He was sent to collect me. He wanted to kill me.
But that was before, when he viewed me as a threat to his Pakhan. I no longer care about Roman, which I should probably clear up at some point.
Max doesn’t answer at first. Instead, he reaches into his pocket and sets the satellite phone next to his plate before picking up his fork and shoveling food into his mouth.
Leaving the decision up to me.
Plans form in my head, my mind spinning through possibilities and contingencies. “I know he’s nearby. He’s been waiting for the snow to melt and the roads to open. I need to see his face when I confront him, when I show him I have the locket and no longer have a reason to go after the Kozlovs.”
Max nods. “Then we make that happen. How should we go about it?”
We.The word settles in my chest, infusing me with warmth.
I pick up my food and start eating. I’ll need energy to do what I’m plotting.
“We don’t know if he’s monitoring the cameras. It’s possible he knows you’re still here. Knows we’ve been—” I nearly choke on my chicken as I realize the implications.
“Knows we fucked.” Max’s lips twist into a smirk he’s clearly trying to repress.
Asshole. “It’s not funny.”
At least his easy attitude eases some of my anxiety.
If Dimitri didn’t want to see me fuck anyone, he shouldn’t have installed cameras all over the place.
Max’s grin grows wider before he sobers. “If he knows, let’s use his knowledge to your advantage. Let him think you seduced me and turned me against Roman after relaying your version of events.”
That could work. Dimitri always told me I could weaponize my sexuality. That I had to be careful around men specifically because they would want me.
But using sex as a tool, using my body to gain an advantage? Dimitri would expect that and maybe even approve.
Max and I never manipulated each other. We were clear on what game we were playing from the start.
Still, Dimitri doesn’t need to know that. “I’ll call him. Tell him I’ve neutralized you, got the locket, and we need extraction before Roman’s men come to find you.”
Max nods and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand before reaching for my empty tray. “Sounds like you’ve got a plan.”
A strange little ache blooms in my chest as I realize he’s not trying to patronize or coerce me. “You’re not going to suggest a better one?”
He pushes his hair out of his eyes. “Not my job. Not my territory. You know him better anyway.”
Just like that?
That’s…new. Dimitri always…
But Maxisn’tDimitri. He’s not going to stick his nose where it doesn’t belong.
He wiggles his fingers at me until I hand over the bowl he’s been waiting for. “You make the call. I’ll do the dishes.”
I snort, breaking the tension building in my shoulders. “They’re plastic trays and forks, genius.”
“Exactly. Why do you think I offered?” He strolls into the kitchen, leaving me alone.
Proving he not only trusts me, but he also doesn’t intend to influence my decision.
I pick up the phone and dial the number I memorized as a kid.
The phone rings once. Twice.
