Page 86 of Disgraced (Russian Sinners 3)

“I would love to go home,” Scarlett spoke softly and rage thundered in my ears. My whole body tensed and an inferno boiled through my veins ready to explode. Before I acted on it, she continued. “But not right now. I’m staying with Sergei for now.”

Just like that, the fury evaporated and peace washed over me.

“You sure?” He glanced at me and I stood up.

“She already answered you,” I warned him.

Brian eyed me suspiciously, as if he sensed I was teetering on the edge. Because the truth was, I would descend into madness if I lost Scarlett.

“Scarlett, it is dangerous for you to stay here,” Brian took her hand and locked eyes with my woman, unspoken words lingering in the air.

“What do you mean?” Scarlett’s eyes darted between Brian and me.

“Since I came back to Russia, I have been focused on Moscow’s surrounding area looking for you.” Brian’s eyes traveled over all of us. “I had no leads, nobody that saw anything. And then a week ago, I got an anonymous tip that you were in St. Petersburg.“

“Did you get a call with the tip on Scarlett?” I questioned Brian.

“First it was a note under my hotel door,” he answered annoyed. “It just said St. Petersburg. I had no other leads, so I came here. After days of searching, I got a call. It was a disguised voice but I’m fairly certain it was a woman’s voice. All I got was the street. No house number.”

I shared a glance with Michail. This was not good. It meant someone wanted to get their hands on Scarlett or wanted her out of the picture.

“Do you still have a phone number that called you?” Maybe we could trace the number and find out who was after Scarlett. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Brian was given clear clues on how to find her. But the fact Brian believed it was a woman that called him threw me off.

“I do,” Brian told me. “I tried tracing it but to no avail. Maybe you get lucky.”

“Send it to my phone,” Michail chimed in and recited his number.

Brian quickly put it into his phone and shot him the number. “You should have it now.” His gaze went to Scarlett. “Are you sure you want to stay? I’m worried about you.”

“Yes, I’m sure, Brian.”

“Okay, then,” he stood up, eyeing me suspiciously. “I will stick around for a few days so you can think about it.”

I growled and leaned forward ready to pounce on him. Scarlett’s hand came to my chest, and instantly I stilled.

“I won’t change my mind, Brian,” she told him calmly, her eyes on me. “Thank you for finding me. But I’m good. Go back to the States and tell Manciatti I’m fine.”

She never spared him a glance, all her focus on me and I relished in it.

“How all three of you ended up back in Russia is a damn mystery,” he muttered under his breath.

“What do you mean?” Scarlett sat up straight, her eyes turning to him in question.

“Olivia is back in Russia too,” Brian explained to her. “She was back in the States for a few weeks and then disappeared. Everyone suspected kidnapping but apparently, Anja’s friend brought her back.”

“Is Olivia okay?” I could tell by her tone that Scarlett cared about her friends a lot.

“Yes, Manciatti said she was safe.” Scarlett took a sigh of relief. “I swear this summer has aged me at least five extra years,” Brian muttered under his breath.

“I’m sorry. But you were such a great sport all summer.”

Brian smiled tiredly. “Goodbye, Scarlett.”

“Safe travels, Brian.”

“Michail, escort Mr. Ryker off the property.” I wanted to be sure he wasn’t lurking around.

Those two left, along with the guards, leaving Scarlett and me alone. “C’mon,” she took my hand and pulled me along. “Let’s go back to the house.”

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