Page 22 of Maxim

“Drive up to the door. A guard will meet you there.”

I do as he says, driving through the large gates. As I stare at the house, I realize this is where Olena has lived her life. It looks beautiful and elegant, but I know how looks can deceive. I wonder what horrors she lived out behind these closed doors.

As soon as I turn the car off, a guard is at my door opening it for me.

“Right this way.”

I’m not shocked when he leads me to the door where two guards are waiting to frisk me. Then they run a metal detectorwand over me. When they are satisfied that I left my weapons in the car, they open the door for me.

“Wait here.”

I stand in the grand foyer looking around. It’s over the top, but I expect nothing less from a man who flaunts his wealth. The grand stairs lead to a second level. It has me wondering if her room is up there somewhere.

Movement at the top catches my eye. A small girl is at the top trying to hide. I wave a little, making her smile. She waves back. Then a young boy’s voice can be heard in a whisper-hiss, making the girl jump.

I look down at my feet to hide the smile on my face. She’s a cute girl. It clicks in my head that this is likely Olena’s sister. Or somehow related to her if she’s living here.

I resolve then and there that I will get that girl out of here too. I won’t leave anyone behind as I take down this man.

“Maxim, good of you to come. You ran out of the auction so quickly that I didn’t have the chance to introduce you to some people,” Jan says in greeting.

I want to wince as I realize I failed those people. I was so panicked by my own actions that I forgot what I was there to do. I feel shame, but I force a smile.

“I apologize. I got the prize I had been eyeing and was ready to get her home. Good of you to offer her up, by the way. I thought there was no way you would let a fine piece of ass like that go. Especially with her innocence intact.”

The words are ash in my mouth, but I force them out.

He chuckles. “I knew the moment I saw you with her that you were salivating over her. Come to my office. Let’s have a little chat.”

“I’m intrigued by why you called me here. Lead the way.”

I follow him down the hall until we reach his office. As I step inside, I see two other men. One is obviously wealthy, like Jan, but the other is a soldier of some sort.

“Maxim, this is Szymon, my second-in-command.” He indicates toward the soldier-looking dude. “The other man is none of your concern. Take a seat.”

My heart races. This is it. This is the head of the snake. The one we have been hunting alongside Jan. It has to be. Why else would he be here and be so mysterious?

“That seems ominous. Did you bring me here to kill me because I bought your daughter?” I ask, taking the free seat.

“Quite the opposite, actually. You’ve impressed us. We’ve been watching. You enjoy the merchandise, but you do not step out of line. In fact, you step in when necessary. At first, I worried you had a savior complex. That you were trying to save Olena, but then you bought her. I watched as you pulled her from the place. I saw the terror on her face. You are a young, attractive male who can use his charm but knows when to let the monster inside out.”

I force a smile. “All part of the act to get them to trust you. Especially the innocent ones. They tend to be tougher to crack. It’s a thrill when they finally give in only to realize that you are the devil.”

Everyone laughs, so I chuckle along with them. I hate it. This part of the job scares me. Each time I pretend to be one of them, I wonder how long it would take me to fully give in. I’d rather put a bullet in my head.

“That’s the attitude I like to hear. Where did you get your depravity from?” he asks.

I quirk an eyebrow. “You are asking when I started viewing women as toys? I’m sure you read my file.”

“Your file is a bunch of words that tell me what others think you are. I want to hear from you.”

This is it. A step in the right direction. I can gain his trust here. I only need to parrot the cover story Alexei gave them. Only, it’s not quite a story. Most of it is true.

“I was born as a bastard to a whore. My father wanted nothing to do with me but knew I would be his heir, so he dropped me off with his father to be raised. I watched the way he treated my grandmother. He taught me everything I know.”

“Where are they now?” he asks.

“Both passed.”