Page 49 of Cruel Honor

“I didn’t know you cared. When we first me, you willingly offered yourself over to me.”

“Well, that was different. I’ve changed my mind. I want Evelyn back. Now.”

“She’s not going anywhere. Evie’s mine now.” A surge of possessiveness shoots through me. The moment those words come out of my lips I know how true they are. I’m still not fully sure how and why Evie has such a strong pull over me, but I do know I’m not letting hergo. She fascinates me. A blend of cute and sexy, a little dorky yet brave. Most women throw themselves at me, and while I’ve been grateful for that in the past, it’s sort of refreshing to have a woman make me wait for her.

It makes me want Evie even more.

“Now, get out of my way,” I growl, brushing past Juno and unlocking my door. She tries to follow me inside, but I slam the door in her face. I married Evie, but I didn’t sign up to have an annoying mother-in-law. I’m not a man who plays by the rules, and I’m not the sort who cares whether I make the in-laws happy. Juno doesn’t mean anything to me.

I expect to find Katya and Evie in the living room, complaining about me probably, but they’re not there. They’re not in Katya’s room. They’re not in my room. The kitchen is empty. The backyard is quiet. They’re not here.

I check Katya’s phone and see she’s on the move. What is she up to? I rush back outside and bypass Juno, who tries to scold me again, and get back in my car. I follow Katya’s movements until she stops.

I recognize the address.

It’s Abram’s house.

What the fuck is Katya doing at his house? And is Evie with her? Or is Evie just … gone?

I don’t have time to worry about that. I just need to get answers.

EVIE

When the trunk opens, I can finally breathe again. Both Katya and I suck in the largest breath we can.

Boris and Arthur drag us out of the car and shove us through the front door of a very nice brownstone.

“If you’re going to hurt us,” Katya says, “do it and don’t be pussies.”

I stare at her. What in the world is she doing?

She shrugs. “I get angry when I’m scared.”

Abram chuckles darkly as he stands before us. “You should bescared. You thought you could tell my Tatiana what to do. You thought you could get your brother out of a situation he put himself in. But you can’t.” He turns his eyes onto me. “I don’t like to waste time talking.” He pulls a dagger from his jacket pocket. “Dimitri will be free to marry my Tatiana once you’re dead.”

My heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest. I thought Dima was going to kill me, but it’s been Abram all along who will end my life.

He brings his arm back. I know when he shoves it forward, that dagger will go into me. And it will end my life.

“Don’t!” Katya screams.

Lifting her long leg, she kicks Abram in the arm, making him drop the dagger.

“Get a hold of her!” he shouts at Arthur as he bends down to grab the blade. While he’s bent over, I kick my leg out and hit him in the head, making hm groan and flop onto his ass. “Seriously. Boris!”

Boris wraps his arms around me, but that doesn’t stop my legs from moving. I kick out again and land another hit to Abram’s face. He’s struggling to stand back up. As an older man, it’s to be expected. Katya and I have youth on our side.

Katya manages to land another kick to Abram before Arthur throws her to the ground and gets on top of her, holding her down. Boris quickly does the same to me.

Abram mutters under his breath. “Imbeciles.” His face is already bruising, which is a satisfying sight.

The front door opens and in walks Tatiana. “Have you killed her yet?” She pouts when her eyes land on me. “Daddy, why isn’t she dead yet?”

“I’m trying, pumpkin.”

Tatiana hurries over and helps him stand up. “You shouldn’t kill her in the living room. You’re going to get blood all over our couch.”

“I can just buy us a new couch.”

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