Page 74 of Cruel Honor

“Don’t talk to her.” Dimitri kicks Dima in the stomach. Dima doesn’t even react.

“Just get him away from here,” I say. “You can’t kill him here. Too many security cameras.”

“You’re right.” He crouches beside Dima. “You know, buddy. I’ve been looking forward to killing you for a while now. Sorry the fun has to end.” He grabs Dima’s shirt and pulls him up.

But Dima whips out a knife and chucks it at me. I gasp and stumble back, narrowly avoiding getting hit. Dimitri gets distracted, and Dima rips himself out of his grasp and runs away.

“Are you ok?” Dimitri asks me.

“Go after him. I’m fine.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re not fine.” He points to the cut on my arm. I didn’t even realize it happened.

“You need to go after Dima, Dimitri.”

“Not when you’re hurt.”

“He could have killed me tonight.” I pause. “It was a good thing you were here.” I look Dimitri over, noticing he actually looks a little embarrassed. When has Dimitri ever looked embarrassed? “What were you doing here exactly?”

“Saving you again. Come on. I have some bandages in my car. Younever know when you’re gonna need them.” He hurries to his car. Slowly, I follow.

“How did you know I needed saving again?”

“You want me to admit I came to the library just to see you? Then, sure. I’ll admit it.” He pulls out a box from the backseat and grabs a roll of white bandage. Ripping some of it off, he wraps it around my arm. His fingers linger on my bare skin, and it makes me tremble slightly. Dimitri’s touch is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

It would be so easy to step closer to him. I want to feel his arms around me again like when we danced.

I want to have a proper first kiss with him.

Dimitri notices it, too. He doesn’t move his fingers from my arm.

“Why did you come to see me?” I ask. “You let me go, remember?”

“How could I forget? I’ve never cared before if a woman was in my life or not. But with you, Evie … Fuck. I care.”

“So, then, why let me go in the first place?”

“I thought I was keeping you safe. You’re still safer not being with me. Abram won’t come for you.”

“But Dima still tried to. And you still didn’t manage to kill him.”

“That’s because he hurt you, and I couldn’t stand for that.” He flashes me his charming smile. “I am your protector after all.”

I huff and shake my head, but there’s a small smile to my lips. “You’re too …”

“Too what?”

“Charming,” I admit. “And thank you. For saving me again.”

“I do have a guard watching you. He would’ve stopped Dima from getting to you, but I was here and thought, What the hell? Might as well save her myself once again.”

We share an electric charged look that sends shockwaves over my body. I wonder if Dimitri feels it, too.

He steps closer to me, his hand tightening on my arm. “Evie.” He places his fingers under my chin.

He’s going to kiss me, I realize.

I want it to happen. I want it more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.

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