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“I don’t need him by my side in the house. Only when I leave here, which won’t be happening for a while.” I stretch out my hand, watching as she applies the polish with smooth, careful strokes.
“By the way, I have those birth control pills you asked for. I’ll drop them off tomorrow. Sorry it took so long to get them. I hadto be careful so Anatoly didn’t find out about it since me being a virgin is part of his deal with my parents.” She sticks her finger down her throat, and I couldn’t agree more.
“Thank you,” I say with genuine gratitude. “You got it just in time. I’m expecting my period soon, but after that, I’ll need to get on birth control.”
“The doctor said to start the pill on the first day of your menstrual cycle.” Liza’s eyes narrow on me. “What have you been using for protection?”
I bite my lower lip. “Uh, nothing. I know, I know ... but before you say anything, let me point out that we only started having sex after ovulation.”
She lets out a small whistle. “Girl, I might be a virgin, but even I know that’s a terrible idea.”
I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “It’s a little late for regrets. Anyway … I much rather we talk about a way for you to ditch Anatoly but keep all of his family’s money.”
She lets out a laugh, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I know this arranged marriage weighs heavily on her. How could it not? Being tied to someone horrible for the rest of your life sounds like hell.
“Yeah, maybe in a perfect world that would be possible.” She pauses, her expression turning somber. “Someone came by the house yesterday to collect on Papa’s gambling debt. The maid told him that Papa is still in Poland, but how long can we keep putting off these creditors? The next time they come by, who knows what they'll do.”
Nails be damned, I reach out and firmly grasp her hand, offering a reassuring squeeze. “Let me tell Maxim. He can help.”
“No. Please, I don’t want to involve him. Or anyone, for that matter. As soon as I marry Anatoly, we’ll have the money to settle all of my father’s debts. I have to manage until then.”
“If you’re in danger in any way, you come to me.”
“I will,” she says, focusing on my nails again.
“Hey.” I snatch my hand away so she has to meet my eyes. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you. Promise you won’t shoulder this alone.”
“I promise.” She smiles wistfully. “It’s so great to have you back here. Just having a friend to talk to ... it makes everything easier. I don’t feel so alone.”
My heart sinks thinking about the struggles she faced. “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what. Even when I’m back in New York.”
Her eyebrows knit together, a small crease forming on her forehead. “Are you planning on leaving soon?”
“Well, no, but at some point.” I shrug. This isn’t forever—how could it be?
Liza avoids my gaze, focusing on my hand, her movements slower as she resumes painting my nails. “Then, let’s enjoy the time we have together now.”
I smile sadly. “That’s exactly what Masha would have said.”
Because Masha didn’t believe in wasted moments nor regret. She was a believer in living for the moment and letting the rest take its course. It would do me good to remember that.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
MAXIM
"As you can see,the shipping routes are secure and operating at maximum efficiency now that we’ve doubled security," Viktor addresses me, pointing to a map spread across the table.
I listen intently, my gaze sweeping over my top lieutenants assembled here in the security of my home. It's a tactical decision—better to have them within these walls discussing the finer details of our operations than meeting off-site.
While we're reviewing financial projections, the door bursts open with a clamor.
"Maxim!" Kira's voice, sharp and irritated, slices through the room.
She stands in the doorway, clad in an oversized shirt splattered with streaks of paint, the hem barely grazing her thighs. Beneath it, barely-there short-shorts peek out, clinging to her curves. The shirt hangs off one shoulder, revealing a swath of creamy skin, and it's apparent from the way the fabric moves against her that she hasn’t bothered with a bra.
The room, a moment ago filled with the hum of business, falls into abrupt silence, all attention snapping towards Kira.
Moments later, Nadya appears behind her, her face etched with fury.
