Page 118 of Maxim

“No thanks needed. You say I saved you, but you saved me too.”

It’s the truth. Having her in my life saved me.

Now I have purpose. Something to live for.

I have Olena, Daryna, and Alek.

Months later

“I’m so happy you decided to stay close. We have loved having you around.” Lia tells me as she helps unpack the food Ivy brought.

“No one would have blamed you,” Thea adds.

I really considered leaving town. Maxim told me that if that’s what I wanted, he would leave the Bratva with Nikolai’s blessing and take me anywhere in the world I wanted to live. I could see it in my head even. Living with the kids in a suburban home. A safe, gated community that rarely has any crime. We could live a normal life where I get a job and work from nine to five while Maxim has his normal job. The kids would go to a public school and make friends.

We could leave this entire nightmare behind us.

It would never work, though. I know I will never be able to forget where we came from. I still wake up in the middle of the night sometimes remembering what we had to go through. What I had to do.

I will never be able to wash the blood from my hands, but I’m willing to bear the burden for the two children who rely on me to care for them.

Those gated communities are just a mirage anyway. Nowhere is ever safe.

So I decided to stay. Maxim’s family has taken us in as their own. My siblings went from only being able to rely on each other to having uncles and aunts who would take a bullet for them if the occasion arose.

We have a tribe now.

“I appreciate you all helping us out. I couldn’t take Maxim from this,” I admit.

“Maxim wants you to be happy, so I’m glad you decided you could be happy here.” Ivy comes over and hugs my shoulder as I put the shashlik onto a tray.

I let the moment pass as I finish my task, turning to take the tray out to Maxim, who is manning the grill.

When I step outside, I stop at the sound of a child’s laughter.

My eyes tear as I see Maxim and Dimitri tickling Alek. The smile on his face is huge as he tries to escape them.

My heart is in my throat.

“Are you okay?” Lia asks, having stepped out behind me.

“I haven’t heard Alek laugh in years. He’s been so closed off that I never thought I would hear it again.”

She lays her head on my shoulder. “He’s healing. Maxim and the guys are showing him that he doesn’t have to always be on the defense.”

“He gets to be a kid again,” I choke out.

Maxim glances over and freezes when he sees I’m upset.

He ruffles Alek’s hair. “Show ???? Dimitri that new trick I taught you. I need to go get the food from Olena.”

I hate that Alek’s joy fades as he looks over at me. He nods, getting into a fighting stance. Lia steps away, taking the pelmeni to the table.

Maxim jogs over to me, grabbing the tray from my hands. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. “Thank you.”

He hugs me from the side as he escorts me to the grill. He sets the tray on the table he has set up beside it before turning and pulling me into his arms for one of his firm, comforting hugs.