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He features twist. Remorse blazes in his brilliant eyes. “Konstantin. That was the man’s name. He came sniffing around for information on Dimitri. I heard about it, confronted him, and he told me what he was up to. So I told him everything you said to me about being forced into marriage, your signature forged, and how you wanted a divorce.” His thumbs skim up and down my bare arms. “I thought if I could free you from him then you’d give me another chance. I never thought they’d hurt you. I’m so sorry.”
“You…” I breathe the word on an exhale. My mind reels. I do remember him confronting me at Leonidas that one time. I’d been so flustered that I’d told Connor the highlights. I never thought that quick conversation would come back to bite me.
I’d never figured out how Konstantin knew the details about what went on between me and Dimitri. Maks was the only one who knew. And Connor. How had I overlooked Connor?
He’s the snake. The one who gave Konstantin the information he needed to set this all in motion. And it’s my fault for giving Connor those private details in the first place. I feel sick.
I clear my throat, trying to find my voice. “You did this?”
“I had to get you away from him. The opportunity presented itself and I took it.”
“You have no idea what you’ve done.” I yank free from his grip. “You have no idea what you put us through.”
“Us?” He sneers. “You’re divorced.”
“Because of you.”
“Don’t tell me you’re actually in love with that Russian piece of trash. I heard his mother was a whore and?—”
I deck him. People around us gasp. Jarring pain shoots across my knuckles and up my arm. Damn that hurts.
Connor rubs his jaw. “I guess that answers that question.”
“Go to hell.” I gulp down my champagne and shove the empty glass in his chest. “Don’t ever speak to me again.”
I spin on my heel, going straight for the exit. I’m not even entirely sure where I’m headed until I hail a cab and give the driver Dimitri’s penthouse address at Riot.
My rage slowly fades as it’s replaced with nerves. I’m on my way to see Dimitri and, what..? Apologize? Beg him to take me back?
I’m still reeling from the knowledge that I’m in love with him.
I want him.
I choose him.
My fresh start includes him and I’m more than okay with that choice.
We pull up in front of Riot and I pay the cabbie. Weaving my way through the club, I press my thumb to the biometric scanner at the elevator, somewhat surprised when it works. He hasn’t removed me from the system.
Hope springs free in my chest as I ride the elevator up, then knock on Dimitri’s door. I don’t want to barge in on him. Waiting for him to answer, I smooth down my dress and fidget with my hair, hoping I look okay.
The door opens and Maks stands at the threshold. “It’s about fucking time,” he grumbles.
“It’s good to see you, too.” I shoot him a curious frown and step into the penthouse. “What…” the word dies on my tongue. This gorgeous place is completely trashed. Takeout containers cover every horizontal surface, empty vodka bottles are lined up on the countertop, some furniture is toppled over. Dead flowers have withered in their vases. What happened here?
I glance up at Maks who exasperatedly shakes his head.
“He’s passed out over there.” Maks points to a corner where the floor to ceiling windows meet. There’s a bare mattress on the floor, Dimitri’s prone form on top of it.
Oh my god. “Did you just find him like this?” I ask, moving further into the living room.
“Yeah. He stopped checking in with me a few days ago and I finally tracked him down. What a fucking mess.” He grabs a plastic bag and starts cleaning up.
Unsure of exactly what to do, I hesitantly approach Dimitri. He’s wearing black jeans and a stained T-shirt. Several days worth of growth darkens his jawline. His relaxed fingers circle the neck of a vodka bottle. I crouch down, taking the drink away, and notice the puffy dark circles under his eyes, fresh bruises on his face, and hair matted with what can only be blood.
God, what’s happened to him? He looks like he came from a bar fight.
“Maks, will you help me with him? Let’s get him in the shower.”
