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Aly’s brows pull together. “Huh?”
This is not easy to share, but Aly has a right to know that my feelings for Maxim are complicated. “Things ... have changed.” A softness invades my tone. “I’ve seen a different side of him.”
Her eyes take me in from head to toe. When she’s done with her inspection, she frowns. “So you actually want to be married to him? Are you together now?”
“No. Definitely not,” I’m quick to counter. We haven’t talked about it, but it’s clear Maxim has no desire for this to be real. “It’s an arrangement until he deals with the Black Company and helps me get my revenge. And then…” I shrug because I don’t really know what happens next. “We’ll probably go our separate ways.”
Her expression carries a hint of disappointment, as if I've let her down in some way. But I can't lie to her and continue to portray Maxim as all bad, because he's not. “Why would you trust him? After everything he did to you, to us?”
I shift from foot to foot, pulling at my hoodie like that’s somehow going to distract her. “He’s shown me a different sideof himself. He’s done some shitty things, I won’t deny that, but he’s not all bad. Give him a chance to explain to you why he did what he did. To show the other side of him. He’s protected me, he’s taken care of me during a terrible nightmare, he even kicked an attendant off our flight when… Whatever, that’s a long story.”
Her forehead creases. "Honestly, I’m not sure I can forgive him that easily. But if this is what you want, I’ll support you.”
Guilt washes over me, making me question if I'm siding with the enemy. But the truth is, the only thing I care about is Maxim helping me get my revenge. And I guess it remains to be seen if he'll actually deliver what he promised. “The only thing I want is to bring my aunt’s killer to justice,” I answer, truthfully. “After that, we’ll go our separate ways.”
It’s impossible to imagine what happens after this. Would I like to go back to my old life working with my brothers and having my family and friends close by? Hell yes. But something inside me has shifted. I don’t know what’s next or what I want, but I do know that deep down, Maxim has left a mark on me that can’t be easily erased.
“And in the meantime, you’re gonna keep on sleeping with him?” She pulls a face, and I can’t help but smile.
“I’m sorry, this is weird to talk about with you. Maxim is your father.”
“That’s not how I think of him.”
My mouth tips up. “So you don’t think of me as your stepmother?”
She snorts. “God, that’s fucking weird. No.” She heaves a sigh. “Okay, fine. Promise me you’ll be careful. I still don’t fully trust him, no matter what he claims about helping you find your aunt."
I lay a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be cautious," I promise. “But there is something you should know.” Her eyes search mine, waiting. “Maxim didn’t let you go because I offered himan alternative. He let you go because he didn’t want you to be unhappy and he knew that Leo would keep you safe. In his weird way, he cares about you.”
A long, slow breath leaves her lungs as she shakes her head. “I’ll believe it when I see it. Right now, it sounds like a convenient story.”
I understand Aly's wariness of Maxim, and honestly, I'm not sure if time alone will be enough to heal the wounds he inflicted. But I want her to understand that there's another side to Maxim. Not for my sake, but because it's tough to believe the worst about your own family. I should know—my father was genuinely evil. I don't know what Maxim is, but he's not that.
But now isn't the time to push the issue, so I take the opportunity to change the subject.
“How are things between you and Leo? I’m sorry I haven't been there for you, but I’m always a phone call away.”
Her eyes go soft. “We’re good. We’re really, really good. I never imagined things would work out between us, but Leo makes me so fucking happy. We’re planning the wedding, but I don’t even care about that. All I care about is the life we’re building together.” She frowns. “To be honest, the only dark spot in my world has been worrying about you.”
“I know, babe.” I wrap my best friend, who is also a full head above me, in a tight hug. “But you don’t have to worry anymore. I’m okay. I’m better than okay. I’m putting some old demons to rest.” Knowing Maxim will use his money and power to find Masha’s killer is a huge relief.
She keeps one arm around my shoulders. “Please don’t get yourself hurt, crazy lady. You have no idea who or what you’re dealing with.”
“I won’t,” I promise, sincerely hoping I can keep my word. And then I take a chance. “Will you stay for tea? I think it would be good for us all to talk.”
Aly twists her lips. “If it’s important to you, I will, but I'm not ready to have a relationship with Maxim.”
“I get it.” I squeeze Aly’s hand. “Just tea for now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
KIRA
Rollingout the pelmeni dough is proving more challenging than I remember. Each push and pull seem to leave it lumpier than before. I glance around the unfamiliar kitchen, trying to find a better rolling pin or perhaps the bottom of a big jar to flatten the bunched-up edges. It’s what I remember my aunt doing.
The penthouse kitchen has no amenities, other than the ones I asked Maxim’s men to deliver to me when I got a hankering for pelmeni—small, meat-filled dumplings—earlier this evening. The truth is, they were my aunt’s favorite dish—the only one she could make—and she taught me how to prepare them. I'm not a skilled cook, but making them always makes me feel closer to her.
I lift a small piece of dough and hold it up to the light. Not thin enough. A sigh escapes my lips as I brush a stray strand of hair from my face and attack the dough with a renewed vigor.
