Page 79 of Dmitri

“It’s pure,” I say to the headless man on camera. “We don’t fuck with cutting.”

My vision tunnels.

Kaleb casually swipes his finger across the screen, bringing up another video. And another. Photos come after that. All of them damning. All of them are evidence that would earn me major jail time.

“Why do you have those?” I whisper. The betrayal stings. How could he have had his men do this?

“Why do you think?” His jawline sharpens with his smile. “Relax, babygirl,” he says with a chuckle. “I just like to make sure you understand the severity of your actions.”

My. Actions.

Icy dread encases me. “You’re blackmailing me.”

“I’m reminding you of who you are, and who owns you.” He points at my wrist. “Because branding you clearly isn’t enough anymore.”

“What’s that even mean?”

“It’s time to put you back on a short leash, Daelyn. Can’t have you thinking you’re allowed to hole up in a fucking hotel room all night when you have responsibilities at home.” He cocks his head to the side. “We don’t want CPS or the DEA or anyone else to see these things, do we? What will happen to Addie if you go to prison?”

It’s a miracle I get my napkin up to my mouth in time to catch the vomit that flies out of me.

Kaleb sits back and looks disappointed. “Jesus Christ, you’re turning into such a weak fucking kitten, Dae. Go clean yourself up.”

Holding the napkin to my mouth, my vision blurs as I snake through the tables and bump the bathroom door open with my hip. Tossing my napkin in the trash, I barely make it to the toilet before I heave again.

I have to do something.

I need to get out of this.

I need to save Addie!

Dry heaves make the vessels in my eyes burst. I haven’t had anything to eat since yesterday morning, beyond those few bites of hamburger and fruit I had with Dmitri at the Monarch.

Dmitri.

I pull out my cell, my instincts screaming that I should call him for help.

But I stop myself. I can’t possibly run to the man I’ve been ordered to ruin with a sob story about the man who sent me to ruin him. That’s fucked.

I don’t think I’ve ever realized how very alone in the world I am until this moment.

I’ve spent my whole life leaning on the wrong people when I needed saving. Foster kids. Councilors. Kaleb. Even Addie.

No more.

No. More.

Flushing the toilet, I rise and roll my shoulders back. My emotions drain out of my head like sand in a sieve, landing in the open box at my feet. The lid slams shut. Calmly walking over to the sink, I wash my hands, rinse out my mouth, and splash cold water on my face.

Blotting dry, I toss the paper towels into the trash and leave the bathroom as a very different creature. I may be stuck between a lion and a wolf, but I’m not without my own claws and teeth.

Kaleb’s right where I left him, only his plate is empty. He sits back, eyeing me like he’s trying to get a read on my current state of mind.

He won’t be able to. I’ve perfected my masks, and this one is my toughest to peel off.

Dropping back into my seat, I dig into my food like a ravenous animal. I’ve barely chewed before I swallow and stuff another spoonful in. Chugging my drink, I drain the glass and lift my finger to catch the server’s attention. “Can I have more orange juice when you get a chance?”

Not waiting for a reply, I shove more food into my mouth and snag Kaleb’s drink, sucking it down greedily. “I didn’t realize I was this hungry.”

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