Page 65 of Sinful Promise

I contemplate what he said. It’s like Irina told me: he lives two lives. There’s a difference between me and the women in his past. I know the real Roman. I understand the darkness that lives in him.

“Yes, I get that you can’t share everything with me.” I stand. “And to be honest, I’m not sure I want to know everything.”

This lightens his mood. He leaves the room, then returns from his closet. “Here, this is a burner phone with your app on it. You can log in and call Katsia…if you want.”

I jump and hug him. I’ve missed Katsia.

“Remember,” he cautions, “there may be someone with her, so be careful.”

I step outside with the phone, and Roman follows. We sit on the sofa. I type in her number. It’s ringing.

“Hello?”

“Katsia,” I exclaim.

“Wow, it’s you.”

“Yes, are you safe?”

“Your family asked if I knew your whereabouts, but you didn’t tell me anything. Your brothers didn’t seem motivated to chase after you. How are you?” she asks.

“Fine.”

“Your dad mentioned he had to get a computer to find you, but all he saw was a blip off the coast of France. That was it.”

“Are you okay?”

I have her on speakerphone. Roman listens with a blank expression on his face.

“Yes, yes. What is going on?” she asks.

“I called to let you know I’m fine. I can’t talk long.”

“Wait. Albert has been over. He said if you call, he needs to hear from you.”

“What about?” My eyebrows furrow together with concern.

“He said they killed a man named Volkov and that Andrian used it to blackmail them into giving you to him.”

Roman claps a hand to his mouth.

“Why did he tell you?” I’m leery of my family.

“He’s not cut out for this life. He wants out, Dasha. Albert wants to get away from Vlad and your dad.” There’s a sense of urgency in her last statement.

“I don’t know if that’s possible. What am I to do?”

“Well, Andrian is trying to locate you, and they are checking places near the border. I imagine they will have something soon.”

“What does Albert need?”

“A safe exit. I don’t know where you are or who you are with, but if you can find a way to help him, you might be saving his life. He’s not cut out for that stuff, Dasha. We both know it.”

I nod. “I’ll see what I can do. Don’t let anyone know you heard from me, and hide that phone.”

“I will. When can you call again?”

“I’ll call as soon as I have something.”

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