Viktor’s voice cuts off mid-sentence.
I shriek, instinctively trying to cover myself. Maxim reacts instantly, shielding my body with his much larger frame, his back to Victor.
“What the fuck?!” Maxim roars. “Why the hell didn’t you knock?”
Viktor doesn't back away. “Sorry, boss… but it’s not like I haven’t seen her naked before. After all, she came downstairs practically naked the other day?—”
Maxim’s entire body goes rigid against me.
“What the fuck did you just say?” he snarls, spinning around.
Before I can even process what’s happening, Maxim grabs my shirt from the floor, shoves it into my hands, makes sure I'm fully covered, and stalks toward Viktor like a predator.
The punch lands with a sickening crack, fist connecting hard with Viktor’s jaw. The sound echoes in the room.
I shriek, pure terror ripping out of me before I can stop it. For one horrifying second, I’m not in Maxim’s bedroom anymore.
I’m back in my father’s house, hearing the crack of his belt, the sound of his fists, the way he’d hit us without warning. My body reacts on instinct, curling in on itself, heart slamming against my ribs.
Maxim freezes mid-motion. He turns to me instantly, eyes wide with realization. The rage on his face shifts to something softer, almost pained.
“Get the hell out of my bedroom,” he growls at Viktor without looking away from me.
Viktor doesn’t argue. He mutters an apology under his breath and quickly leaves, closing the door behind him.
The second we’re alone, Maxim crosses the room and wraps his arms around me, pulling me gently against his chest. His hold is careful, protective, one hand stroking my back in slow, soothing circles.
“Hey… you’re okay,” he murmurs, voice low and rough. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry that happened. I’ll put Viktor in line. He won’t speak to you like that again.”
I nod against his chest, breathing in his scent, trying to ground myself. The violence reminded me too much of my father, quick to anger, quick to strike. But Maxim… he stopped the moment he saw my fear. He chose me over his anger.
“I’m glad you stood up for me,” I whisper. “But… the way you hit him…”
He tightens his hold slightly. “I know. Are you alright?”
I nod against his chest.
We stay like that for a long moment. Strangely, I realize I feel safe in his arms. A part of me trusts him. Trusts that he won’t hurt me the way my father did. I don’t fully understand why, but the feeling is there.
Eventually, I pull back. “You should get some rest. Your wound…”
He nods, but his eyes linger on me. “I need to go talk to Viktor first. I will be back.”
“Okay.”
I watch him walk out of the bedroom and I let out a shaky breath.
Maxim
I step out of the bedroom, still buzzing with frustration and leftover arousal, when I spot Viktor waiting in the hallway like the idiot he is.
The second I see him, rage boils over.
I grab him by the throat and slam him against the wall, my fist connecting hard with his jaw for the second time tonight.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I snarl. “How dare you talk to my fiancée like that? You’re disrespecting me that way, Viktor. I won’t allow it.”
I’m about to hit him again when Dmitri rushes in between us, pushing me back with both hands. I didn't even notice him earlier.
