Page 90 of Cruel Honor

Without a word, Dimitri places his hand on my knee and just holds it there. I don’t push it away. Instead, I lean in closer to his touch.

“I’ve never been to the beach before,” I say, trying to force Tatiana from my mind.

“What?” Katya exclaims from the backseat. “You never told me that.”

“Never seemed important before.”

“How come?” Dimitri asks.

“My dad never had the money or time to take off work. But he would make sure we did fun things together. Going to Central Park was a common thing for us.”

“You miss your dad?”

“I miss him every day,” I respond, feeling the tears sting my eyes.

“Our dad was an asshole,” Dimitri admits. “Don’t miss him at all.”

“I sometimes miss him,” Katya says. “He wasn’t mean to me. Only you.”

“Guess that’s why I don’t miss him.”

I place my hand over Dimitri’s hand on my knee. “That must be sad. To not even miss your own dad.”

He shrugs. “It’s my way of life. You get used to disappointments.” He turns his charming grin onto me. “But you, Evie, are not a disappointment. You’re the best thing that has happened to me in a while.”

I try not to let my heart flutter at his words, but my heart flutters anyway.

The beach house isn’t really a house.

It’s a mansion on a cliff, overlooking the ocean. Nothing but the best for the Ivanovs.

“I’m going for a swim,” Katya announces, stripping off her dress.

“Woah, jeez,” Dimitri mutters, covering his eyes. “Brother present.”

She rolls her eyes. “I have a bikini on, asshole.” It’s blue and skimpy and looks perfect on her.

He drops his hand. “Whew. You had me scared there for a second. And you’re not going to the beach alone. We’re coming with.” He turns to me. “Do you have a bikini on underneath your dress?”

“Sorry to disappoint you. But I’ll go change.” I grab my suitcase and head into the bathroom.

The moment I step into the bathroom, memories of Tatiana hit me all over again. I stumble and lean against the counter. There’s blood on the floor.

I gasp and back away, only to realize there’s nothing there.

It’s all in my mind.

A knock on the door makes me scream. “Evie?”

It’s just Dimitri.

“Are you all right in there?”

I could tell him I’m fine, but I’m not. Whether I want to admit it or not, I know I want Dimitri in here with me.

Before I lose my nerve, I open the door, and he’s standing there in all his handsome glory.

“You’re not changed,” he says, his eyes sweeping over me.

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