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Another thought quickly follows, hitting me hard.He's not a liar.
His penetrating gaze remains locked on me for what feels like an eternity, then he exhales deeply. “I never mentioned my acquaintance with your father because I assumed you don’t like to speak of him. Given your family history.” The weight of everything he’s not saying presses between us. “I don’t understand why this is important to you. Your father is long gone—you made sure of that.” His lips twitch. If he didn’t hate me, I would almost mistake that look for pride.
“I just…” I swallow hard, trying to steady myself. "I deserve the truth. All of it."
“You first, lastochka. You tell me your truth, and I’ll tell you mine.” He releases a gruff laugh. “How about you answer this question…” His mocking tone is replaced with a much darker one. “Why were you alone with the mayor tonight, after I warned you?”
A single finger lifts my chin, compelling me to meet his gaze. He remains silent, and with each weighty moment that passes, my hypocrisy burns—while I demand the truth from him, I'm certainly not willing to share my own.
“Forget it,” I say and avert my gaze out the window.
He tuts, shaking his head. “You’re so curious. Tell me what you’re really after. What do you want to know so badly?” His hand glides down my neck, the soft pad of his thumb gently brushing against the pulse point.
A shiver moves through me. It’s infuriating. I clench my jaw, refusing to be affected by this man. “Nothing. I don’t like being blindsided. I felt like a total fool in front of Anatoly Petrovich today, having no clue that you knew my father."
Maxim snorts derisively. “You shouldn’t care what Anatoly Petrovich, of all people, thinks of you. His dirty secrets stretch from here to the Wall of China.”
“That doesn’t make it any better,” I whisper.
When we enter the security gates to Maxim's estate, all I can think about is jumping out of the car and darting into the house. I need to get away. I need distance from this man that sucks all the air out of a space. That makes my body feel things I desperately don’t want him to make me feel.
Fuck him and his demands I sleep in his bedroom. I’ll curl up in the shed with the dogs tonight for all I care.
"Seriously, Maxim, forget I said anything. Forget everything about tonight.” He fixes his gaze on me, his eyes narrowing as his eyes drop to my lips. “It’s late, and I need to sleep."
As soon as it’s safe, I throw open the door and dart out, my heels clicking against the cobblestone drive. I’m relieved he doesn’t follow me. He doesn’t even get out of the car. My hands form tight fists, nails digging into flesh, as the limo speeds off and disappears into the dark night. Off to see one of his mistresses, I presume.
Good. I won’t have to share a bed with him tonight.
Thank the Lord for small mercies.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
KIRA
The warehouse loomslarge and ominous, but I push forward. I slip between crates and machines, my footsteps echoing off the concrete. This place, reeking of rust and neglect, is the last place I'd ever choose to be. But Masha is somewhere here—I've got to find her, somehow.
My heart pounds in my chest as I tread carefully among the crates and machinery, each step echoing off the unforgiving concrete walls, the sound almost deafening in the eerie silence.
And then, in a dimly lit corner of the warehouse, I see her. Masha, bound and helpless, her eyes wide with terror. A man is standing over her, his face a mask of cold detachment.
It’sMaxim. He's holding something in his hand—an instrument of pain, its purpose clear even in the dim light.
I'm frozen, my heart pounding.
I call out to him, “Maxim, don’t hurt her! Don’t do this. Please.”
He looks like a wild animal in the overhead light, sick and blood-thirsty. This is not the Maxim I know.
He smiles at me, and it’s terrifying. “What do you mean don’t do this? It’s already done.”
A mix of fear and disbelief paralyzes me. This can't be real. It must be some twisted trick of my mind, conjuring my deepest fears.
“Save yourself, Kira. Run!” My aunt’s words echo through my bones, but I can’t leave her here.
What should I do? How can I help her?
I fall to my knees, my voice trembling as I plead with Maxim. "Please, you're not a monster. There's still something decent left in you, I know it!" I search his eyes for a glimmer of the man I know, but Maxim stares through me, his gaze empty and void of any warmth.
