Page 97 of Cruel Promise

“Why did he even invite us to this?” Nikolai growls as we stare out at the large crowd of people dancing.

“Maybe he was trying to be nice?”

He scoffs. “Dimitri doesn’t do nice. You know that.”

True. I do.

Nikolai and I walk next to each other over to the bar. There’s a sense of calm between us. He hasn’t complained once about me going back to Yale. I still haven’t told him about Jason, which is for the best. And we’ve been pleasant with each other. He hasn’t made any advances on me.

But I do sort of wish he’d kiss me again.

I’ve just been too afraid to ask. The moment Nikolai starts to open up, he shuts it down. I don’t want to push him. The reality is, I’m in a marriage I never asked for, but I’m trying to see the best in it.

Having more freedom has helped. I still don’t have answers about my mom, but I’ve been trying to focus on the positives.

A man bumps against me, and Nikolai glares at him for so long that the man scurries away.

“It was an accident,” I tell him.

“It wasn’t.” He flags the bartender down. “A whiskey. What do you want?”

“Uh, just a glass of white wine.” I didn’t drink growing up. Father was very strict about that, and I never felt the need to drink with my mom.

But tonight, being surrounded by all these people and the loud music, I’ll need a drink to get me through.

“ID?” the bartender asks.

Nikolai stares at the man. “She doesn’t need one.”

“Who—”

“Nikolai Petrov.” That’s all my husband has to say for the bartender to understand.

I’m given my drink without any more questions asked.

“It’s amazing,” I say.

“What is?”

“You. The fact that you can just give someone your name, and everyone knows it, and they know to respect it.”

Nikolai doesn’t smile, but I can see the pride in his eyes. “I’ve worked hard to get where I am in life. I worked hard to earn that respect.”

“Should I be honored that you’re nicer to me than you are to other people?”

“Do you feel honored?” He takes a sip of his drink.

“Yes,” I admit. The look we exchange is heated, and I have to avert my eyes lest I get lost in Nikolai’s.

I grab my wine glass off the bar and take large gulp. I’m going to need something in my system if I’m going to survive tonight.

“You came!” Dimitri says, walking over, two women hanging off his arms.

“We did,” Nikolai responds tightly. “Your parties seem very similar to a normal night at your club.”

Dimitri shrugs. “What can I say? I can’t keep people away. Have fun.” He turns his attention to the blonde and brunette on his arm and completely forgets Nikolai and I are even here.

“He’s absurd,” Nikolai mutters once Dimitri and his harem are gone.

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