Page 103 of Sinful Betrayal

“Dimitri,” I hiss, pulling Nina free.

Her eyes are wide, but her lips pull up into a wide smile as she looks back at me.

“He’s not very well trained,” I mutter under my breath and Dimitri laughs.

“It’s nice to meet you, Nina.” Mikhail leans over to offer his hand.

Nina eyes the tattoos covering his knuckles curiously before shaking his hand.

I help Nina out of her coat and get her settled on the stool between Mikhail and me. Next to Mikhail, she looks so delicate and innocent. She’s still dressed in her pale pink leotard and matching shrug with a pair of black leggings and pink ankle warmers over her sneakers.

“You look beautiful,” I whisper in her ear before taking a seat.

Her cheeks flush pink.

I rest my hand on her thigh, squeezing it once for reassurance.

She shuffles a little closer toward me. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Long enough for these two to get out the pictures of their kids.”

Dimitri’s eyes light up, and he reaches for his phone.

“Dimitri,” I warn, but Nina places a hand over mine.

“I want to see.”

Dimitri smirks at me.

I can’t take my eyes off Nina as she laughs at the videos of the twins walking into various pieces of furniture. Her entire face lights up with happiness, and I picture it then, what it couldbe like in a few years’ time. Both of us sitting around with my family, sharing videos of our own children.

The scene plays out in my mind so clearly, it could almost be real, and I realize then how much I want it to be.

“How are you enjoying school?” Mikhail asks after the food arrives, and Dimitri has reluctantly put away the videos of the twins.

“I love it. I feel like I’m living a dream.”

Dimitri scoffs. “And then you go back to Anton’s house and realize it’s actually a nightmare.”

Nina laughs.

I scowl. “Watch it.”

“Anton has been wonderful.” She glances at me.

I flash her a wink, and she grins.

“That doesn’t sound like the Anton I know,” Mikhail mutters, his dark eyes lit up with amusement.

“I’m more than happy to share the story of how I picked you up from Coney Island beach if you need reminding of how wonderful I am.”

Mikhail’s eyes go wide.

“What happened at the beach?” Nina pops an olive into her mouth, looking between us.

“Nothing,” Mikhail states, all traces of amusement gone from his face.

“His wife left him naked and stranded, and I was the one who came to his rescue.”