Page 62 of Sinful Promise

I swear, if he kissed me out of pity, my heart may just shatter into a thousand pieces.

“I’m going to bed.”

Dimitri sets his glass down on the bar cart and walks toward me. “Emily, wait. I need to talk to you.”

“I’m not in the mood, Dimitri.”

Danil steps toward us. “Emily.”

The sound of my name on his lips has my eyes stinging with tears.

How could he have lied to me like this? I thought we were friends.

Dimitri moves to stand in front of the staircase so I can’t get past. “You have to understand the danger you are in.”

“I’m well aware.” I try to hold back my tears.

The last thing I want is for Danil to see me cry.

Dimitri crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t think you are. Igor is the one behind your attempted kidnapping.”

A heavyweight settles in my stomach, all the air leaving my lungs.

“What?”

A deep crease appears between Dimitri’s eyebrows. “He saw your name on the list at that party and decided it would be a fun little game to mess with you. This is bigger than just you now, Emily. This involves the entire family.”

“I never… Fuck, why did I go to that party?”

If something happens to Zara, or to the twins, or any other member of the Koslov family because of my stupid mistake, I’ll never forgive myself.

He glances over my shoulder at where Danil is still standing by the elevator. “It’s why I had no choice but to tell Danil. After you refused to have a bodyguard, I needed to make sure we had eyes on you at all times, and seeing as Danil hangs out with you already, it wouldn’t seem too out of the ordinary if you accidentally caught sight of him.”

Dimitri does have a point. But that doesn’t mean I’m less pissed about it.

“So, what now?”

“My brothers and I are trying to track down the man who tried to kidnap you.”

“And Igor?”

“I’m having my PI see if he can catch wind of any other plans he might have to get close to you. Which is why I need Danil to continue to keep an eye on you. I can’t have you roaming the streets unprotected.”

As much as I hate the idea of Danil following me, I hate the idea of being out there unprotected while Igor Ivanov is looking for me even more.

“Fine.”

Dimitri nods. “I appreciate your cooperation.”

“But I want to make one thing very clear.” As I look into Danil’s dark brown eyes, I feel as if someone has reached into my chest and pulled out my heart. “You are not toevertalk to me again.”

I storm up the stairs before he catches sight of the tears now streaming down my cheeks.

14

DANIL

I’ve fucked up,bigtime.

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