Page 147 of Cruel Promise

Dimitri claps his hands together. “I can do that, too. I’d love a fun partnership. What do we say, boys? Shake on it?”

And we all do.

It’s a tentative alliance. I think all three of us know it could crash and burn at any moment. But I’m trying to make peace.

I could go after Anton. Track him down and kill him. But I’m trying to do better. Lead with strength rather than bloodshed. I don’t have to rule this city through fear. I can rule it through partnerships.

I think about Ava as I leave the bar. Would she be proud of me? I think she would.

She’s been staying with her mom, and the longer I go without seeing her, the more I crave her. I desperately want to kiss her. To make her mine again.

But she’s chosen a life without me. I have to respect that.

That still doesn’t stop me from driving over to her mother’s apartment.

My hand shakes as I knock on the door.

Ava answers. “Nik?” She doesn’t immediately shut the door on me, so I take that to be a good sign.

“I’m not here to make you feel any sort of way. I just wanted to let you know I’ll always keep you safe. No matter what happens. You can always call me if you’re in trouble.”

Her eyes soften. “I know. I know you’ll still keep me safe. We’re still married after all.”

“And even if we weren’t, I would still protect you, Ava. You need to know that.”

“Do you not want to be married any longer?”

“No,” I say gruffly. “I miss you. Fuck, I miss you.” I hate to ask, but I have to. “Do you want a divorce?”

“Ava?” Camille’s voices rings out, and then she appears in the doorway. “Oh. You.”

I know she hates me, and she has every right to. “Camille.”

“You should leave,” she says, shutting the door on my face. Ava doesn’t stop her.

As I walk away, I realize she never told me if she wants a divorce or not. I have to push down the hope that blossoms within me.

I know Ava’s school schedule, so I know when she won’t be at her mother’s apartment. I come back, not to talk to Ava but to talk to Camille.

“What are you doing back?” Camille asks, keeping her body angled behind the door.

“I just want to talk. Please.”

“I’ve never heard a man who looks like you say ‘please’ before.”

“Camille, I know you hate me. I know I fucked up. I know I hurt your daughter. But you also need to know I love her.”

“You don’t buy someone you love.”

“I know. I didn’t love her back then. It was just possession for me. But I love her now, and that’s why I’ve let her go.”

“But you’re still here. You haven’t let her go.”

“I’ll never be able to fully let Ava go. But I’ve granted her a divorce if she wants it. She doesn’t have to be tied to me ever again. I wanted to let you know I would die for your daughter. I wanted to let you know you don’t need to fear me.”

Camille’s expression softens slightly, and she opens the door wider. “Ok. I believe you. I don’t even know why, but I do.”

“I’m not Anton. I will never kidnap you or your daughter. I’ll walk away right now and leave you be. But I just needed you to know this.”

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