Page 38 of Cruel Honor

DIMITRI

To say that I wasn’t expecting to see a dead body on my front porch would be an understatement.

Because why the fuck do I have a dead body on my front porch?

The woman is young and … looks a lot like Evie, I realize. Without giving her a second glance, I hurry inside and stop when I see Evie seated on the ground, her head on her knees and Katya kneeling next to her.

“What’s going on?” I demand.

“Here.” Katya hands me a note. I read it and realize right away it’s from Dima.

Fucking Dima.

I should’ve killed him when I had the chance, and now, he’s out there killing more women and wants Evie. I need to find him and tell him Evie is mine now.

Except … he sent the dead body to my house. Not Evie’s. Which means he knows she’s staying here. He doesn’t care that she’s mine.

He still wants her.

I crumple up the note and kneel next to Evie. “Are you ok?”

“I can’t stay here,” she whispers.

“What?”

“He’s going to continue killing other women unless he kills me. I can’t stay here. I need to …”

“Need to do what?” I demand. “Give yourself over to him?”

“Yes.”

Katya gasps and grabs Evie’s knee. “You can’t.”

“I have to. He’s going to keep killing because he wants me. I can’t live with the guilt knowing I could’ve stopped this. I need to give Dima what he wants. Me.”

“And you think that will stop the killings?” I ask. “Hell no. He’s just going to continue after you’re gone.”

“Maybe, but …”

“No,” I growl. “I’m not going to let you give yourself up to that fucking madman. I’ll deal with him. You just remain here where it’s safe.”

“Nowhere is safe. Your house was shot up,” she reminds me. “I’m not safe here. I need to return to my old life.” And with that, she jumps to her feet and runs outside. I quickly follow.

She stops at the sight of the dead woman.

“I’ll call someone to …” I trail off. Normally, I’d say dispose of the body, but that seems a little harsh given the circumstances.

“Her family deserves to have her body.”

“True, but she’s on our front porch, Evie. I can’t let the police find her body here. I … I need to call one of my guys who can move … bodies. He can move her somewhere her family will find her.”

“What the hell is happening?” she whispers. “You have men at your disposable who can move dead bodies. What kind of man am I married to?”

“It’s just part of my job.”

“No.” She takes off running.

It startles me so much that I just stand there for a moment. “Evie.” Then I chase her.

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