Page 80 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
Maxim.
He stands across the room with a pistol down at his side like he’s been waiting. A few of his men are scattered around the room, holding their assault rifles, on standby.
And Victoria…she’s on the floor with her hands bound in front of her. Her eyes are wide with panic, but she’s alive. She’s safe enough, all things considered.
Maxim lifts a blonde brow at me, wearing that usual smugness. He seems vaguely amused. “There he is…you came faster than I expected, Roman. I couldn’t even get out of this godforsaken city before you started trailing us.”
“You’ve always been sloppy,” I mutter, not in the mood to entertain any of his pointless chatting.
“Only where it counts…But I was hoping we could talk. Man to man.”
I grit my teeth. “This isn’t a negotiation. Don’t make this longer or more painful than it needs to be.”
Maxim hums. “But surely you aren’t in the position to be making demands, Lukov…not when I have your precious wife.”
My gaze narrows, and I watch closely while he steps closer to Victoria before kneeling behind her. My grip on the gun tightens, but it’s far from an ideal shot. He’s too close to her. Too risky.
Catching my reaction, he grins. “It’s a shame you showed up so soon…I was just getting to know my darling sister here. She’s just a doll, isn’t she?”
As he reaches forward with a gloved hand, Maxim caresses the side of her jaw, paying her far too much attention for my liking.
“Get your fucking hands off her,” I snap, voice piercing through the space.
His men shift their positions, but he only chuckles. “You know what…I don’t think I will.”
At his touch, Victoria flinches, and that fear only worsens in her eyes.
I want to kill him. Right here, right now.
But I can’t shoot yet. Not yet.
“You’ve been busy, Roman,” Maxim says, tone far too knowing while he slowly runs the barrel of his pistol along her shoulder. “Riskier than usual, too. Falling for her of all people…you should’ve known how dangerous it was.”
“I don’t care,” I utter, watching with pure disgust while he remains in her personal space, making her cringe from every teasing touch. “She’s mine, and you made the worst mistake of your life taking her from me.”
He takes in my veiled threat, chuckling to himself. “I don’t think you can lecture anyone about making mistakes…”
Before, I might’ve agreed with him. But after finding out who she really is, I’m well aware it was no mistake. Taking Victoria was perfectly intentional.
But things have changed. My reason for wanting and needing her has changed.
It has nothing to do with Maxim anymore. Not when I need her forher. My wife…the mother of my child. The only one who can bring me to my knees.
And soon enough, Maxim will be the one begging.
Chapter 28 - Victoria
There’s no warmth in the way Maxim touches me. No space available for any kind of connection. No hint of any softness towards me.
Even through the haze of whatever chemical lingers in my system, I can feel the discomfort his presence brings. Like a knot in my stomach that won’t go away, except it's grating against my insides at the same time.
Instead, his hand travels up the back of my neck before his fingers grip my hair, tilting my head to the sight with a decisive yank. Then, the cold barrel of his gun bites into my skin.
The shiver that runs through me nearly burns.
Maxim chuckles, and I feel his eyes finally leave me, flicking up to Roman.
Seeing him there with his siblings, having him in that room with me…it feels like a double-edged sword.
