Page 65 of Bound to the Bratva
Maxim’s lips curl, offering me a soft, reassuring smile. “That’s okay. In time, you’ll understand. This life isn’t for the faint of heart, but I know you can handle this.”
I straighten my spine, telling myself that I did what was necessary, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t difficult. “Do things like this happen very often?” I’m afraid for the answer.
Maxim’s eyes narrow, and for a moment, I don’t think he’s going to answer me. “You have to understand there will always be people who want to go after us. It’s because of who we are, and what we can do.”
I hold his gaze, “So, this is something I need to accept?”
His hand slides down to my chin, tilting my head up. “I wouldn’t say accept, but you need to be aware. I need you to be more observant than you’ve ever been before, Aria. Natalya is likely the first of many enemies that will try to kill us over the course of our marriage.”
Jesus, I was hoping Maxim might make me feel better, but all he’s doing is making me even more anxious.
“I can’t promise you a fairytale, Aria,” Maxim says, his British-accented voice low and serious. “But I can promise you that I'll protect you. My world—our world—it’s cold, it’s brutal. And once we’re in, there’s no way out."
I feel a shiver of apprehension crawl up my spine like a spider, but I steel myself against it, forcing myself to meet his gaze with a determination I do not feel.
“I’m not the kind of woman who breaks under pressure, Maxim.” I say, my voice shaky yet strong.
Maxim gives me a long look, his vibrant blue eyes shadowed in the dim light. He doesn’t reply for what feels like an eternity. Finally, he speaks with an intensity that takes me aback. “I know you won't. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, Aria.”
There is an unexpected tenderness in his words that somehow soothes the knot of anxiety coiling in my gut.
I might not have ever wanted this with Maxim, but I will say he has blown me away.
Twenty-Two
Maxim
The moment I heard what happened, my heart dropped. Aria—my wife—in trouble.
I rushed out the door, my mind racing, trying to understand why Natalya would be that insane. I know Natalya is very well dead, but I needed to get to Aria. I needed to have my eyes on her and make sure she was okay.
As I approached her office, the closed door was the last barrier we had between the chaos that was behind it.
I assessed the situation and got my wife out of there, knowing the clean-up crew I hired would dispose of Natalya’s body. She’s dead, so she won’t be causing us any more issues…but that doesn’t mean her family won’t try to avenge her.
Most know of Natalya’s crazed nature. She’s always been the kind of woman who would throw a fit if she didn’t get what she wanted…and this time it was me.
We’re in a secluded area of the hospital, alone, processing what happened. She looks up at me, her eyes wide with horror. “I can’t believe I killed her, Maxim. I didn’t think I could ever be capable of such a thing.”
I cup her face in my hands, forcing her to meet my gaze. “You did what you had to do to survive,” I say, my voice low and intense. “Natalya was going to kill you. It was her or you, and I won’t lie about this—I’m grateful it was her. Don’t you ever feel bad for doing what you needed to.”
Aria’s lower lip trembles. “I understand what you’re saying, but I’m not a killer, Maxim. I’m a healer. I save lives. I do everything in my power to keep my patient’s alive.”
I pull her close, wrapping my arms tightly around her. “I know, sweetheart. I know. But sometimes, in our world, there are no easy choices. Sometimes, things aren’t so black and white. You save lives here and I commend you for it, but when you leave this hospital our world is different. We are the enemy to many people, and they’ll do whatever they can to try and hurt us. At home—you’re a fighter.”
She buries her face in my chest, her body wracked with sobs. I hold her, murmuring soothing words, stroking her hair, until a few minutes pass and the hallway begins to fill with people.
I wipe away her tears and she quickly composes herself, and we make our way to a stairwell. We walk slowly down the stairs, taking our time, both processing that she was almost murdered in her office.
We head out into the crisp night, her arm tucked into mine. All I want to do is tell her that everything will be okay, and it will, but I know she won’t believe it right now. I shoot a text off to one of my men and they bring the car around. I help her in and scoot on the seat beside her.
I need to be close to her right now. To feel her warmth under my hands. To see the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes. To know I’m here for her when an impossible situation rattled her.
She glances at me, vulnerability etched in the depths of her beautiful eyes. “I know this is our life, but Maxim, isn’t there something we can do to protect ourselves?”
There’s always a way to keep ourselves safe, but I doubt it will make her happy.
“We’ll figure it out,” I assure her, giving her hand a comforting squeeze as the driver begins to move forward. “For now, all we need to do is get home.”
