Page 44 of Maxim

Thea must believe me because her face softens as she nods. She would understand about being sold. That was her own fate when my family found her.

“Olena’s been through a lot. I need you to keep her safe. She is the main priority for me.”

“Even over the mission?”

I’m not surprised she knows about the mission. I’m sure Alexei works around her since neither ever leaves their home.

I give her a look before I give her a small nod.

She looks surprised but gives me her own nod of respect. “I can handle it. Nothing will harm her while I’m here.”

“Thank you.”

“You should read that,” Thea says, nodding toward the piece of paper in my hand.

While she walks around the place, checking it out, I open the envelope to see what Alexei has to say.

The message is in code, but I quickly break it down. Alexei tells me that the families are getting antsy and ready to end this. He also lets me know that Olena’s brother has been spotted out doing business with their father. Anger courses through me. He’s just a boy, and he’s already seeing more than he should against his will.

Alexei tells me that the girls miss me and are ready for me to come home. I can’t help but smile as I shake my head. I’d never admit it out loud, but I miss those two more than I should. For a split second, I think about introducing them to Olena and how they would take her under their wings.

Stop it.

She will never meet Lia and Ivanna.

As soon as this is over, I’m setting her free. She deserves to live her life in peace. If she wants me there to protect her, I will be despite my ties to the family. If she doesn’t, I’ll still stay around, but she won’t see me.

Either way, this is likely my last mission for the family. Olena has become my priority.

Focusing back on the letter, I finish reading it.

Last but not least, Alexei ends the letter by telling me to take care of his girl and that if anything happens to her while she’s in my home, I will never be found.

Interesting. Maybe there is more there than what meets the eye after all.

When I finally come up from the letter, I hear faint murmuring coming from the living room.

Shit.

Thea walked right by me, and I didn’t even notice.

Maybe it is a good thing that I’ve called her in. I can’t become distracted now. Not this late in the game.

I make my way back down the hall and come to a stop right out of sight.

Thea and Olena are sitting next to each other on the couch, talking softly to one another. For the first time since I met her, Olena looks at ease, and fuck me, is it a beautiful sight. The urge to keep her to myself when this is all over rushes through me.

Jesus Christ, maybe Alexei was onto something.

Olena looks over at me and smiles, knocking the wind out of my sails.

All of a sudden I understand Alexei, Nik, and Dimitri. I never quite understood their urge to protect their women, but now I do.

I’ll protect Olena if it’s the last thing I do.

“If you need me, I’m only a phone call away,” Maxim tells me.

I don’t have a phone, but I guess Thea does.

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