Page 57 of The Arrangement

The part of me that's all raw instinct wants to lash out at him for letting his guard down, especially now, when every second counts and Tory's out there with God knows who. But I clamp down on that impulse hard. Getting mad at Charlie won't get me any closer to finding her.

"I'm sorry, Maksim. I should've been more alert," he continues, the apology hanging heavily in the air between us.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay focused on what matters. "Look, Charlie, what's done is done. Right now, we need to figure out where they've taken her. Any idea why Nicky would do this?"

He shakes his head, wincing slightly. "No clue. But he mentioned something about Aleksey before he knocked me out. Sounded personal."

Aleksey. The name sends a chill down my spine, not because I'm afraid of him, but because of what he's capable of doing to Tory to get to me. It's a low blow, even for him.

As I'm about to head out, I notice Charlie swaying slightly, his balance off. The guy's clearly not in fighting shape, a second away from hitting the floor rather than an enemy.

"Charlie, you're in no condition to come with me," I state firmly, noting the frustration that flickers across his face.

"I want to help, Maksim. I owe you," he insists, his voice tinged with determination, but it's clear he's fighting just to stay upright.

"The best way you can help is by staying here," I counter. “I’ve called men to the house to protect Adelina and Irina. You tell them what’s going on and watch over them until they get here.”

Reluctantly, he nods, understanding the role he has to play. He grabs his iPad, linking up to the security cameras trained on the safe room. The screen shows Adelina and Irina, safe for now, a small comfort.

I lean toward the iPad's speaker. "I'm heading out, but I'll be back soon. Stay safe," I say, my voice more for Adelina than anyone else.

"Papa, I love you," Adelina's voice comes through the speaker, small and brave in the face of uncertainty.

A wave of emotion hits me hard. "I love you too, Princess. More than anything," I reply, the words thick in my throat.

Charlie, now firmly planted in front of the iPad, meets my gaze. "I'll guard them with my life, Maksim. They won't be alone."

Nodding, I clasp his shoulder briefly in gratitude and solidarity. Then, with no time to waste, I turn to leave, every step fueled by the promise of returning to those I love. The fight ahead is unclear, fraught with danger, but one thing is crystal clear: I will do whatever it takes to bring Tory home and keep my family safe.

My mind's already racing, plotting, planning. I’ll tear through anyone who stands in my way. Aleksey wants a war? He's got one. But he's about to learn I don't play by the rules, especially not when it comes to the people I love.

As I drive to my father's place, my thoughts are a whirlwind, mostly circling back to Tory. The ache of her absence is a sharp, constant pang, reinforcing how deeply I've fallen for her. It's in these moments of fear and uncertainty that I realize just how much I need her in my life.

Pulling up to the house, the weight of what might come hangs heavy on me. Tiffany greets me at the door with her usual warmth. "Maksim, it's so good to see you! How's Adelina?" she asks, her smile genuine.

For a brief moment, I'm caught off guard by the normalcy of her greeting, and a wave of guilt washes over me. I’m possibly on the brink of confronting, maybe even having to take down, her son, my own brother, to save Tory. The thought is a bitter pill, one I'm not sure how to swallow.

"She's fine, Tiffany. But I really need to see my father. It's important," I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Of course, he's in the kitchen eating breakfast. You know how he is about breakfast," she replies, stepping aside to let me through, unaware of the chaos brewing inside me.

Stepping into the kitchen, a calm envelops me. The familiar smells of brewed coffee and something sweet cooking on the stove mingle in the air. The room is bathed in the soft light of morning, casting serene shadows that dance quietly across the surfaces.

My father sits at the small nook by the window. The newspaper is spread out in front of him, his reading glasses perched at the end of his nose, marking him as absorbed in the world's stories beyond our immediate concerns. Beside him, a small plate of fresh fruit is arranged meticulously—Tiffany's influence, no doubt, steering him toward healthier choices.

He looks up as I enter. "Maksim! Come, have some breakfast. You look like you could use it," he gestures toward the inviting spread.

“I’m not here to eat, I’m here to talk about Aleksey,” I state, then hesitate, feeling the heaviness of my situation. I notice the subtle shift in my father's demeanor. He sets his newspaper aside with a careful, deliberate motion and removes his glasses, placing them on the table. He sighs, a deep, knowing sound that fills the space between us.

"There was a time," he begins, his voice rich with the weight of memories, "when I found myself at odds with an old friend. It wasn't just business; it became personal, dangerously so. But no matter how heated things got, we never let it spill over to our families. That line was sacred."

My father's story unfolds as he leans back, a faraway look in his eyes. "This friend and I, we were thick as thieves, literally, in our younger days. But as we climbed the ranks, our visions for the future began to clash. It got ugly, my son. There were threats, fights... I feared it might end in bloodshed."

He pauses, his gaze returning to the present, to me. "One night, it came to a head. We found ourselves face to face, guns drawn. It could've been the end for one of us, or both. But then, he mentioned my wife, your mother, Maksim. Not as a threat, but as a reminder of what was at stake. Of who we were outside of this feud.

"The realization hit us both like a cold splash. We were willing to destroy everything we had, all for pride and power. In that moment, we chose to step back. It took time, and not all wounds healed, but we drew a line. Our families, our loved ones were off-limits."

I listen, absorbing not just the words but the gravity behind them.

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