Page 63 of Maxim

“That’s good.”

“It is, and I kind of love the people he’s introduced me to.”

“Oh?” I lean forward and rest my chin in my palm.

“Yeah, like Lia and Ivanna. I don’t know them well, but they are nice.”

“Who are they?”

“Friends of Maxim.”

I don’t know why, but just hearing that he’s friends with women who aren’t me makes me feel…jealous? That’s silly, right? Obviously the man had a life before me, and he will once I’m gone.

“Maxim is obviously closer to the girls’ men since they work together, but he’s known them all a long time by now. Especially Ivanna, since he works for her brother.”

“Oh.” I duck my head as my cheeks heat.

I’m an idiot. Maxim has made it perfectly clear that he’s not interested in me like that and that we have no claim over one another. Yet, instinctively I got bent out of shape at the mention of another woman’s name.

He’s your friend, not your lover, Olena. It’s best to remember that.

At least, I think he’s my friend. I can’t call him my captor anymore. I’m here willingly.

It doesn’t always feel that way, though. Especially when he lets me lay on him as we watch TV.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Yes, sorry. Go on. Tell me more about your life before.”

“Well, there was school, friends, boys. The normal stuff.”

“The normal stuff sounds like everything I’ve ever wanted.”

She gives me a sad smile. “I bet. Let me tell you what you missed.”

As she talks all about her childhood and teenage years, I try to imagine myself in her position. I can’t though.

As lovely as it sounds, I wouldn’t change my life. Not if it meant Daryna and Alek weren’t in it.

“Good. This is good,” Jan says.

“I agree. I won’t lie, Maxim, I was slightly hesitant when Jan said he wanted to bring you on, but you’ve proved yourself with this report alone. I don’t know if we ever would have realized that the Baron was destitute,” Szymon admits reluctantly.

He isn’t happy with me being around, but I wonder if that has more to do with the fact that I own Olena rather than my position here. He mentions her when it’s just the two of us as if he is trying to get information. I can see the obsession she mentioned.

I tip my head toward him. “Thank you. In my line of work, I’ve realized that most only do surface-level checks and don’t dig deeper.”

“Can’t have those checks bouncing now, can we?” Jan jokes.

I laugh along with them, playing the part even though it feels like I’m dying inside.

What I wouldn’t do to lean over the desk and stab Olena’s father in the jugular with the letter opener that’s on his desk.

Who even uses a letter opener nowadays? For fuck’s sake, it took me a little longer than I would care to admit to realize what it was when I first saw it.

“Does anyone need anything before we move on?” Jan asks.

“I could go for a drink,” Szymon mumbles.