Page 56 of Dark Promise

“You’re braver than you think,” Alina says, her tone gentle but firm. “You just need to let yourself believe it.”

We sit in silence for a moment, the sounds of laughter and conversation drifting over from the table.

Alina glances toward the men and grimaces. “They’ve just sparked up a bunch of cigars to celebrate the new daddy to be. I hate the smell of cigar smoke so much, don’t you?”

“My father always smoked a cigar after Christmas dinner,” I say, smiling at the memory. “I associate the smell with that, so it’s something I strangely appreciate.”

“That makes one of us.”

I watch as Damian joins the others, a cigar in hand, his gaze never straying far from Alina. It’s obvious, even from here, how much he adores her. It’s the kind of love that’s palpable, unshakable.

I envy it.

“Is this about Roberto?” Alina asks, breaking the silence. Her tone is casual, but her gaze is sharp.

I glance at her, frowning in confusion for a moment before remembering who she’s talking about. Right. Roberto. My ex-fiancé. The man I should have been thinking about, but never really was.

“Definitely not,” I say, my voice flat.

Alina doesn’t press, but the look she gives me speaks volumes. “Follow your heart, Sabina. Wherever it leads.”

I shake my head, letting out a soft laugh. “Cliché as fuck.”

“Maybe,” she admits, her smile widening. “But it works.”

Her words linger long after she leaves me alone by the pool.Follow your heart. Ignore the endless reasons why it’s a bad idea. Stop fighting against what you know you want.

I lift my gaze to the sky, the stars faint against the glow of the city lights. I wonder where Nikolai is tonight, who he is celebrating the season with. Despite his gifts, the distance between us feels insurmountable, like a chasm I’ll never be able to cross.

I press a hand to my chest, as if I can physically hold the pieces of my heart together. His absence is a weight I can’t shake, a constant ache I can’t soothe. Every moment without him feels like an eternity.

And yet, I’m pretty sure I know why he’s gone, why he’s staying away. Because he doesn’t want to draw his father’s attention to me.

I close my eyes, the sound of the waterfall blending with the laughter of my family. For a moment, I let myself imagine himhere with me, his hand brushing against mine, his voice low and rough as he murmurs something meant just for me.

But when I open my eyes, it’s just me and the pool and the stars, and the creeping loneliness I feel even surrounded by people I love.

Besides, if he were here, one of my brothers might shoot him.

20

Nikolai

The airinside the dimly lit lounge is thick with smoke and the scent of aged whiskey. This is neutral territory—a forgotten speakeasy tucked beneath the skeleton of an abandoned hotel. Its seclusion makes it the perfect meeting place. I sit at the head of a weathered oak table, my fingers drumming a quiet rhythm against the wood as I wait for my people to arrive.

I’ve been planning my father’s downfall for months, chipping away at his empire like a mason carving marble, each strike precise, each move deliberate. The recent revelations about Novikov have accelerated everything. The pieces are aligning faster than I anticipated, and tonight is about ensuring they fall exactly where I want them.

The door creaks open, and I look up to see Sergei and Viktor entering. Both men are loyal to me, trusted confidants who’ve been with me since I started laying the groundwork to dismantle Mikhail’s operation. They were my uncle’s men. Now they are mine.

“Boss,” Viktor greets, his voice low but respectful. He takes a seat across from me, his sharp brown eyes scanning the roomout of habit. Sergei follows, his bulk filling the space as he settles next to Viktor.

I nod in acknowledgment. “Let’s get started.”

Viktor leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “We’ve confirmed that Novikov’s been consolidating his assets. If Mikhail gets wind of how deep his betrayal goes, it’ll be a bloodbath.”

“Mikhail’s not an idiot,” Sergei says, his voice a low rumble. “He’s already suspicious. It’s only a matter of time before he finds out.”

“He’s already found out. That’s why we need to move quickly,” I say, my tone sharp. “Novikov is an asset, not a liability. We need to ensure he’s on our side when the time comes.”

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