Page 22 of Demetri
"I'm sending you home," I inform her.
Her eyes widen. "What?" She drops her hand to her lap. "We just got here. Look, Ivanna is harmless, I can assure you. She's merely trying to intimidate me, but her efforts don't faze me, Demetri. I hardly think a woman scorned warrants my quick departure." Folding her arms under her breasts, Glory becomes irritated. "Sending me away sends her a clear message that she succeeded in what she was trying to accomplish." Glory lifts her chin. "Ivanna doesn't scare me. I can and will hold my own against a jealous woman who wants nothing more than to sink her claws into my man."
Despite the circumstances, I smirk. "Your man?" I lift a brow.
She rolls her eyes. "Give me the truth, Demetri." Glory softens her tone.
"Something has happened that requires my full attention." I try being vague, but my words only cause Glory to become irritated.
She huffs in frustration. "I see. So, just like that, I've become a distraction?"
"No," I bark, a little harsher than intended. Hurt flickers in Glory's eyes before she quickly hides behind a mask of anger. I softened my tone. "Baby, you are not a distraction." Glory chooses not to respond. Instead, turning her face from me, she stares out the window. Opting not to make the already tense situation worse, I give her the space she needs.
Instead of turning toward home, the car takes a sharp turn in the opposite direction we came, taking an alternative route to ensure we are not followed.
"What happened back there?" Glory breaks her silence. "Give me something, Demetri. Is this about the package you mentioned?"
"It is," I confirm.
The car slowly rolls to a stop. Outside, a few yards away, several of my armed men wait as instructed at the gates to The Volkov estate. The partition separating us from the driver rolls down. Victor speaks from the front seat. "Sir, the plane is ready to depart," he informs me as he drives us down the driveway.
"Thank you, Victor. Give us a moment."
"Yes, Sir." The privacy window closes, and I turn, fully facing Glory. "I'm sorry we don't have much time. I can't tell you much, but I will give you this; in the package I received was a threat."
Her forehead creases in confusion. "That's all you are going to give me?" She waits for me to elaborate, but I don't offer any more information. "What happened to being transparent. Wanting to tell me everything. Share who you are with me?" She uses my words against me, and it stings.
"I'm sorry,Krasivaya. For now, all you need to know is that you are not safe here."
Glory shakes her head. "None of this is making any sense right now. We just got here."
"I have just as many enemies as allies, Glory. Those enemies are always watching, looking for weaknesses in my empire and my defense. Someone has made it clear they know you mean something to me and would use you to get to me." I let my words sink in.
Her shoulders sag. "Fine," she says her voice filled with sadness. I sense she wants to say more but holds back.
"Once you've changed into something more comfortable, Sasha, along with a couple more of my men will be accompanying you on your flight."
Glory huffs.
"Krasivaya," I take her hand. "Understand that I'm doing this to protect you. If something were to happen—" I let my words stop there. The thought alone causes my stomach to knot.
"I get it. I don't like it, but I get it."
With her hand still in mine, I lead her from the car and walk her inside. "I need to make another call." Pulling her into me, I kiss her lips. "Take your time." Without speaking, Glory gives me a weak smile. Holding onto my bicep, she slips her heels off before making her way up the stairs.
The instant Glory is out of sight, I pull my phone from the inside pocket of my suit and place a call to Jake.
"What's happenin', brother?"
"I need a favor," I reply. "I'm getting ready to put Glory on a plan to Polson."
"You have my attention." Jake's tone lets me know he senses something isn't right.
"A clear intent to harm her was made tonight by an unknown source. She isn't safe."
"And Chicago?" Jake asks, fishing for more intel.
"She wouldn't be safe in Chicago either. Someone knows who she is, which we can assume they possibly know where she lives as well. She's safer surrounded by you and your men, and with the comfort of her best friend."
