Chapter Twenty-Nine Sarah
As the timer on my phone dinged signaling the end of my patient’s session, I became distracted from my patient at the sight of a text from Maksim.
Outside when u r ready.
My stomach did a funny flip flop at the words. I quickly texted back
Hurry.
The past week back at work had flown by.
It was hard to believe I was closing in on two weeks since I’d been taken from the hunt and introduced to Maksim.
While my days were spent with my patients, my evenings belonged to him.
After picking me up every afternoon, we would either go back to his house or mine where we work on his speech for an hour or two.
Then we’d either go out for dinner or have Maksim’s cook prepare us something. On nights we were at my house, we’d cook something together.
It was blissfully domestic.
And like the gentleman he was, Maksim would then give me a goodnight kiss before leaving me. I’d never been treated like such a treasured and adored lady before by any man.
I’d also never been hornier in my life.
I’d decided that this weekend I was going to heighten my seduction game with anything from alcohol to lingerie. We’d taken it slow long enough. It was time to rev things up.
After escorting my patient to his parents in the waiting room, I came back through the reception area. With a smile on my face and humming a tune, I flipped through some of the folders in my staff mailbox.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Tara remarked as she came up behind me.
“Maksim’s here to pick me up.”
Tara’s eyes popped comically wide. “Are you serious?”
When I’d taken a week off work, Tara demanded to know what the hell was going on. After all, I very rarely took a sick day, least of all an entire week off work. So, I’d told her about working with Maksim.
I did, however, leave out the part where he had me kidnapped.
“Yep.”
Her blue eyes lit up. “Can I meet him?”
Giggling, I replied, “Don’t you think it’s a little early for that? I mean, we’ve only known each other for two weeks.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m your work bestie, not your mother.”
“Well, she has met him.”
“WHAT?” Tara shrieked, causing two of the other doctors to peer out of their offices.”
I held up my hands. “It’s a long story.”
“And one you’re going to tell me all about over drinks this weekend.” When I opened my mouth to argue I’d probably be busy, she wagged her finger at me. “Oh no, my friend. Hos before bros, remember?”
With a laugh, I replied, “Okay, okay. Let’s have brunch on Sunday.”
“Deal.”
“Look, I’ll text you the time and place. I really have to go.”
“All right. We’ll talk later.”
After waving goodbye, I made a quick stop in my office to grab my purse and phone. Then I hurried out of my office and took the staircase instead of the incredibly slow elevator.
When I threw open the door, I smacked into a hard body. “Ommph,” I muttered.
“Where's the fire, Whitfield?” Miles asked.
Inwardly, I groaned. Despite Maksim’s call, Miles still managed to be creepy. He wasn’t quite as much in my personal space, but he certainly hadn’t backed completely away.
With a nervous laugh, I started for the stairs. “Just running away since it’s Friday.”
“Hey, wait a sec.”
“I really need to go.”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
Although I already regretted it, I took a step back up to stand on the platform with Miles. “About what?”
“I’d like your input on one of my clients.”
Sure you do. “I can’t imagine why. I mean, you have so much seniority on me.”
“You make me sound old.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s more about the fact that you have such a way with children that I thought you might be able to crack this nut.” With a smile, he replied, “She’s hard to crack.”
A booming voice echoed through the stairwell. “Is there a problem?”
Both Miles and I whirled around to see Maksim standing with a murderous expression. Relief instantly echoed through me, but was short-lived when Maksim started advancing on us. He looked like a lion stalking his prey. I glanced at Miles to see if he was as afraid for himself as I was.
When he swallowed hard, I knew he was scared out of his fucking mind.
“No, no. Everything is fine,” I replied.
Maksim’s lips curved in a cruel smirk. “Surely this isn’t Miles.”
When Miles didn’t respond, I said, “Um, it is.”
The next thing I knew, Maksim lunged at Miles. Grabbing him by the throat, he shoved him up against the wall. “Maksim, no!” I cried.
Even though I would’ve loved seeing Maksim rough Miles up, I knew Miles was the type of douchebag to press charges. “He’s not worth it,” I urged.
Finally, Maksim released Miles’s throat, and I sagged over against the handrail of the stairs in relief.
“What is your problem, asshole?” Miles huffed.
“You. You’re my problem.”
“I don’t even know you.”
“Oh yes, you do.” A maniacal look flashed in Maksim’s eyes. “I thought I made myself clear on the phone.”
The color drained from Miles’s face. “That was you?”
“It sure as hell was.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Apparently, you need a physical reminder t-that I’m not fucking around when it comes to Sarah.”
“No, no. I don’t!”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes. I promise.”
“This is your last chance, Miles. If I get wind you have even breathed in Sarah’s direction, it will end very badly.”
“Okay, okay. I swear.”
Maksim grabbed Miles by the shirt lapels and shoved him off the wall. “Get the fuck out of here.”
Miles quickly scrambled back and headed back towards the office. It was then that I saw Tara standing wide-eyed in the doorway.
“Oh shit,” I muttered.
Maksim’s gaze bounced from me over to Tara. “Hello,” he said politely.
“Um, hello to you, too.”
“Is there a problem?” he asked her.
“First of all, I’d like to shake your hand for putting that asshole in his much needed place,” Tara replied.
Maksim’s expression fit the surprise I currently felt at Tara’s remark. “I thought you felt I had used t-too much force.”
Tara shook her head. “If you hadn’t called him out previously for his behavior, I would think it was too much. But Sarah told me about your phone call with him.”
Maksim turned to me and smiled. “She did, huh?”
“Oh yeah.”
Closing the gap between them, Maksim extended his hand. I’m Maksim Korolov.”
Slipping her hand into his, she replied, “Tara Mulvaney.” Batting her eyelashes at him, she said, “I just begged Sarah to meet you a few minutes ago, but she claimed it was too soon.”
“Is t-that right?” Maksim questioned.
When they both looked accusingly at me, I held up my hands. “I stand by what I said earlier.”
“Although I could’ve done without the circumstances, it’s so nice t-to meet you,” Maksim said.
“Likewise.”
“Maybe we can g-get together with you and your husband soon,” Maksim suggested.
“I would love that.”
Taking me by the arm, Maksim started leading me to the stairs. “Goodbye for now.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” I said.
Tara nodded at me and gave a cheeky little wave to Maksim. When he turned around, she widened her eyes at me and mouthed, “Oh, MY GOD!”
Laughing, I shook my head. “What is it?” Maksim asked.
“Just Tara drooling over you,” I replied as we started down the stairs.
He had the nerve to shoot me a smirky little grin. “Oh, you like making my friends, drool, huh?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to.” I reached over pat his cheek. “Your smirk says it all.”
We reached the bottom of the stairs and started for the SUV. Turning to him, I couldn’t help but ask, “Did you know Miles was coming up the stairs?”
Maksim shook his head. “You’d said you’d be coming out the back stairs, so I just wanted t-to see what was taking you so long.”
“I’m sure he won’t be a problem anymore.”
“He won’t be if he knows what is g-good for him.”
I stopped walking. When Maksim turned back to me, I asked, “You wouldn’t like…” I glanced left and right. “Kill him, would you?”
“Not unless he hurts you.”
“Maksim, I can’t let you kill someone for me.”
“Why not?”
“Because! It’s not right.”
“Would it be right if he tried to rape you?” He shuddered. “Or if he succeeded?”
I sighed. “Of course not.”
“T-That’s just how things are in my world.”
At that moment, it hit me that I was dating a ruthless Bratva crime lord. “Oh God,” I murmured before staggering back.
Maksim quickly caught me. “Sarah, what’s wrong?”
“You.”
His brows popped wide. “Me?”
“Yeah. You're a Bratva kingpin.”
“But you already knew t-that.”
“I think it finally sunk in.”
“And?”
“I’m not going to lie. It’s a little overwhelming.”
To my surprise, Maksim barked out a laugh. “I g-guess it can be overwhelming if you’re not in the life.”
“How else should I take it when my boyfriend threatens to end a guy?”
“There are lots of g-guys out of the mafia who t-threaten the same thing.”
With a ragged sigh, I jerked a hand through my hair. “I guess so.”
“Look, if you’ll let me open the car door, I have something to take your mind off things.”
“Seriously?”
Maksim nodded and sidestepped me to open the car door. When he turned back around, he had a dozen blood red roses. “Interesting color choice,” I mused.
With a roll of his eyes, Maksim countered, “That’s all you have t-to say?”
I laughed. “They’re beautiful.”
As he passed them to me, I leaned over to inhale their sweet smell. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“They’re a very unexpected surprise.”
Smirking, Maksim replied, “Don’t worry. They come with expectation.”
With a laugh, I said, “Oh no. I’m afraid to ask.”
“I need to ask you for a favor.”
“Nice pattern of speech,” I complimented.
“Sarah,” Maksim grunted.
“I can’t help it. You didn’t stutter on any of your triggers those last two times. Not to mention how well you did when you were so angry at Miles”
“Would you p-please just let me ask you something?.”
“Oops, I jinxed you.”
“Seriously?”
“Okay, okay, I’m listening.”
As Maksim exhaled a ragged breath, I realized it must be something pretty serious for him to have this reaction. “I know it’s short notice, but I was wondering if you would come with me t-to a party tomorrow night.”
“You must really be banking on me not having much of a social life to ask this late,” I teased.
With a scowl, Maksim replied, “I hadn’t p-planned on t-taking anyone.”
I placed my hands on his shoulders. “Loosen your jaw. Remember to relax the first time you get stuck on a trigger letter.”
“Now is not the t-time to correct me.”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t help myself,” I argued.
A frustrated breath huffed out of his plump lips. The ones in the last few days that I’d been fantasizing on my body.
Shaking myself out of my inappropriate thoughts, I decided to put Maksim out of his misery. “You’re in luck. I don’t seem to have any personal engagements tomorrow night.”
His dark brows furrowed. “So t-that’s a yes.”
It was so endearing how nervous he appeared. Most men who looked like him and were as rich as him would’ve acted like they were doing me a favor asking me out.
But Maksim was like no other man I’d ever met.
“What kind of party is it?”
“Well, it’s more of a groundbreaking party. The club isn’t actually built yet.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“It’s a joint venture between my family and two others.”
“What’s new club’s name?”
“Three Kings.”
“Let me guess. The two other families are part of the underworld.”
He grinned. “An Irish clan and an Italian mafia.”
“What a happy little family of organized crime,” I mused.
“I’m not sure how happy we’ll all stay, but this is a way to try to unite us.”
“What does one wear to a groundbreaking? Something formal?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll need to go by my apartment to get a dress.”
He shook his head. “I’ll send you shopping with Oleg.”
A feeling of inadequacy prickled over my skin. It was very obvious that Maksim and I weren’t in the same tax brackets. The fact he was alluding to that was incredibly disappointing.
Trying not to show my hurt, I drew my shoulders back. “Do you not think I have an appropriate dress to wear?”
He grinned. “I hope not. I want to see you in a very inappropriate one.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I snapped.
Maksim’s jovial expression sobered. “I d-don’t t-think I understand.”
“Why would I need to go shopping for a dress with Oleg if one of my own wasn’t somehow inappropriate?”
“Jesus, Sarah, that’s not what I meant at all.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“T-That I wanted t-to treat you to a new dress. Like a way to p-pay you back for going with me.”
I knew he was sincere from the break in his speech. Rubbing my forehead, I sighed. “Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I was a complete bitch to you.”
“Hey, now, that’s my girlfriend you’re talking about.”
“Who was being a bitch.”
“You were upset, not a b-bitch.” At my sigh, he winked. “While I d-don’t like you being upset with me, I would argue that there’s obviously an elephant in the room when it comes to finances.”
“It’s not like it hasn’t always been there. I mean, I had a lot of resentment towards you for making money a part of me caring for you.”
“I had to d-do something,” he argued.
“I know. But it doesn’t make me feel better.”
“It’s just money, Sarah.”
“Says the wealthy guy,” I mused.
“Will you p-please just let me spoil you a little?”
I don’t know why it was bothering me so much. Maybe I was just trying to find things to be pissed about since everything was so perfect between us. I wasn’t used to things going well. I was in a constant state of waiting for the other shoe to fall.
Exhaling noisily, I replied, “Okay, okay. You can buy me a pretty dress.”
When Maksim’s face lit up, I once again wondered why I had ever protested. “Can I b-buy you some lingerie as well?”
“Wouldn’t that be moving a little fast?” I teased.
“I think we’ve stayed in the slow lane long enough, d-don’t you?”
With a laugh, I replied, “You took the words right out of my mouth.”
“Then I have another reason t-to look forward to tomorrow night?”
Furrowing my brows, I asked, “Why not tonight?”
“Unfortunately, I have a business dinner tonight.”
“What about after?”
Masksim chuckled. “Just how horny are you?”
“Extremely.”
“Sadly for both of us my business dinner is in New York. I won’t be back until the morning.”
“I could come with you,” I suggested.
Maksim’s jovial expression faded. “No. I won’t t-take you out of my t-territory.”
“Why not? You did it before at the bakery.”
“That was d-different. I had permission then.”
“So I’m just supposed to stay home while you go into enemy territory?”
“They aren’t enemies,” he protested.
“I hope not.”
“Come on. Let me take you home.”
For the second time that afternoon, I was overwhelmed with the thoughts of a Bratva boyfriend.