Page 122 of Sinful Hearts

He slams his hand on the table. “Get back to me when you know it’s guaranteed she’s with usand only us. In the meantime, take your wife home. It’s late, and I need to get back to mine. She doesn’t like it when I stay out late anymore.”

We leave the room, and Antonio doesn’t turn toward the exit.

“Maybe I should go say hi to Liliya,” he says, walking alongside me.

I peer over at him. “You don’t think you scared her enough when you barged into my house and threatened to kill her while I was sleeping?”

“I had to send a message,” he says with no regret. “It’s what we do.” He slaps my shoulder. “I can’t have you murdered on me.”

We round the corner, and I walk into the room, fully expecting to find my wife.

41

I nearly dropmy phone when I glance up to find Emilio and Antonio entering the room.

That doesn’t look suspicious or anything.

Antonio’s gaze pings from me to Emilio. “Innocent?”

“I’m emailing my sister,” I blurt. “She needs money.”

I clutch the phone tight, hoping they don’t think I’m up to no good.

I want to prove to them that they can trust me.

Emilio said he didn’t want to hurt Dasha. I believe him.

Aleksy, on the other hand? I’m not so sure.

“The runaway sister?” Antonio asks.

My throat is dry as I nod.

Antonio peers at Emilio. “Good luck with that. I want to see you first thing in the morning.”

He leaves the room, and Emilio strides toward me.

“She doesn’t have my new number,” I say in a rush. “We’ve emailed. That’s it.” I jump up and thrust the phone into his hands.

His brows draw together as he scrolls through our emails. Exhaustion is clear on his face.

A twinge of guilt hits me when I say, “If you can just take me to the ATM and then somewhere I can wire her the money, I promise, I won’t do anything stupid.”

He hands me back my phone. “Why does she need it?”

My tone turns somewhat harsh. “Uh, because she’s on the run from my brother and the freaking Bratva.”

He scratches his cheek, ignoring my attitude. “How much?”

“All the cash I can get her.” I make a swooping motion toward the door. “I have plenty in my savings.”

“My wife doesn’t pay for anything.” He looks at me as if I’ve offended him in the worst way. “Has that not been understood since the beginning of our marriage?”

“But it’s notfor me. It’s for my sister. The woman who ditched you at the altar.”

“Exactly. And for that, I’ll throw in an extra ten grand for her.” He smirks. “I wanted you anyway, so her running worked out in my favor.”

I blink at him. “Youwhat?”