Page 48 of Sinful Promise

“Hungry!”

Zara adjusts Sasha on her hip. “You literally just ate.”

Sasha’s a lot quieter than Ben, but no less energetic.

I offer her a smile, and she buries her face in Zara’s hair.

I tickle Ben. “You inherited your father’s appetite.”

“Oh, there’s no questioning their genetics, that’s for sure.”

Both twins are exact replicas of Dimitri, with dark hair that is slightly curled and dark brown eyes. Even their personalities are exactly like his.

Zara carries Sasha into the kitchen. “Your timing is perfect, actually. I need to run to an appointment, and Dimitri was meant to watch the kids, but he’s stuck in a meeting.”

“Is that your way of asking if I’ll watch the twins for you?” I head over to the fridge to find a snack for Ben, who is wiping his sticky hands all over my suit jacket.

“I’d ask Emily, but she’s been locked away in her room all morning working on a paper, and I don’t want to disturb her.”

“I’d be happy to watch the twins for you.” I hand Ben a fruit pouch. “You guys don’t mind hanging out with Uncle Danil, do you?”

“Uncle Danil!” Ben claps his hands together, and I laugh.

I never thought of myself as much of a kid person, but now that I have so many nieces and nephews, I can honestly say that I love being around them.

“You are an absolute lifesaver. Dimitri should be home by the time they’re up from their naps. There’s lunch in the fridge and whatever you do, don’t let Ben persuade you to give him chocolate buttons before his nap, otherwise, he won’t sleep.”

“Choccy buttons!” Ben throws his hands in the air once more and simultaneously squeezes his fruit pouch so that it explodes.

“Oh, Ben, honey.”

“I’ll clean this up; you should head out before you’re late for your appointment.”

Zara grimaces, but then she glances at the time on her watch.

“Be good for Uncle Danil.” She kisses Sasha on the cheek before handing her off to me. “Behave, Ben.”

“No.”

“Are you sure you’re okay doing this? They can be a handful.”

I usher Zara over to the door. “We’ll be fine. If it all goes to hell, I’ll ask Emily for help.”

After I assure Zara half a dozen more times that I’ve got everything under control, she finally leaves, and then it dawns on me that I have to now somehow entertain two energetic toddlers.

“Why don’t we bring Auntie Emily a cup of tea?”

“And choccy buttons!”

By the timeI manage to usher both kids up the stairs, I’m sure Emily’s tea is probably cold, but hopefully, she'll appreciate the gesture, regardless.

“Knock gentl?—”

“Auntie Emily!” Ben yells at the top of his lungs as he bangs his chubby fists on the door.

I cringe as the sound of footsteps comes from the other side of the door, but when the door opens, and Emily’s green eyes find mine, it’s like the breath has been stolen from my lungs.

For a second, we both stare at each other.

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