Page 81 of Cruel Promise

Maxim nods, his face not quite happy but not unhappy either. “I am. He’s promised us peace.” He turns to Nikolai. “But if you come after us again, I swear to fucking god, I will kill you.”

“Or I’ll kill you,” Nikolai threatens. I don’t think he’s in a condition to be doing that. He can barely walk as he shuffles to the front door.

“Did you mean it?” I ask once we get outside. “The deal you made with Maxim?”

“I meant it.” He doesn’t offer up anything else, and I don’t push for more.

“I don’t have a car with me. We’ll have to take the subway back to your house.”

“Our house.”

I pause. Is Nikolai’s house truly mine now? It is if I want it to be.

“Do you need to go to the hospital?” I ask, not commenting on his words.

“No.”

“Nikolai, you can barely stay upright.”

He sways on his feet and stumbles. I catch him just in time so he doesn’t fall. When he winces and pulls away from me, I realize he’s in more pain than he’s letting on.

“Let me help you,” I say.

“You already helped enough.” He starts shuffling down the sidewalk.

“Are you angry with me? I just saved your life!”

“Yes, I am angry with you. You put yourself in danger, Ava. I’ll never be happy with you when you do that.”

“Why? Because you care about me?”

He looks me straight in the eye. “I do.”

My inhale is sharp and quick. I just thought I was a possession to Nikolai. But if he actually cares …

No. I can’t wonder what that means. Because if I wonder what that means, then I’ll have to admit to my feelings, and I’m still confused on what those feelings are.

“You can’t be angry with me for saving your life,” I say, brushing past him.

He grabs my arm, then immediately lets me go as he sways on his feet. “I can be angry. You could have been hurt. I will not apologize for that.”

I sigh. “Nikolai, you’re hurt. We shouldn’t be arguing right now. Let’s just get you home, ok?”

It’s clear by his stern expression that he wants to object, but he nods instead. “All right.”

“Here.” I lift his arm and sling it over my shoulder. “Let me help.”

“I don’t need help.” He pulls away from me and them promptly doubles over, groaning.

“Nikolai? Nik?” I hover over him, unsure of whether to touch him or not.

He takes in a deep breath and stands back up. “I’m fine.”

“Let me help you. Please.”

“Why do you even want to? You should hate me.”

“I do hate you.”

---