Page 80 of Cruel Promise

“Why isn’t it?”

“Because …”

She raises an eyebrow. “Because?”

“Because I don’t like The Knights. It’s that simple.”

“Honestly, that’s a shitty excuse.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Nikolai, I’ve had to work with people I don’t like before. At school. On projects. But I managed.”

I shift around, my cuffs clanking against each other. “I think this is a little bit more than just a school project.”

“You’re right. It is. Lives are at stake. Your life. Even my life. Maxim won’t hurt me. I believe him. But some other man might. Because of you. Because you refuse to make peace. Just make peace, Nikolai. If you make peace, then maybe—just maybe—you’ll be the kind of man I could …”

“Could what?”

Her eyes tell me everything. Could Ava ever love me? Not if I don’t make peace.

And the truth is—I want to get out of this fucking place. I put on a hard exterior, but I want to feel safe just as much as the next person.

I want Ava to be safe.

Before her, my actions only ever affected me. Now I have her to think about. That’s what a good husband would do.

“All right,” I finally say. “I’ll make peace.”

She gasps. “You will?”

“Yes.”

“You mean it?”

I sigh. She already knows me so well. “Yes, I mean it.”

She hurries to the door and frantically knocks on it. Maxim opens and steps inside. “Nikolai has something to say.”

Maxim turns to me, arms crossed, expression doubtful. I have to be the one to take the first step because I’m the one who attacked first.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” I say to Maxim. “I’ll leave you alone if you leave me alone.”

“No more killing my men?”

“No more killing your men. I mean it.” I look at Ava. “I know what’s at stake.”

Maxim nods once. “I’m gonna need you to put this deal in writing. Just for insurance purposes. Then I’ll let you go. I don’t delight in this.” He motions to my body and all the torture it has endured. “Just know that. I’m not a monster.”

“Keep telling yourself that. Maybe one day you’ll actually believe it.”

He frowns. “Let’s just make this deal before you piss me off even more.”

AVA

Colin and Sal watch us with wide eyes as Nikolai and I leave the torture room.

“You’re actually letting him go?” Sal asks.

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