Page 84 of His to Own

“So,” Viktoriya says, leaning in closer. “What’s Maxim like in the bedroom? I was always curious. I never slept with him.”

“Are you married?” I ask her.

“We all are,” Alisa explains. “All mafia wives.”

“So tell us,” Sofiya urges. “What’s Maxim like? Is he rough or gentle? I’ve always wanted to know as well. Alisa never tells us anything.”

I frown. “Why would Alisa tell you anything? I don’t understand.”

All three women glance at Alisa with knowing eyes before turning back to me.

“Because Alisa used to have an affair with Maxim,” Sofiya says.

It’s like a gut punch. All the air leaves me. My chin ducks to my chest. It’s always the place I felt most comfortable with. The place where my father couldn’t hurt me.

“She doesn’t know that yet,” Alisa snaps.

“Whoops. Sorry.” Except Sofiya doesn’t sound sorry at all.

“We all thought you knew,” Ekaterina says. “I mean, you’re friends with Alisa. Everyone knows she and Maxim used to hook up time and time again. Even her husband knows.”

“You… slept with Maxim… while you were already married?” I whisper.

“Yes.”

“Do… do you and him…”

She waves a hand. “That ended a while ago.”

“How long ago?”

“Just a few months. Imagine my surprise when he got married. I never thought he would.”

Ulterior motives. Does Alisa want to get back with Maxim? I can’t ask her that though. It’s too forward.

“Did he not tell you?” Alisa asks, tilting her head to the side. The way she’s looking at me with large, innocent eyes makes me want to vomit. It all feels so… fake. My chest squeezes again. Darkness inches at the edge of my vision.

It’s all too much.

I grip the edge of the table to try and steady myself. “No. He didn’t,” I say through numb lips. This is why Maxim didn’t want me and Alisa being friends. He kept this from me. But why?

“I thought you knew from the beginning.”

“So, tell us,” Viktoriya says. “How is Maxim like in the bedroom? Alisa was always closed off with the details.”

Alisa has known Maxim’s body in a way I never have. It’s another blow to my self-esteem. The sad part is: I could know Maxim’s body. I’m sure he’d love to have sex. It’s me who has put that distance between us.

“That’s personal.” I whisper. Always whispering. Speak up, I want to scream. I want to scream. To scream. Scream…

Alisa looks at my face like she can see right into my soul. “You have slept with him, yes? I mean, how could anyone say no to him? With that face and body. It’s like marble. And his cock…” She lets out a low whistle. “It’s a hard thing to walk away from.”

“Why did things end between you two?” I ask.

“My husband didn’t like it. So we ended it. Now, tell my friends. They all want to know what Maxim’s like.”

“Why don’t you tell them?” I snap.

Her eyebrows raise. “Because he’s not my husband. Tell them. Unless… unless you have nothing to tell. Does he not want to touch you, Elena? I know he married you to make an alliance with your brother-in-law. Does he not have any interest in you?”