Page 31 of Scarlet Sins

“I can see that, and I’m not gonna lie. I’d be hurt, too. But he did it to save you. That’s got to count for something. Maybe give him a chance to prove himself. If he said he’s going along with it but trying to get out of it, see how that plays out. It sounds like it needs to be handled carefully.”

“Yeah. But…”

“You don’t have to like it,” she says. “Just give him space to see.”

Suddenly, Sasha pops his head up. “French fries?”

“French fries it is.” Kara picks him up. “Come on, let’s get you fed.”

Maybe she’s right; maybe I just need to trust Demyan’s got a plan. I don’t have to have sex with him through this. I don’t think there are rules. But he saved me and it’s clear he’s not a fan of Stefina. So… a chance.

Kara has to head back to work after the fries we all share. I know I should go back, but I can’t, not yet. First, I want to see Ilya.

When we get to the hospital, my heart plummets. He’s still unconscious and in a stable but critical condition.

I’m not sure in normal circumstances we’d be allowed to see him, but Demyan’s name has clout and Sasha and I are led into the private room where Ilya’s hooked up to a whole bunch of machines.

“Mama? What’s wrong with him?”

“Uncle Ilya was hurt by some bad men.”

His eyes are round and his chin quivers. “Will he be okay?”

“I hope so.” I hug him tight as I will Ilya to open his eyes.

I go to him and hold his hand.

“Demyan got me back,” I tell him, voice scratchy as Sasha climbs on the chair next to the bed to be closer to Ilya. “Don’t touch, baby.”

He looks at me, nods, and then looks at Ilya.

“Uncle Ilya…” And his chin quivers. I hold him against me, my free arm around him.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, “I feel terrible. This is all my fault. If I’d listened to you, then you wouldn’t be here.”

“No, Mama. Not your fault.” Sasha’s small voice makes me smile. I glance at my son, his worried little face, and I know he wants to touch. But he doesn’t. “Uncle Ils get better. Mama will bring you soup.”

Sasha babbles at him, telling the unconscious man a story that’s so outrageous it breaks my heart. When he’s done, I say, “Demyan got him back, Ilya. And me. So you come back to us.”

The nurse appears and I know it’s time to go, but I promise we’ll be back. In the hall, I turn to Sasha. “Don’t you worry,” I say. “He’s strong.”

He nods vigorously and I start to lead him down the hall, the smell of antiseptic stinging my nose. I’m thinking maybe we could have lunch somewhere so Sasha can cheer up a little when my phone rings.

“Demyan.”

“Where are you?”

“You know exactly where I am. Your drivers are the ones ferrying me around, and your goons are watching me.”

“I trust you; they’re just protection.”

I didn’t say a word to him about trust, but I just say, “I can look after myself. Next time, I want a car I can use. And I don’t want your entourage. I’m not your wife. I’m not anything but the mother of your son, so since you eliminated the threat, I can?—”

“I’m coming to collect you and Sasha. Myself. Stay there.”

“You have a whole army with me.”

“Maybe I want to see Ilya, and maybe I want to watch you myself. I’ll be there shortly.”

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