Page 42 of King of Malice
She holds up a hand. “We work at your pace. It’s fine if for today, we just get to know each other.”
My shoulders go limp. “That’s good. I was really nervous. I mean, I’m sure I need to be here. I grew up in foster care and some of the stuff that happened—” I stop, realizing I’m already going into it. Is there part of me that really wants to get this out? My past has been a poison, festering my whole life.
“Anything you want to talk about?”
I shake my head. “I had one friend that I made after my mom died, and we were in a lot of homes together. But lately she’s been pulling away, more and more.”
Hope frowns. “Sometimes change means shedding the past.”
I shake my head, knowing she’s right. “She’s my family.”
“Tell me about her.”
I do. I tell her about how Cadence stood up for me and how I’d cover for her when she got in trouble and before I know it, I’m building toward that day that everything changed for me.
This wasn’t the plan, I barely know Hope, but I think the memory has been festering and Dimitri has brought my feelings even closer to the surface. The poison is bursting to get out.
Which is likely why the words are tumbling out. “I took a shower after school. When I got out, I wrapped my hair in a towel.” I know it seems like a nothing detail, but it explains where I was at mentally. “And then I put on this full-length robe that belonged to my foster mom. She told me to wear it in the hall, so I was covered.”
I draw in a shaky gulp of air, my heart beginning to race in my chest. “I opened the door and started down the hall when, from out of nowhere, my foster father jumped me.”
My throat burns as much as my eyes. The walls that keep these secrets are especially weak lately and I feel myself going places I never wanted to visit again. “I thought he’d mistaken me for his wife. You know? The towel on my head, the robe. I said,Hank, it’s me. It’s Ava, even as he yanked open the robe and tugged down his pants.”
My chest is heaving, and tears have started streaming down my face. I can’t keep them in anymore. “He smacked me and told me to shut up and then?—”
The room spins and I can’t catch my breath.
“Put your head between your knees,” Hope softly commands as she comes to my side.
I do as I’m instructed, but as I tip forward the room is spinning terribly, and I fall onto the floor with a thump.
“Ava,” Hope cries. “Are you all right?”
That’s when the door bursts open, Dimitri appearing in my line of vision. Before I can say a word, he’s sweeping me into his arms, cradling me against his body.
“Hush,” he whispers against my ear, crushing me to his chest.
I press into him, my wet cheek sinking into the hollow of his neck. “I said too much too soon. I’m just too raw…”
“I know, my love. But I’m here, and you’re safe with me.”
I snake a hand around his neck. “Promise?”
“No man will ever hurt you again. Promise.” He squeezes me tighter as I breathe in his scent.
My heart stops racing, my breathing growing even again as I keep my eyes closed. I hear them discussing me. Another appointment…a safety check, but I can’t keep the words in my head.
Only one thought fills my mind.
When did Dimitri Ivanov start feeling like home, and what am I going to do?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ava
We return backto Dimitri’s apartment, him leaving for work, me spending the day with Anna. During Anna’s nap time and additional services, I try to squeeze in her nanny search and keep up with work emails and requests.
But in terms of finding Anna a nanny, or any of my work, my heart isn’t that into it. I like it here, if I’m being totally honest.
