Page 27 of Cruel Honor

Until Abram decides to pull the trigger.

It hits the door right as Dimitri slams it shut. “All right. Wasn’t expecting that.”

“You weren’t expecting Abram to attack?” Katya screeches. “How dense can you be?”

“Fine. I figured he’d do something, but I didn’t think he’d come here to do it. To my fucking home. That bastard.”

“What do we do?” I ask. Juno clings to me, and I let her even though her touch feels stifling.

“We get away from the door and windows.” He motions us into the living room. “Hunker down next to the couch. It’ll act as a barrier. I’ll go deal with him.”

I feel the strange urge to tell Dimitri to be careful, but I don’t care for him, I remind myself. He’s trying to force me into a marriage. I can’t care for him.

Even though he did save my life. Even though he’s charming and so handsome that it’s hard to almost look at him.

Another gunshot echoes through the air. The wood of the front door splatters, but it holds strong.

Juno leans into me. “Are we going to die? That lunatic could have shot me! Why is he shooting at us!”

“Because he’s deranged,” Katya explains. “Now, be quiet and let my brother save us. If we just stay here, we’ll be all right.”

“But, but—” Juno panics.

“Be quiet!” Katya snaps again. Fortunately, Juno falls silent. I give Katya a grateful smile—well, as best as I can when we’re in danger.

DIMITRI

“What the fuck are you doing, Abram?” I shout through the front door.

“I told you there would be consequences. This is me going to war.” He fires off another gunshot. I can hear it hit the door, but it doesn’t go through. I have this house reinforced with the strongest materials to prevent shit like this from happening.

I knew Abram would do something, but coming to my house is a low blow. Katya could have been shot. Evie could have been shot. Even though I just met her, I feel a strong sense of protectiveness for her. No one has ever made me feel that before. I’m not normally a man who believes in signs, but that’s a sign, for sure.

Abram falls silent.

I look through the peephole to see what he’s doing and watch as he heads back to his car and retrieves a large ass machine gun. Shit, shit, shit. I may have a strong front door, but even it can’t sustain a gun like that.

I run away from the door right as he starts firing. Bullets spray right through the wood and land on the wall opposite. I dive to the ground and take cover, but I’m out in the open. I scurry on my stomach to the living room.

“What the hell was that?” Katya asks.

“So, he has a machine gun now.”

“What!?”

“Shh,” I tell her. “We need to leave. Now.”

“You don’t have a machine gun?” Evie asks.

“It’s cute that you’d ask that, but no. Now, come on.” I stand up and offer Evie my hand. This time, she decides to take it.

“What about me?” Juno complains, but I ignore her. With a sigh,Katya grabs Juno’s arms, lifting her up. The four of us run in the direction of the back door, but we still have to pass through the kitchen to get to it.

The problem, I can hear the front door open and Abram’s boots on the hardwood.

“You’re going to pay for not marrying my Tatiana,” Abram shouts.

“This way,” I whisper, motioning the women into the kitchen. The back door is right there.

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