Page 50 of Maksim

Her long eyelashes flutter as she hugs her stomach. “She told me about the men in Albania who took her freedom and how you agreed to marry her so she wouldn’t have to go back there. She told me you saved her.”

She said I…

I slowly blink while I try to wrap my head around that, but the look my sister gives me makes it difficult to question the warped reality for long. She’s looking at me like I’m her savior. Like I’m suddenly worthy. Like I’m…

Like I’m her brother.

“Just so you know, I’m not angry,” Anya says, holding her hands up. “I get why you didn’t tell me about eloping and the green card stuff. But I hope now that I know, maybe we don’t have to hide so much from each other anymore?”

She gives me a tiny, hopeful smile as she says it, tears glistening in her eyes.

Finally, I have no hesitation to speak. I nod, my throat feeling smaller. “I’d like that very much.”

Again, she throws her arms around me, and I hug her back, my eyes drifting to the glass door. I spot Elira watching us by the hallway. She walks away as our eyes meet.

She is a clever, clever bitch. Telling my sister we’re married, making herself a more permanent marker in my life, buttering Anya up, ensuring herself extra security. Well done, Elira. Well done.

I try to make myself angry, but it’s hard when I feel like for the first time in a very long time, the war between my sister and I is at rest.

I slip my phone into my back pocket, no longer intent on making a call.

After all, what kind of husband gives his own wife up?

16

ELIRA

When I lay my head down for the night, I’m content, with the most peace I’ve felt since leaving Albania.

It isn’t real peace. I couldn’t begin to know what true peace feels like. But it’s better than fear of someone sneaking into Maksim’s bed in the middle of the night. It’s an inkling of safety.

Anya loves me.

I smile at the thought, my mind taking me to the mall today. She used her brother’s credit card to buy me enough things that Daniel’s wife’s clothing is now obsolete. I’ve never spent so frivolously in my life, and I could lie here with my lip curled, pretending the overconsumption disgusts me, but not today. Today, I feel like royalty. Today, I feel great. Even within this shitty existence.

Breathing in, I no longer smell Maksim on the freshly-washed pillowcase. In the morning it’ll be my own scent rubbed off on the satin, as if this is my bed. For a moment, I pretend that it is. For a moment, Anya is my sister and today was one of many outings to look forward to. I’ll be sending Mami a check tomorrow and a photo for Asher just to tease.

It’s a nice fantasy. But, of course, Maksim has to ruin it.

The bedroom door opens, announcing his arrival, and I sit up in bed, tugging the comforter to my neck. He showered a while ago, so he’s in athletic shorts and a white T-shirt now like he’s about to go play futbol.

“What do you want?” I ask, my tone sharp and accusatory.

He shuts the door and glares at me before strutting to the bed. “What do you mean, what do I want? This is my room.”

He pulls his shirt over his head, revealing the tattoo across his pec and enough muscle to make me uncomfortably look away.

“Aren’t you sleeping on the couch?”

He huffs, but it isn’t obnoxious like normal. It’s muted, like he’s afraid Anya might hear. “Six hours of marriage, and I’m already in the doghouse?”

Now I look at him, my head tilted with curiosity.

So… Anya told him. I’m surprised. Not that she told him, but that he didn’t bring it up sooner or that he doesn’t seem angry. After what looked like a heartfelt conversation, the two siblings came inside and we ate together at the table, listening to Anya ramble about our day. Maksim was noticeably quiet. I kept searching for signs of anger but saw none.

Maksim throws back the sheet, revealing my camisole and baby blue velvet shorts in the process. I quickly cover up. He seems to notice my discomfort by the look he gives me but says nothing as he climbs into bed next to me and rests his arm behind his head on a pillow.

“You’re a clever girl, Elira,” he says, his voice smooth enough to send a tingle running across my shoulders. “Telling my sister we’re married so that you’re harder to get rid of… Now if my wife suddenly disappears, I’ll have explaining to do.”