Page 133 of Cognac Villain

But there is nothing for me to come clean about. I haven’t done anything wrong. There’s no need to tell him anything. The woman who was engaged to Mikhail doesn’t exist anymore.

Cordelia is dead.

“I didn’t want to be.”

His nostrils flare. “Could’ve fooled me.”

For the second time in as many minutes, I’m about to hit a man. “I punched him in the face!”

“Not soon enough.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I snort. “I didn’t realize I’m supposed to assault every man who even approaches me.”

“Noteveryman, no. But any man who corners you in a club. Any man who puts his hands on you. Any man who isn’t me.”

His amber eyes practically glow in the dark. I try to squirm away from him, if only to draw some more oxygen into my body. “I asked you to come with me. And I think punching him in the face made it perfectly clear I didn’t want to be here with him. I don’t know why you’re mad.”

“Because I wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight.” He bites his lower lip. When he looks at me, I don’t think he’s seeing me. He’s replaying the scene in his head—Mikhail cornering me against the wall, the shadows beckoning. “I’m mad because you were supposed to be safe here, but you always seem to find yourself in trouble.”

I swallow down angry words. Mostly because I don’t think I have the energy to speak to them. Not when it’s taking every ounce of strength just to keep from shivering. “I was taking care of it.”

But my voice sounds as weak as I feel. It isn’t true.

This altercation tonight isn’t like the night Ivan and I met at his party. That man, Stefanos whatever, was a drunk nuisance, but one I could handle. But tonight… with Mikhail…

I was in trouble.

I didn’t have a choice. He forced me away from everyone like it was easy. He made it look like we were dancing. Anyone who saw us together probably thought Iwantedto be there.

I was helpless.

And then what? Would anyone have seen us leave? If I turned up missing, would Ivan think I ran away from him?

There are worse questions, too.Mikhail found me.I ran away. I changed my name. But he found me anyway.

Which means my stepfather won’t be far behind.

My head swims with fear. I’m split between the urge to sprint out of this room and run for the hills or collapse into a pile on the floor.

What am I supposed to do?

“Cora.” Ivan’s voice is firm. He plucks up my hands and places them flat on his chest. “Breathe.”

My inhale is raspy. I want to do it better, but I can’t. I can’t breathe. I’m going to suffocate here, drowning in uncertainty.

Who can I trust?

Will I ever be safe again?

“No one is going to hurt you,” he growls. “No one is going to lay a hand on you while I’m around.”

His hands on my body feel so right. So real. He is the only person I want near me right now. The only person I trust.

He ducks his head. “Tell me you’re alright.”

I can’t. I’mnotalright. But I want to be. At least for a little while.

I grab his arm and arch against him. “Dance with me.”

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