Page 16 of Sinful Promise

I text Katsia, asking her to come over. I text Papa to let her in.

Ten minutes later, there is a light knock on my door, and Katsia quietly slips inside my room.

“Katsia!” I run to her and give her a hug.

She sets her purse on the dresser. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. You know Andrian. I can’t imagine his hands on me. You’ve had sex. Tell me what it’s like.”

“It’s better than doing it yourself if you’re with the right man.” She gives me a knowing smirk, and I get it. It must be like the romance novels I read.

“I wanted to lose my virginity to someone special…” My voice trails off.

“I know,” she says quietly. Her face is drawn, and I know she’s only holding herself together so I don’t freak out again.

“Wait! What if he only wants me because I’m a virgin? If I give it to someone else, he might change his mind!” I grab her arms in excitement.

“Wow, you’re right. Andrian’s a pig. I bet he’d love to have a young virgin under him,” she says, making a gagging noise.

I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the visual of Andrian on top of me. “I’d rather die than have that fat, hairy fuck put his dick in me.”

“Right? I know. I’m with you. But how do we accomplish this in a few hours?”

I shrug. “How the hell do I know? Besides, what if I get pregnant? I don’t have birth control.”

“Oh, shit.” She smacks her forehead with her palm and begins to pace. “Well, if we can get to my house, I could give you mine. Then all you’d have to do is find some dude to deflower you…” She peers into my green eyes with excitement in her voice. “It’s worth a shot.”

“Great, let’s go. At least I’ll be able to make one decision in my life,” I exclaim. Finally, an opportunity to get out of this ridiculous and antiquated ritual of auctioning off daughters to pay their fathers’ debts, and I’d love nothing more than to ruin their plans.

We race to the front door, but Papa steps in front of us. “Where are you going?” he demands.

“To Katsia’s to get hair accessories,” I fib.

“No, you’re not. I don’t trust you. You’ll run off. It’s time you woke up from your dreams and realize this is your life, your destiny.” His voice is cruel, leaving me to wonder if he really hates me enough to condemn me to a life of servitude.

I shoot Katsia a look of defeat. She bows her head enough to confirm it’s pointless.

“Katsia, you may go, but Dasha stays. She needs to get ready.”

“I’ll stay,” she says, grabbing my hand, and dragging me back to the bedroom.

“Shit, now what?” I ask, shutting the door behind us.

“Okay, on your wedding night, grab tons of cold medicine or whatever and dump it in his drink. He’ll be drinking at the luncheon afterward, but at night, he’ll drink more.” She sits on the bed beside me. “Drug him,” she whispers.

And for the second time today, hope swells in my chest. It shouldn’t be that difficult to carry out.

“It will buy you enough time to sneak out and meet up with a random man. Imagine you get pregnant and Andrian thinks the kid is his. Serves him right.” She rises and walks to the door, running her hand down the wedding dress. “Your father finally gives you a new dress, and it may as well be for your funeral. What an ass.”

“Welcome to my life. What else is new? I don’t know how I missed him planning this. My only clue was yesterday, when Andrian was acting weird.” I open a drawer and take out fresh panties and a bra.

I pull my hair up into a makeshift bun.

“I don’t want to be pretty for him,” I say. “It might be my final act of rebellion before I’m punished. I’m not wearing makeup.”

She nods. “I’m so sorry, Dasha.”

“I’m so lucky to have you as a friend.” I hug her, and her arms fold around me. She holds me tight for a few seconds before we break apart.

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