Page 110 of Maxim

Then he follows behind us.

One thing is for certain: I will be killing this man today.

“You’re so pretty. Always have been. You know I tried to buy you from your father when you were thirteen. You had developed nicely by then, and I knew I wanted you. He refused. Said he still had use for you. He promised I would have you one day. Then he sold you to that bastard. He lied to me.”

“My father has always been a liar. I don’t know why you are surprised,” I say, trying to keep him engaged in conversation as I back toward the window.

“He was supposed to be a leader, but he is a snake. He thinks he controls me, but I’ve gotten a pocket of men on my side. We will take him down when the time is right. Who knows, if that bastard who bought you does my dirty work for me, it will leave his spot open for me to slip right into. It’s genius, really.”

“I hope for that too. All I want is for my siblings to be safe,” I admit to him.

He walks toward me, cupping my cheek. “I know, my sweet Olena. I have done what I could to protect them for you. Your father would not let me step in for Alek, but he has for Daryna.”

I cringe at his touch, but he mistakes it for a shiver of pleasure. “Oh, Olena. I’ve missed you. Have you missed me?”

I nod, afraid if I open my mouth, I may puke on him. He’s disgusting. He said he put in an offer at thirteen. He was in his twenties then. He is a sick, disgusting man. I don’t want him anywhere near my sister.

Szymon must die tonight.

“I knew you would. You always acted indifferent toward me, but it was your father. He is a cruel man. He won’t be a problem much longer. I promise.”

He is delusional. He really believes we are in some sort of relationship.

“You’ve kept your innocence for me, haven’t you?” he asks, his hand falling to my leg, forcing its way between my thighs.

“Of course,” I lie.

I don’t want to know what he will do if he finds out that I willingly gave my virginity to Maxim. That I have no regrets and would rather die before letting him touch me in that way.

“That’s my good girl. I would take you now, but we need to get out of here before your father comes to find us.”

As if he spoke him into existence, I hear my father yell out, “Szymon, bring my daughter to my office.”

It’s a simple demand. One that he expects to be followed, but it only angers Szymon.

“He thinks I’m his lapdog, but no more. He doesn’t realize I put this all into motion.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my heart racing as his eyes become wilder.

“I know who Maxim is, Olena. He works for the Bratva and all the others who are trying to take your father down. How do you think he made it past your father’s checks? He had me do them. I know he goes to the video game café to talk to his people. I haven’t said a word because it has benefited me. They will comewipe your father off the map, then we will rule the organization. I won’t hurt you like he has. You will help me with the auctions. Be the one preparing them for the stage. You are so good at it.”

I want to say no. I want to scream, but I don’t.

“So are you going to go down there and tell him you’re done with him?” I ask.

“No. We are going to leave.”

I nod. “Can we stop by my room? I want to grab the flower you pressed for me all those years ago.”

The lie is ash on my tongue. He did press me a flower, but I tossed it the moment I could. It creeped me out. He doesn’t need to know that, though.

“You kept it?” he asks.

“Of course I did. It meant the world to me. My first flower.”

He gives me a silly smile. “Okay. We have to be quick, though.”

He goes to the door, looking out. Once he is sure it is clear, he leads me down to my room. He closes us inside as I start shuffling through my drawers.

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