Page 45 of The Stalking King

Despite everything, I smile.

Lia: Is that so?

Maksim: It is. Let me treat you. Let me help you take a break from life. See it as a favor for me.

My smile widens.

Lia: Well, if you insist.

When I return to the townhouse, a man I don’t recognize is leaning against the wall. He’s got tattoos on his hands and neck, and his hair is dark, flecked with silver. Panic grips me for a moment before he smiles and I see the resemblance to Maksim.

“Lia?” he says, stepping forward and offering his hand. “I’m Nikolai. Nick, if you don’t want to be all official about it. I’m Maksim’s brother.”

“Oh, hi.” I take his hand, shaking it. “Yeah, he’s talked about you.”

He ironically crosses himself. “Let’s hope he didn’t tell the truth.”

I chuckle. He seems like a nice man.

“May I come in?” he asks, with an ironic bow.

“Why?” I reply.

“I’d like to talk to the lady who’s reminded my brother he has a heart in that big old chest of his.”

I smile, flattered. This whole situation is beyond crazy, but I can’t deny the way this makes me feel.

He raises his hands. “Trust me, Lia. I’m not foolish enough to make a move on Maksim Volkov’s girl.”

I don’t correct him when he calls me Maksim’s girl. It actually feels good, sending a shimmer through me. I gesture to the steps of the townhouse, and we walk up together. He stands at a respectful distance the entire time, as if to make sure I understand he meant what he said.

Inside, I offer him a drink.

“Sure,” he says. “I’ll take a beer if you have one.”

“I think there are some in the fridge.”

They stocked it at the same time they brought all my stuff. It’s a relief not to have to worry about the day-to-day stuff, even if that came from my apartment being ransacked.

I grab the beer and then walk toward the living room. A strange feeling hits me, something like excitement. I’ve never met any of my previous boyfriends’ families. It’s not as if there’s been a big pool to choose from, but still, it feels special. It feels like something a regular woman might do.

Nikolai is sitting on the chair, one leg crossed over the other. “Thanks,” he says, taking the beer.

“You’re welcome.”

He takes a sip, looking at me, then out the window.

I smile tightly, feeling a little awkward. “So…” I wave a hand.

“My brother’s been different lately,” he says. “He seems like he cares. He reminds me of when we were boys, honestly, before… well, before we became who we are today. Do you know who we are, Lia? How much has he told you?”

I swallow. Maybe this is the real reason he’s here. He wants to make sure his brother hasn’t said anything out of turn, something that could implicate him. I decide to be honest.

“I know you deal in data,” I say. “That it involves blackmail and corruption. I know you run a lot of companies. You have access to muscle. And you have…criminal connections.”

“Connections,” Nikolai repeats, smirking. “That’s one way to put it.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.