Page 23 of Maxim

He nods. He already knew that.

“So your grandfather also liked to purchase women?”

“Yes, but his tastes were more simple. He bought hookers from the streets and brought them home. He would sometimes force my grandmother to be with them as well.” Bile fills my throat at the memory. “After he passed, my grandmother continued to serve me until her death.”

“What of your father?” he asks.

“No idea. He never came back, and I never searched for him. I am my own man. I don’t need to live out his legacy.”

Jan chuckles. “You really are cut from the same cloth. I branched out from my family as well. They were simpleminded. Only lived for the day. They didn’t see the bigger picture like me. I took their venture and made it into a global organization.”

“One that is successful, from what I can see.”

“That it is. I’m glad to hear that you enjoy it.”

“Of course. It serves people like us well.”

“That it does. Thank you for the chat. You are excused. Keep your phone close, though. We may have an opportunity for you.”

I bow my head slightly. “I look forward to it.” I stand from the chair and shake his hand.

I turn to leave the room, but he calls out to me, “Oh, and Maxim?”

“Yes?”

“Enjoy my daughter. She’s a handful, but I have no doubt you know how to handle it.”

I force a laugh. “You have no idea.”

Ihave no idea what game this man is playing with me. I am used to my father’s cruel ways. This man has not acted like that at all. I don’t trust it. I don’t trust him. Not at all.

Then he did something I never imagined. He left.

My heart raced as I heard the front door shut. My body begged me to get up and run. Take the chance to get out of here while I can.

I kept that impulse in check, though. I stayed in bed and waited for him to pop his head back in to catch me doing something I shouldn’t.

He didn’t, though, and as time went on, I realized that he might really be gone.

At first, I was relieved. I waited long enough that I figured he wouldn’t be coming back, then I climbed out of bed and walked throughout the house looking for an escape. All of the doors and windows looked like they would open, but something in my gut kept looking at the security system, thinking it cannot be that easy.

I need the code. I wish I had paid closer attention before. It’s my only way out.

Pulling his jacket around me tighter, I continue to look around the house before I settle in the living room.

I sink into the couch as I think about my brother and sister. What are they doing right now? Is Daryna fighting sleep like she always does? I bet she’s sneaking around the house trying to get into trouble. I always thought it was cute, but without me there, it’s dangerous. Who will protect her from Father?

Then there’s Alek. Father has already gotten his hooks into him, but I’ve been doing my best to instill good qualities in him. Enough to combat all the negative my father is trying to teach him. If I’m not there, will he finally give in to my father and become the heir he always wanted?

Tears fill my eyes as I think about what their lives will be like without me in it. I can only hope Alek is strong enough to take care of himself and his sister.

Daryna.

I let out a sob as I think about Daryna’s future. If he was so willing to auction me off, what will he do to her? Will he even wait until she’s eighteen? I heard things backstage before they pushed me up there. I know there were children there too. I don’t even want to think about what happened to them.

Oh god, I can’t be here. I need to get out. I need to get my siblings and run as far as I can. Father will kill me if he ever catches me, but I cannot sit back and do nothing.

I stand, ready to chance the door when I see the headlights through the windows.