Page 63 of Sinful Promise

This isexactlywhat I didn’t want to happen, and now I’m pretty sure Emily is never going to want to be my friend ever again, let alone anything more.

How could I have been so stupid to go along with Dimitri’s plan and not tell her I knew all about everything?

Dimitri folds his arms and glares at me. “Care to explain how the hell Emily found out you were following her?”

“Not now, Dimitri.”

“We need to talk about thi?—”

“I said, notnow!” I sprint up the stairs after Emily.

Her door slams shut as I head down the hall, and I know she’s not going to want to talk to me, but I have to at least try.

Perhaps if she’s willing to hear me out, we might be able to get past this.

When I get to her door, I press my ear against it and catch the faint sound of her crying on the other side.

I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.

I hate being the reason behind her tears.

I tap my knuckles softly against the door, and the muffled sobs immediately cease. “Emily? Can we talk?”

“Go away.”

“Please, hear m?—”

“Leave me alone, Danil.”

I breathe out a sigh and rest my forehead against the door as I try to think of something to say that might get through to her.

I’ve known Emily for a while, and she’s stubborn, but if I can make even just a slight crack in her hard exterior, it might just be enough to get her to let me back in.

“I never meant to hurt you. I want you to know that your safety was my main priority, which is why I did this.”

The door unlocks, and I hold my breath as Emily opens it just enough for me to see the fury in her green eyes.

“My safety or your brothers’ praise?”

Before I even have a chance to say anything, she slams the door in my face.

Is that what she thinks?

Fuck.

Of course, it is.

I’ve made no secret that I work my ass off not just for my own gain, but to prove my worth to my brothers. It’s a sore spot for me, and Emily knows it, so the fact that she’s thrown it back in my face shows how much I’ve hurt her.

I want my brothers to realize I’m as capable as they are, but not at the expense of my friendship with Emily. Her safety and happiness have always been my number one priority, and the fact that she can’t see that means I’ve fucked up even worse than I thought.

“Emily, come on.”

“Leave mealone.”

I’m tempted to keep knocking until she has no choice but to come out. But I also know that she has an exam tomorrow, and if I have any chance of ever getting her to forgive me, I should probably leave her alone.

Earning back Emily’s trust won’t be easy, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get it back.

---