Page 97 of Maxim

I shake my head no when he looks at me.

He stands and buttons his suit jacket. “Very well. You know what? I’m feeling generous. You all can take the day off tomorrow.

“Are you sure?” The madam frowns.

“Yes, yes.” He checks his watch again. “I have to go or I’ll be late. You know the way out. Walk with me.” He aims the last demand at his partner.

The madam turns toward me. “Walk me to my car?”

“Of course,” I say as I stand.

We walk out of the office and then the house in silence. For a moment we pause on the front steps and slip on our sunglasses before continuing to her car.

“Such a gentleman,” she says when I open her door.

“I try.”

I don’t miss the way her eyes check me out through the safety of her sunglasses. I bet those cost her hundreds of dollars, and yet they don’t hide her eyes for shit.

“Would you like to get a drink sometime?” she says suddenly.

“Excuse me?” I rear back.

She licks her lips and steps forward, running her hand down my chest. “I’m single, you’re single. We could have fun together.”

I step back, letting her hand drop between us. “As flattering as that is, that won’t be happening.”

“You have needs.”

I can’t help but smirk. “That are very much being met. Besides, old used-up pussy isn’t really my type. You have a good day.”

Her face turns red, and I don’t bother waiting for a response. I turn and stride away.

“You’re going to regret this, Mr. Boyko,” she calls out as I walk away.

I won’t.

I have a woman at home who loves me. One I can’t keep my hands off of. The kind of girl who’s constantly on my mind, twenty-four seven. I’d be a fucking fool to mess that up. Especially for a madam of all people. The same madam who put her through so much shit that she doesn’t feel like she can trust herself.

No, the madam will die too. We don’t normally kill women, but she is as bad as the men.

When I get into the SUV, I rest my head against the headrest, giving myself a moment to decompress.

We’re close. So fucking close.

As soon as this is over, Olena, her siblings, and I are on the first flight out of here and taking a vacation. Something we all are overdue. Shit, I’ve never been on a real vacation. All of my travels have been Bratva-related.

I wonder if they’ve ever had a proper vacation. Probably not knowing Jan, but who knows?

I’ll have to ask.

When I turn on the vehicle, I check the time. Well, shit. I was expecting to spend all day and most of the evening cooped up in her dad’s office, but an idea quickly forms in my mind. I could go straight home, but I have a stop I need to make first.

I put the car in drive and head to my destination. It takes me about thirty minutes to get there, and it’s fifteen minutes out of the way, but it’s worth it.

“Hi, welcome to Sweet Treats. What can I get you?” the lady behind the counter says.

“I was wondering if you have any banana bread left.”

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