Page 111 of Bratva's Vow
The seats were black leather with deep red stitching, the dash minimal but high-tech. A low-slung steering wheel. The faint smell of new leather and cedar.
“Nik, are you kidding?”
Nik chuckled. “Check the glove box.”
I slid into the seat. It hugged my body like it had been designed for me. When I popped open the glove box, there was an envelope. I took out the card. On it was scribbled in Maxim’s handwriting:I love you.Nothing else. He hadn’t even signed his name. Dammit, would he always use those threewords to disarm me? To get his way? How could I react when he bought me expensive things simply because he loved me?
The registration document had my full name on it.Wren Alexander Holloway.
“He can’t be serious,” I muttered. “This is bananas.”
“This is Maxim for you,” Nik said.
I ran my fingers over the wheel and glanced over at him. “Nik, I’m shaking so hard I don’t think I can drive. Is it really mine?”
He rolled his eyes and gave a dramatic sigh. “You saw the papers. Believe it. And if I know Maxim, this is just the beginning.”
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“I mean cars—plural. Villa, yacht, trips abroad.”
“Oh my god, he wouldn’t.”
Nik’s blank stare said everything. Maxim most certainly would.
“He wanted you to feel a little more in control,” Nik said. “You drive. I ride shotgun. I’m your very professional passenger princess.”
I giggled. I couldn’t help it. I was the owner of a car. My name was on the registration and everything.
“Take a deep breath and let’s go. Buckle up.”
I needed more than one deep breath, but eventually, I calmed down enough to start the car. The engine purred to life so smoothly it felt like seduction on wheels.
As I backed out of the driveway, I tried not to grin like a hyena.
And failed.
Nik leaned back in the seat, resting one arm on the door.
“See?” he said. “It’s not so bad being the Pakhan’s lover, is it? So many boys would kill to be in your position right now.”
And they could all fuck off. Maxim would never stop being mine.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
MAXIM
Archie was still talking. Something about the quarterly financials, a new offshore holding company, or God knew what else, but none of it mattered.
Not right now.
I glanced at the time.
Wren should be on his way.
Nik had texted ten minutes ago.Leaving campus now. Kid’s glowing.Which meant everything was as it should be.
Stone was dead. Wren knew the truth and had forgiven me. And yet I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to fall.
