Page 75 of Scarlet Vows

The rest stay silent, like stubborn schoolchildren, determined to freeze out the kid whose only crime is being new.

So I start asking them things directly. By name.

I’m met with silence.

Which makes me suddenly erupt.

“Enough is fucking enough. I am over this pettiness. It’s not becoming of any of you.”

My Russian catches them all by surprise, because up until then, we’ve all been speaking English.

“I’ve tried to give you space to grow the fuck up and accept me. I’ve been friendly, stood back, observed. Not interfered. But no more.

“You all either accept I’m in charge or fuck the hell off. Loyalty’s a two-way street. I am loyal. I am fair. But fucking cross me, and you’ll be shut out, cut off in all the ways. And right now? With all the animosity coming at me? I’m leaning towards getting rid of you all and starting with a clean slate.”

With that, I get up and leave, storming out the door.

The place is about a thirty-minute walk from the mansion, located in the same upscale area, and I relish the walk, my fast, biting steps getting me there in well under thirty minutes.

When the guard at the gate starts to ask for ID, I stare him down, and he opens it, his head down with a mumbled apology.

The fucker knows who I am.

It’s not overly late, but when I go up the stairs, I don’t see a thin strip of light under Alina’s shut door.

I want to see her, just drink in that calming beauty, that air about her. But I don’t knock because I don’t want to risk waking her if she’s asleep.

When I hit my floor, I half step toward my room, then I pivot and go into the study. I pull out the good vodka from the hidden fridge and take a shot or two.

As the cold vodka warms and soothes some of my anger, I take the bottle to the desk and put it down, spying the piece of paper I put in my pocket yesterday.

I smooth it out, looking at the number.

Without thinking, I make the call. It’s just eight o’clock, so it’s a little late, so I’m hoping?—

“Hello, Eva speaking.”

“I’m sorry to call so late, but I’m Ilya, Alina’s husband, and she mentioned a dog she fell for. Albert? If he’s still there, I’d love to meet him. This is with the intention of adopting him as well as making a sizable donation in his name. It’ll be a surprise for Alina. A late wedding present.”

For a moment, she doesn’t speak. “That’s very generous, and they have bonded, but…my concern is the dog. He’s special, older, and he’s been through a lot. While I’d adopt to her immediately, I don’t want this to be a present now and a burden later situation.”

“Nothing’s a burden where Alina’s concerned,” I say. “The reason I’m calling late is with Alina spending so much time there, right now is the only time I can do this without her knowing. And I’m very much a dog person. We have a huge house, staff, and grounds. It’s a dog’s dream.”

“I’m sure it is,” she says, “but Albert isn’t going to be bounding all over the grounds. And he’s not going to be happy if he’s in the care of staff. He’s a people dog,hispeople dog, if that makes sense.”

“It does.”

I don’t understand why she isn’t jumping up and down. The dog and Alina love each other, so… But I don’t work with animals; she does.

“As I said, I’m very much a dog person, but I do understand not all dogs are suited to all types of people, and if Albert’s as special as you both say, he’d need to bond with both his humans.”

“Yes. I pride myself in making sure the more special dogs are perfectly homed.”

“That’s why,” I say to her, picking up my keys and wrapping my fingers around them, “I’d like to meet Albert before committing to the adoption.”

She breathes out with a rush of air. “I’m still here. So if you’d like to come down and meet him, I’ll be here for another half an hour.”

“I’ll see you in twenty.”