Page 28 of Maxim (The Syndicates #12)

T oday has been perfect. I never imagined life could be this way.

Growing up with my father, I always thought men meant pain and anguish. Maxim is doing his best to shatter every illusion my father has ever put in my head. He is showing me what it means to be loved by someone because he does love me. There is no doubt in my mind.

“Today was the perfect day,” I tell him.

We didn’t even do anything special. There was no elaborate date like they do in movies. We just spent the day together. Something Maxim has made sure we do since we said those three little words several days ago.

“It was. I’m glad I got to do it with you.”

I feel guilty for being so happy knowing my siblings are still in hell, but Maxim has taught me that you have to find joy through the pain. That you cannot focus on the negative all the time. Sometimes you have to throw your hands up and let life lead the way.

That’s what today is for me. I’m soaking in the good before the bad inevitably tears me down.

This is my bubble.

“I’m almost sad to be home and let it come to an end,” I tell him.

He smirks at me. “Who said it’s ending.”

Getting out of the car, he comes over to the passenger side, opening my door.

He helps me out, then picks me up over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold.

I squeal and giggle as he carries me up to the house.

With one hand, he unlocks and opens the door.

Then he types in the code to the system before walking over to the couch and setting me down.

“Strip for me, Сонечко .”

I shiver at his husky tone as he starts to strip out of his own clothes. Standing, I slip the dress off, showing him my bare body beneath. I never bothered putting anything on under it. It’s felt like a naughty secret the entire night.

The way his eyes flare with hunger tells me that it’s a secret well worth keeping. He approves.

“Turn around and bend over the arm of the couch.”

I do as he asks, trusting him completely. So far we haven’t tried too many new positions. He’s always concerned with how my trauma will affect me.

I don’t want kid gloves, though. I want him.

“I’m going to take my time. You tell me if you don’t like anything I do.”

“I trust you,” I tell him.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see him sink to his knees behind me. Then he leans forward and licks my pussy. My body reacts like it always does. It pushes into him wanting more.

It’s like my body is programmed to want him and only him. It reacts to his touch like I’m on fire. I love the way it makes me feel knowing I do the same to him.

My nails dig into the fabric of the couch as he slowly fingers me, his tongue lapping up the juices as they flow for him.

When he pulls out, I almost complain, but I’m stopped by his tongue on my clit.

The little bundle of nerves reacts to his touch, making me feel antsy.

I feel like I need something to push me over.

Maxim can read me like the back of his hand. As soon as the thought enters my head, his finger circles my clit harder as his tongue thrusts inside of me. I feel like he found the cheat code for my body as my orgasm hits me hard.

I scream out his name as I collapse into the couch, my breathing becoming ragged as the arm is shoved into my stomach.

Then I hear it. The condom being opened. He’s behind me then, pulling me up, releasing the pressure on my stomach. He holds my body to his as he whispers in my ear. “I fucking love you, Сонечко .”

I’m shocked by his words, not because he hasn’t said them before but because of the certainty with which he says them. He doesn’t give me a chance to respond. He thrusts inside of me, pushing me back down into the couch as he grips my hips.

He thrusts inside of me with precision, hitting me in that spot that makes me see stars. I can feel myself clenching against him as my whole body tingles. I can feel my muscles tense as he reaches around, strumming my clit with his finger.

“Fuck, Maxim,” I moan out, unable to hold it any longer. My whole body goes languid as a bright light shines behind my eyes before there’s nothing but blackness.

My eyes slowly blink open as my body shakes from the intense release. Maxim is holding me up against him, whispering to me.

I can’t hear him at first through the ringing of my ears, but then the words become clear. He repeats himself over and over.

“I love you. You are so beautiful. You are my life.”

“I love you,” I croak out, my voice raw.

He turns me in his arms, picking me up bridal style before carrying me to the bedroom.

“You’re back. I was worried I broke you,” he jokes.

“I might be broken. I can’t feel my body,” I admit, giving him a smile.

“That was intense. You squeezed me so hard I thought I wasn’t going to get my dick back.”

“Well, I do like you inside of me,” I tell him as he lays me in bed.

“Stay here. I’ll clean up and join you.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I say through a yawn.

When he finally comes back, he uses a warm cloth to wipe between my legs. Then he climbs into bed beside me, wrapping his arms around me. I settle on his chest like I always do.

“I meant it, Olena. I love you,” he tells me in the silence of the room.

“I know. I meant what I said too. I love you.” I smile against his chest when I hear the relieved breath he lets out.

“Get some sleep,” he whispers, kissing my head.

I don’t reply. Instead, I let myself drift off into a blissful sleep with only one thing on my mind.

Maxim.

Drifting off to sleep with Olena in my arms is the best thing I could have ever hoped for. I love feeling her warmth next to me.

This is my favorite time of the day. My woman is fully sated while I lie here and stare at the ceiling, thinking about what life could be like.

It helps me compartmentalize what life is currently like, which isn’t very good outside of Olena.

I don’t think we are any closer to taking Jan down, and it’s killing me.

I don’t know how much longer I can live this double life.

I have done things that make me feel sick inside.

If it wasn’t for Olena and my promise to her to get her siblings back for her, I don’t know if I would have made it this long.

I thought I was strong, but I’m not strong enough to bend my moral compass this way.

Olena mumbles in her sleep, snuggling closer to me. I breathe in her scent. It’s the cherry body wash I bought her, but it feels like she took it and owned it, making it her own. I will never be able to smell cherries again without thinking about her.

Honestly, I will never be able to do much without thinking about her. I really hope she is planning on forever with me because I don’t think I could survive her leaving me. She has woven herself into my veins until she was so far embedded in me that removing her would kill me.

I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. She is the lightness that keeps me from succumbing to the darkness completely. She is my saving grace, and I won’t stop thanking God every single day for allowing me to be the one to love her.

Brushing my hand in her hair, I let my eyes fall closed. It’s selfish of me, but I think if this was the way it was for the rest of my life, being here with Olena, I wouldn’t complain.

I know that can’t happen, though. As content as Olena has been, I know she is dying inside. Those kids are the center of her world. I’m the lucky bastard who was able to weasel my way into that circle, but it won’t be complete until we have them. I won’t rest until they are reunited.

It feels hopeless, though. I get little to no updates from my family. All I can do is pass information along. This was the plan at the start, but I guess I didn’t realize how hard it would be.

If they don’t make a move soon, I might have to. I don’t know if I can get them out on my own, but I’d be willing to die trying.

I’m about to drift off to sleep when I hear it. The tone that says something is going down.

Jumping from bed, I rush toward the closet, tossing things aside until I’m able to open the hidden panel and grab the burner phone. Dialing Alexei, I walk back into the room. “What happened?” I growl into the phone.

“It’s time to move. We have intel that they are moving operations. We need to go in now.”

“What?” I hiss. “There has been no indication of this from my side.”

Alexei sighs. “I know. You’ve been burned. You need to get Olena and get out.”

“Fuck that. I’m not leaving without those kids,” I inform him.

“I thought you would say that. I can spare your team, but everyone else is needed at the auction building. We need to rescue as many as we can.”

“I know. Send who you can. I’ll be okay. Be safe, brother.”

“You too.”

Looking over at the bed, I’m surprised to find Olena awake.

“What is that noise?” she asks.

“A code from my team. We need to go. Get dressed quickly. You will stay here and wait for me to come back.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“To get your siblings. My family is taking down the auction site. That means your father will have time to get away. I can’t let him do that.”

“I’m going with you then,” she says, standing from the bed naked.

“Absolutely not.” I move toward her, cupping her cheek. “Can you even fathom what it would do to me if anything were to happen to you?”

“Of course I do. I feel the same way about you and those children. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I lost all of you. I’m coming, and there’s no way you can change my mind.”

I hate and love the way she is sticking up for herself right now. She is so fucking strong, and yet I don’t want her to go. I don’t want her in danger.

Then again, this house isn’t as safe as it could be either.

Sighing, I wave toward the dresser. “Get dressed quickly.”

She moves to do as I ask. I do the same, changing into all black.

I look around at this house that wasn’t anything until Olena moved in and made it a home. I know we won’t be back here again. We can’t. Not knowing that Jan knows who I am.

“You ready?”

“Yes,” she tells me.

I grab her hand, moving to a closet in the main room. Typing in a code, the wall opens, showing a bunch of weapons.

Pulling out two guns, I check to make sure they are loaded. Then I set them down, grabbing my tactical belt and slipping it on. Putting the two holsters on, I insert the guns into them. Then I slide extra mags into the belt as well.

Leaning down, I strap one to my ankle as well. Then I grab a knife and slide it into my pocket.

“Do you want a gun?” I ask Olena.

She shakes her head. “I have no idea how to use it.”

“We will change that. I hope you never have to use it, but it’s a good skill to know,” I tell her. “What about a knife?”

Again she says no.

“I don’t want you to go in unarmed.”

“I have you,” she tells me.

I want to be happy about that. She is confident in my skills, but I’m not. I’m worried like hell.

Still, I don’t want her to be uncomfortable, so I don’t push the issue.

“We have to go.”

Going to the panel, I type in the code. Then I make my way down to the car. I make sure she is loaded inside before I round the car, sliding into the driver’s seat.

“I can drop you somewhere safe,” I tell her.

“No. I’m going with you.”

“It’ll be dangerous.”

“I know. My whole life has been dangerous. I will survive.”

Accepting her answer, I turn on the car and start driving.

Tonight is going to be a long night.