Page 117 of Maxim

He nods, wiping the tears from his face.

“Go distract Daryna while I speak with Olena.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You don’t have to call me sir. You know that, right?”

“It’s a sign of respect, and you’ve earned it,” Alek says before leaving the patio to run over to the girls.

He says something to Olena, making her look over at me. After a moment, she stands before walking my way.

“Alek said you have something to ask me. He wants me to say yes. If you are about to propose, I don’t think I’m there,” she says nervously.

I laugh, pulling her into my arms, and I hug her tightly.

“One day, Olena. Not today, though. Alek wants me to train him. He wants to join the organization once he is of age, but he wants me to teach him what I can until then. I told him I wouldn’t without your permission.”

She’s silent a long time. I don’t rush her. I only turn her so she can watch the children play. Daryna is oblivious to everything, running around like you would imagine a child would. Then you have Alek. He is running after his sister, but the same joy isn’t there. His eyes are constantly scanning the yard. Even with all the eyes on them, he cannot relax.

“My father taught him about the worst in the world. He tried to mold and shape him until he was what he wanted him to be. His sick little heir that would take over the organization one day.”

She doesn’t even know the half of it. After what he admitted to me, I know I can never tell Olena about it, though. Her imagination would never dream up Alek’s reality.

“That is true,” I say.

“You would teach him to be a man. That there is a right and wrong. Your moral compass might be a little skewed, but underneath it all, you are a good man. I would be honored if you would take him under your wing and help him reprogram his brain to only do what is right. I know sometimes he might have to do things I disagree with, but as long as it is for the greatergood, I think I can live with that.” She turns to me. “Can you promise me that you will teach him to be a good man?”

Leaning down, I press my lips to hers before resting my forehead against her own.

“I will never let him lose his way. He has been in darkness for so long, but there is still light in there. I will teach him to harness the light and rid the world of the dark. I promise.”

“Thank you, Maxim. I love you.”

“I love you, Olena. Now and forever.”

“And them?” she asks.

“Of course I love them too. Even if they never call us Mom and Dad, those are our children. You will teach Daryna to harness that sassy attitude of hers like a weapon until she is a force to be reckoned with, and I will teach Alek to be the protector he was always meant to be.” I drop a kiss on her nose.

She shakes her head. “I don’t know. I am not strong. How can I teach her to be strong?”

“Are you kidding me? You are the strongest person I’ve ever met. You went through literal hell and still stepped up to the devil to protect those kids. You took beatings and unspeakable things to keep them safe. Strength isn’t always being a badass and defending yourself physically. It’s also being mentally strong enough to handle all life throws at you and still getting up to fight another day.”

She buries her face in my chest. “I almost didn’t, though.”

My heart hammers in my chest as I remember that day. The day I realized that Olena was fragile yet strong.

“You had a lapse in judgment. You thought it was what was best. You had to hit that low to rebuild yourself into something stronger. Don’t look at that day with shame. Look at it like your second chance.”

“Only because you saved me.”

“I always will too.”

She nods. “Will they be okay?”

“They will because they have you and me. They have the entire Bratva behind them as well. You’re not alone anymore.”

Looking up at me, her eyes are watery. “Thank you.”