Page 78 of The Bratva's Christmas Bump

“Maxim…” I cup his face with both hands and pull him away from nuzzling my neck. “What the fuck is going on?”

28

MAXIM

“Oh God, Maxim…” Hollie lays a gentle hand on my forearm while the other brushes under the freshly stitched wound on my ribs.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“That’s not the point,” she mutters. “You should have gone to the hospital.”

“Do you doubt Toto’s stitching skills?”

“No.” Her lips press into a fine line. “You got hurt and I don’t understand why. And then you didn’t seem to care.”

“You weren’t bothered while I was fucking you on the car.” Flames crackle nearby as the faux fireplace sends waves of warmth washing over us where we sit on the couch.

“That was definitely the heat of the moment,” she replies, unable to look away. “What happened? Who was that man?” Our eyes meet and she winces faintly. “Is he dead?”

“No. He’s not dead.”

Her eyes flicker. “Are you locking him up somewhere?”

“No.” I bring my beer to my lips and drink slowly while she watches me until I lower it. “He’ll be at home. Pissed, most likely.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to.”

“No!” Hollie suddenly prods her fingernail into my bare chest. “Don’t do that. You’ve kept so much of your life secret and to some degree, I understand why, but you can’t have me be present and then not explain something like that!”

My brows pinch together as I dwell on her words. She’s right. I preach to my father that I keep her out of this life, but tonight reminded me of how that life will find a way to reach her regardless of my actions.

“Wouldn’t you rather talk about what you wanted to talk about when we went to the fair?” Whatever she’s been trying to tell me before life interrupts is surely more important.

“Stop. Tell me the truth.” She sinks back into the cushions and crosses her arms. “Or that will be the last time we sleep together.”

“Ouch.” I wince playfully, then sigh. “Okay. Fine. That man… I know him.”

“Is he a friend?”

“No. You know I had a brother.”

She nods.

“He was younger than me. A little reckless. Didn’t follow the rules the way you’d expect in this life. It’s not uncommon in teenagers. Especially with our mom being gone and my dad being… well, you’ve seen him.”

Again, she nods while tucking soft red strands behind her ear.

“He died. In a car crash. He should have been with us at Christmas like tradition dictates, but my father had a stick up his ass about his girlfriend being an outsider.”

“What do you mean?”

“Typically, in this life, relationships remain in-house. Someone in this world can only find peace with someone else in this world. Everyone’s already aware of the dangers and the expectations, y’know? But he… he fell for someone who wasn’t part of this life. He kept wanting to include her but without going through the proper channels. There was no vetting, no investigation, no assurances that she wouldn’t talk to the first cop she saw the second she got a whiff of something.”

Hollie nods along while I talk, adjusting herself until her knee is resting against my thigh. “He didn’t just marry her?”

I scoff softly. “What I did with you is highly irregular. I wasbookedto marry someone else, actually. It’s all a business transaction at the end of the day. My father tried to talk sense into my brother and so did I, to an extent. But he was happy. And I couldn’t fault that. Anyway.” I take another drink. “He was supposed to be with us. We used to have a traditional dinner where thePakhan, my father, hosts all the other leaders we’re friendly with. As his sons, it was our duty to attend, but he brought his girlfriend and wanted to invite her family. A show of loyalty or something. It was dangerous for her and for them.My brother and dad argued and he left. He drove off with her to spend Christmas with them instead.”