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My stomach tightens. “Nope. I had a nice time.”

I definitely didn’t let a hot stranger fuck my virginity out of me. Absolutely not.

“Good, good.” He takes a long sip of his black coffee, his eyes narrowing, and it’s like he’s slicing my insides, carving out each organ to see what he can find. “You know you can tell me anything, right? Anything at all.”

“Of course!” My voice cracks, higher than I intended.

“Very good.” He nods, a faint smile briefly flickering across his face. “I may be older, but I remember what it was like to be your age.”

Just tell him, Dinara! If he finds out you’re lying, he won’t forgive you.

Once you betray him, there’s no coming back. I’ve seen him kill men for less. Not that I think he’d kill me for this, but he may not trust me afterward.

Huffing out a breath, I close my eyes momentarily before staring right at him. “I met someone there. I wasn’t gonna say anything because honestly, I don’t even know if it’ll go anywhere or if I can even date him, considering who we are, so I?—”

“Dinara.” He raises a palm to stop me, his expression deadly serious, and a lump forms in my throat.

This is it. He’s gonna tell me to end it, and I’ll have no choice.

“You’re free to date anyone you want. I’m not your father.”

I exhale sharply, and he scoffs.

“You don’t have to be nervous around me, dorogaya. I’m not going to kill him.” His smile fades, his features hardening. “Unless he gives me a good reason. Understand?”

I nod.

“I just ask that you’re careful and that Boris accompanies you anywhere you go. That’s all.”

I’m so beyond relieved. “He asked to take me to dinner tomorrow. He’s gonna pick me up at Landon Park.”

He leans back, eyes narrowing. “Who is this man? What is his name?”

He’s definitely going to start doing his 411 on him, which is fine. I’d rather know if I should stay away from him now before I start to like him more.

“His name is Cillian Quinn.”

“Hmm.” That’s all he says, his expression unreadable.

Was that a goodhmm? A bad one? Does he know him?

“Yeah, he seemed nice and respectful.”

“Ochen horosho.”Very good.He nods thoughtfully. “Do tell me if anything changes, and I will personally take care of it.”

“Of course.”

Let’s hope it never comes to that. The last thing I need is for my new…whatever he is…to be murdered by my family.

“I did want to show you something if you’re up for a drive,” he adds.

“Oh?”

“It’s your birthday gift.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything else. The shopping spree and new gun were plenty.”

Yes, he did get me a gun. A Glock forty-five, much lighter than the last one I had. In this family, if you don’t know how to protect yourself, you’ll get killed. I learned how to shoot when I turned ten.