Page 24 of Cruel Honor

“Obviously,” he responds flatly before turning his gaze onto me. “Evie is the furthest from plain I’ve ever seen.”

“Why do I feel like you’ve used that line before,” I manage to say.

He smirks, and I hate to admit it—it makes him look more handsome. “I’m a charmer, what can I say?”

“If you love women so much, Dimitri, then marry one of them instead. I mean, you were literally hosting a ball to find a wife earlier. Go back to them.”

“But it’s you I want.”

I gasp. “Why me?”

“Honestly? I have no fucking clue why I’m drawn to you. The only reason I saved you tonight was because you’re Katya’s friend. But I saw you on that table, and I knew I had to make you mine. And that’s what I’m going to do. This would all be easier if you just agreed to it. I don’t want to have to kidnap you. I don’t think that would start this relationship off very well.”

He’s not wrong. I could agree to it for some crazy reason. He does have a good point that Dima is still out there. If Dimitri won’t go to the police or let me go, then maybe I can convince Dimitri to take action against Dima himself.

But then I’d have to be married to him, and how can I marry a stranger? Albeit, a very handsome, charming stranger.

He is Katya’s brother. If there’s anyone I need to speak to, it’s her.

“Take me to Katya,” I say.

“Why? My sister isn’t a part of this.”

“Just take me to her. Please.”

Dimitri’s eyes soften, and he nods. “Fine. Let’s go.”

“Wait,” Juno says, grabbing his arm. “I can’t just let you come in here and take my stepdaughter away.”

He scoffs. “As if you care. You literally just tried to get me to marry you. Now, I’m all for bad girls, but I’m not interested.” He holds his hand out to me. “Evie?”

I walk past Juno and Dimitri, not taking his hand. If I’m going to make a decision, I’m doing it on my own terms.

Juno looks at me like I’m crazy as I get back into Dimitri’s car. For once, I wish she would be a good stepmom and actually try to help me out. But that’s asking too much of her.

Our eyes remain locked as Dimitri begins to drive the car away. It’s only when we turn a corner that I lose sight of her.

“Here we are,” Dimitri says, pulling into the driveway of a huge mansion. I didn’t even know New York had these kinds of home in the middle of the city, but here we are.

I’m silent as Dimitri walks me inside the house. I still don’t know how to feel or what to do. Everything is happening so fast.

My dress is still cut apart, and I have to fold my arms across my body to keep it closed. I didn’t think to grab a dress back at Juno’s. Dimitri, to his credit, doesn’t eye me over. I would’ve expected that with a man like him, but I appreciate his respect. I didn’t know he had any.

We walk into the living room and find Katya chilling on the couch, scrolling on her phone. Her eyes widen when she sees us.

“Oh my god! Evie!” She rushes right over to me and hugs me tight. “Dimitri saved you. I’ve been scouring the internet for news about you. Thank god, you’re alive.”

I hug her back tightly. It’s nice to have my best friend again. “I saw him hurt you. I’m just glad you’re ok, too.”

We pull apart.

Katya gently taps my arm. “You know me. Nobody can keep me down.”

“Don’t I know it,” Dimitri grumbles.

She takes in my state of undress. “Oh my god. What happened?”

“I just need new clothes.”

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