Page 50 of Wrapped in Perfection

"Why?" I repeat.

"Just like you needed to know what I was involved in, I need to know the same about you."

I stay silent, and more tears fall.

"What are you afraid will happen if you tell me, kotik?"

"I don't know," I whisper.

He kisses me. "Nothing bad is going to happen to you if you tell me. Please. I need to know."

I keep my eyes shut. "He broke three of my ribs."

Dmitri strokes my hair. "How?"

I open my eyes. "It was my job to have dinner on the table by seven. My appointment ran over with my client. I... I didn't get home until seven thirty. The battery on my phone died. I couldn't answer Mitch's calls."

Dmitri's jaw clenches. "What happened when you got home?"

I look out the window and focus on the lights on the building. "He started screaming. I yelled back and told him to stop, but he wouldn't. I...he hadn't ever physically hurt me before. I went to the kitchen, and he grabbed the blue skillet...it was a Christmas gift from my mom and..." I get a flashback of the sound of my ribs cracking, and I clutch my side. Tears blur my vision.

"He hit you with it?"

I nod. "I don't know how many times. He hit the front of me, but he slammed it on my back when I crouched down. I lost air. I think I passed out. My neighbor called the police. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. They wanted me to press charges, but..." I put my hand over my face, ashamed, full of regret, and feeling broken.

"He convinced you not to? He promised he would never do it again?" Dmitri finishes for me.

I nod, unable to control my sobs.

Dmitri tightens his arms around me and holds my head against his chest, consoling me.

When I get my emotions under control, I sniffle and lift my head. "Please don't tell anyone. Can this just stay between us, please?"

He wipes my tears and nods. "I won't tell anyone. Your secret, and you, are always safe with me, my kotik."

It only makes me cry again, and he pulls me into his arms.

I don't know how he's dangerous. I know there's something about him that is. And I wonder how he can also make me feel so safe.

"I'm sorry. I don't know how my life got so messy."

He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. "Everyone's is. If they claim otherwise, they are a liar."

"Yours isn't."

"Sure, it is. I'm behind on a significant project and about to get my ass handed to me on another."

I take a shaky breath. "I need to get started. I want to meet the deadline."

"Anna, it's not realistic."

"Maybe not, but I want to try."

"It's not fair—"

"I want to try. I... I need to."

He hesitates then cups my cheeks and traces my jawline with his thumbs. "All right. But you have to let me help you."

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