Page 11 of Cruel Honor

Katya links her arm through mine. “She’s with me, so she doesn’t. And Dimitri can throw us out if he wants to, so you won’t get into trouble. Let us inside.”

With a deep sigh, the bouncer nods and steps aside, allowing us to enter.

Katya lets out a little squeal. “I can’t believe he actually let us in!”

Now that we’re inside, my mind is a little blown. The club doesn’t look anything like I imagined a club to look like. Everything is so elegant and refined and beautiful. The club is filled with women in ballgowns. I feel a little out of place in my summer dress, but it’s all I had. Even Katya is underdressed in a tight blue number that ends above her knees.

We stand out and not in the good way.

“Shoot,” she mumbles. “He did say it was a ball. Sorry. I should’ve told you.”

“Katya, we’re not dressed for a place like this. I mean … look at me.” I motion toward my dress, which has simple straps and flares out around my thighs. It’s no ballgown. “Maybe we shouldn’t be here.”

“Evie, we’re going to have fun. That’s what tonight is about. Besides, this is my brother’s club. If we’re going to be safe anywhere, it would be here. Don’t worry. Now, let’s grab a drink and start dancing.”

“With our fake IDs.”

“Yes!”

Katya leads us to the bar, but before we can make it, a man marches right toward us.

A very intimidatingly handsome man.

“Katya!” he barks, making us both jump.

“Shoot,” she mutters.

“Do you know him?” I ask.

By the way she looks chagrined, I have my answer. “It’s my brother, Dimitri.”

I look at Dimitri with more curiosity. I’m finally going to meet a family member of Katya’s.

“Katya,” he growls once he reaches us. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“It’s a party!” She throws her arms out wide and smiles dazzlingly.

“It’s my party, and you’re not invited. You’re supposed to be at home. Safe.”

“And this place isn’t safe? You’re here.”

He huffs and crosses his arms. “I know I’m here, but I’m kind of busy trying to find a fucking wife. And you just interrupted my time with a very sexy woman.”

Katya shudders. “Ugh, you’re disgusting. And I don’t care that you’re trying to find a wife. I’m here with Evie, and we’re going to dance the night away. So, just leave us be.” She waves her hand at him in a shooing motion.

Except it doesn’t make Dimitri leave. It does the opposite.

He turns the full force of his handsome face onto me. “Evie? I think I’ve heard your name before. You’re Katya’s friend?”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. I’ve never been tongue-tied in the presence of a man before.

But then again, I don’t really spend much time talking to men, especially handsome ones. The people who work at the library are mostly women except for a few older men, but those men are like family.

Dimitri … isn’t.

“Yes, she is,” Katya says, throwing her arm around my shoulders. “I’ve talked about her before, Dimitri. Don’t you ever pay attention?”

“No,” he says flatly. “I kind of zone out when you talk. It’s easier that way.”

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