Page 11

Chapter

Eleven

EVIE

T he night is cool but not cold—it’s perfect.

I remember walking from the library at night back to my house. It was always relaxing.

But tonight, it’s the opposite.

Now that I know the dangers of this world, I don’t want to take this walk. My eyes scour over every dark shadow. Every nook and cranny someone could be hiding in.

Nothing feels safe to me anymore.

Taking in a deep breath, I start walking down the front steps of the library.

And that’s when I see him.

Dimitri.

My heart stutters and starts up again. What is he doing here? He let me go, and I’ve been trying to push him from my mind. I can’t let myself be happy at the sight of him. Dimitri and I don’t have a future. I have to remember that.

“What …” I start to say, but then I see that Dimitri isn’t even coming for me .

He’s running past me toward …

I turn around.

Dima.

He’s there, hiding in the shadow. Dimitri runs right for him, but Dima takes off running in the opposite direction.

Dimitri picks up his speed and manages to grab Dima, and he tosses him down onto the library steps. “You’re not surviving this night,” Dimitri growls. His gun looks so small in the darkness.

But I know he can’t just kill Dima on the steps of the public library. Even though it’s nighttime, there are still people around and security cameras everywhere.

“Wait,” I say, running over. “You can’t kill him here.”

Dima smiles up at us. His grin mixed with the darkness makes his face look even more wild. “Hi, Evie.”

“Don’t talk to her.” Dimitri kicks Dima in the stomach. Dima doesn’t even react.

“Just get him away from here,” I say. “You can’t kill him here. Too many security cameras.”

“You’re right.” He crouches beside Dima. “You know, buddy. I’ve been looking forward to killing you for a while now. Sorry the fun has to end.” He grabs Dima’s shirt and pulls him up.

But Dima whips out a knife and chucks it at me. I gasp and stumble back, narrowly avoiding getting hit. Dimitri gets distracted, and Dima rips himself out of his grasp and runs away.

“Are you ok?” Dimitri asks me.

“Go after him. I’m fine.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re not fine.” He points to the cut on my arm. I didn’t even realize it happened.

“You need to go after Dima, Dimitri.”

“Not when you’re hurt.”

“He could have killed me tonight.” I pause. “It was a good thing you were here.” I look Dimitri over, noticing he actually looks a little embarrassed. When has Dimitri ever looked embarrassed? “What were you doing here exactly?”

“Saving you again. Come on. I have some bandages in my car. You never know when you’re gonna need them.” He hurries to his car. Slowly, I follow.

“How did you know I needed saving again?”

“You want me to admit I came to the library just to see you? Then, sure. I’ll admit it.” He pulls out a box from the backseat and grabs a roll of white bandage. Ripping some of it off, he wraps it around my arm. His fingers linger on my bare skin, and it makes me tremble slightly. Dimitri’s touch is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

It would be so easy to step closer to him. I want to feel his arms around me again like when we danced.

I want to have a proper first kiss with him.

Dimitri notices it, too. He doesn’t move his fingers from my arm.

“Why did you come to see me?” I ask. “You let me go, remember?”

“How could I forget? I’ve never cared before if a woman was in my life or not. But with you, Evie … Fuck. I care.”

“So, then, why let me go in the first place?”

“I thought I was keeping you safe. You’re still safer not being with me. Abram won’t come for you.”

“But Dima still tried to. And you still didn’t manage to kill him.”

“That’s because he hurt you, and I couldn’t stand for that.” He flashes me his charming smile. “I am your protector after all.”

I huff and shake my head, but there’s a small smile to my lips. “You’re too …”

“Too what?”

“Charming,” I admit. “And thank you. For saving me again.”

“I do have a guard watching you. He would’ve stopped Dima from getting to you, but I was here and thought, What the hell? Might as well save her myself once again.”

We share an electric charged look that sends shockwaves over my body. I wonder if Dimitri feels it, too.

He steps closer to me, his hand tightening on my arm. “Evie.” He places his fingers under my chin.

He’s going to kiss me, I realize .

I want it to happen. I want it more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.

But I know it can’t happen. Not if Dimitri is just going to let me go again.

So, I step away, and his fingers drop from my chin as he looks at me like I hurt him. He hurt me first. There’s no way I’m going to tell him that, though. Dimitri having power over me is the problem, and the solution is to not fall right back into his orbit.

“We can’t,” I whisper. “You let me go, Dimitri. I was scared tonight, leaving the library. More scared than I’ve ever been. But I want to work through that. I want to overcome that, and the only way to do that is to walk away. Is to get used to my life without you in it. Go deal with Abram and Dima. If they’re gone, then I’ll be safe. In the meantime, I have to stay away. You let me go, and you don’t get to drag me right back in.”

He rocks back on his heels and lets out a low whistle. “Man. When you let a man have it, you really let him have it. I appreciate that. You have a subtle strength to you, Evie. I like it.”

“Don’t say those things to me.”

“Why not?”

Because it’ll just make me like you more . “Just don’t.”

“I get it. I let you go like the idiotic fucker I am. And you’re right. It’s not fair of me to come back right away. I’ve always been a man who knows when to cut my losses. So, let me get you home safely, and then you’ll never have to see me again.”

Getting into Dimitri’s car seems like a bad idea, but it seems like a worse idea to walk home by myself.

So, I nod and let him smile that charming smile as he open the car door for me.

And I get inside.

“Thank you for the ride,” I tell him when we reach my house. Just behind that door is Juno, who’s probably anxiously awaiting my return home to make her dinner. Because that’s my life again.

I try not to let that bother me.

“Evie, I know I fucked up when it came to you. I just hope you have a good life from now on.”

“Just like that? You make it sound so simple.”

His gaze sharpens. “Trust me. If I wasn’t worried about your safety, I’d throw you over my shoulder and take you right back to my house. I’d have my way with you.” He leans in closer, and I hold still. “With your consent, of course.”

“Of course,” I say breathlessly. I can’t even imagine what Dimitri having his way with me would look like. And it’s better I don’t imagine it because it can’t happen. We’re not meant to be together. It’s better if I just leave and return to my old life before I get too attached. “Well, goodbye.” I hurry out of the car before I lose my nerve.

I can feel Dimitri’s eyes on me as I reach my house. Everything inside me wants to look back at him. To lock eyes with him again. I could get so lost in those eyes of his.

But no. It can’t happen. Dimitri is a danger to me because of the men around him. I can’t live in constant danger. I just want to return to my books.

I step inside the house without looking back.

“Evelyn, you’ve come home,” Juno says from the living room. “Why don’t you get started on dinner? I’m starving.”

I can’t stop the sigh that leaves me. Right. Back to my old life. I can do this.

“I’ve come to save you,” Katya says, walking past me into my house. Not even a “Hello.” That’s Katya for you.

“Save me from what?” I ask.

“From boredom.” She plops down onto the couch, and Juno shuffles out of her bedroom, sneering at the sight of Katya .

“What are you doing here? Evelyn is trying to get away from all reminders of Dimitri.”

“Good thing I’m not Dimitri, then.” She flashes Juno a smile. It reminds me so much of Dimitri that it kind of hurts. But that’s ridiculous. I barely knew Dimitri. I can’t miss someone I barely knew.

Juno grumbles under her breath. “No. But you have the same spirit as him. I don’t like you. Evelyn just needs to focus on what’s best for this household.”

Katya crosses her arms. “Oh, yeah? And what’s that? Cooking and cleaning all day so you don’t have to do any of it?”

Juno flushes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Now, leave.”

“Come on, Katya,” I say. “Let’s get out of here. We can go to a café or something.”

“No,” Juno says. “You should stay here, Evelyn. It’s safer. That madman is still out there.” Hard to say which madman she’s speaking about. There are multiple coming after me.

Katya rolls her eyes and jumps up and takes my hand. “Let’s go. I’ll keep Evie safe, Juno. No need to worry.” She pulls me out of the house before Juno can object. “God, she’s annoying. I’m shocked you’d want to return to her. She’s not good for you, Evie.”

“And Dimitri is? He forced me to marry him, and because of him, Abram has tried to kill me multiple times.”

“I’m not saying my brother is any better.” Her expression twists into disgust at a pile of trash on the ground, and she sidesteps over it with her high heels. “I’m just saying you’re back in the same predicament you once were. Living a boring life. No excitement.”

“I tried the whole excitement thing. Then I was kidnapped by Dima, and my whole life changed.”

Katya winces. “I know. And I’m sorry I ever brought you to my brother’s stupid party. But you still need to get out, and I had an idea. There’s this tea function thingy going on, and I thought it could be fun.”

“Tea function thingy? A ringing endorsement.”

She laughs as she slips her arm through mine. “It’ll be fun. It’ll be safe. No Bratva men ever come to things like this. Dima won’t make an appearance, and neither will Abram. You’ll be safe. But I thought it could be a fun thing to do together.”

“Really? Katya, you’re not exactly a tea function thingy girl yourself.”

“I know.” She shudders. “I hate things like this, but as a Bratva daughter, there are certain expectations put on me. I have to make appearances.”

“Ah. So, this tea function thingy you’ve invited me to is just so you don’t have to go alone.”

“Pretty much. But, Evie, technically, you’re a Bratva wife now.”

“Not for long. Dimitri and I will get divorced.” There’s a flutter of disappointment in my chest at the idea. What is wrong with me?

“But for now, you’re married to one of the most famous Bratva men in the city. It’s good to make appearances at functions like this. Meet other Bratva women. Make friends.” She pauses. “Make allies.”

“I need allies?”

“For your own protection, Evie. If you’re friends with these women, then they’ll speak to their husbands, and they’ll help protect you from Abram.”

“Not if they’re working for Abram.”

She waves a dismissive hand. “We can’t worry about that right now. We’ll be together at a tea party full of women. What could go wrong?”

The party in question is held in an upscale, fine dining restaurant. The inside of the tea room is decorated in soft white linens and soft glowing lights. It’s the epitome of femininity.

The room is dominated by women. There have to be over thirty women in attendance, all assembled around different tables, sipping their tea and eating little sandwiches.

I love the sight of it all. It feels comforting. It feels safe.

“Let’s find a table,” Katya says .

“Which one?” Even though I feel safe here, it’s overwhelming. There are so many women I don’t know, and I have no idea how to conduct myself. I wasn’t born into the Bratva.

“That one,” Katya says, pointing at a table with three women seated. They’re all older, probably in their forties and fifties. “Those three women—Vera, Inessa, and Aleksandra—have a lot of sway.”

We approach their table.

“Ah! Katya,” one of them says. “Nice to see you again.” She has a gummy smile, but it doesn’t make her less beautiful.

“Vera, this is Evie, Dimitri’s wife. That’s Inessa”—a blonde with silver roots— “and that’s Aleksandra”—the oldest of the women with lines on her face.

“We all heard Dimitri got married,” Inessa says. “But I didn’t actually believe it. A man like him …”

“I know,” Vera replies. “I never thought he’d settle down. But this is the girl. So nice to meet you, Evie.”

I return her smile. “Thank you.”

“Sit, sit.” Vera motions toward the other empty seats at the table. “Let’s chat. It’s what us girls love to do.”

“God,” Aleksandra mutters. “We haven’t been girls in years.”

“Speak for yourself,” Inessa replies, making the other two laugh. Katya joins in, and I allow myself to relax. I’m safe here. Nothing can hurt me. Not Dima, not Abram.

“Oh, Ava!” Vera calls out to a young woman who just entered the room. “Come sit with us.” She turns back to me. “Ava is just delightful.”

“Who is she?” I ask Katya quietly.

“She’s married to Nikolai Petrov. He’s a business partner of my brother’s.”

Ava is a beautiful woman with golden hair and a kind smile. “Nice to see you again, ladies.” She looks at me. “I’m Ava.”

“Evie.”

Her eyes light up. “You’re Dimitri’s wife?”

“Yes.” I’m not sure if I’m blushing out of pride or embarrassment .

“Good luck, then. Dimitri is … something else.” She sits beside Vera.

“What do you mean?”

“I just mean I’ve had some issues with Dimitri in the past. He wasn’t always the nicest. I hope he’s treating you better.”

“I … never knew that about him. I barely know him,” I admit.

“That’s because my brother said he wanted Evie and took her,” Katya says.

Inessa’s laugh is a twinkle. “That’s Bratva men for you. They’ll take whoever they want, whenever they want.”

“I’m not sure that’s something to laugh about.” It comes out of me before I can stop it.

The table goes silent.

Then Ava says, “You’re not a Bratva woman, are you?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. I wasn’t either. My husband, Nik, he … well, he forced me into a marriage with him.”

“Really?” I’ve never met someone who’s been in the same situation as me. “Dimitri did the same.”

“I get it. It’s new for you?”

I nod.

“Hopefully, it’ll get easier,” she continues. “It did for me. I found love with my husband. But it wasn’t easy. That’s the thing about Bratva men. They’re hard and cold.”

“But they can also be the most passionate,” Vera says. “They’re protective. They’ll fight tooth and nail for the women they love.”

“Oh, Dimitri doesn’t love me. We’ve only known each other for a short time.”

Inessa grabs my hand and gives me a wink. “Just give it time.”

I can’t tell these women there isn’t any more time to give. Dimitri and I will soon be divorced. I appreciate these women trying to comfort me, but it’s just a reminder that I don’t belong here.

I’m starting to feel like I don’t belong anywhere.

“And it’s ok if you never love him,” Katya says. “Because my brother is a kind of an asshole. ”

That gets a laugh out of the whole group of women, including myself.

My laughter quickly dies when I see Tatiana. She’s standing at the entrance to the room, talking with other women.

Katya notices, too, and takes my hand underneath the table. “I’m here with you,” she says quietly.

Vera notices me looking at Tatiana and rolls her eyes. “That girl is trouble, I swear. When I was her age, I was a good girl. I was never involved in drama.”

“Now, we all know that’s a lie,” Inessa says. “Vera, you were the naughtiest of all of us.”

Vera mock gasps and clutches at her necklace. “Never. I was the demurest.”

“Demure, my ass,” Inessa mutters to me.

These women are nice and entertaining. I could see myself spending more time with them, but then I remind myself—Dimitri and I are not together anymore.

If we were ever together in the first place.

Tatiana spots me and storms right over to our table. “What are you doing here?” She looks at Vera. “What is she doing here?”

“She has a right to be here,” Katya says, and Vera nods her agreement.

Tatiana whips around to glare daggers at Katya. “I wasn’t talking to you. Everyone knows you’re trouble, Katya. You’ll ruin my reputation.”

Katya scoffs. “I think you’ve done that enough for yourself. Now, walk away, Tatiana. Before you drug my friend again.”

The whole table goes quiet.

I take it no one knew about what Tatiana did to me. How would they?

“I never did such a thing,” Tatiana exclaims in outrage. “Your friend is a fatty little liar.”

Katya stands up, her chair screeching on the floor as she does so. “Do you want to get into a fight, Tatiana? Because I’ll gladly get into a fight with you. ”

“You’re just bitter, Katya, because Dimitri doesn’t allow you to do anything. You don’t have any marriage prospects. You’re going to become an old spinster sooner rather than later.”

Anger flares through me. “Don’t talk to her like that. Katya is more of a woman than you’ll ever be.”

Katya gives me a grateful smile while Tatiana rolls her eyes.

“Just leave,” Vera says to Tatiana. “Before you embarrass yourself even more.”

With a scowl, Tatiana storms away.

“I need to use the restroom,” Katya mutters, and I follow her into the bathroom. “That bitch. Who does she think she is to say those things to me? Me! I’m an Ivanov for god’s sake. Show some respect.”

“I don’t think Tatiana respects anyone,” I say, leaning against the counter. “She doesn’t even respect herself.”

“I don’t care. She can go die in a ditch; I swear.” She pulls lipstick out of her purse and dabs at her lips.

“You don’t mean that.”

“No. I do.” She caps the lipstick and roughly shoves it back into the purse. “She’s hurt you, Evie. She almost got you killed multiple times. Hell, she almost got me killed, too!”

“But we need to be better than her.”

“Easier said than done.”

The door opens, and Tatiana enters. She locks it behind her, and the sound is loud in the quiet bathroom.

“Great,” Katya mutters. “You know, I just wanted to do something fun with my best friend today, and you just had to ruin it, didn’t you?”

Tatiana makes an ugly face. “I didn’t ruin anything. Dimitri ruined everything when he took my virginity from me. Now, he needs to pay.” She sets her sights on me. “I’m going to take you from him one once and for all.”

Before I can even react, she runs right over to me and shoves me against the counter. The hard stone slams into my back, making me gasp. Tatiana slaps me across the face.

Katya grabs Tatiana and shoves her away. “Just stop! You’ve done enough. You’re literally crazy, Tatiana. Crazy . ”

“I am not crazy,” she growls before shoving Katya so hard that Katya falls back against the stall door. She starts punching Katya in the face. I’ve never seen a woman resort to physical violence before. It’s a scary sight.

And I know I can’t let Tatiana continue to hurt Katya.

So, I grab Tatiana around the waist and shove her away. Her heel slips out from under her, and she falls onto the ground. Her head smacks onto the hard tile floor. The crunch is sickening.

Both Katya and I freeze.

Tatiana gasps as blood seeps from the back of her head, staining the white floor.

“Shit,” Katya mutters.

My body finally can move and I start to rush toward Tatiana when Katya grabs my arm, stopping me. “We have to help her. She’s dying!”

“I know.” Katya gives me a hard look. “But if she’s dead, then that’s one less problem we have to worry about.”

I stare at my best friend in shock. At this moment, I barely recognize her. It’s then I realize she was born into the Bratva. Katya is used to dark things.

But how can she be ok with letting Tatiana die? How can I be ok with it?

“But Abram won’t be happy,” I say.

“No, he won’t be. But at least this way, Dimitri won’t have to marry this harpy. She’ll be gone. Maybe Abram will be filled with so much grief he’ll lower his guard, and then Dimitri can strike. Letting Tatiana die is the best option. It will help keep you safe, Evie. That’s all I care about.”

“You sound like your brother.”

“I take it that’s not a compliment.”

“No,” I whisper.

Tatiana gasps and then goes silent. Her eyes glaze over. The blood coming from her head forms a red pool around her. There’s no mistaking what just happened.

I might not have intentionally killed Tatiana, but I am responsible.

“What are we going to do?” I whisper. “She’s dead. We’re going to get arrested. Oh my god.” I bend over, panic working its way through my body.

“I know what to do. We call my brother. He’ll help us.” She quickly calls him. “Dimitri?” She pauses, listening to him speak. “Uh-huh. Would you stop scolding me for leaving for five seconds and let me talk? Evie and I … are sort of in an emergency, and we need you to come to this restaurant.” She rattles off the address. “What sort of emergency you ask?” Her eyes slide down to Tatiana’s dead body on the ground. “I can’t say really over the phone. Evie and I are ok.”

Physically, we are, but mentally? I think I’m having a breakdown.

“You just need to get over here fast. We’re in the restroom. Don’t bring a lot of attention to yourself. Oh and … you’re going to need your cleanup crew.” She pauses again. “Why you ask? Uh … it’s better if you see it with your own eyes. So, just get here.” She hangs up. “Dimitri is on his way. Everything will be ok.”

But as I stare down at Tatiana’s lifeless eyes, I know everything will most decidedly not be ok.