Page 20 of Bound to the Bratva
I shrug, feeling the weight of my family's reputation suddenly heavy on my shoulders. "It's not something I like to flaunt." In fact, I've never told any of my friends that my father has any sort of association with the criminal world. All I've said is that me and my brother are the result of an affair.
Lori leans back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, it looks like you picked a good one, Aria. Maxim seems to have it all. Looks. Money. Maybe even a little bit of power."
Maxim chuckles softly, a hint of darkness lingering in his eyes. "Appearances can be deceiving, Lori."
Her playful demeanor fades slightly as she studies him more closely. "Somehow, I highly doubt it."
There's a momentary pause before Maxim speaks again, his voice laced with a touch of bitterness. "Let's just say that not everything is as perfect as it seems in my world."
Curiosity gnaws at the pit of my stomach as I lean forward, desperate to uncover the secrets he's alluding to. "What do you mean by that?"
Maxim's gaze locks with mine, and there's a rawness in his expression that sends a jolt of electricity through me. "Aria, there are things about me that you don't know yet. But don't worry, you'll learn in time, little girl."
Why does he keep calling me little girl?
The first time he met me he called me that, but it wasn't endearing. It felt like he was bullying me then. However, this makes me feel a little different.
I just want him to fucking go away. "Maxim, it's lovely and all that you came by to see me tonight, but I was really enjoying my girl's night."
Maxim licks his lips and forces a smile. "What, you aren't enjoying my company?"
Lori and Emily exchange a confused look. We're throwing them off, so I laugh lightly. "I always enjoy your company, but you know how easily I can get sick of you when I'm working such long hours. Would you mind seeing me later?"
He takes a sip of his vodka and chuckles, bringing his face so close to mine. He presses his lips to my ear and whispers, "I'll see you whenever the fuck I want to, little girl."
My heart races at his audacity, at the way his words send a thrill through me. There's something about the way he asserts himself, the way he challenges me that both infuriates and entices me. I lean back, meeting his gaze with a playful smirk.
"Is that so?" I whisper back, my voice dripping with a mix of defiance and desire. "Well, we'll see about that."
Maxim pulls away, a wicked grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "I like your spirit, little girl," he murmurs, his eyes smoldering with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.
Lori and Emily watch our interaction with wide eyes, sensing the crackling tension between us. Lori clears her throat, breaking the spell.
"Well, this is getting interesting," she says, her voice filled with equal parts amusement and surprise. "Aria, you never told us you had such a fiery side."
I shrug nonchalantly, my eyes never leaving Maxim's. "There's a lot you still don't know about me, sweetheart."
Maxim chuckles lowly, his gaze never wavering. "And there's even more I want to discover, little girl."
The room suddenly feels charged with an electrifying energy as my friends exchange uncertain glances. It's clear that our presence is causing a ripple effect in their comfortable lives. But right now, I couldn't care less about their opinions or concerns.
"If you're going to stick around," Lori says with a knowing smirk, "then you better make yourself useful." She gestures towards the empty glasses on the table. "We need another round."
Maxim smiles, "Of course. Anything for you ladies," he says, his voice dripping with charm as he rises from his seat. As he walks toward the bar, I can't help but admire the way his tailored suit clings to his broad shoulders, accentuating the strength beneath it. There's an air of confidence in his every movement, a magnetism that draws me in despite my better judgment.
Lori leans closer to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, well, Aria. I must say, you've managed to catch quite the intriguing man."
I roll my eyes playfully, trying to hide the fluttering in my chest. "Oh please, Lori. You're enjoying this way too much," I retort.
Lori's laughter fills the air as she nudges me gently. "Oh come on, Aria. You can't deny that there's something between you two. The tension is practically suffocating."
I glance back at Maxim, who is now engaged in conversation with the bartender. The way he effortlessly commands attention is both captivating and intimidating. And yet, there's a vulnerability lurking beneath his confident facade that makes my heart ache for him.
"He's complicated," I admit quietly, unable to tear my gaze away from him. He's hot as hell, but I hate him as a person, along with half the shit that comes out of his mouth.
Emily interjects, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Complicated how?"
I take a deep breath and lean closer to my friends, lowering my voice to a whisper. "Our families being close. It complicates things, sometimes even our relationship," I find myself protecting him in this moment, when nothing says I have to. I don't know why I'm not telling my friends the truth. Probably for the same reason I haven't told Sasha our mother's being held captive...because I'll only be met with anger and pity.
