Page 156 of The Bratva Sinner

“In a bit.”

I tell myself it’s fine. He’s got security. The Albanians are no longer a problem, but I will never stop worrying about him.

“I have something for you,” he says.

“Yeah?”

He pulls a large envelope from behind him and holds it out.

It’s thick. Official-looking. The seal in the corner makes my stomach drop.

University of Miami — College of Arts and Sciences

I look up at him.

“Open it,” he says.

My fingers are clumsy. I work the envelope open and pull out the papers. It takes me a second to understand what I’m looking at.

A letter of acceptance to the pre-veterinary advising track of a program that I never applied to. But this is Maksim, and he has a tendency to cut through red tape when he feels inconvenienced.

“This fall,” he says.

I stare at the letter. My name is at the top. The formal language of the acceptance letter blurs a little. I blink hard.

“They let me in,” I say.

“Of course, they let you in.”

“Maksim, I barely graduated high school.”

"I know." He meets my eyes. "I know your heart is set on the University of Florida, but it will take time. You’ll needprerequisites first. Four years of them. And this way, you can be close to home and the horses while you study."

"You can make that happen?"

“I already did.”

“You start in the fall.” He tilts his head slightly. “Haven’t you learned by now?”

“Learned what?”

“That you will have anything you want.” He says it without arrogance.

I’m still learning that that’s what life with him is like.

“You spoil me,” I tell him.

“I’m aware.”

“It’s excessive.”

“I know.”

I fold the papers carefully and slide them back into the envelope. I hold the envelope against my chest and look at him. “Thank you.”

“There’s one more thing,” he says.

“Don’t tell me you bought the degree,” I joke. “Idoactually need the education.”