Page 5 of Maxim

I fight the urge to cringe. I really don’t want to drink, but I know I have to keep up appearances.

“Let’s go with the Staritsky.”

She nods. “Solid choice. Would you like ice?”

“No,” I say as she pulls the glass bottle out of the cooler.

I watch the girl as she fills up a glass and makes my drink, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to her than what meets the eye. Her movements are stiff, almost as if she’s uncomfortable and would rather be anywhere else but here.

Does her father make her do this? Or is she just as bad as he is? Maybe she chooses this life.

Speaking of her father, does she report back to him everything she overhears at the end of the night?

“Here you go,” she says as she slides it over toward me.

Vodka splashes over the edge, and I watch as the pale girl goes even whiter.

“I’m so sorry,” she says, full of panic, as she reaches for a napkin.

“It’s fine. Accidents happen. Thank you,” I say gruffly as I reach out and pick it up.

“Are you sure? I can remake you one.”

“It’s fine.”

She licks her bottom lip as she nods and throws away the soiled napkin. “Is there anything else I can get you this evening?”

“This is all for now,” I say, raising my drink.

She offers me a small smile before moving down the line to help someone else. I know I should tear my eyes off of her, but for some reason, I can’t.

“Maxim Boyko,” someone says behind me.

I take a moment to gather myself before turning around.

I need to put on a show and get an invite to the sale. Nothing more, nothing less. No little girl is going to stop me from ending this.

Last night was hell. I had no idea what my father had in store for me, but I never imagined it would be that. He’s always hid my body, yet all of a sudden he put it on display.

I have no idea why. What changed?

All night I dealt with men leering at me as I poured them drinks. Thankfully the bar was between us. The couple of men who dared try to touch me were dealt with by my guard.

I wanted to ask Father why he put me on display like that, but it would be a futile attempt. He would never answer me. If I was lucky, he would simply be annoyed and send me away, but chances are I wouldn’t have been lucky, meaning I would have been punished for speaking out.

Life with him has been terrible. I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. I can’t leave, though. I endure for the two beings that mean more to me than my own breath.

My two younger siblings.

They are pure and full of joy. I shield them the best I can from my father, and he lets me. I don’t know if it’s because he can’t be bothered with them or if he has no use for them, but I’m gratefulfor it. He can keep his attention on me as long as he leaves them alone.

So last night means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Just another trial I must go through in order to make it back home.

Taking a deep breath, I force a smile on my face as I walk into their bedroom.

“Olena, where were you last night? You didn’t read us our story,” Daryna whines.

“Stop it. She can’t always be with us,” Alek chastises his younger sister.