Page 103 of Cruel Honor

“There you go.”

“And why do you have Abram’s other daughter?”

“To draw Abram out,” I answer honestly.

“You’re using this girl as bait?” I hear the disgust in Evie’s voice, and it hurts my fucking soul.

“I am, but we’re not going to hurt her. Once Abram is dead, she can go back home, safe and sound.”

“You’re going to kill my dad?” Maria asks and instantly begins crying. Maxim awkwardly pats her arm, which only makes her cry harder.

“Dimitri, this is wrong,” Evie says. “This is so wrong. I … I can’t even look at you right now. I have to think.” She brushes past me and heads outside.

“Evie, let’s talk about this.”

“What’s there to talk about? You kidnapped a little girl, Dimitri!”

“Yeah, and you killed her sister.”

I know the moment those words are out of my mouth that it was the worst thing I could say.

Evie looks at me like I’m a monster.

That hurts most of all.

Chapter

Fifteen

EVIE

You killed her sister.

Dimitri is right. I did kill Tatiana, and that will haunt me forever. But I can’t stand here and watch him use a little girl as bait.

“I have to go,” I say.

“Go where?” Dimitri demands. “Abram is hunting us down. You can’t just leave, Evie.”

“He doesn’t have eyes and ears everywhere. I just need to go somewhere else. Some other motel for the night. I just need space.”

“No,” he growls. “You’re going to stay right here.”

“You can’t control me, Dimitri. It’s not going to work. I’m not your property.”

“You’re my wife.”

“And that doesn’t give you the right to control me.” I sigh and take one small step closer to him. “I know you just want me to be safe. But I can’t look at you right now. I’ll get another room at this motel. I’ll be close by. I just can’t be around you.”

He considers it then nods. “Fine. But I’ll have Maxim go with youfor safety.” He nods at the handsome biker who showed up with him tonight,

The man who helped kidnap a little girl.

“No. I can’t be around any of you right now, so don’t make me.” I rush toward the front office of the motel, not stopping as Dimitri calls out for me. I’m not going far. I just need space. Everything will all right.

I enter the front office, taking in the wood paneling and the moldy smell. This motel should probably be shut down for how much of a health hazard it is, but right now, it’s the only safe place I have.

“I’d like a room,” I tell the man behind the counter.

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