Page 107 of Scarlet Promise

“No,” I say with a shake of my head.

He gestures at me. “There are other ways to perform your act of rebellion.”

My hackles rise and prick. “It’s not an act, and it’s not rebellion.” I study him. “Despite what you might think, I’m passionate about this cause. Look at Albert, how happy he is. And I love him.”

I almost say Ilya loves him, too, but I stop myself.

“He wouldn’t have a life if Eva hadn’t saved him, and I improved that by adopting him.”

“You can’t adopt them all.”

“But I can make their lives better. Help more dogs. Cats, too.” I take a breath. “It’s given my life some focus and meaning. Can’t you see that?”

Demyan taps a finger against his glass, but finally he nods. “Fine. I’ll agree to letting you access your trust fund, up to the amount you originally asked for, because I have to watch out for your future, Alina. For the future of any children you might have, because if something happens?—”

“Don’t.” I shake my head. “I understand that better than anyone here. And I’m not asking for more. I’m asking for enough to do this properly.”

He holds up his hand. “I have another caveat.”

“Which is?” Fear grips me.

He could try and use Ilya?—

“You drop the idea of selling your share in the club. That is there to protect all of you. My family. You, Erin, Sasha, Nadya.”

I nod. “Deal.”

He rubs a hand over his face. “I hate it when we fight. But more so, I hate what our relationship’s become.”

Resolve flickers, but I ignore it.

“That’s on you, Demyan.”

His eyes glitter coldly. “No, that’s on Ilya. He’s come between us, causing problems. And things will end up reaching a point, Angel, where you’ll have to choose a side.”

“I know,” I say, trying to stay calm. “I told you that. If you could?—”

“I’m your brother, Angel. I’ve gladly sacrificed a lot for you.”

I stare at him. “I never asked you to.”

But it’s Demyan, and he’s not listening.

“After your mother died, who raised you? Not the piece of shit who called himself our father. He might have doted on you, but we both know he cared to the point you were his, a commodity he could barter a deal with.

“You might not have ever been wrong in his eyes, but he didn’t know you like I do. And then when he died not long after your eighteenth birthday, I took on even more. I know you. I kept you on the good path, Alina. Because of love.”

I frown, eyes blurring. “And yet you want me to choose sides.”

“I said it’ll come down to that.”

“And I’m trying to say it’s not that simple.” I swallow hard against the burning lump in my throat.

“No, you want it your way. That’s not life. Ilya was my friend, and he screwed me over by trying to take you, and here you are, fawning over him.”

His words feel like a slap to my face. “That isn’t true at all. It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?”