Page 291 of Legacy
My voice cuts across the tension, low and final. “Watch yourself, Maksim.”
He reaches down and unholsters a pistol from his ankle, extending it toward Vasilisa around Santo’s frame. She plucks it from his hand without hesitation.
“I don’t forgive you,” she says, gaze unwavering. “Or the lies that nearly got me killed. But I’ll take the gun.”
Maksim gives a tight nod, then gestures to the woman beside him. “This is Ayla.”
Adriana steps forward, ever gracious. “Welcome, Ayla. I’m so sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
Ayla nods politely, but her shoulders are square, her eyes sharp. She says nothing.
Vasilisa offers her a cool glance, indifferent. Santo, though… his gaze lingers. Unmoving. Almost like heknowsher.
Ayla refuses to look at him.
“Alright,” I cut in, breaking the tension. “We have to go. It’s going to be a longnight.”
Santo kisses Vasilisa goodbye. She grips his shirt like she’s holding onto the last solid thing in the world.
I look away my gaze flicking to Maksim who turns to Ayla. He raises his hand and runs the backs of his knuckles along her cheek.
Soft. Brief.
Too brief to mean anything.
Too soft to mean nothing.
My brow lifts.
Maksim doesn’t do gentle. He doesn’t keep women, doesn’t touch them unless it’s a transaction.
So what the hell is this?
Adriana’s arms wrap around me. Breaking my thoughts, my eyes meet hers.
“Don’t worry, Tesoro,” I murmur, bending to kiss her cheek. “This is my war, and I intend to win.”
She tries to smile. Fails. Her hand fists my shirt.
“Get what you need,” she whispers, “but come back to me.”
I nod once. “Always.”
But as I turn to leave, her grip lingers tightly before she lets go.
I ease away from her leaving my own soul in the process.
We’re halfway to the door when Ayla’s voice cuts through the silence.
“Wait.”
We stop.
I turn first. Santo follows. Maksim tenses at my side.
Ayla steps forward, chin high, eyes dark with something I can’t read.
Maksim moves in front of her, instantly on guard. “What?”
