Page 90 of The Bratva's Christmas Bump
“Technically, with her association to you.” Rex nods. “But we did what we could to make the best of a terrible situation back then. News spread and we knew your enemies would see her as a prime target. It’s just this fucker got to her first.”
“I want him,” I growl as my phone buzzes in my back pocket. “I want his head on a fucking platter in front of me. If he wants my attention so badly, then he’s fucking got it.” Anger licks at my spine as I answer the phone with a bark. “What?”
“Maxim?” Zoe’s trembling voice cuts through my anger and it takes all my strength to reign it in.
“Zoe?”
“Maxim you’ve got to come, please! Someone tried to break in!”
33
HOLLIE
Being locked in the penthouse might mean I can’t go anywhere, but that doesn’t mean people can’t come to me. Tiffany arrives a little after twelve with wide eyes and a bottle of champagne.
“Girl, what is with the spooky men in your lobby?” she asks in a fluster as she stumbles inside, then her eyes become saucers as she gazes from the sparkling lounge to the open-plan kitchen covered in mess from the sandwiches I made. “What thefuck?”
“What?” Taking the champagne from her, I set it aside in the kitchen and grab the two glasses of orange juice I prepared instead.
“This is Maxim’s place?” Tiffany wanders to the lounge and gazes up at the Christmas tree, then turns and takes the glass from me. “You should have invited me sooner.”
“Crazy, right?”
“Tell me.” She sips her drink and drops onto the couch with a soft moan. “Oh my God it’s like sitting on a cloud. But tell me, did you marry him that fast because of his money?”
“Definitely not.” I chuckle, placing my own glass on the coffee table and hurrying back to the kitchen for the food.
“Is he insane in bed?”
“Yes, but also not the reason.”
“Okay, so it’s not the money and not the sex. He’s hot for sure, but that can’t be the reason youmarriedhim,” Tiffany muses, watching me over the back of the couch.
“Did you really come here to pick apart my marriage?”
“No, honey. I came to see how you were and make sure you were okay. I put out the word that Mr. Havershire is a dick and not to be booked anywhere, so he won’t be welcome anywhere in this city, that’s for sure. Nowhere of note, at least.”
Back in the lounge, I flop down next to her and set the plate of sandwiches and nibbles on the table. “Thank you.”
“Of course. But honey, tell me what happened?” Despite her frantic way of moving through life and throwing gig after gig at me, her concern is genuine so after biting into a sandwich, I lean back and fill her in.
Every detail makes her frown deepen until her hand is on my thigh and she apologizes profusely. “I had no idea he was such a monster. I feel awful for sending you there.”
“There’s no way you could have known,” I assure her.
“Honestly, who would do something so diabolical at this time of year? I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Please.” Taking her hand, I squeeze gently. “I’m okay. Maxim is taking care of everything and I’m okay, I promise.” As true as those words are, there’s still one concern in the back of my mind. A concern that won’t fade until I get a chance to speak to my doctor. While I’m sure nothing’s happened to the baby, I need to be sure before I tell Maxim the truth. I can’t break his heart with the truth and then find out that the attack harmed it.
“Maxim’s taking care of you, huh?” She pats the back of my hand. “Well I’m glad you found a good man who does that, at least. God. You’d never expect such a thing in this line of work.”
“The only thing I’m sad about is I left my violin there. God knows what happened to it.”
“Well, that actually brings me to the real reason I dropped by. Not to say that I wasn’t concerned about you because I absolutely am. I just have another reason.”
“Oh?” I drain my glass as Tiffany busies herself in her bag.
She pulls out a blue plastic folder and hands it to me. “Here.”
