Page 88 of Scarlet Vows

“We can afford it.” I swallow. “Which brings me to the other reason I stopped by today… I’m coming back in a day or two to pick up my volunteer work, but I wanted to spend time with Albert at home first… I’ve been looking into a lot of grants.”

“Yes, spend time with Albert. It’s the most important part, as is a routine.” Eva checks her watch and starts to get group B ready for their walk and park time.

I help. “I’d love to apply to them on behalf of the shelter.”

Eva clips a lead on a very enthusiastic Dalmatian namedDale while I pet him. “Thank you. It’s a great idea, but I’ve already applied for everything the shelter’s eligible for. I was denied.”

My heart sinks, but I refuse to give up. “You saved Albert. You saved all these dogs. I can do fundraisers, get Ilya’s rich friends involved. Don’t worry, Eva. I’ll find a way so we can help more dogs.”

“Alina,” Eva says with a smile. “Relax. You’re already doing more than most people.”

I’m not doing enough, and I want to do more. And I admit, deep down, that a small part of the reason I need to throw myself into this is utterly selfish.

It gives me an excuse to keep my emotions and turmoil over Ilya at bay.

At least, as much as possible.

After all, I can’t risk my heart crumbling.

Chapter Twenty

ILYA

I don’t usually spenda lot of time choosing what to wear. Things simply go with certain situations.

But this is different.

With the smells that permeate the air and set any stomach rumbling for Alina’s food she’s been making all day, and only with some help from Svetlana, who told me she was very much placed in helper mode, I stand in my towel while staring at my clothes.

Maybe I should have gone shopping, got fitted for more suits. But the ones I have are fine. The expensive ones are for meetings, where I want to impress or make an impact. The black ones that state bratva man. I have two general dinner suits and a tux.

In the end, I choose the one I wore for Demyan’s beach wedding. I haven’t worn it since, and the suit with the fine blue subtly weaved into the fabric lifts it out of the work arena and lands on the right side of an important dinner.

I choose a tie I probably shouldn’t wear with it. The thing’s whimsical, a swirl of bright colors, given to me byAlina years ago for my birthday. At the time, she wanted me to be more playful compared to the staunch air of Demyan.

I rarely wear it, as it isn’t at all appropriate for any bratva business, but I love it because of where it came from.Whoit came from. It lifts the suit into a relaxed air of comfort and style.

Albert’s downstairs with Alina. I don’t think he’s left her side all day. I did ask him if he wanted to come to work with me as an attack dog on a shakedown for money owed, but he decided the kitchen and Alina were the better deal.

I head down, fixing my sapphire cuff links into place as I go. Another gift from Alina for my last birthday.

She’s nervous. She’s been in the kitchen since before I got back from the gym this morning.

Svetlana gives me a half smile as she sets up a cheese board with cured meats, olives, and some things that look like oily, wrinkled tomatoes. She places some tiny flowers around it, then she covers it and leaves it on the table.

“We’ve prepped the roast. The veggies are part done, so all it’ll take is a minute of blanching, and the potatoes are ready to go in with the roast.” Svetlana starts to load the dishwasher and clear the countertop as Alina hurries around.

Albert sits a safe distance from her with a bowl of meat scraps.

“Thanks, Svetlana,” Alina says. “I’ve got the soup ready and on a low simmer. The cream’s in the fridge?”

“Of course. All organized for how you need it. If we’d done a good Russian meal…” Svetlana purses her lips.

“This is for Ilya. The man’s Italian, so we go Italian.”

Svetlana huffs at that.

They’re so busy, and it’s clear Alina’s trying to distract herself, so I don’t interrupt. Albert takes a last bite to clear his bowl, and then he trots over to me. Together, we watch Alina.