancing With Desire

I gasp, my eyes widening. “What the fuck, Dmitry?”

He places his hand up in a placating manner. “They can live there rent-free as long as they stay away from you.”

“And Poppy?” I demand, because I can’t even begin to get my head around his plan.

“Poppy is intelligent. Away from your parents, she will thrive. So, we will be taking her to a nearby boarding school. It’s far enough away that your father won’t bother her and close enoughfor you to visit her and spend time together. In the meantime, she’s going to stay here with us.”

I feel myself welling up, that this man would go to such lengths to make me happy. Nobody has ever gone out their way to help me or to make me feel like I’m worth anything, let alone help my sister.

He cups my face and places a gentle kiss on my nose. “Are you happy, mykrasota?”

“She’s staying here with us?” I ask, my voice breaking with emotion.

He gives a slight nod. “Holidays too,” he confirms. “Anything for my queen.”

He kisses my forehead as Annie enters with Poppy close behind.

Her smile fades as she looks around the room. “Where are Mum and Dad?”

Dmitry holds out his hand for her to shake. She takes it tentatively. “I’m Dmitry, and you must be Poppy?”

“I am,” she confirms, her suspicious eyes still searching the room as if our parents might pop out.

“Would you like to stay here with us for a few days?” he asks.

Her frown transforms back to a wide smile. “Oh my god . . . really? I can stay here?”

“Do you want to?” I ask with a laugh.

She rolls her eyes like it’s a stupid question. “Of course, I would. This place is amazing. I’d be mad not to.”

Dmitry exhales in relief. “That’s all settled then. Annie will set up your room. I’ll let you two catch up.” I mouth the words ‘thank you’ as he leaves.

Poppy drops on the sofa and smiles as she runs her hands over the plush material. “He’s a keeper,” she says, wiggling her brows, and I grin. She never was one to mince her words.

I sit beside her, grabbing hold of her hand. “It’s so nice to see you again. I’ve missed you.” She sits up straighter. “How’s things been?” Her smile fades.

“You know what he’s like,” she mutters, waving her hand around, dismissing my question.

I nod in understanding. That distant look in her eyes confirms my suspicions. “How would you feel if you didn’t have to go back there?”

“Yeah, right,” she scoffs.

“I’m serious, Poppy.” She looks at me, frowning. “What if I told you that you never had to go back?”

“I’d ask you what the catch is?” She kicks off her shoes and tucks her feet under her backside.

“No catch,” I tell her with a laugh. She’s as mistrusting as me. “Dmitry thinks you’d love to go to a boarding school close to here. It means a fresh start, and we can spend more time together.”

Her eyes widen. “Seriously?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind starting again, making new friends.”

“A fresh start is exactly what I need. I have no friends back home anyway. I keep to myself because I’m ashamed of our family.” She stares down as her fingers twist together, something she’s gotten from me when she feels uncomfortable. I lift her chin with my finger and bring her gaze up to mine. I see the same pain in her eyes that has been in mine for so long.

“Well, you don’t have to be ashamed anymore. With a fresh start, you can be whoever you want to be. This is a new life for you, so make it count.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m not fucking stupid, Tori.”

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