Page 135 of Cruel Promise

“I know, Mom. But I’m scared. It’s safer to be with Nikolai right now. We have to leave. Please just trust me.”

She hesitates then nods. “I trust you more than anyone.”

We run out of the apartment and get into her car. I’m so grateful she even has a car to begin with. When we first left New York and moved to New Haven, we both had to learn how to drive since we’d never needed to do so in New York.

I tell her how to get to Nikolai’s house. “I know this doesn’t make sense. I never even questioned Nikolai if Anton was dead or not. He never told me. But I do know he’s not a good man. He betrayed Nikolai. I don’t know what a man like him would do. I need to warn Nik.”

“But why warn him? Why do you care?”

“Because a part of me still cares for him.” The moment the words are out of me, I know how true they are. “I don’t want to see him get hurt. And I don’t want to see you get hurt. And frankly, I don’t want to get hurt. Nikolai will protect us.” I know that in my gut.

When we reach his house, I run out of the car while Mom hesitates. “Come on,” I tell her. Finally, she follows me to the door.

Edmund answers after I knock frantically. “Ava? You’re back?”

“Yes.” I walk past him into the house. Mom gazes around with awe and distrust on her face. “I need to talk to Nikolai.”

As if right on cue, Nikolai enters the foyer. “Ava?”

“I know. I’m back.”

“But why?”

“Anton is coming for you.”

All the color drains from his face. “How do you know this? I left him for dead.”

“Apparently, he’s not. He kidnapped my mom.” I motion at her. “He asked her questions about me, about you. I think he wants to use me against you. I figured …” Now, it’s my turn to hesitate. “I figured coming to you would keep me safe.”

His eyes turn soft. “Of course, I’ll keep you safe. You know I will.”

The doorbell rings.

The sound is ominous and sends a shiver right through my body.

“Edmund, don’t answer that door,” Nikolai says. He takes a gun out of his back pocket—making my mom gasp—and slowly approaches the door. Mom and I hug each other. He looks through the peephole and curses, stepping back.

“I know you’re in there,” a man says on the other side.

“Anton,” Nikolai growls. “How did he find me? I do a damn good job of keeping my address hidden.”

It hits me like a ton of bricks. “He kidnapped my mom. He must’ve been watching her. When I came back here with her, he must’ve followed. He must’ve known I’d come back here.”

Nikolai looks at me steadily. “It’s not your fault.”

“I didn’t even know he was a threat. You didn’t tell me much about him.”

“Well, he is a threat. I left for him dead, but I obviously didn’t finish the fucking job. We need to hide. In my basement.” He motions for all of us, including Edmund, to follow. “I’m going to get Mrs. Brown and Claude.”

“Wait,” I say, grabbing his arm. “Don’t leave me.” I hate how pathetic I sound, but I know as I stare into the eyes of Nikolai that I’m safe.

“I’ll be right back. Just go into the basement.”

“Honey, come on,” Mom says, taking my hand and tugging me away. I follow.

The basement is made of cement, and its coldness seeps into my skin. Edmund, Mom, and I stand close together.

Footsteps sound on the stairs.

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