Page 75 of Cruel Honor

But I know it can’t happen. Not if Dimitri is just going to let me go again.

So, I step away, and his fingers drop from my chin as he looks at me like I hurt him. He hurt me first. There’s no way I’m going to tell him that, though. Dimitri having power over me is the problem, and the solution is to not fall right back into his orbit.

“We can’t,” I whisper. “You let me go, Dimitri. I was scared tonight, leaving the library. More scared than I’ve ever been. But I want to work through that. I want to overcome that, and the only way to do that is to walk away. Is to get used to my life without you in it. Go deal with Abram and Dima. If they’re gone, then I’ll be safe. In the meantime, I have to stay away. You let me go, and you don’t get to drag me right back in.”

He rocks back on his heels and lets out a low whistle. “Man. When you let a man have it, you really let him have it. I appreciate that. You have a subtle strength to you, Evie. I like it.”

“Don’t say those things to me.”

“Why not?”

Because it’ll just make me like you more. “Just don’t.”

“I get it. I let you go like the idiotic fucker I am. And you’re right. It’s not fair of me to come back right away. I’ve always been a man who knows when to cut my losses. So, let me get you home safely, and then you’ll never have to see me again.”

Getting into Dimitri’s car seems like a bad idea, but it seems like a worse idea to walk home by myself.

So, I nod and let him smile that charming smile as he open the car door for me.

And I get inside.

“Thank you for the ride,” I tell him when we reach my house. Justbehind that door is Juno, who’s probably anxiously awaiting my return home to make her dinner. Because that’s my life again.

I try not to let that bother me.

“Evie, I know I fucked up when it came to you. I just hope you have a good life from now on.”

“Just like that? You make it sound so simple.”

His gaze sharpens. “Trust me. If I wasn’t worried about your safety, I’d throw you over my shoulder and take you right back to my house. I’d have my way with you.” He leans in closer, and I hold still. “With your consent, of course.”

“Of course,” I say breathlessly. I can’t even imagine what Dimitri having his way with me would look like. And it’s better I don’t imagine it because it can’t happen. We’re not meant to be together. It’s better if I just leave and return to my old life before I get too attached. “Well, goodbye.” I hurry out of the car before I lose my nerve.

I can feel Dimitri’s eyes on me as I reach my house. Everything inside me wants to look back at him. To lock eyes with him again. I could get so lost in those eyes of his.

But no. It can’t happen. Dimitri is a danger to me because of the men around him. I can’t live in constant danger. I just want to return to my books.

I step inside the house without looking back.

“Evelyn, you’ve come home,” Juno says from the living room. “Why don’t you get started on dinner? I’m starving.”

I can’t stop the sigh that leaves me. Right. Back to my old life. I can do this.

“I’ve come to save you,” Katya says, walking past me into my house. Not even a “Hello.” That’s Katya for you.

“Save me from what?” I ask.

“From boredom.” She plops down onto the couch, and Juno shuffles out of her bedroom, sneering at the sight of Katya.

“What are you doing here? Evelyn is trying to get away from all reminders of Dimitri.”

“Good thing I’m not Dimitri, then.” She flashes Juno a smile. It reminds me so much of Dimitri that it kind of hurts. But that’s ridiculous. I barely knew Dimitri. I can’t miss someone I barely knew.

Juno grumbles under her breath. “No. But you have the same spirit as him. I don’t like you. Evelyn just needs to focus on what’s best for this household.”

Katya crosses her arms. “Oh, yeah? And what’s that? Cooking and cleaning all day so you don’t have to do any of it?”

Juno flushes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Now, leave.”

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