Page 35 of Betrayal and Vows

“I’ll be back,” he says. “We’re not done.”

He walks out, slamming the door behind him.

The moment he’s gone, my knees buckle.

Kira catches me.

“Shit,” she breathes. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.”

“He had that look again.”

“I know.”

She helps me sit, then crouches in front of me.

"What did he want?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I gesture to the corset hanging loose around my torso.

"He knows I left last night. He was... making sure I understood the consequences of disobedience."

Kira's face hardens. "Did he hurt you?"

"Not yet."

She stands and walks to the door, pressing her ear against it. After a moment, she returns, satisfied we're alone.

“You shouldn’t have gone out,” she says softly.

“I know.”

“Do you?”

I meet her eyes.

“I had to.”

She sits beside me. “You’re playing with fire.”

“I know.”

“If Mikhail finds out?—”

“I know, Kira.”

I sink back against the cushions.

“I have to see him again.”

Kira blinks. “Lena?—”

“Ineedto. One last time. Just one more time. Once I’m married, I’ll never see him again.”

Then she exhales. “God help me, I’ll cover for you.”

I reach over and squeeze her hand.