Page 81 of Scarlet Vows

The moment stretches until Albert barks, reminding me he’s here and probably ready to steal some non-spicy food from us.

I know I shouldn’t, but this dog’s going to be so spoiled. He settles something in me. As does Ilya, but Ilya also unsettles, too. In ways I’m starting to think may be good.

He steps back and hands me Albert.

“Tonight, we settle Albert into his new home,” he says softly, and then he guides me toward the food in the kitchen.

Among the rest of the food, a dish of plain beef on top of rice sits separately from the rest, a perfect snack for Albert.

“Tomorrow, we can talk some more, okay?” Ilya asks.

“Okay with you, Albert?” I ask as Albert buries his face into his treat. Grinning, I look at Ilya. “Okay with me, too.”

Chapter Eighteen

ILYA

“Don’t lookat me like that, Albert,” I say, setting my gym bag down. “You’re the one who got to sleep with her last night.”

I kneel down and scratch his ears while his tail thumps.

Clearly, from his sad eyes and low head, he’s playing to my sympathies, but as much as I already adore this dog, I’m the one who’s envious.

He got to spend the night with Alina.

I find some treats for him in the stash I brought home, and he gobbles them up and trots along with me as I get changed.

I’m fucking exhausted, and last night’s sleep didn’t come easily. My brain wouldn’t stop working. A good deal of my tumultuous thoughts had nothing to do with Alina and everything to do with the fucking bratva I’ve inherited.

I tie my tie as Albert observes.

The house is quiet, apart from some noise that drifts up from the kitchen, like a big pot’s been dropped. Albert twitches and looks to the door, then at me, and it occurs tome that he may want to explore, but he doesn’t want to go alone.

If I had time today, I’d do that, but right now, he’ll have to cope between the two floors he knows—mine and Alina’s. He’s got beds, food stations, and a host of toys that seem to have multiplied since his arrival two nights ago.

A stair creaks, and suddenly he loses all interest in me and races out, barking.

Alina laughs. “Albert!”

By the time I reach the door, Albert’s giving me a “what can you do?” look over Alina’s shoulder as they bounce down the stairs.

I’ve got the kind of day where I’m not sure how to fit everything in. Demyan’s shit, my shit. Fuck. Who knew walking into a bratva I had nothing to do with before would be this hard? I didn’t think it’d be a breeze, but this? No, I didn’t expect my own men to be part of the problem.

I didn’t think it’d be so difficult to convince them to give me a chance. After all, I have a proven record with Demyan. And the fact I can do both should be something of a bonus, not a cause for derision or suspicion.

It’s almost like they decided not to accept me before I stepped foot into the mansion and into the role. Like they met up and settled on rejection before meeting me.

I’m not sure how to change that.

I slide the cufflinks into place when the phone rings.

I answer, “Melor, give me something good.”

I don’t technically need the suit, but I decided to dress the part of a pakhan, starting now. If I need to suit up every fucking day, I will. If I need to send heads rolling each day, I will.

“Ilya, I’ve been thinking about last night.”

I pull out my jacket then glance at the phone on thedresser in the walk-in closet…or dressing room. Whatever you want to call it. “So have I. This isn’t workable as is.”