Page 85 of Scarlet Promise

But he’s not doing that.

The longer this goes on, the deeper he digs in and the more stubborn he is.

Erin and Alina return. They falter, noting I’m alone. Alina looks like she’s about to cry. Erin, on the other hand…

“He left?” Alina whispers.

I get up and slide an arm around her as I meet Erin’s angry gaze. “I tried, but…”

Erin’s eyes narrow. “He left me here? Stranded me here?”

She takes off with Alina behind her. I hand the bills to the waiter and leave a large cash tip on the tables. Then I sign the receipts and go after them.

They’re in the street, where Alina shouldn’t be. Where Erin shouldn’t be. The bodyguard sits in his car, eyes glued to the women, his hand on the door like he’s going to open it and kill the first idiot who looks at them funny.

“That asshole,” Erin snaps and turns, marching into the wine bar next to the restaurant.

“You okay?” I ask Alina.

She nods. “We can’t leave her.”

My brows rise. “Malyshka, I’d never do that. I was just seeing how you were.”

I nod at the bodyguard as I lead Alina into the bar.

Erin’s not hard to find.

She’s at the bar drinking wine, and I order a glass and mymalyshka’sfavorite sparkling soda.

Then I stand, a protective barrier for them both.

“I’m sorry, Erin,” I say.

She glares at me. “Why areyousorry? He left me here, not you.”

In a way, I understand his feelings. “He wasn’t thinking. I know he was upset, and this?—”

“Don’t you dare say you understand,” she snaps, poking me. “Wouldyoudo that?”

“No, but?—”

“No.” She laughs bitterly. “I don’t put up with tantrums from Sasha and his sister, and I don’t put up with them from Demyan, either. He’s being childish, a spoiled little boy who’s angry he’s not getting his way. He’s making Sasha look mature.”

Alina laughs. “Oh god, you hit the nail on the head. Thank goodness you’re such a good mom.”

“Imagine if Demyan raised Sasha.” She shudders, but beneath the humor, she’s stone-cold serious. “Why can’t he be happy for the two of you?”

“Because,” I say, “he feels betrayed we went behind his back.”

Alina hangs her head, and I squeeze her shoulder.

“Bullshit,” Erin says. “He’d be just as pissed if he knew about you both since day one. Hell, Demyan would be pissed if he’d guessed before you both knew.”

Alina looks stricken as her gaze darts to me. I shift closer to her, wrapping my arm around her.

“Then how do we even deal with that?” she asks.

“I’ll make him come around,” Erin says.