Page 73 of Bound in Possession

I’m raising my coffee mug to my lips when Sienna, never one to tread lightly, sets her teacup down with a sharp clink and leans across the table, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinizes Maksim.

“So, Maksim... you have half of the city's security on your payroll, but Camilla tells us you insisted on locking down the whole estate for two weeks. Are you always this overbearing?”

I almost choke on my coffee, but Maksim doesn't even flinch. He casually spreads butter over a warm roll, his expression perfectly relaxed. "Your sister is extraordinarily special, Sienna," he replies calmly, his voice smooth and untroubled. "Which means the measures required to keep her safe are equally extraordinary. I make no apologies for protecting what is mine."

Rosalia and Eleonora exchange wide grins, but Daniela isn’t having it. She jumps in before any of us can respond, “I’m not a stranger to this world, sir,” she says. “When men in your position claim something is theirs, it’s rarely ever affectionate. It’s control, arrogant possession and victory. We’ve heard the stories about the Sokolov name. You can be dangerous.”

My heart drops into my stomach. "Daniela," I hiss under my breath, but Maksim simply turns his head toward Daniela, meeting her fierce gaze with steady, absolute respect.

"I am a dangerous man to my enemies, Daniela," Maksim says, his tone dropping into a serious, low register that commands the entire table's attention. "But Camilla is not my enemy. She is the one person in this world who sees the worst of me and stands her ground. I would tear this city apart before I ever let harm come to her—from anyone, including myself."

Rosalia butts in, a subtle, contrite smile softening her features. "I apologize for their behavior, Maksim. We can be... intense."

Maksim offers a rare, genuine smile, bowing his head slightly. "It's completely okay."

"But they're right," Rosalia continues, her voice turning firm again, carrying the heavy weight of an older sister who has carried her family through hell. "We're sisters, and at the end of the day, we only have each other. Don’t hurt her, Maksim. Women may not be respected in this world, but if you hurt one of us, we will retaliate hard."

Maksim doesn't take offense. He doesn't puff out his chest or pull rank as a Pakhan. Instead, he looks Rosalia straight in the eye with complete seriousness, a tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, ma'am," he replies smoothly.

A wave of giggles ripples across the table from my sisters, the tight tension finally breaking completely. They dive back into the spread, taking pastries, pouring fresh juice, and filling the room with lighthearted chatter.

Maksim leans back in his chair, taking a sip of his black coffee as he watches them with quiet satisfaction. "Are you enjoying the food?"

"It's delicious," Sienna offers warmly, reaching for another glazed pastry. "Honestly, I might not leave."

Sitting beside him, warmth swells in my chest. I feel so good—so whole. I love the fierce, unrelenting way my sisters stepped up to protect me, no matter how powerful the man in front of them is. And I like the way Maksim took every single bit of their grilling in stride, respecting their place in my life without an ounce of ego.

A moment later, the dining room doors open, and Dmitri steps inside. He offers a polite, formal nod toward the table. "Good morning, ladies."

He walks over to Maksim and leans down, whispering something urgent into his ear. Maksim’s posture instantly shifts back into that of the stoic leader, his jaw setting as he nods in understanding.

He rises gracefully to his feet, drawing the eyes of everyone at the table. Stepping closer to my chair, he leans down, his heavy, masculine scent washing over me as he whispers against my ear.

"I have to go see to something, princess," he murmurs softly.

"Okay," I nod, leaning into his touch.

He presses a slow, lingering kiss against my cheek, his warm lips burning against my skin, before straightening up to address my sisters. "Enjoy your morning, ladies. Our house is yours."

As he turns and walks out of the dining room alongside Dmitri, I rest my chin on my hand and just watch him go, my heart doing a strange, fluttering flip in my chest.

Daniela immediately catches me staring, a grin spreading across her face as she leans over her plate. "Look at you," she teases, nudging Sienna with her elbow. "You actually like him. Like, really like him."

I don't even bother to deny it. I just sit there, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks, a quiet, helpless smile tugging at my lips as I trace the rim of my coffee cup.

"It's true," Rosalia agrees, shaking her head with a soft, affectionate laugh. "She’s completely gone."

Before I can throw a napkin at either of them, light, quick footsteps echo down the marble hallway, followed by a dramatic gasp from the dining room archway.

Nastya appears, stopping dead in her tracks, her hand pressed over her heart as her eyes widen at the sight of the full table. "Why didn't anyone invite me to the party?!" she squeals, her bright voice bouncing off the high ceiling.

My sisters instantly react—a chorus of joyful sounds erupting as all four of them leap up from their chairs for the second time today. They practically tackle Nastya in a chaotic frenzy of hugs, and she laughs loudly, throwing her arms around them just as fiercely.

They had bonded instantly during my wedding, and watching them now, it’s like not a single day has passed. They pick up right where they left off without missing a beat.

Nastya pulls up a chair between Sienna and Daniela, diving straight into the conversation as if she’s been sitting here all morning, grabbing a pastry and pouring herself fresh juice.