Page 18 of Sinful Promise

“Congrats.” Vlad steps back, appraising me with his discerning eye.

“Dasha,” Albert says, giving me an affectionate hug. I’m closer to him than to Vlad because we’re not as far apart in age. Plus, Albert doesn’t have Vlad’s personality. Papa and Vlad are cut from the same cloth.

“Albert,” I acknowledge him, standing on my tiptoes to place my arms around his neck.

“Congrats.” He won’t look me in the eye. He knows this isn’t what I want, but he was probably forced to go along with this charade, just like I was. Did he speak up for me? It’s doubtful I will ever know.

Katsia greets them both. They know each other from the rare occasions when Katsia hung out at our house in high school.

We chat as strangers stream past us. Who are these people? Finally, Papa says he’ll stand inside the doors and wait for me.

Katsia takes my hand as I enter the hundred-year-old church with trepidation. The last time I was here was for my baptism. I have a picture of my mom holding me in her arms in front of the altar. I’ve never missed her more than I do right now.

I’m scared to run out the door but more scared to stay and seal my fate. I’ve wanted to run away for years, and it appears today is the day.

8

ROMAN

Light streams into our room between the crack in the pulled curtains, waking me. Alex is already up and dressed.

I check my Rolex. The time is seven-thirty.

I sit up and run my hand through my hair. “It’s late.”

“You looked comfortable,” Alex says. “Pavel will meet us later for payment and drop us off for a rental. I’ll text him when we’re ready.”

“Great, thank you.” I toss the covers back and head to the bathroom to shave. My stomach is in knots. I have no plan other than to watch the wedding. If Pavel is right, I will see Ratmim for the first time there.

I return to the room and dress in jeans and a black T-shirt. I tug on my boots and tie them. It looks sunny outside, so I’m assuming it will be warm out.

“Breakfast?” I ask.

“Sure, the hotel has food, but I don’t think we want to be on their cameras.” Alex is looking at his phone. “There is a café around the corner where we can get coffee and eggs. It’s a mom-and-pop joint, so I doubt there will be cameras.”

“Great.” I put my wallet in my pocket and grab my phone.

We walk for five minutes and come upon a small establishment, where we grab an empty table. A pretty Belarusian woman takes our order and returns with two cups of coffee.

I stir sugar into mine, lift it to my lips, and glance around, making sure we’re not being recorded. Technology can work for and against us. The problem with cameras is that our enemies can pinpoint our locations at specific times. When that happens, we have to make videos disappear or torch a building to destroy the computer’s hard drive.

We don’t want any evidence of us being in Belarus. This is not a place we want to get caught doing anything illegal. It’s even more corrupt than back home. But in our own homeland, we know the players.

“Good call on this place,” I murmur, looking around.

I didn’t realize I was so hungry until my over-easy eggs, sausage, and toast arrived. I look at Alex’s plate and realize he has a double order of eggs to go with his meal. “Hungry?” I ask.

“Yeah, why not?” His gruff reply causes me to chuckle.

He might be older, but he’s lean for his age.

We inhale our food and text Pavel when we’re done. He pulls up out front, and we get in the car. We arrive at a rental car location within minutes.

“Thank you for your help, Pavel.” I shove a roll of rubles into his hand.

“Thank you so much. Please don’t mention my name. It would bring hardship on my family.” His solemn voice doesn’t go unnoticed.

I get out of Pavel’s car and join Alex.

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