Page 106 of Maxim

I look around at this house that wasn’t anything until Olena moved in and made it a home. I know we won’t be back here again. We can’t. Not knowing that Jan knows who I am.

“You ready?”

“Yes,” she tells me.

I grab her hand, moving to a closet in the main room. Typing in a code, the wall opens, showing a bunch of weapons.

Pulling out two guns, I check to make sure they are loaded. Then I set them down, grabbing my tactical belt and slipping it on. Putting the two holsters on, I insert the guns into them. Then I slide extra mags into the belt as well.

Leaning down, I strap one to my ankle as well. Then I grab a knife and slide it into my pocket.

“Do you want a gun?” I ask Olena.

She shakes her head. “I have no idea how to use it.”

“We will change that. I hope you never have to use it, but it’s a good skill to know,” I tell her. “What about a knife?”

Again she says no.

“I don’t want you to go in unarmed.”

“I have you,” she tells me.

I want to be happy about that. She is confident in my skills, but I’m not. I’m worried like hell.

Still, I don’t want her to be uncomfortable, so I don’t push the issue.

“We have to go.”

Going to the panel, I type in the code. Then I make my way down to the car. I make sure she is loaded inside before I round the car, sliding into the driver’s seat.

“I can drop you somewhere safe,” I tell her.

“No. I’m going with you.”

“It’ll be dangerous.”

“I know. My whole life has been dangerous. I will survive.”

Accepting her answer, I turn on the car and start driving.

Tonight is going to be a long night.

When Maxim jumped out of bed, getting dressed quickly, I followed suit. Whatever he heard on the other end of that phone had him moving quickly.

I didn’t say a word until he tried to keep me in the house. Then I demanded he take me with him. That’s how I ended up in the passenger seat of his car.

“What is going on?” I ask.

“Your father set something in motion. My associates decided they needed to take him down. Tonight.”

Oh god. The kids.

“Daryna and Alek?” I ask.

“I know. That’s why we are heading to your father’s house. They can take care of his business shit. They are my priority.”

They are taking down my father. Which means bullets and violence. What if they accidentally hit one of my siblings? What if Alek stays by my father’s side? Will they kill him too?