Page 10 of Cruel Honor

I lean forward, more interested than I’ve been in anyone all night. “So, you’re a gold digger. Is that it?”

She giggles. It’s not grating like Sasha’s laugh. We’re off to a good start. “You could say that. Or you could say I’m a businesswoman. I’m looking to grow my assets. And you, Dimitri, are the best asset any girl could have.”

“Well, I do have a good ass.” I flash her my panty-dropping smile, and she makes a demure expression. Good. She knows how to flirt and how to play the game. “I think you’re trouble, Irina.”

“I can be trouble.”

“How so?”

She leans in close and whispers in my ear. “I’m not innocent likethese other girls. Unlike them, I know how to work a cock.” She stands back, smiling down at me like she’s won.

My cock is fully erect now. God, I love a woman who knows what she’s doing in the bedroom. Irina is perfect. She’s sexy, she presumably knows how to fuck, and her voice is a little raspy. It’s pleasing to listen to.

I think I know who my wife will be.

Tatiana, goodbye. Hello, Iri?—

I stop.

My eyes spot two women who enter the club. One of them is a cute brunette. The other is …

My sister.

What the fuck is Katya doing here?

I huff and stand up. “Excuse me, Irina.” I walk past her and head straight for my sister.

EVIE

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask as Katya and I get out of the taxi she paid for and stand before her brother’s club.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Uh, because you’ve told me yourself your brother is very controlling and he doesn’t want you going anywhere. Are we even allowed in there? We’re only twenty. We’re not old enough to drink.”

Katya rolls her eyes. “Evie, love, when I invited you out tonight, I didn’t think you’d be such a Debby Downer. Of course, we’re not old enough to legally drink, but that’s why we have fake IDs.” She hands me my own fake ID.

“Katya, this doesn’t even look like me!” The woman in the picture has gray hair and wrinkly skin. “I’m not seventy!”

She shrugs. “No one really ever pays any of the any attention. Besides, my brother owns this club. I’m allowed in here.” She grabs my shoulders. “Evie, you came out with me tonight when you rarely ever do. I’m so grateful for that. Now, get that stick out of your ass, and let’s have some fun!”

I think back to right before I left when I told Juno I was heading out for the night. She gave me such a long, cold look that I doubted everything. But then she spoke: “No man will mess with you. You’re not pretty enough. So, go out. I’m not worried. Just don’t get yourself killed.”

That solidified my decision to leave. Juno was constantly making jabs at me. I couldn’t take it any longer.

But now that I’m here, staring up at the club and hearing the music from within, all I can think is: What have I gotten myself into?

Katya is with me, though, and thisisher brother’s club. We’ll be safe.

We approach the bouncer.

“Invitations,” he grunts.

We don’t have any invitations. “I thought this was a club,” I say quietly to Katya.

“It is, but my brother is hosting a special event.” She flashes her perfect smile at the bouncer. “I’m Dimitri Ivanov’s sister, Katya. I’m welcome inside.”

“If you say so. But she”—he nods at me— “needs an invitation.”

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