Page 67 of Sinful Promise

I roll my eyes at my brother.

In truth, I just need a moment to myself, so I bypass the bathrooms and head straight to the bar to order another drink.

Luca is busy down the far end talking to a girl, so I reach over the bar top for a glass and a rogue bottle of whiskey that has been left out and pour myself a finger's width.

The alcohol burns my throat, and I know after another glass or two, I’ll be completely numb to all the thoughts that are flooding my head.

Though, it doesn’t take long for one of my family to catch on to where I’ve gone.

Anton appears beside me. “You doing okay?”

“What do you think?” I take another sip of my drink.

Dimitri was right; a drink wasexactlywhat I needed.

Anton leans against the bar and waves at Luca for another round.

My friend catches my eye and frowns.

“You good?” he mouths, and I nod, though I know I look about as far from it as possible.

My cousin looks at me. “I just wanted to say that I know I’ve been an ass lately.”

“Have you? I didn’t notice.”

“Danil, come on. What I’m trying to say is I’m sorry for giving you such a hard time. You work incredibly hard, and I want you to know it doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.”

Well, shit.

That was the last thing I expected my cousin to say, and I have to admit, it feels good to be acknowledged.

“Come on, let’s get back to the table. We don’t want to miss another one of Alexei’s motivational speeches.”

15

EMILY

It will actually bea miracle if I don’t flunk that economics exam.

I could barely focus, because of the whole Danil situation. I half expected him to try and call me last night, but my phone was deathly silent, and that only made me madder.

How the hell did this happen?

One minute, he was kissing me like he wanted to take me to bed and the next minute I find out he’s been lying to me.

To say I’m confused is an understatement.

We were supposed to be friends. I consider Danil mybestfriend. At least, I used to, so the fact he never once considered telling me the truth hurts like hell.

But more than that, I’m embarrassed and not just because of the kiss. I hate the fact that he knows the truth about my working as a hostess, and that makes me feel sick to my stomach.

I can’t stop wondering if that was why he kissed me.

Does he think I’m some kind of easy fuck? I know the girls who work these parties tend to have a bit of a reputation, but my reason for working there was purely monetary. Surely, Danil would realize that?

Maybe he doesn’t. Maybe we don’t know each other as well as I thought.

Or maybe he pities me.

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