Page 9 of Deceitful Promises

“Like Satan himself could wake you up in the middle of the night, and you’d just casually snap off one of his horns and stab him with it.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Your imagination is far too vivid for me.”

He shrugs, and we say nothing for a while. When Ania turns over in her sleep, I watch her with that growing hunger deep inside, the hunger I can’t ever, not for a single second, let myself ever act on. She’s. Just. Too. Young.

Eighteen … I try to think of who I was at that age. I was a crazy, wild kid with fury in his fists and a deep desire to be allowed to inflict violence legally. A beast, almost.

“If you saw me and that woman together in public,” I say quietly. “What would you think?”

Logan looks at Ania, then looks at me. “I don’t know, brother. Your stepsister?”

“You do. You’ve got an opinion. Imagine she’s not my stepsister.”

“My opinion doesn’t matter. She’s of age, isn’t she?” I give him a murderous look, and he laughs it off. “Obviously, she is. I’m just messing. She just looks young.”

“So tell me what you would think. Be honest, Logan. Jesus. Have I ever swung on you?”

“Twice.”

“The fuck you talking about?”

“In ’08, after the Ramadi disaster, I asked you if you were going to marry that girl.”

I almost smile. He’s right. An operation went wrong, and a poorly timed question after I broke up with a woman I’d been with for three months. I was leading her on. I’d never felt a damn thing even though I tried, but that’s all ancient history now.

“They say the third time’s the charm,” Logan mutters.

I hold my hands up. “I won’t swing on you. I just want you to be honest.”

He sighs. “I’d probably wonder what you were doing together.”

“The age gap is too much.”

“Yeah, brother. I’d say so, but that’s just my opinion.”

“No, you’re right,” I growl, then return to my seat.

Reaching into my satchel, I take out another piece of wood and get to whittling. I try not to let myself think about what it will be, but it starts becoming a ballerina again. It starts becoming Ania. Dammit, even Logan said she’s too young. Eighteen years old. I was an idiot then—a madman. I wasn’t capable of making serious decisions. My experience in the military and my extra-curricular activities have given me a psychological edge, too. I could gaslight this poor girl into thinking I’m the right man for her. I refuse to do that shit. I refuse to be that person.

She moans gently, rolling over, her lips forming a soft smile. I want to know what she’s dreaming about so badly. I want to share the dream with her, even though I shouldn’t.

CHAPTER 6

ANIA

In the dream, I’m weightless. I know I’m dreaming because I’m back in my studio, floating around, made of pure light. I flutter and laugh, and for a second, I forget. Then, a gentle hand shakes me awake.

Peeling my eyes open, I find Aiden staring down at me. He looks seriouslypissed,as if he resents me for allowing him to kidnap me or something.

“Are you still taking me to see my mom?” I ask bitterly.

He frowns. “Hmm.”

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“I’ve already told you.”

“I guess trusting you should be my top priority.”

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