Page 73 of Cruel Honor

But it’s taking everything in me not to run inside, grab her, and bring her back home with me.

I know I’ll never be able to get Evie off my mind. She’s planted herself inside my head, and she’s stuck there.

I’m about to drive away when I see her leave the library. She’s so fucking beautiful; it hurts. She doesn’t notice me. For the first time since meeting her, I can tell she looks more at ease. It’s a good look on her.

I just wish I could make her feel that way with me.

Then I spy him.

Dima.

He’s sitting on the front steps of the library. His back is to Evie, so she doesn’t see him.

But I know I have to act. I get out of the car before I can stop myself.

I’m off to save Evie once more.

Chapter

Eleven

EVIE

The night is cool but not cold—it’s perfect.

I remember walking from the library at night back to my house. It was always relaxing.

But tonight, it’s the opposite.

Now that I know the dangers of this world, I don’t want to take this walk. My eyes scour over every dark shadow. Every nook and cranny someone could be hiding in.

Nothing feels safe to me anymore.

Taking in a deep breath, I start walking down the front steps of the library.

And that’s when I see him.

Dimitri.

My heart stutters and starts up again. What is he doing here? He let me go, and I’ve been trying to push him from my mind. I can’t let myself be happy at the sight of him. Dimitri and I don’t have a future. I have to remember that.

“What …” I start to say, but then I see that Dimitri isn’t even coming for me.

He’s running past me toward …

I turn around.

Dima.

He’s there, hiding in the shadow. Dimitri runs right for him, but Dima takes off running in the opposite direction.

Dimitri picks up his speed and manages to grab Dima, and he tosses him down onto the library steps. “You’re not surviving this night,” Dimitri growls. His gun looks so small in the darkness.

But I know he can’t just kill Dima on the steps of the public library. Even though it’s nighttime, there are still people around and security cameras everywhere.

“Wait,” I say, running over. “You can’t kill him here.”

Dima smiles up at us. His grin mixed with the darkness makes his face look even more wild. “Hi, Evie.”

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