Page 28 of Cruel Promise

My hands go cold, and I almost drop my glass onto the floor. I catch it at the last moment. “My father?”

“Yes. When he gave you to me to pay off his debts.”

“How … how could you accept? Why did you want me?”

Nikolai steeples his fingers together under his chin, giving me an intense look. “Because if I didn’t take you, he was going to give you to someone else. Anyone else to pay off his debts. And I didn’t want that.”

I press my legs tighter together. The silky fabric of my dress makes me very aware of my body in ways I’ve never been before. “Why not?”

“Because you’re mine, Ava. And who knows what kind of man he would have given you to?”

I lick my dry lips. His eyes catch onto the movement. “Are you saying I got … lucky with you?”

“If you want to look at it that way, then sure. You got lucky with me. But the truth is I just wanted you for myself. I took onelook at your picture and knew you belonged here. In my home. With me. I couldn’t stand the thought of some other man getting his hands onto you. So, I took the deal. Your father’s debts are paid off. And you’re here. I’m not a good man, and I never claimed to be. Don’t mistake me wanting you as me saving you.”

“Are you going to abuse me?”

“What an interesting question,” he says, taking a sip of his wine. “If I was going to abuse you, wouldn’t I say ‘no? That I would never hurt you?’”

“I guess.” I hate how breathless I sound. “But you told me you have a code. That you don’t hurt women.”

He lifts one eyebrow. It stretches his scar across his face. “And you didn’t believe me? Or did you?”

“I don’t know what to believe. Not yet. But I do know you took me away from my education. You’ve kept me in this house. You forced me to marry you. You’re right—you’re not a good man.”

He raises his glass to me. “And now, you’re finally figuring it out. I’m part of the Bratva. It’s the Russian mob. I wasn’t raised to be good, and I’ll never be good.” For just a moment, his eyes soften. “But I will never hit you. I can promise you that. I have no desire to do that.”

“You just wanted to own me.”

“Yes. Yes, I did.” The fact he doesn’t deny it makes me feel … weird. On one hand, it’s disturbing. He’s completely comfortable with the darkness. On the other hand, his honesty is refreshing. At least if he’s always being honest, I’ll know what I’m getting with him.

And maybe—just maybe—I can work with that.

“Can I at least go back to school?” I ask. “I worked so hard for it. I can’t give it up.”

Nikolai stares down at the table for a long moment. “We’ll see. In time. I’ll let you return when I know I can trust you. When I know you won’t run from me.”

“But if you let me go and I come back, wouldn’t that earn me trust?”

He smirks. “Youaresmart. I can see why you got into Yale. And yes, you have a point. But we’re not there yet in our marriage. I suggest you get comfortable with the idea you belong to me now, Ava. You’re mine.”

How can I forget?

Claude brings our food in, breaking the tension. It’s a relief.

Tonight’s dinner is duck with some fancy sauce that Claude explains, but I forget the moment he says it. He gives me a hard look so I take a bite.

“It’s delicious,” I tell him.

Appeased, Claude leaves.

“He doesn’t like me,” I say.

Nikolai laughs softly. It’s a strange sound—like he doesn’t do it much. “Claude doesn’t like anyone. He just doesn’t get angry with me because of who I am.”

“And who are you?” My fork scraps across the plate, making me wince.

“I’m someone you don’t want to make angry.”

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