Page 44 of The Bratva's Christmas Bump

“You’re pissed. I get it. But Hollie stays.”

“Why?”

“Dad. She’s my wife. End of discussion. Unless you want to talk about what the fuck you did to her in the car? You might be thePakhan, but that won’t stop me from kicking your ass for hurting her.”

“Is that a threat?”

“You taught me well, Dad. I don’t make threats.”

“I was saving you from making a mistake.”

“Fuck off,” I snap, anger igniting inside me. “I told you how things were and you went behind my back and tried to murder her. I’m sure it’s reached your ears who her father is.”

A deep sigh rushes against my ear. “Yes.”

“You know he wouldn’t have stopped until you were behind bars. So if anything, I’ve saved you. And you'd better crawl to her for forgiveness.”

The line goes dead. Lowering my phone, I stare at the blank screen. Hollie’s father, being a retired police chief, is all sorts of dangerous for career criminals like us. If anything happens to her, no bribery in the world will be enough.

Speaking of, Hollie’s number flashes up on my phone a second later and I answer as calmly as I can.

“Hello?”

“Maxim?”

“Mhm. Unless you’re not looking for me, in which case you called the wrong number.”

“No, I am. Sorry, you just sound… different.”

“It’s cold. I’m tired. What’s wrong?”

Hollie pauses, then her warm voice rises once more. “I want to spend some time with my mom tomorrow.”

“I see nothing wrong with that.”

“Just the two of us.”

“I’m not invited. Got it.”

“No, Maxim. I mean… without the guards. They’re smothering, okay? Tiffany won’t stop asking questions, and I don’t want my mom to do the same, y’know? I want to pretend things are normal. Plus, if she notices, then my dad will too.”

She makes a good point, but leaving her unprotected is out of the question. I study a passing car making its way down the snow-covered street. Choosing to trust her is a huge step. For all I know, this is some plan for her to escape or slip her mother the truth that could start her father digging into my life.

“Maxim?” Hope lifts her voice and my heart skips a beat.

“I’ll see what I can do. Go. See your mother. You won’t even know the guards are there.”

16

HOLLIE

Just as promised, Maxim allows me to meet Mom for lunch and there isn’t a single security guard in sight. No Toto or Stu lurking in corners, no Rex hidden behind a menu trying to blend in. There’s no one but regular guests in the café, all busy in their own little worlds.

Mom sits across from me with worry etched across her brows while we share a pot of tea.

“I’m okay,” I assure her quietly. “I’m not having a breakdown. I’m not on drugs. I’m not being tricked or anything like that.”

Mom’s brows repeatedly knit together. “It’s just all moving so fast, don’t you think? I’m worried about you, Hollie.”