“Did Father believe you?”

“That has yet to be determined,” I said.

“If he doesn’t…” Davit said.

“I know, Davit. If he doesn’t believe me, that’s going to be a problem for both of us,” I said.

“So you know you’ll have to go through with it,” Davit said.

“I know,” I responded.

“What?” I asked when he looked at me, his stance tense.

“Don’t fuck around with her, Elias,” he said.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“This is not a game. And you’ve already taken too much of Kayla’s life as it is. Don’t do worse,” Davit said.

“I was trying to save her,” I said.

“You say that now, but her debt could have been paid years ago. Yet you didn’t let her go,” he said.

“I run my business how I see fit,” I responded.

“You do, but this isn’t business,” he countered.

“Davit, I’m really not interested in whatever bullshit you’re on right now,” I said.

“Whether you’re interested or not, listen and listen well. If you hurt her, you are going to have to answer to me,” he said.

“What is this about, Davit?” I said.

“Nothing, Elias. You don’t have to admit anything to me. I’m just warning you. You’ll treat Kayla well. Or you’ll answer to me,” he said.

On the one hand, I was happy that Davit was looking out for her.

On the other…

“And go ahead and save the I’m-the-boss bullshit. That doesn’t apply here. You have to go through with this, and Kayla’s been around long enough to know that she’s going to have to play her part.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” I said.

“What do you mean?” He tilted his head in question.

“Kayla thinks that if we wait long enough, we can just forget it and pretend the whole engagement thing didn’t work out.

He shook his head. “Does she really believe that?”

“Yeah, she does,” I said.

“Then maybe she doesn’t understand as much as I thought she did,” he muttered.

“The exact point I’ve been trying to make,” I said.

He waved me off. “Well, you need to make sure that she gets it. Because I’m still holding you responsible,” he said.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said.

“What else?” he asked, his expression telling me he knew there was something.

“I need you to get eyes on someone,” I said.

He nodded, his expression telling me he was ready for business.

“Tell me who.”

Elias

I felt better after meeting Davit.

Keeping him insulated from trouble was something I would always do, but I trusted him more than anyone and knew I could rely on him.

And now, I intended to finish that conversation with Kayla.

She was still at her apartment when I got there, which was no surprise.