Page 28 of Maxim

Footsteps coming toward me have me looking over my shoulder. When my brother comes into view, I can’t help but smile. My heart drops though when his cold eyes meet mine.

What has Father done to him?

“I’m currently staring at her right now. We found her trying to break into my home,” he tells Maxim.

“Alek,” I say quietly.

For a split second, he looks down before looking back at me, his mask firmly in place.

Whatever reunion I was hoping to have with my brother isn’t going to happen.

It’s too late. Father has turned him against me, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

I fucked up. My need to see them clouded my judgment. I acted on impulse, and now I’m screwed.

He’s going to kill me.

If not my father, my master.

Either way, this is where it ends.

The steering wheel creaks underneath my hands.

What in the ever-living fuck did Olena do?

I should have known that she was going to do something fucking crazy. Hell, I’ve spent enough time alone with Lia andIvanna to know that when a woman is compliant, it’s only because they are playing the long game.

I knew she had left the moment she broke the glass, but I had hoped that she was trying to get away. I never thought she would run back to her father’s house.

I should have, though. She would never leave those children. I’m starting to wonder if the youngest one is hers.

None of it matters now.

I close my eyes and let the mask slip back in place. The last thing we need is her father noticing my concern. Reaching for the handle, I open the door and step out. As I stride toward the front door, I straighten my sports coat. Before I reach the door, it swings open. Two guards step forward and strip me of my weapons.

I fucking hate being without a weapon. I know how to kill with my hands but that’s not the point.

“Follow me,” one of the men says.

I fall into step behind him and head down the hall. After a couple of turns, we step into an office. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Olena lying on the floor, bloodied and curled into a ball. It takes everything within me not to look down at her and check on her.

Son of a bitch.

I feel my jaw clench as I try to keep myself in check.

I should murder every fucking asshole in this room for laying their hands on her. Not because she’s mine but because she’s a fucking woman.

“Jan, when you called, I wasn’t expecting to hear you tell me that you had my property. Care to tell me how that happened?”

“It seems your home isn’t as secure as you reported, and she got out. She ran right back here.” He smirks. “You really should keep better track of your toys, Maxim.”

I hum. “I couldn’t agree more. Rest assured, it won’t happen again.”

I turn toward Olena, and regret rolls through me. I hate myself for what I’m about to do but it needs to be done.

The long game. It’s all about the long game here.

I walk over to Olena until I’m towering over her prone form.