Page 45 of Cruel Promise

I can’t believe I let myself have hope. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted Dimitri. It’s just that he was my only option for escape.

But I know now, never trust a Bratva man. I can’t allow myself to be naive ever again.

A tear slips down my cheek, and I wipe away it in frustration.

“Ava?” I hear a familiar voice ask.

When I look to my right, I see Jason. My friend from school.

His familiar face fills me with so much joy, I hug him without even thinking about it.

“Woah, there.” He stumbles back but hugs me anyway. “Ava, where have you been? You haven’t been to school in over a week.”

“Jason. How my god. You don’t know how happy I am to see you. Please, I need help.”

“Help? What for?”

“I was kidnapped. I’m married.” He frowns as I show him my ring.

“You’re … married? When the hell did that happen?”

“I was forced into it.” Did he not hear me say I was kidnapped? “Please, can you just drive me back to New Haven. I need to go home. Please.”

“Ava, hold on. Calm down. I’m in the city for some fun. I don’t want to just leave right away.”

“Jason, did you not hear me? I was kidnapped! I was forced into a marriage. I need you to help me before he shows up here.”

“Before who shows up?”

“My husband,” I hiss. How is he not getting it? This is urgent. I know Jason is smart. I mean, he goes to Yale after all.

His eyes darken as he finally takes in my words. “What exactly happened?”

“Just get me out of here, and I’ll explain.”

Instead of urgently walking with me out of the club, he slumps against the bar. “I can’t believe this. You’re actually married. And here I thought I stood a chance.”

“What?” I look around the crowded club frantically. Nikolai could show up at any moment. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about me, Ava. Have you really not known how I’ve felt about you these past couple of months. I mean, I thought I made it obvious. Asking you out all the time.”

“For coffee. As friends.”

“No, not as friends. I’ve always wanted to be more than friends, and you’ve gone and married someone else. How do you think that makes me feel?”

I almost slap him. Almost.

“Jason, I waskidnapped. I didn’t want to be married. Please, help me. It doesn’t matter how you feel right now. I need help!”

“Who kidnapped you?” he asks in a tone like he doesn’t believe me. How can he not believe me?

“My father. He killed my mother and kidnapped me, and then Nikolai Petrov, who’s part of the Russian mob, forced me into a marriage with him. There. Now you know everything. Can we please just go?”

He sighs, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Ava. That story is just too ridiculous to believe. If you just wanted to not be with me, then you should have just told me.”

“We were friends! You’re only my friend!” Somehow, at that very moment, the music turns off, making it possible for the people around us to hear me scream.

Jason’s face is red, and he has a pout on his lips.

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