Page 37 of Sheltering Hollis

Maxim’s silence spoke volumes. I knew he was fuming, but he also knew me well enough to understand that I wouldn’t be swayed. I hadn’t changed either over the years that I’d been gone. Even at fifteen, I was a stubborn fucker. “Fine,” he said finally, his tone icy. “But don’t think this won’t have consequences.”

“Understood,” I said, hanging up the phone before he could say more. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension the call had brought. Hollis watched me, her eyes filled with concern.

“Everything okay?” she asked, pausing her packing.

“Just Maxim,” I replied, forcing a smile. “He’s not thrilled that I’m coming home.” Over the week, we’d spent hours talking about our lives and what they’d been like.

She walked over to me, placing a hand on my arm. “Are you sure about this, Dimitri? About staying with us? I don’t want to cause problems for you.”

I covered her hand with mine, squeezing gently. “I have never been more sure about anything.” Brushing the edge of her cheek, I reveled a moment in the softness of her skin. She was so beautiful. “I had planned to return to Arizona anyway. You and Olive are a bonus.”

She leaned into me, her forehead resting against my chest. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You won’t have to find out.” Pulling her against me, I nibbled at her neck. I would never get tired of this, the smell and the feel of her.

My phone buzzed again. It was Maxim. Looking at the lock screen, I debated not answering. I didn’t want to hear any more about the legacy of the Volkov Bratva or my responsibilities to something I couldn’t care less about.

“Answer it,” she encouraged. “He’s still your brother.”

I sighed and answered, preparing for round two. She wasn’t wrong. He was still my brother, even if he was a controlling dick. Maxim had been there for me as a child. I would never forget that.

“What now, Maxim?”

“Dimitri, listen,” Maxim’s voice had softened slightly. “I just wanted to say,” he cleared his throat. “I should have said that I was happy for you.” I was shocked. Maxim and I had been estranged for years; our relationship strained after I’d taken off when I was a kid. “If this is what you want, what makes you happy, then I’ll support you.” That was perhaps incredibly hard for him to say. Still, I could meet him more than halfway.

“It means a lot to me. Thank you, Maxim. Hollis and Olive are important to me. I think life in Arizona with them will be good, but brother, if you need me for something specific,” I cleared my throat. “You can call.” I’d never laid the offer out like that before. It had been years since we’d worked together.

“Thank you, Dima. I’ll try not to take advantage. Perhaps we can arrange something mutually beneficial with your Brotherhood?”

“Perhaps.” This was an idea. I’d have to think about it. The MC did a lot of business with weapons and drug dealing, primarily in Arizona and parts of New Mexico, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t expand with the Bratva’s help. That could bring more attention than we were ready for. Our MC was a one-percenter club; we weren’t too law-abiding, but tangling with the Bratva was leveling up. I wasn’t sure that Maddox would be willing to bring that kind of heat into our little town of Haverboro, especially now that he was starting a family.

“Will you come up for the holidays? Bring your wife and daughter?” he asked.

“Hollis and I will talk about it, but that could be on the table,” I looked over at her, thinking about her and Olive at the mansion surrounded by the Bratva. I liked the idea of them having the holidays at the Open Road better. The holidays were casual and full of laughs, presents, and traditions like our Toys for Tots fun run and Amber’s hot ham and cheese sandwiches for Christmas lunch with cranberry jelly. “You could always come to Arizona,” I offered.

“That sounds nice, actually,” Maxim said, to my surprise.

“Well, let’s plan on that then. It’s nice to talk to you, brat.” Hanging up, I reflected on the conversation for a moment. Maxim had been alone as pakhan for years now. He couldn’t have forced me to stay, but he could have killed me. The Bratva lifestyle wasn’t conducive to a pakhan being seen as weak, so I wasn’t sure what excuse he gave for me being gone, and I’d never cared what the consequences were. The Volkov name wasn’t one I’d ever cared for — Maxim had cared. Maybe I’d been naive to think we could have both left, but Maxim wouldn’t have wanted to. At the time, it’d been his dream to be pakhan, but it had never been mine.

Shaking my head, I returned to Hollis; she was packing, taping over another box. I’d rented a storage unit for her so that she could have the security of knowing that none of her things would be gone, and she could pick through the items at her leisure. Right now, she was packing the essentials. I had movers coming tomorrow. She looked delectable, though, bent over the box, her ass in the air. It was time to pick up where we had left off. Hollis was wearing these tiny shorts that had been driving me crazy. She’d already tried to fend me off once, unsuccessfully, and I’d pressed her up against the wall pinning her against the cheap drywall as I fucked her until she moaned and begged for me to let her come.

Moving up behind her, I ran a hand down her spine. “Malysh, stay still. Tilt that ass up a little.” She’d frozen, her hand on the tape gun. “You make me crazy bent over these boxes with that ass of yours, those tits. Hold the box.” We’d been busy today. Boxes were stacked three deep and four high against the wall, so they were pretty sturdy.

My cock felt like a poker in my jeans as she bent a little further over the box; tilting her ass a little, I pulled her shorts and panties down. She made little whimpering noises as my fingers deliberately brushed against the lips of her pussy. “You’re drenched,” I moaned. “I can’t wait.” Pulling my cock out, I lined up and drove into her without preamble. “Fucking hellfire.” Stroking in and out was pure heaven; I could die now and be happy. Reaching down to her hardened nub, I rubbed hard the way she liked and drove in, hoping that I could hold on.

“Don’t stop.” Tilting her to a new angle so I could hit even deeper, I hit another gear, making sure not to quit my pace on her clit. “Oh my god, Dima.” She clenched around me, her juices soaking my cock as she came. That was all I needed to let loose and coat her pretty pussy.

“I will never get tired of that.” Kissing her neck, I swept her hair aside, giving her a little lick. I was almost ready to go again. I wanted to fuck her forever. Keep my cock in her warm heat. My phone was buzzing with a text on the counter. If it was Maxim again, he could go to hell. I was going to stay right here.

Laughing, Hollis turned to look at me, making no sign of moving. “I hope not. I do need to clean up and finish this before Olive gets home, though.”

Running my hands over her curves, the dip of her waist, and her hips, I pulled out with a sigh when my phone buzzed again. Tucking myself back into my jeans, I gave her ass a little slap enjoying the sight of her pussy and the come dripping out of it. Next time, I’d make sure to have a little more time. Pressing my lips to hers, I sucked her tongue into my mouth, nibbling at it.

“Fuck, I love you Hollis. Go clean up before I fuck you again.” She stared at me wide-eyed, surprised. She hurried away without a word, but I didn’t mind. I didn’t need her to say it back. Her actions spoke louder than anything.

Turning my phone over, I expected to see another message from Maxim, but to my surprise, it was from Maddox.

Maddox: I need you back here ASAP. The shit is hitting the fan over in Morinrock. The police are all over the Cobras. When can you get back?

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