Page 56 of Cruel Honor

I just want to be free of his dark, dangerous life. That doesn’t mean I want him to get in trouble. Coming here was a mistake.

“No,” I say. “I won’t press charges. I’m leaving.”

“I didn’t say you could go,” Johnson says.

“Are you arresting me?”

“No.”

“Then I’m free to go.” I hurry out of the police station as Juno apologizes to the detective then quickly follows me.

“What were you thinking?” she snaps. “This was your one chance to bring Dimitri down for what he did to you.”

“But I don’t want that. I just want Dima found and arrested. If the police don’t believe me, then I need to get proof of what he did to me.”

“What kind of proof?”

I need to go back to that house and take pictures. Then the police won’t ignore what I went through.

I know it’s dangerous. I should just return to Dimitri. But now that I’m out, I feel my freedom again, and I don’t want to lose that. I’m a lover of books, which means I love a mystery.

I’m going on my own adventure, and I’m going to find Dima and bring him in.

“Evelyn?”

“I’m going back to Dima’s house. I’m only telling you for insurance reasons. In case he’s there and something goes wrong.” But I don’t think he’ll be there. Dimitri hasn’t been able to find Dima sincehe went into the wind, which means he hasn’t been back to the house he took me to.

“Evelyn, this is crazy.”

“No. What’s crazy is all these men thinking they can do whatever they want to me. I’m going to bring Dima to the cops.” It’s my new mission. No more living in my books. It’s time to live in the real world.

DIMITRI

I’m nursing my drink at an upscale bar when Irina steps into my sight.

“Dimitri? I didn’t know you were here.”

I just finished collecting money the owner owed me and decided to stay for a drink.

My eyes rake over Irina. She’s just as hot as I remember, but I don’t feel the spark of desire for her as I did when we first met. Now, all I can think about is Evie. What kind of pussy has she turned me into? Honestly, I’m not angry about it.

“Irina. Nice to see you again.”

“Heard you got married. Shame it wasn’t me.”

“I know. Now, I’ll never get to experience your oral skills.”

Her smile is wicked. “Is your wife good? I hope for your sake, she is.”

“I don’t know. We haven’t fucked yet.”

“Wow. Dimitri Ivanov, going almost a whole week without fucking a woman. What has this world turned to?”

It startles me that she’s right. Every woman I’ve ever set my sights on has ended up in my bed by the end of the night. I’m a great charmer. But with Evie, it’s been days, and we’ve only shared a small kiss on our wedding day. Fuck, she really is changing me.

“Well,” Irina continues, “if you ever need to let off some steam, you know where to find me.” She walks away. Now, that’s a woman who knows how to let shit go. Tatiana could learn a thing or two from her.

I finish my drink and head back home.

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