“Yes, ma’am.”
When I got into the car, I felt like I could finally slip my mask off. Slumping into my seat, I closed my eyes and let the silent tears flow.
***
After I got to Maksim’s, Timur carried Voxie’s bag inside. “Do you need anything else?”
“No. I think I’m good.”
Nodding, he said, “Goodnight, D–”
“Sarah.” With a wink, I added, “I won’t tell Maksim if you don’t tell.”
“Goodnight, Sarah.”
Grinning, I replied, “Goodnight, Timur.”
He smiled before heading out the front door. “All right, Voxie. Let’s get you settled.”
After letting her out, I went to the kitchen to get her water and food setup. Once that was done, I grabbed my overnight bag and went to Maksim’s bedroom. I made quick work slipping out of my dress and thong.
I was hoping after I took a shower and did my skincare routine that Maksim would be home. When he wasn’t, I propped myself up in the bed with the TV remote, a Churu for Voxie, and a glass of what I was sure was ridiculously expensive vodka.
Since I kept scrolling and scrolling, I finally settled on anI Love Lucyepisode. I’d burned through two of them when Maksim swept through the bedroom doorway. At the sight of him, I threw back covers and hopped out of the bed. “Are you all right?”
His clothes and face were covered in ash and soot. “I’m fine. The b-bomb obliterated the club’s foundation. We have to start the project over.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“So am I.”
“Do you have any idea who might’ve done it?”
Maksim’s ragged sigh filled me with dread. “I would say my uncles or cousins.”
“The ones from tonight?” When he nodded, I asked, “All because you didn’t ask them to be a part of the club?”
“Russians are weird when it comes to being slighted, especially by family.”
Jerking his thumb at the bathroom, he said, “I’m going to hop in the shower.”
“Can I do anything?”
“Bring me a bottle of Stolichnayavodka.”At what must’ve been my blank look, he replied, “The one with the red top and label.”
“Got it.”
As he started undressing, Voxie strolled to the edge of the bed and meowed at him. “Hello, beautiful. Let me get cleaned up before I pet you, okay?”
As Voxie flicked her tail at him in response, I smiled before heading out of the bedroom for the vodka. When I gazed at the liquor cabinet, I didn’t see one with a red label or top. There was Stoli with a red label but not a red top.
Although I imagined they were the same since the names were similar, I squatted down to look through the bottles in the bottom of the cabinet. When I opened the door, several bottles came tumbling forward.
“Shit,” I muttered.
When I started to shove them back inside, I realized a black box hidden in the back had knocked them over. Since there was no way to get the bottles back in without moving the box, I pulled it out.
“Omph,” I muttered since the box was heavier than I thought. It was black with a glossy appearance. Although the dimensions seemed off to hold liquor, I decided to peek inside just in case.
