Page 186 of Sinful Lord

“But you read my brother right,” Roz reminds him. “Even if you didn’t know it. You trusted him because you saw the man behind the monster. Your instincts told you to work with him. If you hadn’t, things might not have ended as well as they did.”

“That’s right,” Gabriel agrees, patting Maksim on the shoulder. “In the end, you saved us all.”

But the grizzled Russian doesn’t seem convinced.

“I… I’m not sure I deserve the responsibility,” he avoids. “If we’re speaking of outsiders, then why am I not considered one? You call me uncle, but it’s more of a title than anything. A nickname even. I’m not blood related to any of the Kilpatricks, to any of my nieces…”

“Stop it,” Rian demands. “You’re just as much part of this family as I am. And you always will be.”

“That’s damn right,” Roz joins in.

Rian straightens, sharp blue eyes burning with determination. “Maksim. We don’t want any of our girls to be unprepared for this violent world ever again. We NEED to start treating them as equals. Not caged birds. First, though, they need to be taught how to handle it all. And they need to be taught by you.”

Maksim sighs, dropping the paperweight as he stares over Rian’s shoulder and out of the window.

“Why would any of them listen to me?” he asks.

“Because they respect you. We all do.”

“And if I fail?”

“You won’t.”

“Rian. Listen, I appreciate—”

“No, stop appreciating,” Rian interrupts. “And start doing. I’ve already assigned you your first pupil. Uncle Nolan and Aunt Valentina’s daughter. My oldest cousin. Bree. She may be twenty-four already, but it’s never too late to start learning something this useful. Hell, look at how far Melina’s come at the same age.”

“That was mostly Tytus’ doing,” Maksim huffs.

“Well, I’m too busy to take up a teaching gig,” I tell him. “So, it looks like it’s all on you.”

“Oh, and I’m not too busy?” Maksim replies, lifting his brow at me. “Shit. I should be retiring soon.”

He seems to be looking for excuses not to take this job. It’s funny, for some reason, I would have expected him to jump right into it. But it feels like he’s hesitant. I wonder why?

“You’re not that old,” Roz says.

“Now stop with the excuses,” Rian adds. “Bree will be in New York next week. Show her around the city. Make sure she’s comfortable. Then teach her everything you know. Alright?”

“Everything?” Maksim swallows.

“Everything.”

I can see the conflict raging behind those deep brown eyes. They shimmer like a distant fire, darting back and forth as he fights an inner battle.

But Maksim has always been a loyal soldier. And it doesn’t take long before his nature takes over.

“I’ll do my best,” he finally sighs, accepting his role.

“I know you will, old friend,” Rian smiles. “You make sure our girls are prepared for any trouble that comes their way. And you start with Bree. Understand?”

“Understood,” Maksim nods, pursing his lips. “I just hope she can handle me.”

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