Page 77 of Cruel Promise

Maxim doesn’t even seem fazed. “You’re not going to shoot me.”

“Why not?”

“Because then my men would hurt you, and I’m the only one standing between them and you. And then you definitely won’t get your husband back, and you’ll only end up hurt. So, shooting me wouldn’t be a smart move. If you want your husband back, let’s talk.”

My hand wavers on the gun, and Maxim sees it.

He lunges forward and grabs the gun from me before I can pull back. I tense, waiting for him to shoot me, but he only tosses the gun into the yard. “See? I told you I won’t hurt you. I have no desire to hurt women. Now, come inside.” He opens the door wider for me.

I’m quickly losing, and this is my only option. So, I step inside.

Maxim shuts the door behind me, plunging me into the darker living room. The place smells like beer and pot, and the decor is nothing to write home about. There’s only two men sitting on the stained, white couch—Colin and Sal. That makes me feel slightly better. At least I’ve already met them. Colin can’t look at me while Sal keeps giving me suggestive eyebrows. I shudder.

“Why did you come here?” Maxim asks, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.

“To save my husband.”

“From me?”

“Yes.”

“How did you think that would work? By killing me?”

“No. By talking.”

Maxim smiles slightly and inclines his head. “I’m listening.”

“Clearly, my husband did something very bad.”

“He killed my men. Blew up our home.”

I try not to show any emotion on my face, but it’s impossible. “I’m sorry. I know he’s a monster.”

“So, then, why are you trying to save him?”

“I have no idea. I just am. And I’m asking you to let him go.”

“Let him go,” he states.

“Yes.”

He shares a chuckle with Colin and Sal. “Why on earth would I do that?”

“Because … because I can make him promise you peace.”

“And how would you do that?”

“You let me see Nikolai, and I’ll convince him to give you peace.”

“And if you can’t?”

“Then you can kill him,” I say even though my entire body hates the words leaving me.

Maxim raises an eyebrow. “Ok. But why do I even want to make peace with Nikolai any longer? He’s shown I can’t trust him.”

“Because Nikolai has allies.” I have no idea if he does. I’m just assuming he does, given how powerful he is. “They’ll come for you. Or they’ll treat you like a dog the way Nikolai did. Either way, you won’t have any more power than you already have. The only way for true power is if you align with Nikolai.”

“That only works if he treats The Knights like equals.”

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