Page 78 of Sinful Promise

“Yes, I’m sure of it.”

“He seemed preoccupied when I left. Is it about the upcoming meeting and exchange in Monaco?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“And Francesca, you impress me as a person who kicks ass and takes names later. I assume you both bring something to the table?”

“We do.” She smiles as she adjusts her lounger. “I’m along to guard you.”

“Roman has guards,” I point out.

“Mm. Well, how do I say this? He doesn’t have any men who can do what I do.” She snickers, and her full lips, perfectly colored a brilliant shade of red to match her nails, curl into a confident smile.

“You’re a killer?”

“For being so young and naïve, you catch on quickly. I think there’s hope for you yet, Dasha.”

“This life, is it worth it if you have to look over your shoulder constantly? I know you both can take care of yourselves, but my only skill is running fast.”

Francesca chuckles. “You can learn anything you put your mind to. In fact, let’s head to the sauna, and after we’ve sweated out the alcohol, we’ll change and take you to the gym. I’ll show you some fight maneuvers and how to use the weight machines. Would you like that?”

“Anything I need to do to be prepared in case that pig comes for me again, consider me in.”

My new friends laugh, and I hope they are laughing with me, not at me. I have so much to learn, but I need to start somewhere. I feel better knowing Francesca is so qualified. Roman has been working the entire time I’ve been in his possession.

“Does anyone know the plan for me?” I ask.

“You’ll be fine.” Francesca gently pats my leg. “Let’s get massages and hit the jacuzzi and sauna.”

I follow their lead. As soon as we’re inside, I look back to see the deckhands scurrying around, picking up our towels and putting the loungers back in place.

I try the red-light sauna. I don’t know how it works, but my body feels invigorated afterward. Irina is getting a massage, and Francesca and I sit in the jacuzzi. Francesca pours me a cup of cucumber water.

“Why cucumber?” I ask.

“It’s a great antioxidant.”

I drink from the cup she hands me. “How do you know all this?”

“I’m older, and I’ve had great mentors.”

Mentors. Interesting.

“I wonder what the guys are doing,” I murmur.

“Working. Enjoy the last leg of this trip, because until Andrian is taken out, your life is in danger,” Francesca states without emotion.

I take it Roman was raised to live in this world as well. It comes with the territory—kill or be killed.

I finish drinking the water, and it’s my turn to have a massage. The masseur leads me to a dimly lit room with soothing music and relaxing smells of aromatherapy oils. He instructs me to get undressed while he leaves. I toss my wet suit into the sink and quickly sit on the table with the sheet covering my nakedness.

He knocks, and I reply, “Come in.”

“You can lay on your back for now,” he says. “Have you had a massage before?”

“No.”

“Fine. Do you hurt anywhere or have tight areas that I need to work on?”

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