Page 115 of His to Own

“I know I’ve done bad things. But I never want to treat you badly, Elena. I’ve never been one to hurt women. It’s just not something I’ve ever cared to do.”

“It’s hard. Wanting to like you and knowing the things you’ve done.”

He plants a soft kiss to my lips. “Did that feel wrong?”

“No,” I admit.

“Did having sex with me feel wrong?”

“No.” I don’t even hesitate to answer.

“Then it’s not wrong to like me. I am your husband. We’re bound together. I made a deal with Nikolai and I won’t break it. But I also made a deal with you and I don’t want to lose you, Elena. I care for you. I’ve only ever done what I’ve done for you.”

“You’ve tried to control me.”

“I’ve tried to help you.”

I don’t mention how he beat up Alexei. That wasn’t helping anything. But right now, that doesn’t matter.

“I want help,” I gasp, clutching his shoulders. “I need help.”

“And I’ll help you, Elena.”

His promise fills my heart with hope but I can’t deny the small pit in my stomach. Maxim’s help will have consequences. The question is: am I ready to face those consequences?

Maxim tells me that I can go to school today. After we made love last night, he left to handle work. I knew what he was up to.

Dealing with Professor Romanov.

“Talk with the dean,” he says. “Everything has been handled.” He sips his coffee like it’s any other morning.

A shiver runs down my spine. “Is…”

“Yes?”

“Is she dead?”

Maxim looks me right in the eye. “Do you want to know?”

He’s giving me this last out. I can live in ignorance once again or I can face the truth. I cannot hide from my husband anymore and I cannot let him hide from me either.

“Yes,” I answer.

Maxim sets his mug down, taking his time. “It’s better you don’t know every detail. Just in case the police ever question you. But yes. She’s dead.”

“How?”

“Elena…”

“How?” I say in a firmer voice. “I need to know everything.”

“I made it look like a suicide. A drug overdose. I also had her write a letter to the dean saying that she forged your paper. That you never committed plagiarism. Speak to the dean today. Get your spot back in school. I don’t want you to lose it. I know how hard you’ve worked at it.”

“Was she in pain?”

“No. I made sure she wasn’t.”

I suck in a quick breath. “I’ve seen you torture a man.”