Page 96 of Maksim
“I know,” he says, pained. “I know that. If I could go back in time and make another decision, I would. I…” His throat works as he swallows. “Come to Hugh’s with me, and the first thing we will do is search for an associate in Albania to help your family. As soon as it’s safe, we’ll get you a flight there. I promise. I’ll even go with you, if you want.”
“You have all the answers.” My heart feels like it’s coming up my throat. “But it’s too late. I’m sorry.”
I turn and start down the road, already feeling the ache of unrequited love. The fear of the unknown. The grief of loss.
I hold up my phone, ready to dial my mother again, terrified of what I’ll do if I’m too late, but I gasp as I’m jerked backward.
Maksim throws me over his shoulders with strong arms that would never make for a fair match and ignores my protests when I yell out and beat my fists on his back.
“I’m sorry,” he says, but he sounds sure of his decision. “You’ll forgive me for this.”
“Let me go!”
“I have to keep you safe. I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t.”
“You don’t even want me,” I cry. “You’re trying to buy your way out of my life.”
His hand on my thigh squeezes. “That isn’t true.”
“It is true!” My body goes limp against him as I drop my phone in the grass and let out a loud, embarrassing groan against his back. This sight must be absurd, but it’s hard to care.
Why? Why is my life so full of heartache?
How much can one person take?
Maksim stops on the porch and sets me on my feet, taking my shoulders to steady me. “Lislchka…”
“Stop,” I snap, swatting his hands away and taking a step back. For a moment, he looks like he’s trying to corner a wild animal, ready to pounce at me if I try to get away, but I don’t run. We’ve done this dance before. I know he’s faster. “Don’t call me lislchka anymore. We’re not a couple. We’re not even friends.”
His eyes narrow. “Stop being ridiculous.”
“I’m not being ridiculous.” My words sound over-the-top. Dramatic. Resembling Anya. They sound, well, ridiculous.
I don’t have time for this.
I tuck my hair behind my ear while pretending to look away shamefully, while really searching for a weapon. If he won’t let me leave willingly, I’ll have to leave by force. He’s stronger, faster, and more practiced. But I’m smarter, and he never ceases to underestimate me. Of all of Maksim’s flaws, that’s his biggest.
The clay flowerpot I’m hopelessly trying to grow oregano in sits on a bench by the door. There are others, bigger and sturdier, but my eyes choose it.
“I love you.”
I freeze, my hand still at my ear, my heart stopping for a moment.
I couldn’t have heard him right.
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am for not taking the threat to your family seriously, but I still believe they’re safe. I will do everything in my power to ensure it and will treat them as my own blood from this day forward, I swear on my life. You are…”
My eyes find him as he clears his throat. I don’t know what to think. I want to be happy, but I’m in too much shock to process his words.
“You are not a prisoner, but you are my life. And I can’t bear the thought of losing you like this, so please,” he gestures toward the door. “Let’s get Anya and Hugh and get someplace safe.”
“I’m just supposed to trust you now?” I ask, my voice small, swept up in his revelation. My heart begs me to proclaim my love, but I hate him and love him simultaneously for doing this now. Here. Like this. With so much going on. So much happening. “I’m just supposed to stand by while my family is in danger?”
“You can trust me.” He steps forward and takes my hand. “I promise you?—”
“Would you do it?”
His mouth closes. Lines form between his eyes as he waits for me to go on.