Chapter Eleven
PRESENT DAY, LOCATION UNKNOWN
My cheeks burn as I stare into Alexei’s eyes, unable to pull my hands away from where his palms are pinning mine to the table, the bright sun shining all around us making it impossible to hide from the truth of his words.
I did want him as a young teen, even if I didn’t understand it at the time. And by my eighteenth birthday, I was ripe for the taking. His taking. As much as I dreaded a forced marriage, I wouldn’t have been able to resist falling into his bed after the party if the pills hadn’t made me so sick.
Only I can’t admit that now. I can’t give him even more ammunition against me.
“I wasn’t myself that night,” I say unevenly. “I was high. You know that.”
His jaw tightens, and he releases my hands to lean back in his chair. “Yes, y
