Page 31 of Cruel Honor

His hand clenches around his glass. “No. My wife made me a better man. I promised I would make peace with you, and I have. I don’t need to start any new wars. I’m still dealing with Anton.”

Anton was Nikolai’s second in command who gave him the scaracross his face. He tried killing Nik but didn’t succeed. No one’s seen him since.

“But Anton is in the wind. In the meantime, you can help me with my problem. No bloodshed. No starting wars. Just you and me and Maxim talking to Abram and getting him to back off.”

“You spoke to Maxim about this? Is he in on it?”

Maxim is the third piece in our partnership. He’s the president of the Knights, a biker gang who helps with gun and drug shipments. He’s almost as pretty as me. Almost.

“I wanted to talk to you first,” I say. “He’ll do it if you’re a part of it.”

He sighs and runs his hand down his face, making his scar redder. It doesn’t ruin his good looks. I know some women love the rugged, stern look of a man. But I’ll take my pretty boy looks any day of the week.

“Fine,” he grumbles. “I’ll do it if it means no bloodshed. Just to talk.”

“Just to talk,” I say, my hands raising in surrender. “I swear. I don’t need Abram’s blood on my hands either. I could have killed him already, but I chose not to.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. Dimitri Ivanov showing some restraint for once.”

“I’m trying to be a better person, too.” I pause. “Well, mostly I’m just trying to keep Abram from destroying my club and house. I happen to like those things, you know?”

“Oh, I know. I’ll join you, Dimitri. But if things turn sour, I’m holding you responsible.”

“Deal.” I tap the table, then stand up.

“Where you off to?”

“I’m heading back home. My future bride is waiting for me.”

EVIE

I pace around the guestroom for what feels like hours. I can still hearKatya screaming down the hallway for Dimitri to let her out, but he doesn’t.

He doesn’t let me out either.

I should be terrified, but all I can think about is that if Dimitri doesn’t let me go, I won’t be able to make my shift at the library tomorrow. I never miss a shift unless I’m sick, and even then, I’ll usually work on online things for the library from home.

How did my life turn out like this? Held in a room by a crazy mobster who wants me to marry him to protect me from a serial killer. It’s something right out of a novel, but it’s my real life.

I slump onto the bed, too tired to yell anymore.

I hear when Dimitri returns home. His footsteps aren’t exactly quiet, and the fact that he’s whistling to himself makes him obvious. How can he be so nonchalant about everything?

He raps on my door then opens it. “How you doing?”

“Considering you locked me in here, pretty well for the circumstances.” Just a few hours ago, I was stuttering in front of this man. That has all changed. We’re past the point of being awkward around each other.

Dimitri smirks. God, it makes him more handsome, and I blush. “Well, tomorrow, we’re getting married. Might as well get it over with. I need to stake my claim before Dima tries to get you again. Sound good?”

“No, not good,” I say, sitting up. “You’re an incredibly brazen man, Dimitri.”

“Brazen? Good word choice.”

“You are arrogant?—”

“I know.”

“And conceited?—”

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