Page 47 of His to Own

Alisa waves a goodbye as she walks away. Maxim steps closer to me. “What did you two talk about?”

“She just told me her husband was telling her about you and me. That’s it. Am I not allowed to have a new friend?”

He gives me a pointed look. “You can have friends. Just not Alexei. I don’t trust that fucker. As for Alisa… I’m not sure you should be friends with her though.”

“Why not?”

“Mafia women can’t really be trusted. I don’t want her to hurt you.”

“How would she hurt me? I’m a mafia woman. So are my sisters.”

“Your relationship with your sisters is different.” He sighs, shaking his head. “You know what? Go for it. If you want to be friends with Alisa, then that’s fine.”

“I didn’t know I needed your permission to make new friends.”

Maxim’s eyes sweep over me in a way that makes me feel naked. “You’re being a little sassy tonight. I like it.”

I walk away from him before I say or do something I’ll regret.

The party is in full swing. At least fifty guests are in attendance. They all drink and laugh and eat. But I have never felt more alone than when I’m in a crowded room.

“Speech!” one of the men calls out. I don’t even know who he is.

Maxim walks to the center of the living room and thanks everyone for coming. I know it’s my duty to stand at his side but I can’t get my legs to move. I am completely frozen.

“I also want to thank my new wife,” Maxim continues. “For being fascinating and for keeping me on my toes. Elena, why don’t you come over here and say something?”

Everyone in the room turns their eyes on to me and my tongue gets lodged in my throat.

“Elena,” Maxim says in a hard tone.

But I can’t move. I can’t speak. What is wrong with me?

“My wife is shy,” Maxim explains, which gets a couple of people to laugh.

“Speak, daughter,” Father says. “It’s polite of you to say something.” He only wants me to speak because I’m embarrassing him right now.

When I still don’t say anything, Lana rushes forward. “My sister is glad you could all come to this wedding celebration.” She quickly claps her hands and that gets the other guests to do the same. Lana ushers me to the side and away from the crowd. “Are you ok?”

“I just couldn’t get the words out.”

“I know. It’s ok.”

“It’s not ok,” Father says, coming over. “You always make a fool out of me. I am ashamed to call you my daughter.”

“Enough,” Lana snaps. “Leave Elena alone. Why are you always so mean to her?”

Father doesn’t give a reply as he storms away. That’s when I see my mother. She looks like she wants to speak but thinks better of it. I remember her telling me that I am paying the price for someone else’s sin. I still don’t know what she meant by that.

“Mother,” I say, grabbing her arm before she can leave. “Tell me what you meant the day of my wedding.”

She frowns. “What did I say?”

“That I am paying for the price of someone else’s sin. What sin? Who?”

“Not right now, Elena. Just drop it.” She removes my hand from her arm and walks away. Her and Father leave the house altogether.

Maxim joins me at my side and Lana snaps at him before he can say a word. “You shouldn’t put my sister on the spot like that.”