Page 38 of Savage Little Secret

I lower the page, taking a deep breath before I can keep reading.

I didn’t tell you the reason why I couldn’t refuse my father. I didn’t volunteer to be a spy in your office. In fact, when I tried to refuse the job, Sean threatened to marry me off to the highest bidder. Any man with enough money or a good enough deal to make him happy. He was prepared to trade me like property.

When I refused to try to kill you, he threatened to toss me into one of his brothels so I could do the only thing I was good for and earn back the money he spent on me in tuition and child support he gave my mother when she was desperate.

My jaw locks as I imagine the sick bastard holding that shit over Cara’s head, threatening her with that kind of life. I might’ve had an arranged marriage in the works, but I had the power to call it off, even if I’m still dealing with the consequences.

Cara would’ve had no choice. She would’ve been stuck. Helpless. Doomed. Probably for the rest of her life.

And threatening to put her in a goddamn brothel?

Sean is a worse father than I thought.

I only gave up the information about your meeting to avoid that fate. In fact, I felt so torn and stuck after betraying you that day that I decided that I was going to end things with poison I bought from one of my father’s men.

My stomach drops. All of this was happening right under my nose. She felt so trapped that, in her mind, death was easier. She didn’t want to betray me anymore, and she didn’t want her father to ruin her life.

She couldn’t see any other way out.

I drag my fingers through my hair, my heart heavy.

On the night that I was going to do it, I had put the cyanide in my wine. I was just about to drink it when you showed up at my apartment. You didn’t even know why you were there. I felt like there was a reason why you saved me, that there was another option for me that I just hadn’t figured out yet.

Memories of that night flood back to my mind. Her odd behavior makes more sense now.

It would’ve been the simplest thing ever to let you drink it when you picked up the glass. My father would’ve been so pleased with me. But I didn’t care about him. I only cared about you. That’s why I threw it out so fast, out of fear of you drinking even a sip.

Shit, she’s right. I almost did drink her wine. No wonder she panicked.

She could’ve killed me a hundred times. She had every opportunity, but she didn’t take any of them.

She protected me instead.

The last thing that I want is to never see you again, but I’ll respect your wishes if that’s what you really want. Just know that I do love you. I didn’t mean to fall in love with you. It just happened, and I don’t regret it.

Please keep yourself safe. Your life is your own. Do what you want, not what anyone else wants for you, Dmitri.

Yours always,

Cara

I lower the letter after I read the last few lines twice, my mind racing.

And I know I made a mistake.

I should’ve kept Cara here with me. I should’ve figured out a way to keep her safe while I planned what to do next.

What the hell was I thinking?

I stand up from the bed, prepared to rush out of the penthouse and track her down, but I stop myself before I can take a single step. If I chase her now, I risk exposing her.

Cara is capable enough to get herself home, but I need to make sure that she’ll be safe there. Not only do I have to protect her from the Bratva, I also have to protect her from the Irish.

But how do I keep her safe from my enemies? How do I get close enough to make sure no one from her own family hurts her?

As I read over the letter one more time, a reckless idea forms.

But if it works, I can protect her.