Page 92 of Cruel Promise

“I know,” I whisper. “I figured.”

He nods once. “Good.”

“Thank you for apologizing.”

“Well, thank you again for saving my life.”

I let myself rest my head against his chest, and Nikolai wraps his arms tighter around me. I know I shouldn’t trust him again. Not with my heart anyway.

But with the way Nikolai is holding me, I can’t help but want to stay in his arms forever.

And that’s a scary feeling.

I pull back before I go in too deep. “Sorry. I need …” I start to turn away from him, but my foot catches on the rug, and I start to fall.

Nikolai catches me.

I gasp as he holds me once more in his arms. Even though I tried to leave, it seems fate has other ideas.

Nikolai and I stare at each other, neither one looking away.

And then we’re kissing.

It’s not rough and fast like the last one.

This one steals my breath away. This one makes me feel safe. This one is dangerous.

I let the kiss linger a bit longer before pulling back.

“I want you,” he says, pressing his forehead to mine.

I want you, too. The thought enters me unbidden. But it’s one I cannot voice.

“I’m sorry.” I extract myself from him and then scurry out of the room.

He doesn’t follow, and I’m unsure if I even want him to.

Going back to Yale is like going back to another world.

My first stop is to the admissions office, where a perfume heavy woman named Mrs. Jones, asks me where I’ve been all these weeks.

“I was kidnapped,” I answer honestly.

Her eyes widen. “Seriously?”

“Yes. But I managed to escape, and now, I want to go back to school. I know I missed some time. But I hope I can make it back up.”

“Well, I’m sure, given the circumstances, you’ll be able to. I’ll just need to see the police report from your kidnapping to verify.”

I pause. “Can’t you just take me at my word?”

“Well, Ava, I’ll need proof. It’s to ensure you’re given a pass. It’s the only way we can allow you back into your normal classes.”

The problem is, I don’t have proof. I never filed a police report against Nikolai. It wouldn’t matter if I tried anyway. A man like him doesn’t answer to the police.

“Ok,” I whisper. “I’ll bring the report.” I’ll have to ask Nikolai for help. After what we shared at dinner a few nights ago, I just hope he’ll actually help me.

Mrs. Jones smiles. “Great. Come back with that, and we can get started reintegrating you into your classes.”

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