Page 64 of Cruel Honor

“Ok. Well, thank you for apologizing. I appreciate it.” I try to walk past her, but she steps into my way.

“Do you want to be friends?”

“Um …” I sigh. “Tatiana, I’m not trying to be rude, but I just don’t believe you. You don’t like me. You’ve made that very clear. The last time I spoke to you, you called your father, and he tried to murder me. So, I don’t think we can ever be friends.”

She pouts. “Shame. You’re so pretty.” She runs her hand over my hair. “So dark and rich. You have gorgeous hair. I’m jealous. My hair is so thin.”

“You have nice hair, too.” I try stepping around her once more, but again, she doesn’t let me pass. “Tatiana, can I offer you some advice?”

“Do I look like I need advice?”

“Dimitri isn’t worth turning yourself into knots over. No man is.”

“Funny. I don’t see you leaving him.”

“Trust me. I’ve tried. Dimitri doesn’t want to let me go.” And for a moment tonight, I let myself believe I could be with him. But then I saw Irina, and it all came crashing back. I’m not made for Dimitri, and he’s not made for me. The sooner we realize that, the sooner we can move on from each other.

I just have to get Dimitri to see it that way—without getting sucked back into him like I’ve been doing.

“What does he see in you, I wonder,” Tatiana murmurs.

“You’d have to ask him. Now”—I nod behind her— “I’d like to leave the restroom.”

“Here.” She hands me a water bottle. “I noticed you looked like you were having trouble breathing earlier. I thought you could use the water.”

Tentatively, I take it. “Thanks, you.”

“Aren’t you going to drink?”

I study the water bottle. It’s full. The water looks clean. But I still don’t want to drink it. “I’m good.” I try handing it back to her, but she shoves the bottle back at me.

“Drink it,” she says through clenched teeth. There’s an anger in her eyes that makes me cold.

“No, thank you.”

She grabs the water bottle back and opens it. “Fine. I’ll make you drink it.” She grabs my chin and tries to open my mouth. I stumble back, but she goes with me. She manages to get the tip of the bottle into my mouth. Water fills my mouth, and before I can stop it, I swallow some of it. I try spitting out the rest, but Tatiana doesn’t stop pushing the bottle against my lips.

I shove her back, and she falters in her high heels. In no mood for a fight, I start walking for the door …

… until I stumble again and lean heavily against the counter. My head begins to swim. Instantly, I know Tatiana drugged me. I just need to get to Dimitri, and everything will be all right.

But the room refuses to stop spinning. How much was in that water bottle for me to be this affected when I only had a little bit?

Tatiana smiles smugly as I slip to the floor. “There. Now we can be friends.” She helps me stand up and slips her arm around me as we leave the restroom.

I can see Dimitri at the bar, but he has his back to me. He doesn’t see me at all. I try to call for help, but my tongue isn’t working.

I slump against Tatiana.

“God, you’re heavy,” she mutters, practically dragging me along with her.

My eyes search the room frantically for help. And that’s when I see him.

Dima.

I gasp and try to run the other way, but my shoe gets caught on something, and Tatiana pulls me roughly against her. I start to slide to the floor. With a huff, she lifts me back up.

How can Dima be here? Dimitri has to see him. He has to dosomething.

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