Page 119 of Cruel Honor

“Why do you even want her to come back with you?”

“Because …” She looks right at me. “I miss you, Evelyn. I need you in my life. It’s lonely without you. Please, honey. Come back home.”

Never before has Juno spoken to me this way. I’ve always wanted her to want me. Call it a foolish dream, but I think a lot of people want their stepparent to like them.

“I should stay with Dimitri,” I repeat.

“No. Evelyn, I can take care of you. At least come back home until Dimitri has dealt with this Abram man. Once he’s gone, then you can return to Dimitri, but in the meantime, come stay with me. It’s the best thing for you, and I think you know it.”

“The best thing for Evie is to stay with me,” Dimitri says, crossing his arms.

“You’re making this poor girl go on the run.” Juno puts her arm around my shoulders. “How is that good? It’s not, if you ask me. I’ll take Evelyn home, and once you’ve dealt with Abram, Evelyn can return to you. But in that time, she’ll stay with me.”

“Maybe we should ask Evie what she wants to do.” He sets his eyes onto me. “Evie?”

I want to stay with Dimitri, but Juno is begging me with her eyes to go back with her.

“Evelyn, please.” She pauses. “Evie.”

I startle. It’s the first time Juno has ever called me Evie.

“Why do you think you can keep me safe when Dimitri can’t?”

Juno gives me a kind smile. It’s the kind of smile I’ve always wanted to receive from her. I’ve always wanted Juno’s kindness, and now, she’s offering it. Maybe losing me made her realize how much she wants me in her life.

“Because I’m your mom,” she says. “Who better to keep you safe?”

Dimitri scoffs. “You just want Evie to cook and clean for you like she used to.”

“Of course not! I resent that accusation!”

I just killed a serial killer, but it’s my stepmom I’m having trouble standing up to.

“I will not leave until Evie comes with me,” Juno threatens. I know she means it. She has a way of planting her feet and never moving until she gets her way. It’s why I had to do all the cooking and cleaning for her. She wouldn’t do it herself, so someone had to after my dad died.

“I can make you leave,” Dimitri tells her.

I know what I want, and it’s to stay with Dimitri, but I know I need to get Juno out of here. She’s going to cause more problems if she doesn’t get her way.

So, to appease the situation, I turn to Juno. “I’ll go with you.”

“What?” Dimitri asks while Juno gives him a smug smile.

“But only until Dimitri has dealt with Abram. Then I’m coming back to him.” I look at my husband. “I promise. So, go deal with Abram.”

“Don’t go with her. She’s not good for you, Evie.”

“And you are?” Juno fires back. “I seem to recall you forced my daughter into a marriage she didn’t want. I’m not the bad guy here. I’m just getting my daughter back. Let’s go, Evelyn.”

“You know it,” Dimitri says like Juno never even spoke. “You know what’s best is for you to stay. Stand up to her.”

But the words don’t come.

I want Juno to like me as naive as it sounds. And I know she won’t leave unless I do as she says, and I don’t want to risk Dimitri hurting her.

“I’ll be back,” I say. “Just deal with Abram, and I’ll return. I promise.”

“Enough promises,” Juno mutters. “Let’s go, Evelyn.” She grabs my arm and forces me out of the room.

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