Page 102 of Shadows of the Past
Someone’s helping Aleksandr, that much is clear, but with all the resources we have, it makes no sense that we can’t catch him.
It’s Christmas morning, and soon we’ll head over to Roman’s place; everyone’s waiting for us. It’s Maksim’s first Christmas with his family, and I want him to have this holiday, this memory.
For me, Christmas is my favorite time of year; it’s the one day when everyone actually thinks about what the people around them want. For once, everyone tries to be a little less selfish.
And the gifts? That’s my favorite part.
I glance at the security cameras and see the twins at the mall last night, hunting for a tie for our uncle. I can’t help but laugh when I see the ridiculous one they picked out: a shiny green tie with pink polka dots and yellow spots. He’s going to hate it, but he’ll tell them it’s genius because that’s just how he is. Sometimes, I catch him on camera watching them with so much love and understanding that it makes my chest ache.
Missing them has become a constant in my life. It hurts every day, but I’ve learned to live with it. I know Max sees it and blames himself for me not being with them, but if there’s any risk, I’d rather wait a little longer.
Once Aleksandr’s out of the picture, I’ll be able to get closer, to explain things, and hopefully, we can have a real relationship again.
What Max doesn’t understand is that, over the past few years, I’ve come to a realization that surprised even me. I could live without them, as long as I know they’re safe, but the thought of not having him by my side shakes me to my core. I can’t imagine a future without him. Maybe it’s selfish, but if I have a choice, I hope I go before he does. I don’t think I could handle losing him.
Lost in those dark thoughts, I feel him press his head between my neck and shoulder, leaving a kiss there.
“You think so loud it hurts,” he murmurs, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Did you get Vi’s present?” I ask, eager to change the subject. If he knew what I was really thinking, he’d lose it.
“Just like you said, even the pink ribbon,” he says, and I laugh again.
This man, with his leather jacket, tight black T-shirt showing off every muscle, and a face marked by tiny scars, actually tied a pink bow on his sister’s gift.
Ay, corazoncito. Calm down.
I got gifts for everyone, something Maksim didn’t seem to realize was necessary. I don’t know how the Borisovs do Christmas, but back home, everyone picked out a gift for a family member.
When we walk into Roman’s house, a seven-foot tree fills the corner of the living room, the fireplace is lit, the whole place smells like cookies, and decorations are scattered across the coffee table and console.
My eyes sweep over the food, but when I spot the centerpiece, I feel tears prick my eyes. There, on a glittering red platter, is a Rosca de Reyes—a sweet, orange-scented bread from Mexico.
Max notices me freeze and glances at the table.
“Every Christmas, you told me you and the girls would stuff yourselves with Rosca de Reyes, and there was always a fight over who got the baby figurine,” he says quietly, almost afraid he got it wrong.
A laugh escapes me because he remembered. Every Christmas, the girls and I would each grab a slice, hoping to find one of the three little figurines representing baby Jesus. It’s our tradition: whoever finds one has to make tamales on February 2.
Honestly, Mom always told me where the figurines were hidden so I could leave them for the twins to find. Every February 2, we’d all end up in the kitchen with her, making tamales together.
“Thank you, Max,” I say, standing up to kiss him at the corner of his mouth.
Our fingers intertwine and we take in the chaos of his family. Roman looks like he’s about to kick us all out, Niko is spinning Anuska around the living room, and Victoria is inspecting eachpresent, but only after Goran, her bodyguard, gives them the all clear.
“Let’s give her the present,” I whisper to Max, and we head toward his little sister, who looks like a piece of candy in white and pink.
Maksim hands over the gift, but before Vi can grab it, Goran steps in with a stern look. “I check first.”
I feel Maksim tense beside me, but he stays quiet.
Goran opens the box, glances inside, and lets out a low chuckle. “You’re all crazy in this family,” he says, handing the gift to Victoria, who nearly tears the box apart in her excitement.
“Merry Christmas, Vi!” Max says, and I know every eye in the room is on us as the little pink firecracker starts screaming.
“YOU GOT ME A MACHINE GUN? OMG! OMG! OMG! THIS IS THE COOLEST GIFT EVER! NIKO, FORGET THE CAR! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!”
If I had to describe it, Victoria clinging to Maksim looks exactly like a koala hugging a tree, and I can’t hold back my laughter at the sight.
