Page 44 of Bedazzled
Her eyes darted to Maksim and I could see a sheen of tears she refused to let fall. “There are some things you can’t come back from. Think about that.”
She marched out the door, leaving us alone in the library.
Maksim gave me a moment to think, and I rubbed my forehead.
“Are you still getting the migraines?” he asked.
“Not so much,” I lied. “I am glad Mariya and Ekaterina are here, they will keep Tania busy and out of trouble. This weapons deal in Moscow is right on the edge of an agreement that will bring in another $85 million a year. I would like to ask you to fly out with me and sign the deal. The Fedorov’s will be happy to see the powerful MorozovPakhancome in person to meet with them.”
“Of course,” he nodded. “I have five days before I need to be back home, just schedule it when you can.”
“You called New York home,” I observed. “When did that change? You have always insisted that St. Petersburg will always be your true home.”
Maksim smiled, an oddly gentle expression I rarely saw. “I believe it’s home because Ella is there. She is my home.”
“Let’s take off his arm…”
I rubbed my scar, which felt like a burning brand on my face.
I am not a captive. I am alive, and I am strong. They have no power over me.
“Brother?” Maksim looked at me, concerned. “Should I call Ella?”
Forcing a smile, I shook my head, casting about for something else to talk about. Something to distract him from staring at me so closely. “There is one thing about yesterday that still bothers me.”
“What’s that?”
“Nolan O’Rourke. He is a bastard,” I said. “He seems to enjoy watching people suffer. Do you remember when he bought out the land under the youth home in Italy and evicted them because he wanted more parking space for his soccer arena? Why would he step forward to save the day?”
“He demanded we grant a favor whenever he decides to request it,” Maksim mused, frowning. “But it was only after he discredited the girl.”
“The man is known for playing games,” I said, “but he also told Tania specifically thatshewill owe him a favor. Why her?”
He sighs, stretching his legs toward the fire. “I don’t know. However, we have enough to deal with right now without worrying about the future. It - and all its accompanying problems - will be here soon enough.”
“Why brother,” I said in the tone I knew drove him mad, “I had no idea you were a master philosopher.”
“You are healed enough that I could break your nose and not feel bad about it,” he said casually, “do keep that in mind,brother.”
An unfamiliar warmth spread through my chest. I never would have imagined that Maksim threatening to beat the hell out of me would be a good thing. It meant he did not see me as fragile. He did not see me as a victim.
Tania…
Ella showed up halfway through my efforts to find my suitcase. Everything from it was neatly hung in the closet or folded into drawers, but the actual item to carry my stuff the hell back out of here was gone.
She held up a covered plate. “I brought some of the wedding cake because this is amazing. Marzipan and chocolate ganache and a cream cake studded with golden raspberries that is so good you’ll never eat cake again without a deep sense of disappointment.” She settled happily on the bed, peeling the cover off.
“You and your filthy love of cake,” I shook my head and tried to smile.
“Hey, I’m just making up for the fact that I was too upset to eat any of mine, remember?” She offered me a fork.
Taking it, I joined her on the bed. “I did tell you to take a huge chunk with you on your honeymoon, remember?” I swallowed the first bite. “Oh, damn that’s good.”
“Their choice for a baker fell through, so the Balabanovs wanted me to select a wedding cake,” she said, taking another bite, “so technically, this is more my cake than theirs and I am happy to share it with you.”
“I appreciate that because I know you would snatch it off my fork with the speed of a striking cobra if I tried to steal it from you.” I took another bite and sighed deeply. This cake was made of chocolate clouds and angel wings or something.
“That would be after I pinned your hand to the table with my fork for having the audacity to come between me and my cake,” she said primly, stuffing her mouth with a huge bite.
