Page 32 of Disgraced (Russian Sinners 3)

“Hello?” She finally answered, her voice sleepy.

“Scarlett, it’s me.” I wanted her here, where I could personally protect her. She was too vulnerable alone in the hotel. The worst images played in my mind.

“Sergei,” she murmured. “Is everything okay?”

No, it was not. I had to protect her, someone was threatening my woman and I didn’t even know who it was.

“Yes, everything is fine,” I lied to her. “I wanted to hear your voice. I’m missing you.”

“Awww,” I could hear a soft smile in her voice. I was picturing her dreamy smile, watching me as her hand reached out to cup my cheek. It was something she often did. “I miss you too. Did everything go okay with your work?”

“Yes, everything went fine.” Fuck, I hated lying to her. “I have to take care of stuff tomorrow during the day but can you have an early dinner with me?”

“I would love to,” she replied in a sleepy voice and I felt guilty for waking her up. I didn’t want to alarm her by demanding she double check her hotel room was locked tight and her windows were all closed. Scarlett was smart.

“I’ll let you go back to sleep, solnce,” I murmured softly to her. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I love her but stopped myself. Was this what real love felt like? These feelings with Scarlett were unlike anything else I have felt before. Certainly not what I had felt for Irina. I’d move heaven and earth to keep Scarlett safe, at any cost.

“Will you text me tomorrow morning?”

“Of course.” I could tell by her voice she was smiling.

What I wouldn’t give to have her already married to me. “Sweet dreams,” I told her.

“Good night, Sergei. Don’t stay up late working,” she spoke softly into the phone. “You need sleep too.”

We weren’t even married yet and she already worried about my habits. And I loved it. I really loved everything about her. She became my addiction, her soft and caring heart.

“I will. Now go back to sleep.”

As soon as the line went dead, I dialed up Michail.

“Sergei,” my friend ground out, “aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?”

I stared at the basilica ahead that marked the city. The view was magnificent, as Scarlett called it. But to me, it reminded me of all the corruption and struggles to get to the top. I preferred St. Petersburg. Although, there wasn’t a more magnificent view than the one of my woman in my bed.

Anger washed over me at the thought of Scarlett being threatened, even verbally and it made me see red from rage. “Someone got into the building and my place.”

The silence lingered with meaning.

“Shit,” he spat out. I heard shuffling around, and a feminine’s pout. I guess Michail was getting busy.

“Yeah, shit.”

Michail grunted, as a shriek sounded off in the background. His woman didn’t sound too happy about the turn of events.

“Do you have any clue who it was?” he asked, his voice all business-like, ready to get to work… except for the woman’s cursing in the background.

“Maybe.” If my father started this, Scarlett could be in danger, and I couldn’t let this happen. I wish I knew who he was working with. Not knowing who was in on it with my father was what irked me the most. I was ready to go after them and kill whoever dared to threaten Scarlett. The fact that I didn’t even know who to go after was enraging me. My father was behind bars, I couldn’t go after him.

“Sergei, leave this in my hands,” Michail spoke softly, probably sensing my irritation. “Try to get some rest.”

Not likely. I was hyped up, and I knew there would be little sleep tonight.

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