His eyes cut to mine. “Bedroom.Now.”
Heat floods my face, half anger, half humiliation. “I’m not a fucking dog—”
“Beda.”His voice drops lower. Quieter. Somehow that makes it worse. “Go.”
Vaska shifts his weight, clearly enjoying this.
I want to fight it. Want to stand my ground and tell Maksim exactly where he can shove his orders.
But something in his expression stops me.
Control.
The kind that’s barely holding.
I glare at him for one more beat, then turn on my heel and stalk toward the bedroom.
Behind me, I hear Vaska let out a low whistle.
I slam the door.
Chapter 21
Maksim
Fucking Vaska.
The door slams. I spin on him immediately.
“What the fuck are you doing in my house?”
He doesn’t blink. Doesn’t even slow. Just walks deeper into the kitchen and props himself against the counter
“You weren’t answering.”
“So you break in.”
“You gave me a key.”
“Not anymore.”
A corner of his mouth lifts. “You’re distracted.”
My teeth grind. His eyes flick to the bedroom. He doesn’t bother to hide it.
“Bakery girl,” he says lightly. “At the meeting was one thing. But in your bed?” He whistles softly. “Unexpected.”
“Careful.”
He ignores it.
“She’s sleeping here. Eating at your table. Having intense conversations about… protection.” His brow lifts. “That’s new for you.”
Silence.
Of course Vaska eavesdropped.
“You don’t keep strays,” Vaska says quietly. “So either she matters…” his gaze cuts to me, sharp as a blade, “…or you’re slipping.”
