Page 105 of Scarlet Vows

I really am ok. Walking Albert. We’ll talk later.

I frown.

She’s been walking Albert for well over an hour?

And her response is so short that it doesn’t fill me with much hope.

Alina’s okays are sometimes not okays. And I don’t have a clue which one is which.

I know her car isn’t here. Trouble is, I don’t remember moving it here. We may have. But while the move all happened recently, all of the stuff that happened? An avalanche. I didn’t pay attention to her car because I want what Demyan wants—her with her driver.

So again, maybe she got Gus up and here early with her trusty driver speed dial. Maybe she took a car, or her carwashere. Or maybe she took Albert out for a mega-long walk.

The last option I can’t see. Albert loves walks, loves torun around. I’m pretty sure it’s up there with him practicing his sad eyes to get food, bed stealing, and napping.

Yeah, I can see them going on a marathon walk for a few hours.

When I’m dressed in one of my black suits, I go to the study, leaving the door open. I have a large coffee courtesy of Svetlana by my side as I work, watching and listening for Alina’s return.

Melor comes in. We talk, and then he gets to work.

And still no Alina.

I grow more anxious by the minute, and when I have to leave two hours later, she still isn’t back. I don’t think anyone could understand the willpower it takes not to call her, not to rip apart Chicago to find her.

But I don’t. Trust is a two-way street. I need to trust her if she’s going to see I’m someone who’ll be there, give her space.

I have to get rid of the thought that she knows me and should know that.

This isn’t about knowing me; it’s about understanding something on a deeper level.

Besides, I need to give her the space I promised. And I do want her to have space to process things. Last night was huge.

I leave a note for her, telling her I’ll be back later. Then I go down to where Melor waits for me. We have some Belov business, and then I have to meet Pavel for Yegorov business. My day is full.

My phone buzzes as I cross the foyer. But it isn’t Alina.

Santo

I hope you’re ready for action, Belov. Time to strike against Simonov is here. He’ll be at his club tonight after closing time. Intel tells me he’s finalizing a weapons deal. All his senior men will be present. Just so you know, Abram Simonov doesn’t trust his men so he always attends these meetings. I’ll send through all the relevant details.

My heart clenches.

Me

Got it. Good work.

Santo

Always. We’ll talk in a bit.

“Who was that?” Melor asks, studying my face. “Not your pretty wife.”

“You wanted a solution to the Simonov problem? I’ve got one.”

“And?”

“Move our meeting back an hour. Tell them it’s unfortunate, but it can’t be avoided. Send them a fruit basket or a severed head. I don’t know, something they like.”