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Goosebumps dance across my skin. Provoking Maxim is like taunting a lion in his den—it's only a matter of time before he strikes.
Andrei must have the same thought because he steps forward and tries a diplomatic approach to negotiating Aly’s freedom, offering Maxim a lucrative alliance with the Kozlov Bratva.
“More money, more power… That means nothing to me,” Maxim says with a dismissive wave. He comes to stop in front of Leo, his face as hard as granite. “While I applaud your loyalty to my daughter, I require an heir, a blood relation to lead by my side. And make no mistake” — his mouth settles into a hard line as he tilts his head towards Aly — “you may not want this, butyou will learn to be a leader. As my daughter, it’s in your blood. Are you willing to walk away from our agreement, Alyona?”
Aly’s fear is palpable as Leo steps forward, looking ready to rip Maxim limb from limb.
“Stop!” All eyes are on me as I stride through the room and position myself directly in front of Maxim. Curiosity dances in his gaze as it settles on me. “You want an heir, someone to rule by your side…” The room takes a collective breath. “Then take me.”
I'm gambling on Maxim's willingness to consider a different arrangement—one that offers Aly the freedom she craves while allowing me to infiltrate his inner circle. Because what better way to unearth Maxim's dark secrets than by his side ... as hiswife?
“I’ll marry you,” I say, my nails pressing into my palms. “I will become your wife and lead by your side, but let Alyona go.”
Maxim’s expression morphs into one of intrigue, his eyebrows arching. One side of his full mouth quirks upwards.
“Kira, no!” Aly's voice is thick with panic, but I give her a pleading look. This plan serves us both.
“Now, why would you want to do that?” Maxim questions, eyes narrowed.
My skin feels electric with tension, but I keep my head high. “Because I want to be in power. I was born to rule. Even if I despised my father, royalty is in my blood. It’s my fate. This will be nothing more than a business arrangement. No romantic entanglements, nothing that could get messy.” I’m not sure if what I say next will sweeten the deal, but I’m desperate enough to try. “But I will give you heirs if that’s what you want.”
Maxim's face gives nothing away, his fists tight at his sides. It's surprising he's even considering my proposal, but it means I was on the mark—he wants someone bound to him to rule byhis side, and he’s smart enough to realize that he can’t force his daughter into that role.
Maxim's demeanor remains composed as he turns to Aly. “What do you have to say on the matter?”
Her expression darkens. “I’d like to speak to my friend alone. Without you and your guards breathing down our necks.”
“You have five minutes.” With a sweep of his arms, Maxim and his men clear out of the room.
Aly is the first one to speak. Or rather, yell. “Are you crazy?! I won’t let you do this,” she hollers, stomping her foot. “You can’t bear him a child! I won’t allow you to sacrifice your happiness for mine.”
“You’re not allowing me to do anything,” I point out. “It’s my choice.”
Leo turns to me. “Sestra, it means the world that you offer yourself like this, but there is another way.”
“Leo is right.” Andrei crosses his arms in front of his chest. “I can’t stand the thought of you tying yourself to that monster for the rest of your life. We’ll figure something out.”
“I don’t get it.” Alyona’s face falls. “You hate him. You hate him more than I do!”
“Oh, I hate him, alright.” I sigh deeply. “But he’s a means to an end.” That’s all I’ll say on the matter. If I tell them my true motivations behind this marriage, they’ll fight me bitterly. Because marrying Maxim Belov for the sole purpose of investigating him and possibly killing him is dangerous. I know it is, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Leo throws his hands in the air. “Money and power we have… What could he possibly give you?”
“Trust that I have my reasons. I can’t tell you what those are right now, but I’m going into this with my eyes wide open.”
“There is no ‘wide open’ with a snake like Belov,” Daniil snarls. “At least take some time to consider. You can’t decide your entire future under pressure like this.”
“Aly and I can stay here while we try to work things out with Belov,” Leo offers. “I can’t allow you to throw away your future on a whim.”
I hold up my hand. “This isn’t a whim. And this is not a case of altruism. Although, you know I would do anything for you, Aly.” I give her a weak smile. “This is for me.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Aly gives a small shake of her head, her lower lip caught under her teeth. “‘Thank you’ doesn’t seem sufficient.”
“Not ‘thank you’.” I hug her. “How about ‘good luck’?”
The hair on the back of my neck rises, and the air shifts in the room as Maxim comes back in. “So?” He raises his eyebrows at Alyona.
“What do you want me to say?” Aly’s gaze hardens. “You’ve left us with no choice.”
