Page 91 of Wrapped in Perfection

I angrily ask, "What do you think I'm involved in? Hmm?"

"He's dangerous, Anna."

"Not to me. Or you. But to anyone who wants to hurt me, yes. And you know what? I'm okay with it." I laugh. "Actually, I'm more than okay with it. It's nice having someone who wants me and will go to any length to protect me instead of harming me."

"There are plenty of guys who won't hit you."

"You think that's all I went through? I sat on pins and needles every day, allowing him to degrade me and make me feel like I wasn't worth anything."

Chase's face hardens. "He's an asshole. But Dmitri is involved in things—"

"What things?"

Chase crosses his arms and tilts his head. "Not good things."

"Tell me. What is he involved in that is so bad? Hmm?"

He stays silent.

"You can't. You don't know."

"Anna—"

"No, Chase. I know more than you do about him. The only thing you need to understand is he treats me well. Let me rephrase. He treats me like I'm the most important person on earth. I'm his priority. And I'm only here because, even though I'm sure you had your say yesterday, he still wants me to have my family in my life. So get on board. I'm not leaving him. And if you make me choose, I'll pick him."

"You just met him."

"Doesn't matter. He's the one."

His eyes turn to slits. "The one?"

"Yes."

"You just got out of a five-year relationship."

"Yep. And it taught me everything I don't want."

Chase grabs my shoulders. "Anna, listen to me. You shouldn't have to have a bodyguard following you around. Be smart."

"You're such a hypocrite."

His head jerks back, and he releases me. "How am I a hypocrite?"

"Ms. Thursday?"

His face falls.

"Yeah. I remember Vivian having a bodyguard and then your 'friend' kidnapped and almost killed her and you."

He clenches his jaw.

"Stop being two-faced." I take a deep breath. "Now, do you want me to stay here while Dmitri is gone or no?"

"Gone?"

"You know where he is."

His eyes widen. "He told you?"

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