Page 59 of Cruel Honor

“Good thing you saved me again, I guess.”

“Are you angry with me?”

“Dimitri,” I sigh. “I just want to feel safe. I just want my old life back.”

“You’re mine now, Evie. Your old life is gone. It’s time you learn that.”

“You know, I could’ve told the police about you.”

He tenses. “What?”

“I went to the police and told them about Dima. Juno gave them your name, but I didn’t tell them anything about you. I could have. I chose not to.”

“Why not?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. I just know I don’t want to see you behind bars. But that doesn’t mean I want to be your prisoner. You’ve taken my agency, Dimitri, and I want it back.”

“I don’t even know what that word means,” he admits.

For some reason, that makes me smile.

“Come on,” he says softly. “Let me take you home. Let me make this right with you.” He holds out his hand.

I want to resist him.

But I find myself taking his hand. “This doesn’t mean we’re good.”

“Oh, I know. I’m going to spank you for leaving and putting yourself in danger.”

His words send a flutter straight to my core.

I’m not sure if he’s just teasing me or telling the truth, and that’s what makes Dimitri scary.

But it’s also what makes him thrilling.

Chapter

Nine

EVIE

Turns out, Dimitri was telling the truth about the spanking.

“Get on the bed,” he orders. “Face down.”

“You’re not going to spank me for leaving,” I say, aghast.

“Oh, yes, I am. You need to learn, Evie, that you’re mine. You’re not going anywhere. So, if a spanking is what it takes, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

I stare down at the bed, wondering if I can truly lie down. If I can truly accept a …spankingfrom Dimitri. “I’m not a child. I don’t need to be punished for my actions. And besides, I don’t believe in punishing children. So, this entire thing is ridiculous, and I won’t do it.” I cross my arms, thinking that’s that.

Dimitri stalks toward me. The urge to run is strong, but I plant my feet, staring him down. “You seem to struggle with the concept of staying put. So, if this teaches you that lesson, then that’s just what has to happen.” Quickly, he grabs me around the waist and places me onto the bed.

I gasp. I’m on my back, looking up at him hovering over me, andit’s not lost on me that we’re so close. That he could kiss me in this position. That he could do a whole lot more than justkissme.

Dimitri’s eyes darken, and his hands tighten on my hips, making me gasp. A rush of heat floods through me. There’s no denying my body likes Dimitri. It’s my mind that’s the problem.

Or my mind knows my body shouldn’t like Dimitri.

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