Page 54 of Scarlet Promise

He holds out a hand.

I shake it.

“Deal,” I say.

“Deal.”

I work longafter Isaak leaves, feeling good but apprehensive at the same time about working with my friend.

Before the shit hit the fan and things fell apart, I’d have been nothing but excited.

Deep in my bones, I know he’ll be perfect because I know him. I know his skills.

Now?

It’s not that I think I’ll find he isn’t the right fit. I’m worried he will be the right fit and he’ll sour.

But then again, Isaak isn’t Demyan.

Demyan’s stubbornness makes him a brilliant pakhan, along with his eye for perfection. He demands loyalty and gifts loyalty.But those things can also make him blind when it comes to his sister.

I know how much he loves Alina. He’s spent his life doting on her, protecting her, making sure she wasn’t ever caught up in the bratva machine.

Even as much as their father favored and adored her and would have done anything for her, I stand by my assertion that the man would have married her off if it suited him.

Demyan, for all his threats, would never do that. His threats are empty.

They pissed me off, but…yes, they are empty.

I shift my thoughts from this whole complicated mess.

Isaak’s friend Chase is coming here tomorrow. Tonight would have suited me better because I’m anxious to get this over and done with. But I defer to his expertise and his need to get the right equipment, the right VPNs, and the dark channels set up.

I don’t know… He lost me at VPNs, to be honest. I know what they are, but beyond that, I don’t know why he needs them. But Isaak trusts Chase, and right now, that’s enough for me.

Svetlana knocks and pops her head around the corner of my door.

“Sir?” She almost bounces with excitement. “Mrs. Belov is here.”

I stare at her in shock.

First, Alina? Here?

Second, why didn’t she come in herself?

I get to my feet, my heart racing, my palms suddenly sweaty as my temperature soars.

“Where—”

“Here.” Alina gives me a smile from the doorway.

She hugs Svetlana as Albert screeches around the corner. He barks joyfully as he rams into me and jumps up like he’s forgotten he’s a dignified dog, not a silly puppy.

I pick him up and endure his doggy kisses. “You brought me Albert.”

She laughs as the door shuts. Svetlana left, giving us privacy, and I take in Alina fully.

“Malyshka,” I whisper.