Page 19 of His to Own

“But he’s a mafia man.”

“I think that’s why.”

“Ah.” Maxim’s eyes light up and I don’t like it. How can he find everything so funny? “Well, rest assured. I won’t kill that boy. As long as he keeps his hands to himself. You will be my wife after all.”

“I remember what you said. How you only agreed to marry me because you want power that Nikolai can offer you. You said you would keep seeing other women. Why do you even want me? You could have anyone.”

“As you said: I want the power Nikolai can offer me. And to get it, I need to marry you. It’s the only way he and I can build trust. But then I saw you and realized just how beautiful you are. Now it makes me want you more.”

I flush and he only smirks. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Do you get told you’re beautiful often?”

“No. Never.” My father makes sure to always tell me that I’m the ugliest of his daughters. Mother is always critical of my hair. It gets frizzy easily unless I use the exact hair products she always buys for me.

“That’s a shame. You are a beautiful woman, Elena. It makes me want you. I’ll be honest about that. I’ll make sure the deal goes through. That way you won’t have to marry that old fucker.”

“Sergei?”

He nods. “He hit you. I can promise I’ll never do that. Hitting a woman is just pathetic.”

“But you kidnapped my sister,” I whisper.

“I did. I never said I was a good man. Just that I won’t hit you. I’m still a mafia man after all.” He nods at the building behind me. “Is this where your next class is?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll let you get to it. I wouldn’t want to keep you from learning.” He hands me my books back and walks away with a whistle.

The pit inside my stomach loosens. Maybe… just maybe Maxim isn’t as bad as I thought. I go through my next class with a lighter heart than before.

But that all changes when I return home.

The moment I step through the front door, I can hear my father’s office door slam shut, making me flinch. I find Mother in the kitchen working on the dinner roast. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, you know your father. Always upset over something.”

Adriana grabs a cupcake from the counter and takes a large bite.

“Those are for the charity event I am throwing,” Mother snaps. “And don’t eat another bite. I don’t want you getting fat.”

Adriana rolls her eyes and sets the cupcake down. “Whatever.”

“Just go to your room. Both of you. I’m trying to make dinner.”

I hesitate while Adriana happily texts away on her phone, heading to her bedroom. I normally wouldn’t worry about why my father is upset. But after my talk with Maxim today about Sergei, I can sense something is wrong.

I tiptoe to my father’s office and press my ear to the door, listening.

“What do you mean he’s dead?” My father’s muffled voice filters through the door. “He can’t be dead. I just saw him yesterday.” He goes quiet. Must be talking on the phone to someone. “He was murdered in his shower? But who would –,” he stops. “I know who did this. I’ll handle it.”

He goes quiet again. I strain to listen when the door suddenly opens. I step back with a gasp. Father looms tall over me. “What are you doing, Elena? Were you listening to my conversation?”

“I… I’m sorry, Father.” I bow my head because that’s the easiest way to get out of trouble.

“What did you hear?”

“I’m not sure.”