Page 68 of Shatter Me

“Good.” Her voice is soft but firm. “You should be a little scared. Not of Dmitri—he’ll protect you with his life. But some dangerous people have been waiting for an opportunity like this.”

“An opportunity for what?”

Before she can answer, both our phones buzz simultaneously. Sofia checks hers first, her face paling slightly.

“Dmitri’s two minutes out,” she says, gathering her things. “Promise me something?”

I nod, still trying to process everything.

“Don’t go anywhere without letting him know. Not even to the corner store. Not right now.”

“You make it sound like I’m in danger.”

Sofia’s silence is more terrifying than any answer she could give.

The cafe door bursts open, and Dmitri strides in, his usual perfect composure nowhere to be seen. His dark hair is disheveled, like he’s been repeatedly running his fingers through it. His tie is slightly askew, which I’ve never witnessed before.

“We need to go. Now.” His ice-blue eyes scan the cafe, focusing on each patron before settling back on me.

“What’s going on?” I stand but plant my feet. “I’m not moving until you explain.”

“Tash.” His voice carries that edge of command that usually makes me shiver. Today, it makes me bristle. “The car. Please.”

“No.” I cross my arms. “You don’t get to just sweep in here and?—”

He steps closer, and I catch his familiar scent of sandalwood and masculine musk. “I will explain everything, but not here. Not where anyone can hear.”

“The article isn’t that bad,” I start, but he cuts me off with a sharp laugh.

“If it was just the article, we wouldn’t have this conversation.” His hand finds my lower back, urgent but gentle. “Please,kulkolka. Trust me.”

Something in his tone makes my protest die in my throat. I’ve never seen him like this, noting the barely contained energy and his messed up hair.

“Fine.” I grab my purse, letting him guide me toward the door. “But this better be good.”

Sofia catches my eye as we leave, her expression unreadable. Dmitri’s hand never leaves my back as he steers me toward the waiting car, and for the first time since this started, real fear begins to curl in my stomach.

The car door clicks shut, and Akim smoothly pulls away from the curb. I turn to Dmitri, my patience evaporating.

“Explain. Now.”

He stares straight ahead, jaw clenched. His knuckles whiten as he grips his phone.

“Dmitri.” I grab his wrist. “What’s going on? And don’t tell me it’s just about that article.”

He won’t look at me. Won’t even turn his head. This calculated silence only feeds my growing anger.

“So this is how it’s going to be? You drag me out of a cafe like there’s a bomb about to go off, but now you can’t even look at me?”

His phone buzzes. He checks it, types something rapid-fire, and then resumes his statue impression.

“Stop the car,” I demand. “If you don’t talk to me, I’m leaving.”

“Tash.” It’s barely a whisper.

“No. I’m done with this cryptic bullshit. Either tell me what’s happening or let me out.”

Finally, he turns to face me. The raw emotion in his eyes stops my breath. I’ve never seen him look so... haunted.

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