Page 63 of Dancing With Delusion

“I’ve been slowly dying without him, Marshall, and he chose to believe his father and Vivian again. They’ll always come before me.”

“That’s not true. He’s going to end them all. You haven’t seen how angry he is. The second I showed him proof, he didn’t even question me.”

“He believed I was mad. He had me sectioned without any proof.”

“He thought he was doing what was best for you.”

I scoff, taking more of the water. “He listened to everyone around him instead of me. They wanted me out the way, and he made it easy for them.”

“Let’s worry about the details later. You need rest and food and a clear head.”

I lean my head back against the wall, watching as Dmitry lays into Nik. Each punch brings me a sick satisfaction.

“I trusted you,” Dmitry spits. “You were by my side from the beginning.”

“Your father wanted what was best for you,” Nik argues, spitting blood onto the ground beside him.

“And you chose to betray me and help him? How long have you been taking orders from him?”

“From the start,” yells Nik angrily. “Because your father couldn’t trust you to do right by him or the families.”

“So, every deal, every transaction, you’ve run by him behind my back?”

“It was for your own good,” Nik mutters, wincing when Dmitry punches him in the stomach.

“That’s how he knew about Victoria?” Dmitry guesses, hitting him in the face.

“She was supposed to be a quick distraction, Dmitry. You weren’t supposed to fall in love. The families can’t rely on you to deliver leadership with a whore by your side.”

It’s enough to send Dmitry into a frenzy of punches, each one delivered with careful precision, causing Nik to grunt over and over until his head falls back and blood drips from his nose and mouth.

Dmitry removes metal from his fists, and I realise he’s been wearing knuckle dusters the whole time. Good. Nik deserves it. He takes a knife from the bag and his eyes briefly meet mine before he sticks the blade into Nik’s stomach, dragging it up slowly. Nik suddenly wakes, screaming in pain, and Dmitry slams his fist into his face, knocking him clean out again.

Blood pours onto the ground, splattering between Nik’s feet, and then something heavier falls from him and I realise his guts have spilled out, hanging precariously between his legs.

Dmitry drops the knife and staggers my way. He falls to his knees and grips my face in his bloodied hands. “I’ll burn the world for you, krasota. I am so sorry.”

Tears balance on my lower lashes as he gently kisses me.

“We need to go,” Marshall tells him, squeezing Dmitry’s shoulder. “Cleanup is on the way, and we need a plan before Vivian or your father returns here.”

Dmitry nods, standing and scooping me into his arms. I’d protest if I thought I had the strength to walk, but I don’t and so I rest my head against his chest and enjoy this moment of tenderness.

I must sleep the entire journey home. I only open my eyes as I’m lifted from the car and the manor is looming over us.

Dmitry takes the steps two at a time, rushing me past Marshall and straight upstairs, where he lays me carefully on the bed, like he’s terrified I might break.

He disappears into the bathroom, returning a few minutes later naked. “Bath,” he mutters as a way of explanation. It’s the first time I’ve seen Dmitry looking unsure and maybe a little lost.

I watch silently as he begins to undress me, giving up when the buttons won’t open quick enough for his liking. He rips the material instead, shredding it from my body with complete frustration on his face.

“Did they . . .” He pauses, looking away. “Did they hurt you?”

I shake my head. “Not in that way.”

He almost looks relieved as he pulls me into his arms and takes me through to the bathroom. The fresh smell of vanilla fills the steamy air, and it’s a reminder I’m safe . . . for now.

Dmitry steps into the warm water, lowering me slowly until I’m settled between his legs with my back to his front. The waterfall tap continues to fill the tub and the bubbles rise, covering my thinning body.

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