Page 50 of Maxim

“Maybe you should come sit,” I tell him.

He nods, heading over to the couch. He sits next to me, leaving space between us. I wish it wasn’t there.

Taking a deep breath, I ask the question that has been plaguing me. “Why did you choose me?”

He frowns. “I told you. I saw you up there and knew I had to buy you to save your life.”

I shake my head. “I know that. Why were you compelled to save me, though? There were other women there that night. You could have bought one of them.”

He sighs, running his hand over his face.

“You want a definite answer, and I don’t have one. I met you before at the bar and was drawn to you. Then you were in trouble that one time, and I stepped in on your behalf. When your father put you up on that stage, I didn’t think. I trusted my gut and I bid on you. You ask why you, but the truth is, I don’t know why. Something inside of me told me to save you, so I did.”

It’s not the answer I wanted, but at the same time, I have no idea what I wanted to hear. What would have been an acceptable answer?

“What is my purpose here? You keep me here. Bring in a babysitter. I need to know what you want from me.”

“Nothing,” he hisses. “I want nothing from you. All I want is for you to live a better life.”

“Why? How? I need to know more. Please. I’m begging you.” I let my emotions slip, pleading with him.

He looks conflicted. “I want to tell you, but it’s dangerous. If you were to know the truth, you could be used for it. I don’t want to paint more of a target on your back than is already there. My need to protect you is embedded under my skin.”

I can feel tears fill my eyes. I want to trust him. I can’t help but feel like there is more to him than he is letting on. If he won’t tell me, how can I trust him?

“Maxim, I know you are trying to keep me safe. I appreciate that, but I desperately am trying to find a way to put all of my trust in you. I’m keeping the negative thoughts at bay withthoughts of you saving my siblings. I’m afraid that the longer it takes, the more my mind slips back into those demons. Give me something. Anything to keep that hope alive.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking. It goes against everything inside of me.”

I nod, resigned. “I understand. Trust is hard.”

I stand, ready to leave this conversation and him behind. Before I can step away, his hand shoots out to grab mine.

“Wait.”

I look back at him. He looks like he is working up to something.

“Please sit back down. I’ll tell you. It goes against my judgment, but everything with you has gone against it, so why not go all in, right?”

I have no idea how to answer that so I don’t. I take my seat, turning to face him. His hands grab mine. I have a feeling the touch is more for him than me.

After several long moments, Maxim speaks.

“???????, I’m not who you think I am.”

“???????, I’m not who you think I am.”

The words fall from my lips, taking my heart with them. I’m trusting her with everything. Somehow, I feel it will all be okay, though.

Looking down at her wrists as I hold her hands, I know I have to give her what she wants. I almost destroyed this woman. The least I can do is give her the truth.

“My name is Maxim, but my last name isn’t Boyoko. It’s Volkov. I’m the third-in-command of the Petrov Bratva. I’ve been sent by my family undercover due to my Ukrainian background. My mission is to bring your father down at all costs. I was sent to that auction to insert myself into the world and establish myself as a potential buyer. I was always meant to make a purchase, but the purchase was supposed to be a low-risk one that I could send off to be taken care of by my family. When I bought you, that all changed. You are the biggest risk. You can’t just disappear. Your father will follow up with me about you over and over again. You are the complication we never anticipated. I wouldn’t change it for the world, though. Know that to me, you aren’t a complication. You are my ???????. The light in this dark world.”

She is quiet for a moment. “What’s the next step then?”

“I’ve been offered a job with your father. He liked the way I handled you. I’m getting closer to him, which means we are getting closer to shutting down his entire operation,” I admit.

“I almost ruined that, didn’t I?” she asks.

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