Page 21 of Cruel Honor

She’s not safe on her own.

She needs a protector.

She needs someone like … me.

Evie finally answers my question. “No. I live with my stepmom.”

“No boyfriend?”

“No.”

I have to ask. “Husband?”

She scoffs. “No.”

“Good. Then I need to tell you something, and I doubt you’re going to like it.”

“What?” She turns to me, holding her dress closed. She looks so vulnerable that I almost feel guilty that I’m about to ruin her life.

But her life was already ruined the moment Dima set his sights onto her.

“I’m looking for a wife,” I tell her.

“… Ok?”

“I want you to be that wife.”

She blinks and then begins to laugh. It goes on for a long time, with her laughter becoming increasingly loud until she finally calms down. “I’m sorry … What?”

“Actually, I’m not asking. I’m telling you. You’re going to be my wife, Evie.”

“What? Why?” She tries opening the door again, but it’s still locked. “Let me out, Dimitri.”

“I need a wife. You need protection. It’s the only way to guarantee Dima doesn’t try and kill you again.”

That gets her to stop and face me. “What?”

“He won’t stop. He’ll try again. You’re his target now. But he won’t come after you if I’m protecting you.”

“Then why can’t you just protect me? Why marry me?”

“Because he needs to know you’re mine.” I pause. “Also, I need to get this pesky fucker off my back. He wants me to marry his daughter, and I hate her so …”

“So, you need to marry someone else instead.”

“Exactly.”

“Why not choose a woman you know? One you love?”

“Because I don’t love anyone.” The moment those words leave me, I realize just how pathetic is sounds. Fuck, I’m a pussy. “Well, except for Katya, but she’s my sister, and that would be awkward.”

For the first time since meeting her, Evie smiles slightly. “That would be awkward. Incest is illegal.”

“Exactly. You’re smart. I like that in a woman.”

“Really?”

“Why do you sound so surprised?”

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