“I hate what you did.”
“Yes, I suppose you would.”
“What did the therapist tell you?”
“Nothing, obviously. That is between you and her.”
Kira snapped her head up. “You–” She gripped the fabric of her pants as she spun on him. “You tricked me.”
His eyebrows rose. “Oh? How did I do that?”
“You made it sound like she was going to tell you everything.”
“Did I?”
Kira whipped away. “Stop being obtuse!”
Maxim gripped her arm, gently enough that she could have pulled away if she wanted to, but instead she faced him. “I simply asked you not to lie, Morozov. Where did I mislead you?”
Kira couldn’t wrap her head around it. She was sure he said something. Why had she given all her secrets? Why had she exposed parts of her that no one had ever seen? She could have lied, and he would have never known.
“Is that something your father would have done?”
She sneered and shoved him, stomping down the hall. But Maxim had her elbow before she got into the room, and though she tried to pull out of it, his hold only tightened, and he pulled her back away from the entrance so no one else would hear them. “Perhaps there is a part of you, Morozov, that wants help, that wants to finally tell the truth. But you are too scared to seek it because all your lies will tumble down. You are a brilliant woman. There is no doubt in my mind that you know you have a problem.”
Kira’s eyes burned with tears.
“As someone who was addicted to gambling for two years, I understand you more than you wish me to.”
The admittance struck her, and she stayed still in his presence, like he was no longer better than her, but her equal. She felt seen. She felt heard. And more importantly, she didn’t feel judged.
“Now, let’s face the monstrosity that is your father.”
Chapter seventeen
Manipulate
Yakov Morozov stood in the center of the room with a cigar between his fat fingers. The massive six-foot, 220-pound mafia leader met them with all the air of a king, and Maxim fumbled in greeting, sticking his hand out after three long seconds of silence. “Mr. Morozov. This is a surprise.”
The moment their hands parted, Kira jumped into her father’s arms, kissing his cheek. “You look so good, Papa. Is this a real tan?”
He cackled. “Your mother makes me sit in the sun.”
Maxim gestured to the couch, and they all sat. He fixed his cuffs, adjusted his jacket, trying not to appear stressed and failing miserably.
“I love that you visited, but was there a reason, Papa?”
“No, no reason. I was in the area. But before we get on to business, how is married life? It’s been two months. Any news for me?”
Kira’s smile shifted a little, and she dropped her head. “Not yet, Papa.”
“You wish to surprise me, then?” he cackled. “I can tell. You’ve gained weight.”
Kira’s smile slowly fell. Maxim felt the punch like a sledgehammer, and he watched the color drain from his wife’s face.
“Don’t be disappointed. I’ll let you surprise your mother. For once, I’ll know something before she does.” Yakov grinned as he met Maxim’s gaze. “Let us pray for a boy. Any more girls in this family and we will have to start our own sorority. But they do not come without their uses. I gave you a weapon, Maxim. She is her mother’s daughter. Use her well.”
Kira pressed her lips tight in a vain smile, trying to appear embarrassed by the praise. “Have you visited Luerna?”
