Page 81 of Scarlet Sins

We then check on Ilya, who’s off the machines and is getting ready to be discharged.

“We went to the park!” Sasha says. “Me an’ Daddy. We went down the slide and in the maze and on the jungle gym and he chased me and bit my tummy.”

He nods, proudly lifting his shirt to show his pristine and very unbitten belly.

Then he confides, “It tickled.”

Over the top of Sasha’s head, Ilya gives me a long look. “We’re working on it. Hard. Problem is, Sergio’s the kind of ba—guy who will make life hard. He’ll do what he can to bring Demyan down. But I think he might do that anyway.”

“Control?”

Ilya shrugs. “Meeting with Demyan soon. Call him later.”

When we leave, we head back to Kara’s, the driver helping us unpack and put things away. He’s got his gun and an earpiece, too.

Kara returns early, catching the guard leave and admiring his tight ass as he goes. “Nice.” Then she points at me. “Text him.”

I do. I feel like a traitor telling Demyan I’m staying for at least a week.

“Well?”

“I just texted.”

But the thing is, he doesn’t text back and a darkness starts to weigh me down.

Someone starts banging on the front door and Kara marches off, opening it.

“Where the fuck is Erin?”

My heart leaps. Demyan. He storms in, face a thundercloud. Clearly, he didn’t take my text well but Kara’s got a small satisfied grin on her face. “I didn’t ask you in.”

“I wasn’t looking for an invite. Erin, get your things.” Sasha runs at him.

“Dino!”

He picks him up, holding him close, kissing him as Sasha clings to him and looks so proud to be taller than everyone in the room. And with his Dino.

I swallow hard, my eyes swimming with stupid tears. “Demyan, I?—”

“No, I gave you last night. One night, Erin. One fucking night. Enough. You and Sasha are coming home with me. I refuse to let you run from me again.”

“Make it worth her while, Yegorov.”

“Kara!”

But Demyan shakes his head. “She’s right. I’m not lettingyou go, Erin. I’m going to call this fucking wedding off with Stefina. And fuck the consequences.”

I can’t move. For a whole beat I can’t move. Then I lick my lips. “You can’t do that?”

“Yeah, I can.”

“But… but won’t Sergio be angry?”

“Bad Sergie,” says Sasha, not knowing who we’re talking about.

“I can handle him.” He holds out his hand. “Come with me. I’ll take you out for dinner.” Then he casts a glance at Kara. “You too.”

“No, I’ve got work to do tonight.” Then she steps up to him. “Hurt her and I’ll hurt you.”

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