Page 38 of Until Death or Defeat

“Yeah, business or pleasure, usually.”

I raise one of my brows as I go to check out the bar. I don’t even want to imagine what kind of shit happens in here, then. Guess I will avoid sitting directly on the couch.

“Do you guys always have so many random men here?”

“Why? Afraid of them?”

I roll my eyes and pour myself a shot from the bar. “I just think it isn’t safe to have a bunch of guys here that aren’t family. Especially when you’re all so casual and leaving important doors unlocked. Someone could sneak around or take things.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head G, no one will be pocketing your panties except Artem.”

My mouth drops open as I toss the cap of the bottle at him. “He fucking told you about that?” I scream, as Maxim laughs trying to dodge the cap.

That slimyasshole. I knew I shouldn’t have even played him in poker that night, but I hated that stupid smug look on his face. That bet is going to haunt me forever.

“Don’t be embarrassed, we’re family now after all.”

“Fuck you,” I spit out, and Roman picks up the cap I threw.

“Alright, calm down. You can’t be mad at Max just because Artem told him.”

“Actually, I can be mad at whoever I want, whenever I want to. And all three of you Sokolov brothers are pissing me off.”

Roman furrows his brows, “The fuck did I do?”

“Alright, alright. I’m sorry, okay? Truce,” Maxim says with a smile, coming over to me. “I already told you I’m on your side anyway,” he pouts.

I roll my eyes for the millionth time. “Fine.”

“Great, because it’s just going to be me and you tonight, G. Roman is going to go meet Artem later.”

I sigh and put away the bottle and shot glass. “Great, can’t wait.” I mutter sarcastically, and we all leave the den.

I follow Maxim into the kitchen and see Artem must have left already.

“Missing your husband?”

“Ugh, no, where do you come up with that anyway? Stop always trying to read my mind.” He chuckles and pulls out a bar stool from the large island to sit down. I sigh, thinking about what his mom was saying earlier before Artem swiftly interrupted us.

Would Maxim tell me?

“Can I ask you something?” I ask sitting at one of the other stools. He tilts his head in curiosity. “Who is Sara?”

His demeanor changes a bit, sitting up straighter. “Sara? Where did you hear that name?”

“Well, I was talking to your mom this morning and she mentioned it, but Artem came in before she could finish.”

He looks down thoughtfully before he replies. “Sara is just Artem’s ex.”

“His ex? He hasn’t dated anyone in all the years I’ve known him.”

He stands from the stool, going to grab himself a bottled water from the fridge. “Yeah, I mean they started dating when Artem graduated high school.”

I furrow my brows trying to think. When he graduated? He and I didn’t cross paths until three years after that, when Igraduated. I guess it just didn’t last? Is that what has him so bitter?

“It didn’t end well or something?”

Maxim sighs and closes the fridge. He seems reluctant to talk about it, which is weird because he usually can’t keep his mouth shut.