Page 55 of Scarlet Promise

She’s a vision in a black mini, low-wedge heels, and a pretty floral top that shows off one shoulder. Alina smiles, a hint of nerves beneath her happiness. She flips her hair, rich and thick, over her shoulder, accentuating that tantalizing glimpse of skin, right before her top slides back into place. I pray her next movement will set it free to expose her shoulder once more.

It shouldn’t be so hot, but then again, this is Alina.

Everything about her fascinates me. It always has.

Once again, I’m a little amazed she chose me as her choice after Max.

Amazed and beyond pleased.

If only the cloud of her brother didn’t hang overhead, or that whisper in my ear of me not being good enough.

“How the hell did you get here?”

“Gus,” she says.

Albert wiggles his round body, wanting down. He’s said hello, and I’m pretty sure he wants to explore now that he’s home.

That’s what this place is. Home. This place, me, and Alina.

“Does Demyan know you’re here?”

A frown flits over her face. “He’s not the boss of me.”

“Really?” My brows rise. “He thinks he is.”

“Demyan thinks a lot of things.” She smiles and shrugs. “Besides, I may have ambushed him this morning and informed him I’m an adult and can make my own decisions, and if I didn’t get to see you, things might happen.”

I really do love this girl, and a smile starts to bloom. “Things?”

“Um, let’s see… I pointed out this and that, and then I might have threatened to move out, with a special serving of the consequences of a rift.”

“Consequences,malyshka?”

“I said I might not talk to him again.”

I groan. “Alina. Demyan doesn’t respond well to threats.”

“Sure, but he responds to the idea of losing his sister.”

Another groan escapes me.

I catch her arm as I lean on the desk, pulling her in. “One thing it might not help with is me winning my friend’s trust back.”

She sighs, putting her arms around my neck, and brings her face closer to mine. “It will, if he wants his sister happy.”

“Malyshka, that’s not how things work. Are you sure he knows where you are?”

A wicked little smile appears. “Svetlana’s fluttering wasn’t all for me. I have a giant bodyguard she thinks is hot.”

“Z—”

“Nope, don’t tell me his name. I call him Bodyguard, or Mr. Guard. And don’t worry, Ilya. And don’t make me go back.”

I kiss her softly on the lips. “I just don’t want unnecessary issues right now.”

Because of Melor and the tatters of my bratva. The threat that must be coming from Simonov as well.

She reads that like it’s a simple book. “Those issues are also why I’m here. I trust you to protect me.”