Page 95 of Mistaken
I’m looking down at my kingdom, the lights glittering through Manhattan and the softer illumination of Vessel, each staircase connected to another and spiraling into a honeycomb shape in a glowing spiral.
The Sokolov Bratva is disbanded, their men pledging loyalty to me. The O’Connell Irish Mob has been driven out of New York before they could even gain a foothold. I have powerful allies with the Turgenev Bratva and the Toscano Mafia. And I’m standing here alone.
Yuri was stunned when I told him about my decision.
“This can’t be- Maksim, you cannot be serious.”
“I already had the top floor of The Cormorant cleared and furnished for her,” I’m looking out the window, I don’t want to see his expression. “Have all her things moved to the new apartment and set up a bank account for her. She’s going to need round-the-clock security. I want it doubled. Contact the Vijayumar legal firm to start the divorce proceedings, be sure it is completely confidential. I don’t want even a whisper about this until it is done and Ella is relocated to wherever she wants to be.”
He moved in front of me, blocking the view. “Brother, you cannot want this. I know you don’t. I never thought I would say this, but I know you love her. She cracked your cold, black heart wide open.”
I turn my head and stare at the fireplace instead. “I do love her. And that’s why I’m letting her go.”
Ella…
“Why are you doing this?”
I look up from the bag I’m packing. Oh, great. It’s Alina.
“Don’t you have something for Maksim to sign?” I’m tired and it’s hard to remember how to be polite.
She steps into the Inner Sanctum, her four-inch heels clacking on the hardwood. “Why would you leave?”
Zipping up the bag, I sigh deeply, straightening up even though she’s towering over me in those heels. “Look, you should be thrilled. You can make a play for Maksim the minute I’m out of the picture.”
Her perfect, smooth brow actually wrinkled a bit. “What?”
“C’mon, I know you’ve been crazy for him the minute I met you. Not that I’m blaming you. He’s the perfect Russian package.” The thought of the two of them together, the crowns held over their heads as he guides her on to the??????,and the misery it causes makes me slump gracelessly onto the bed.
Alina cautiously moves closer to me, still clutching her customary tablet and file folders. “I worship him of course,” she says matter-of-factly and I just want to grab her perfect, high ponytail and drag her out of here and down the hall. “But, the Pakhan was never meant for me.” She’s talking in the same tone you’d use to recite the lunch menu. “I knew this long ago, but when he married you? It was clear you two were meant to be.”
Shaking my head, I stare at her. Is she drunk? Did she knock her head on something? “Are you feeling okay today?”
Her perfectly shaped brow rises. “Of course. I would never presume to know what the Pakhan thinks or feels, but… it is clear he cares for you. He has been kinder with you here, even in the middle of this upheaval.”
Standing, I put the strap of my bag over my shoulder, realize it’s landed on one of the burns and wince, moving it to the other shoulder.
“I wish you would not leave,” Alina says. “The Pakhan will be very unhappy.”
“I have to admit, that is the last thing I ever imagined hearing from you,” I marvel. Impulsively, I hold out my hand and she cautiously shakes it. “Thank you, Alina, that… you know, that really means a lot to hear from you.”
Walking down the marble hall, I smile, hearing her high heels clicking away for the last time. Yuri is waiting in the entry with Ivan, who looks like a pit bull with a bad cold.
“Sister…” Yuri puts his arms around me and for just a moment, I let myself sag into him. “Please do not do this,” he whispers.
One pathetic sob escapes me before I pull it together. “I have to, Yuri. If I stay any longer, this is going to kill me.”
He hugs me harder. “Maksim would protect you from anything.”
“There’s some things he can’t protect me from.” Pulling back from him, I smile. “I love you. I’m going to miss you so much. Though not the endless mentions of your… you know.”
He gets that same shark grin that Maksim wears when he thinks he’s The Man. “There are some things too impressive to remain without praise.”
Pushing him away playfully, I gratefully laugh. “Yeah, okay, weirdo.” Squeezing his hands, I risk a glance at the closed office door.
“He is…” Yuri hesitates, “he is not good company right now.”
Forcing a smile, I nod. “Sure, just…” pausing, I try to think of what to say.
