“Maksim, you’re up. I was told you’re being discharged today.”
Kira is beside Gregor and she doesn’t hesitate to throw her arms around her brother. “Dad didn’t tell me you were here until a few hours ago otherwise I would have come sooner.” After she’s done hugging her brother, she gives me one next. “I’m glad you’re ok. That Maksim got you back.”
“Because of you,” Maksim says. “Kira gave us the address to Enzo’s house.”
A scowl settles over Gregor’s face. “I’m not happy with you, Kira. We have a lot of things to discuss. But I wanted you to see your brother.”
Kira flushes, knowing she’s in big trouble.
“Go easy on her,” Maksim says. “We all make mistakes.”
“Lord knows you’ve made tons of them,” Gregor mutters.
Maksim’s eyes tighten. “What the hell does that mean?”
“You almost started a war with Enzo Bianchi.”
“We’re already at war with him,” Maksim fires back. A few other people walking past look over. Maksim and his dad are making a scene.
“You messed up, Maksim. You let your wife get kidnapped. You should have done a better job.”
“You’re so fucking hard on me. And now you’re icing Kira out because she made a mistake. She helped save Natasha. Don’t be angry with her.”
“Your sister betrayed me. And you, son… you disappoint me.”
I see the pain on Maksim’s face. The way his eyes seem to sink deeper and his skin turns pale. Maksim stood up to my father for me and now it’s my turn to return the favor.
“You’re too hard on him,” I say to Gregor.
“Excuse me?”
“Maksim has saved my life multiple times now. He took a bullet for me. He’s a good man. You forced him into this marriage but he’s made the most out of it. He’s only ever treated me with respect. And yet, you have the audacity to stand there and say that he’s a disappointment? You’re the disappointment, sir. You hold your son to impossible standards just like my father does to me. So I suggest you back off and tell your son that he did a good job. And tell your daughter too. She helped save my life as well. No one is perfect. Stop expecting it.”
The shock on Gregor’s face is an understatement.
“Now, me and my husband are going home. We need some peace and quiet.” I give Kira a nod before taking Maksim’s hand and tugging him along.
Maksim and his father share a final look before Maksim follows me down the hallway and away from his father and towards a better future for the both of us.
Chapter Eighteen
Natasha
Maksim pulls me into his arms the moment we return home. “Thank you. No one has ever stood up to my father for me before.”
“That’s what a wife is supposed to do. And you helped me with my father. So thank you for that.”
“I have to admit… you looked sexy when you were talking back to my dad. I’ve never seen you use your voice like that before.”
“After how you’ve helped me, I’ve realized that I don’t have to be so afraid anymore.”
“I’m glad. Now, I want to hear you use your voice when I pleasure you tonight.” His lips find mine in a passionate kiss, stealing my breath away.
“But your shoulder,” I whisper against his lips.
“My shoulder is fine. It’s sore but it’s nothing I can’t deal with. Now, I need to touch you again. Taste you again.”
He picks me up into his arms and carries me into the bedroom, showing me that his strength is not a problem despite his hurt shoulder. My heart is pounding as we kiss. I know this is the moment. We’re finally going to have sex. There’s nothing keeping us apart anymore.
