Page 65 of Scarlet Promise

Alina starts to tell me about the shelter’s issues and how she wants to help, when she stops abruptly, her hand to her mouth.

I frown, slowing the car. “Are you okay?”

She shakes her head, and I pull over, thankful we’re on a suburban street.

She throws open the car door and tumbles out to throw up, ending up on her hands and knees on the grass.

I race to her side, handkerchief at the ready in one hand, phone in the other, not sure what to do.

“I’ll call an ambulance.” I kneel next to her.

She looks at me with tears in her eyes as she takes the handkerchief and wipes her mouth. “No, no, I’m fine. I didn’t have anything to throw up, just tea…”

I help her up and ease her back into the car, then I crouch in front of her.

“Malyshka,” I say, “what’s wrong? Are you sick?”

“Nyet,” she answers. “As I said, I’m stressed.”

The bodyguard has also pulled over and gotten out, but he doesn’t approach, just sweeps the area with his gaze, his hand near his gun.

I return my focus to Alina. “You were sick.”

“Stress does that. All the fighting with Demyan makes me ill. I’ve been feeling tired and off for a few days.”

I frown. “I think you need to get checked out. See a doctor. Promise me.”

“Sure. Can?—”

“Tomorrow.”

She sighs. “Tomorrow. I promise.”

“Do you want me to take you?”

“No. I’ll be fine. I’ve got Erin and Isla and the bodyguard. Albert’s a great guard dog.”

Albert’s protective but nothing like a real guard dog that would rip a man apart if he touched her. But, to be fair to Albert, he’d try.

“He’s the best,” I say. “But we can swing by the hospital?—”

“I don’t need the hospital.” Alina shakes her head. “I’m good, honestly. You focus on finding Melor so I can move back in, and then I bet I’ll feel like myself again.”

Myselfagain, she says, like she hasn’t been.

“Doctor tomorrow?”

“I promise, Ilya.” She cups my cheek. “And promise you’ll sort the rest so I can come home.”

I smile. “I like the sound of that.”

“I… I think I’m good now. We can eat?—”

“No,malyshka,” I say, standing. “You’re going home, and Magda, who I have on speed dial, will serve you soup.”

I make good on that, and when we arrive at Demyan’s, Magda leads Alina inside. I promise to call her later.

Chapter Fifteen