Page 105 of Maxim

I don’t think we are any closer to taking Jan down, and it’s killing me. I don’t know how much longer I can live this double life. I have done things that make me feel sick inside. If it wasn’t for Olena and my promise to her to get her siblings back for her, I don’t know if I would have made it this long.

I thought I was strong, but I’m not strong enough to bend my moral compass this way.

Olena mumbles in her sleep, snuggling closer to me. I breathe in her scent. It’s the cherry body wash I bought her, but it feels like she took it and owned it, making it her own. I will never be able to smell cherries again without thinking about her.

Honestly, I will never be able to do much without thinking about her. I really hope she is planning on forever with me because I don’t think I could survive her leaving me. She has woven herself into my veins until she was so far embedded in me that removing her would kill me.

I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. She is the lightness that keeps me from succumbing to the darkness completely. She is my saving grace, and I won’t stop thanking God every single day for allowing me to be the one to love her.

Brushing my hand in her hair, I let my eyes fall closed. It’s selfish of me, but I think if this was the way it was for the rest of my life, being here with Olena, I wouldn’t complain.

I know that can’t happen, though. As content as Olena has been, I know she is dying inside. Those kids are the center of her world. I’m the lucky bastard who was able to weasel my way into that circle, but it won’t be complete until we have them. I won’t rest until they are reunited.

It feels hopeless, though. I get little to no updates from my family. All I can do is pass information along. This was the plan at the start, but I guess I didn’t realize how hard it would be.

If they don’t make a move soon, I might have to. I don’t know if I can get them out on my own, but I’d be willing to die trying.

I’m about to drift off to sleep when I hear it. The tone that says something is going down.

Jumping from bed, I rush toward the closet, tossing things aside until I’m able to open the hidden panel and grab the burner phone. Dialing Alexei, I walk back into the room. “What happened?” I growl into the phone.

“It’s time to move. We have intel that they are moving operations. We need to go in now.”

“What?” I hiss. “There has been no indication of this from my side.”

Alexei sighs. “I know. You’ve been burned. You need to get Olena and get out.”

“Fuck that. I’m not leaving without those kids,” I inform him.

“I thought you would say that. I can spare your team, but everyone else is needed at the auction building. We need to rescue as many as we can.”

“I know. Send who you can. I’ll be okay. Be safe, brother.”

“You too.”

Looking over at the bed, I’m surprised to find Olena awake.

“What is that noise?” she asks.

“A code from my team. We need to go. Get dressed quickly. You will stay here and wait for me to come back.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“To get your siblings. My family is taking down the auction site. That means your father will have time to get away. I can’t let him do that.”

“I’m going with you then,” she says, standing from the bed naked.

“Absolutely not.” I move toward her, cupping her cheek. “Can you even fathom what it would do to me if anything were to happen to you?”

“Of course I do. I feel the same way about you and those children. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I lost all of you. I’m coming, and there’s no way you can change my mind.”

I hate and love the way she is sticking up for herself right now. She is so fucking strong, and yet I don’t want her to go. I don’t want her in danger.

Then again, this house isn’t as safe as it could be either.

Sighing, I wave toward the dresser. “Get dressed quickly.”

She moves to do as I ask. I do the same, changing into all black.

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