Page 129 of Cruel Honor

“You loved it. Don’t deny.”

I meet his eyes and feel the smile that breaks out across my face—it’s pure and genuine. “I did love it.”

We continue to look at each other. I feel the words coming.I love you. Dimitri opens his lips slightly like he’s going to say something …

Then his phone rings.

We both startle, and the moment is gone.

With a sigh, Dimitri has to get up and rifle through his clothes to find his phone. “What?” he snaps into the phone. It’s on speaker, so I can hear the other person.

“We have a new lead on Abram.”

“Nik, nice to hear from you, too.”

I don’t recognize Nikolai’s voice, but I know I met his wife, Ava. I remember her from the tea function. Where I killed Tatiana.

“Did you hear me?” Nik asks. “Abram just increased his guards around his house, which means he’s inside. We know exactly where he is. Now is the time to strike. If you want to end this, Dimitri, then no walking away this time.”

He glances at me. He walked away before to save me, but I’m not in need of any saving. I nod.

Dimitri turns back to his phone. “Ok. Let’s do it. Let’s fucking kill Abram. I’ll come over to your place to discuss the details.” He hangs up. “Duty calls.”

“I can feel it in my gut. I think this is it.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I just want us both to be safe. So, be safe. Please.”

He cups my face and leans down to give me a long, lingering kiss before pulling away. “I always am.”

I want that to reassure me and yet it doesn’t. Dimitri can be a little reckless at times. I just have to have faith in him that he will finally end things with Abram, and we can finally have peace.

“Bye,” I whisper.

“God, I want to stay here with you.”

“As you said, duty calls. I’ll be fine. Katya and I can hang out together. Keep each other safe.”

“Ok.” He gets dressed and starts to walk toward the door when he hurries back to me and gives me one more kiss.

Once we pull apart, I can’t help but feel like it was a final kiss in case we never see each other again.

And the idea of never seeing Dimitri again tears at my heart.

DIMITRI

Nik, Maxim, and I arrive at Abram’s house. We’ve also brought a whole army of men with us. Well, more like fifteen of our best gunmen to take on Abram’s guards.

No more playing games. No more trying to make peace. Abram needs to die.

“Just be careful of the girl inside,” Nik says into his phone, and he talks to the men we brought along. “She’s ten. Don’t fucking shoot her. Just kill Abram’s guards. We’ll handle Abram.”

“I want to fight,” I mutter, watching through the window as our men set off to kill Abram’s guards.

“You’re not as easily expendable,” Nik says.

“My men are not expendable,” Maxim responds.

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