“I’m coming,” I reply while shoving Andrik’s contract back into the pocket of his suit and racing through the exit.
When she spots my race, her gorgeous face adopts an apologetic expression. “Sorry, I don’t want to rush you, but from the rumors I’ve heard, jets cost thousands of dollars a minute to operate even while idling on a tarmac.”
As my eyes pop, I mouth an apology before gesturing for her to lead the way.
Our flight was uneventful—much to Nikita’s disgust. She remained seated with me in the main part of the private jet while Maksim spent most of his time behind a desk in the bedroom.
I’d be worried the honeymoon is already over for them if Maksim hadn’t fired his flight attendant because she couldn’t dismiss my underhanded commentary that she wants to sleep with her boss.
I went a little hard on her because I’m now more guilt-riddled than devastated. I don’t feel sorry for Andrik’s wife. What Andrik is going through is the only thing weighing my shoulders down, and how I almost forced that immense pressure onto his son.
Children need to be protected, not pawned as if they’re easily replaceable.
Andrik’s family has yet to learn that, just like my mother.
I’m drawn from my thoughts by Maksim’s stern rumble. “Get. The. Fuck. Off. My. Plane.” As the woman who seems to have taken a page out of my book when it comes to the concept of wedding rings scuttles for the exit, Maksim locks his eyes with a gentleman over her shoulder. “And you can go with her.”
“Maksim, Maria was out of line but unaware of your recent nuptials.”
Maksim doesn’t buy his excuse for a second. “She may not have, but you did. Yet you sat back and watched her belittlemy wife.” He saysmy wifewith far more possessiveness than Andrik ever has, and it makes me swoon.
“You are right. I am sorry,” the male hostess says, backing down. “I apologize for any discomfort caused, Mrs. Ivanov.”
He’s out the door before Nikita can get in a second chin dip.
Since I caused the tension, it is only fair I try to dislodge it as well. “If you ever grow tired of him”—I lock eyes with Nikita before nudging my head to Maksim standing firm in the galley of his jet—“toss him my way. There’s no such thing as sloppy seconds when it comes to men.”
I feel the heat of her narrowed glare when I kiss her forehead like I’ve witnessed Maksim do numerous times the past two days.
It lowers her annoyance even better than Eskimo kisses.
“Are you not traveling with us?”
I laugh when I unearth the reason for the fret in her tone. “Gigi is going to love him.” My tone dips a smidge, but since Maksim is in her realm, her snooping isn’t as stellar as usual. “And I’ve got some matters I need to wrap up before commencing my new job on Monday.” I drift my eyes to Maksim. “Ten, right?”
He nods. “I will forward you an official job offer to your inbox later today.”
“Great. Thanks.”
I add a smile to the words that will never display my full appreciation before I gallop down the jet’s stairs.
Nikita and Maksim don’t follow suit. The pilots trace my steps across the tarmac minutes later, but I lose them when we enter the main part of the airport.
They head toward the lounge section, and I veer for the bus stop.
A step back in luxury can’t be missed when I enter the stinky bus. It smells like puke and another substance I don’t want to mention. But the company is good.
“Hey, Mara.”
Her bruises have healed so well that you’d have no clue she was assaulted only weeks ago.
“Is that seat taken?” I hook my thumb to a seat two spots up from the one I was about to plonk my backside in.
“Um. No. Yo-you can sit there.” She removes her purse from the seat next to her before gesturing for me to sit. “Di-did you move?”
Her stutter is unexpected. I thought it was because she was stammering through survival instincts. I didn’t realize it was permanent.
“No. I’m just returning from a trip.” When her eyes seek the luggage I am without since Maksim said he would have it delivered to my apartment, I sprinkle a smidge of honesty in my reply. “My bag was ruined by the luggage handlers. I haven’t had time to cash the compensation check yet.” Hating how easy it is for me to lie these days, I ask, “What about you? You’re a little on the far side of home.”