Page 112 of Scarlet Promise
But I’m not lying.
I am trying my best.
“That’s not good enough, is it? Not in this business.” Demyan shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do to help. I think you should leave, Ilya.”
I nod, turning to Alina. He’s right. We’re done here.
But she just glares at her brother.
“You asshole,” she shouts. “Ilya’s the father of your future niece or nephew. Is this attitude and tone and sentiment really the example you want to set?”
“And who am I setting it for? Some bastard you’re growing?”
I stiffen at his dismissal of our legal marriage, but then I grab her before she hits her brother. Fuck, I want to punch him, too, but I think he’s trying to goad me, to show her what I am, at least what he now thinks I am.
“You’re setting the example for your own children? Do you want Sasha to grow up heartless because his father is? Because his father values only his own pride?”
Demyan flinches. Then he gives her a cold stare. “If you’re going to sit there and question my ability to parent, you can leave too.”
Alina opens her mouth, but I step between them and kiss her, effectively stopping whatever she was about to fire back.
“Ilya—”
“It’s okay,” I murmur. “I’ll handle this. Don’t destroy your family.”
I kiss her again, ignoring Demyan’s growl, which gives me hope. For the two of them. He doesn’t want to destroy their relationship, either.
“I’ll call you later,malyshka,” I say.
And then I leave.
War is on the horizon.There’s no doubt about that. I feel it in my bones, now more than ever.
I’m prepared for it as Elisei, Denis, and I head out to see Santo.
After listening to me, Santo crosses his grand drawing room to the window, then he turns. “I think in light of everything, it’s time to act.”
“Agreed,” Denis says.
I nod. “Agreed.”
“We need to bring down Simonov, Antonio, and Demyan,” Santo says.
Coldness slithers through me at the last name, although I see why he said it. Demyan’s now linked to this.
But even if I hate Demyan, I love his sister.
“And then what?” I ask. “Carving up property, holdings, and organizations isn’t that easy.”
“Worried about your pretty wife?” Santo asks.
“Obviously, but I’m worried about escalation beyond what’s needed. Taking out those who made moves illegally, sure, but beyond that, we need to be on the same page.”
No one disagrees with me.
“We need to take out enough of their people so we dominate,” Santo says. “Or, legalities aside, this won’t end.”
“We leave Demyan out of it,” I demand.
