Page 43 of Sinful Promise

“What do you mean?”

“She was coming home to an empty apartment every night, whereas Bianca, Zara, Lucia… Each one of them had direct protection from one of us, as well as guards and top-of-the-range surveillance equipment. Emily had none of that, so not only is she an easy target, but she would be strong enough bait to at least lure in Dimitri.”

A deep frown appears between Alexei’s eyebrows. “Lev has a point.”

Dimitri grunts. “If that was his plan, it fucking worked.”

I pick up my discarded glass and down the rest of the vodka, hoping that it will numb me out.

All this talk of Emily being used as bait by Igor is putting me on edge.

Dimitri takes a sip of his glass. “I’ve had Danil tracking her every movement since the attack. She refuses to have a bodyguard, but we couldn’t leave her completely unprotected.”

I finally look at Anton, and surprise flashes in his eyes as he glances in my direction.

I nod. “I told you this was important.”

Anton goes to speak, but Alexei cuts in.

“I think Danil should continue watching over Emily for the time being. He knows her best out of all of us and can easily contact her without arousing suspicion if need be. So, I’m afraid you’re on your own at the bar for the time being, Anton.”

Anton nods but keeps quiet. I’m sure he feels bad for ripping into me earlier, but I doubt I’ll get an apology any time soon.

After all, I am the family’s scapegoat.

“That’s all well and good, but I can’t watch her twenty-four hours a day. I took my eyes off her for an hour to head to work, and she almost got fucking kidnapped.”

Dimitri looks at me. “Zara has convinced Emily to move in with us until this situation is sorted. The security is better at our place, and it means I can keep an eye on her in the evenings to give you a break.”

Alexei nods. “That’s a good idea. I’ll send some guys over to her apartment in case anyone else decides to show.”

Mikhail leans forward to support his arms on his knees. “I can have Rosa look into the list of guests present at the party. Danil’s focus should be on nothing but Emily.”

“I agree,” Alexei says. “Are you sure you can handle this, Danil?”

Every person in the room turns to look at me, but I don’t balk under the weight of their stares.

“I can handle this.”

At least, I hope I can.

10

EMILY

I hate to say it,but staying with Zara and Dimitri has been amazing. Not only is it closer to campus, so I don’t have to get up so early, but the bed in the guest room is the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in.

I thought having a man break into my apartment and try to kidnap me would leave me a quivering mess who barely slept a wink, but it’s been the opposite.

I’ve slept like a baby.

But that might also be due to sitting through a full day of classes, followed by several hours of entertaining twin toddlers every day for the past week.

My brain might just be too exhausted to think about the guy that is still out there.

Dimitri assures me he has everything under control, and while I trust him, I can’t help but wish some progress would have been made by now.

If only because I’ve felt like someone has been following me, and I feel like I’m going insane.

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