AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He releases a slow, deep chuckle. “I see you wouldn’t mind that. But first, you need some sleep.” He disappears into the closet and comes out a moment later, wearing boxers and nothing else.
Pulse pounding in my ears, I stare up at the ceiling and grit my teeth, trying to loosen the lusty thoughts rattling around in my brain. He pushes a button on a remote control and the blinds lower, enveloping the room in darkness.
We’ve never gone to bed together like a normal married couple, which is probably why this all feels so damn awkward. To me. Not to Maxim, who is already in bed, lying on his back with his hands under his head, staring at the ceiling. And hot damn, the covers are bunched at his waist, showing off his fighter’s physique.
Deep breaths, Kira.
What happened in the alley should have eased my hunger. But I swear, all it did was amp up my craving for him.
I lift the covers and settle into bed beside Maxim. It’s not like we’re touching or anything, but I don’t know which way to look or turn, so I opt for curling up, facing away from him. I won’t be able to fall asleep with the knowledge that if I open my eyes, Maxim is there beside me.
As my eyelids are getting heavy, he says, "You have nightmares. You cry out and thrash around. I thought it was about your father, but now I’m not so sure.”
I'm quiet for a moment. “Masha’s death is all my fault."
He makes a noise of acknowledgement in his throat but doesn’t argue. He doesn’t try to convince me that it’s not on me or justify it six ways from Sunday. Instead of words, one of his strong arms wraps around my waist and hauls me into his body.
I stiffen, not used to being held like this, protected and cradled, but it feels good. Strangely, it feels familiar.
“They sent me pictures, you know, of her body, after … after everything they did.” I exhale sharply through my nose. Even though it twists me up to talk about it, somehow it feels like he has the right to know. “And a letter, describing everything they did to get her to talk. To put her in that state. When I close my eyes, that’s what I see.” He stills behind me, quiet. Listening. “The weird thing is, the nightmares have eased up recently. I have them, but I’m not waking up in a cold sweat.” I chuckle silently. “Until the nightmare I had the other morning. I'll have you know, you were in it.”
Maxim exhales, his breath fluttering across my neck. “Perhaps it's because her so-called murderer was comforting you every time you had a nightmare.”
“What?” I turn in his arms so I’m facing him. What the hell is talking about?
His fingers gently brush over my face, the faint lines framing his eyes softening in amusement. “I couldn't stand to hear your cries,” he says simply as if that explains it all.
“So you?—”
“Held you. Like this.” His strong arms tighten around me, and he turns me so I’m resting on his chest. The thud of his heartbeat reverberates in my ear, and the scent ofhimfills my nostrils.
Holy shit. Talk about unexpected. Being in his embrace is comforting because it’s familiar. My heart twists, a little twinge above my ribs.
Why does Maxim care enough to comfort me? I was sure he disliked me, or at the very least, that he was indifferent.
“I really thought it was you,” I say. “When Anatoly told me your history with my father, coupled with the fact that you knew my aunt and she would have trusted you, all the pieces seemed to fit together.”
Except, they don’t fit together.
“Trusted me?” he asks.
“She kept a diary right at the end,” I explain. “I found it at her cabin outside of the city, where she was hiding out. She talked about someone she knew and trusted reaching out to her in her final days, offering her protection from my father.” I huff out a breath. “It made sense that it was you.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint.” His voice rumbles in his chest. “I’m also sorry I didn’t give your aunt’s murder enough thought before today. I didn’t know the details, but I didn’t take the time to find out.” Even though his words hurt, he’s not saying anything surprising. The world we live in has hardened us to death and violence, and Maxim sees it every day. “When we’re back in Russia, I’m paying Boris Ivanov a visit.”
My head whips up, and I meet Maxim’s intense gaze. “Please don’t hurt him,” I plead. “He was drunk. When Liza asked him about it when he was sober, he denied the accusation.”
“I’m no fan of Boris’s, but even he’s not stupid enough to make up something like this.” His voice is lined with steel. “He’s a gossipy piece of shit, but I want to know where he’s getting his information from.”
“Just don’t kill him,” I plead. “Even if he is a worm, he’s Liza’s father.”
“If he talks, we won’t have a problem.” He pulls my mouth close to his, and I want more than anything for him to fuse our lips together. “Lastochka, I meant what I said. I’ll help you get your revenge. I won’t let the crime go unanswered, but I stillneed you to play your part as my wife. Things are going to get even more dangerous, and I need to know that you’re safe. No more sneaking around and no more lies between us.”
A choked laugh spills from my lips. “You know I’m a trained fighter, right? I’ve been doing krav maga for years.”
“I don’t care.” I can make out his smirk in the dark as his two hands travel down the length of my body, before landing on each ass cheek. The possessive squeeze he gives my flesh says it all. “Don’t make me punish you again.”
“Fine, I’ll drop it for now.” I pause to think. With everything out in the open, there's something I need to address. “You have to get Nadya to back off. She treats me as if I’m her lowly stepdaughter, not the lady of the house.” I swallow, taking a moment to choose my next words carefully. “I think she’s in love with you,” I admit.
