Page 25 of Scarlet Vows (Yegorov Bratva #3)

Chapter Nineteen

ALINA

Albert and I go to the library, but I can’t sit still. Albert picks up on it, whining at me and then barking softly.

“I know, Albert. You don’t have to tell me,” I whisper. “I’m pathetic. But I put on a good show, didn’t I?”

Albert tips his furry head, those liquid eyes giving me a deep, penetrating look.

“I did mean it, and I know you’re in love with Ilya—” Too. I almost said too.

But I mean the dog loves both me and Ilya, not I love Ilya.

Although I do. More than I ever thought, and I’m so confused about the feeling inside me for him because he’s my friend. He’s hot, gorgeous, lovely, and I’m attracted to him. But being in love with him is different.

I’m not.

I can’t be.

I breathe in and put a hand to my stomach. If I’m being honest, while I totally want to help Ilya, and I will, I’m still nervous. Who wouldn’t be? I’m nervous about having to act like Ilya and I are a couple in front of Santo again .

This time as newlyweds.

Regardless of the jokes I made to put Ilya at ease, the no-kissing part may not be feasible. Santo isn’t going to buy our relationship if I’m not affectionate, if I don’t do it right, and a new bride would be into PDA.

The problem is, every time I get close to Ilya, feelings begin to stir. I get confused and overwhelmed. I can’t help it. He shakes me apart, right down to my foundation. I want him, and then the guilt rushes in. I want him, and I’m not sure if I’ll screw everything up by crossing the line.

What if Santo sees all that?

Something catches Albert’s attention, and he whips his head to the door. My stomach clenches, the air thickening. I turn.

Ilya’s there, still in the suit that makes me want to drool.

I honestly don’t care what he wears. He’s always been hot, good-looking, but it’s like the suit distills everything into pure sexuality that makes it hard to breathe. The suit shows him off. It makes him powerful, a man who’ll take control of anything and win.

I swallow.

“Fuck,” he says. “ Malyshka , you look like you’re anxious. Go out tomorrow. Have a girls’ night with Isla. I’m sure her malenkaya devochka …Maize? I’m sure she’ll love Albert.”

I smile. Her little girl would love Albert. Albert, however, may need shorter, smaller meetings with her.

“And I’ll just tell him you had an emergency.”

“No,” I say. “The last thing I want is for Santo to doubt us.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “Absolutely.” I push a hand through my hair, about to hit on a truth he can’t say no to. “Something tells me that if Santo figured out our relationship’s fake, chasing me will be even more amusing to him. ”

“True…”

“Besides, if Santo’s the key to helping you, then I want to do everything I can to help that happen.” I crouch down and hug Albert. “I’ll cook.”

“We have Svetlana.”

“No, Santo’s Italian. A home-cooked meal will woo him to your side.”

I can follow recipes. And I’m sure Svetlana can help if I get into trouble. I’d bring in Magda, too, but that’s a turf war I want to avoid.

“Yes,” I say, warming now to the idea. “I’ll cook some nice Italian dinner, everything from scratch, and we’ll ply him with drinks. Then he’s bound to be receptive to whatever you’ve got in mind. Right? Not only that, it’ll keep me distracted for most of the day. Albert can help.”

“Albert?”

“Yes. He can monitor and eat tidbits.”

Ilya chuckles. “I see. Well, if Albert’s helping, how can I say no?”

“You can’t.” I frown at him.

He smiles. “It’s a good plan.”

After he heads out for the day, Albert and I play until he curls up. I fill his bowl with his kibble and decide to look into a raw-food diet. Last night, I was researching grants and different ways to help the shelter and came across different diets recommended for dogs and cats.

“Do you want to go shopping, Albert?”

He lifts his head, but he flops it back down again.

He’s met Svetlana, so I’m okay leaving him in the house. He has access to the study, the living room on my floor, my room, as well as Ilya’s, so if he needs to retreat to safety, he can.

I spend the next hour with Albert making a list as I pore over recipes .

Gus comes to the stores with me and ferries the purchases to the big car. I order bread to be delivered tomorrow, and I buy charcuterie, cheeses, dips, and olives. All the things I think a big, Italian, mountain of a man may eat.

I know how much Ilya can eat, so in the end, it’s a mountain of food. Cans of Italian tomatoes, lamb, pasta, herbs… The list goes on.

From those, I’ll make soup, pasta, and a main dish.

I’m not sure what to do about dessert, since I haven’t really baked, but the recipe for mousse seemed easy, so I buy the ingredients for that, too.

I figure we can start with the charcuterie and some cheese and end with chocolate mousse, cheese, and fruit.

By the time I’m almost done, I notice I’ve missed a call from Isla.

“Hey,” she says when I call back. “Do you want to meet up? Mom’s looking after Maize this afternoon.”

“Lunch?” I say.

“Our favorite spot?”

“Yes,” I say with a laugh.

The little café is close to where I am, so I send Gus home with everything. I promise to call him after I’m finished.

Isla’s waiting for me when I get there.

I order a Greek salad, as does she, and we share a plate of fries.

“You look…harried. Not in a totally bad way, but what gives?”

I sigh and tell her about Albert and how I’ve been volunteering.

“He got you a dog? I told you he likes you.” She stops. Peers at me. “And do you like Ilya now?”

“Isla…I’ve always liked him. We’re close. I’m just…”

“Not ready.” She sighs. “So why are you harried?”

“Remember the blond giant? ”

“Yeah?”

“Ilya invited him to dinner. It’s a business thing, but I’m nervous. I don’t want this man chasing me, and I don’t want him to work out that the marriage isn’t real,” I say, dropping my voice. “I’m sure it’ll be okay.”

“If you want support, say so. I can come, and I’ll happily provide a distraction. I’m good at small talk and spilling drinks on men by ‘accident’ if they get too handsy.”

I giggle. “Thanks, but I really don’t want Santo to attach himself to you. You’re my best friend. I need to keep you safe.”

“Okay, but invite me if Isaak ever comes over for dinner. I promise I won’t spill my drink on him. Considering he’s a friend.”

I bite down on my smile. “Deal.”

When we’re done with lunch and go our separate ways, I stop at the shelter, eager to give Eva an update on Albert, and to discuss my research.

She did make me take a few days off to spend with Albert, and though she’s pleased to see me, she’s gladder to hear Albert is settled in like he’s lived there all his life.

I show her pictures, including ones of Ilya feeding Albert his special Thai.

“Oh, he’s going to be so spoiled,” she says with a smile. “And is everything good with you and your husband?”

Heat rushes up my neck to my face as our conversation the day I thought I’d lost Albert comes tumbling back. “Yes.”

“Good.” She touches my arm. “Between us, he’s handsome and seems to be a good guy.”

“He is that.”

There’s so much I want to say, to clear up, but I keep it to myself because it’s all a can of worms. If I go ahead and open up about who that friend was and the truth of our marriage…

then it may come back and bite me. Worse, she may innocently say something, and if it ever got to Santo, or worse, anyone from either the estate lawyers or the Belov Bratva, then I’ve gone and ruined everything.

Stranger things have happened.

Eva’s no gossip, but all it takes is a word.

But I’m not here for that.

“I plan on bringing Albert in here with me,” I say, “but I wanted to know your thoughts?”

She frowns. “He has some doggy friends, but it might be better at first to bring him to the park and build up to it so he knows he’s not going to be returned here.”

My heart hurts at her words. “Has that happened?”

“Not to Albert, but yes. People do adopt and return like they’ve decided they don’t like the shoes they bought.”

People suck.

“How horrible,” I say. “I’m guessing that Ilya made a decent donation.”

Her eyes grow round. “Huge. He really wanted Albert for you. The only reason he took him home was how Albert reacted to him. It was like you all over again, but he was so generous.”

“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 named Dale 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.