Page 4 of Cruel Honor

“Of course. You just rarely come to the library.”

“That’s because it’s boring,” she groans, dropping her head back dramatically. “I’m bored.”

“Then go do something. I’ll be off in an hour.” We leave the restroom. I find a cart full of books and start pushing it toward a stack. Everyone helps keep the library running. If you find something to do, do it. I place a book on the shelf after finding the right call number.

“You know I can’t just go do something. My brother won’t let me do anything fun.” She crosses her arms. “He’s such a hypocrite. He gets to go out every night to his stupid club while I have to remain back home like a good little girl.” She shudders. “I’m not a girl anymore.”

“You’re twenty,” I remind her. “He can’t legally control you.”

Her eyes darken. “In my world, he does.”

I stare at Katya with curiosity. I know she comes from a different culture than me. I always just assumed it was because her family is Russian, and they have different standards for women, but … I always wonder if there’s something else. She rarely talks about her life except to complain about her brother. The librarian in me wants to learn more, to really ask her why her brother is so controlling, but I know Katya. She won’t tell me unless she wants to. She’s a talker, but she’s not an open book.

“And what about you?” She nudges my arm. “It’s not like you’re going out, living a crazy life.”

“That’s because I prefer books to people.”

“Evie, you haven’t even kissed anyone yet.”

My face flushes as I shush her. “Not so loud.”

“I’m just saying.”

“Oh, and you have? I know you always complain that you’re not allowed to date.”

“I’m not. My brother would kill any man who tried to touch me.”

I set another book on the shelf. “I’m afraid to ask if you mean that literally or if you’re just being dramatic.”

She grabs a book of the cart and waves it around. “Literally, Evie. I mean it literally.”

I still think she’s being dramatic. “Katya, you have your own agency. Live your life for yourself. That’s what I’m doing.”

“By keeping yourself locked up in books and not out in the real world?”

“I happen to love books. They’re my safe place.”

Katya’s eyes soften. “I know. But, Evie … it’s been years now.”

I turn away from her as tears threaten to spill out. “Doesn’t mean I don’t miss him every day.”

“I know. I lost my dad, too. But, Evie, he wouldn’t want you to stay cooped up in the library all day.”

“I’m not.” I face her again. “Half the time I’m at school. Or at home.”

“With Juno,” she mutters.

“Why do you say her name like that?”

“Because your stepmom is a bitch.”

I push the cart of books to another aisle. “Juno can be … a lot sometimes, but she was there for me after my dad died. That’s what matters. I can’t hate her for that.”

“But I know she expects you to come home right after work or school. She doesn’t let you live either. I think you should ignore her ass and go out more. With me.” She smiles again.

“I listen to my stepmom, and you listen to your brother. It’s not so different.”

“Mmm.” There’s a look in her eye that says she doesn’t agree with me, but she doesn’t voice it. “Well, anyway, I have to get back home soon. Dimitri only lets me come to the library because he doesn’t thinkany man could hurt me here. His words: ‘Only dweebs and dorks go to the library, and they’re not a threat to you.’” She rolls her eyes. “He’s such an ass.”

---