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“With Jasha and Mother in the library discussing what to do about you.”
Maxim lets out a breath and glances at me. “Why aren’t you up here?”
“I left when security said you were on the way. I wanted to warn you before you went and saw him.”
A sharp worry pangs through my stomach. What if Maxim’s father doesn’t accept this deal? What if we killed my papa for no reason, and Enzo and Santo and Franco are hung out to dry? I’m not sure they can take control of the Bastone family holdings on their own without Novalov help. Papa has other lieutenants and captains, and they’ll all want to carve out some power and capital for themselves, especially when three unproven young men are vying for the position of Don. Without Novalov money and guns, I’m terrified my brothers will get themselves killed.
“What’s he saying?” Maxim sounds on edge, and it doesn’t help my nerves one bit.
Feliks glances at me like he’s not sure if he should talk in my presence, but barrels ahead anyway. “He’s not happy with how this played out. He thinks you’ll get off easy if he lets you return after having defied him.”
“He needs to punish me more? After all this?” Maxim’s jaw tightens and works like he’s grinding his teeth. “It’s never enough for that man.”
“We’re all speaking on your behalf. Mother, and Jasha, and I. The girls would too, if they were here.” He glances at me and smiles slightly. “Emiliya told me to say hello. Galina too.”
“I miss them. I hope I can see them when they get back.”
Feliks nods and takes a deep breath. “I don’t know how this will play out, brother. But be contrite up there, okay?”
“I’m not sure I feel very contrite right now. I killed a man this morning.”
“Just another day at the office for you.”
Maxim’s lips quirk. “Not anymore, brother. Come, let’s go see what Father has to say.” Maxim walks off and climbs the stairs.
Feliks gives me a heavy look and follows. I’m not sure what they’re thinking, but I chase after the brothers as we reach the third landing and stalk back to the library.
The rooms are so familiar. I spent a few weeks living here, but that was the best time of my life. Those days with Maxim when we finally gave in to our feelings were like heaven. Mornings with his arms wrapped around me and nights with his lips on my flesh. Our moans and gasps and laughter. I never imagined I’d ever be given a gift like that, and it breaks my heart wondering if we’ll ever have it again.
I don’t feel any differently. If anything, my emotions are so much deeper. It’s more that I’m afraid Maxim’s father will never let him be free enough to love the way he wants to. There will always be a tether keeping Maxim tied back to the bratva and tugging him away from me and our joy.
Maxim’s mother is seated in a chair near the window, her legs crossed. Jasha stands near the fireplace with a drink in his hand. Maxim’s father sits back against the desk, glaring at his wife and his youngest son. Everyone looks over as Maxim and Feliks stride into the room, and I slip in behind them, hoping nobody notices.
My hopes are dashed when Maxim’s mother walks over and kisses both my cheeks. “Hello, darling,” she says warmly. “I’m glad you’re home.”
I blink at her and my cheeks flush. Home? “Thank you,” I manage.
She grins and returns to her seat. Maxim’s father stares at me with a dead, neutral expression I can’t read, and Jasha raises his glass and winks.
“Father,” Maxim says, standing in the middle of the room like a criminal on trial. Feliks lingers over next to me like he wants to try to avoid whatever’s about to happen.
“Maxim.” Damir Novalov is a terrifying man. He’s not physically imposing, but he has an aura about him of command and control, like anyone that might ever disobey would meet a swift and painful end. Everyone subtly moves around him, like planets drifting around a cold, dead sun.
“I assume you heard from Oleg. And I’m guessing your spies told you what happened this morning.”
“Yes, I’m aware of your meeting with Don Bastone. Or I suppose the former Don of the Bastone family. Who holds that title now?”
“His son Enzo will take over, assuming we help him.”
His father’s eyebrows raise. “And why would we do that?”
I notice Maxim’s jaw twitch. He does that when he’s angry and physically restraining himself from saying something he shouldn’t.
“Because of the deal we’re going to strike with them. In exchange for a cut of their profit, we’ll give them access to our resources. This is your chance to grow the business, Father. You wanted to get into the flesh trade, and now you can, without taking on all the risks involved. The Bastone family will do that for you, and you’ll reap the rewards. It’s a win for everyone.”
His father stares. Nobody moves, not an inch. His mother looks exhausted and drawn, and Feliks tugs at the hem of his shirt. Jasha takes a long drink and looks at the ceiling like something interesting dangles from the light fixtures.
“You have been extremely presumptuous, Maxim,” his father says coldly. “For a man barely still in our family, it’s amazing you have the stones to assume I’d want to take a deal like this.”
