50. Maxim
50
MAXIM
T he rhythmic thrum of the helicopter blades beats through the cabin, a steady, relentless sound that matches the pounding in my chest.
Across me, my men are ready, all armed to the teeth. Sophie sits in the middle of them, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
“We’ll be there in ten minutes,” I say, speaking into my earpiece.
She doesn’t answer, her shoulders stiff, her jaw clenched. Her silence is louder than any words.
“Sophie,” I call her name while waving. She turns her head slowly, her eyes wide, glassy with unshed tears.
“What?” she asks.
“We’ll get her back. I swear it.”
Her lip trembles, and she quickly presses them together as if trying to steel herself. “She’s all I have, Maxim. If we’re too late…” Her voice breaks, and she looks away, blinking rapidly. “What if he didn’t believe me?”
“He did.”
I unbuckle my harness and move to sit beside her, ignoring the turbulence rocking the cabin. My hand reaches out, resting gently on hers where it clutches the edge of her seat. Her fingers are icy, trembling.
“Talk to me,” I urge, my voice low, steady. “Tell me about her. Tell me about your grandma.”
Sophie swallows hard, her gaze fixed on our hands as my thumb brushes lightly over her knuckles.
“She’s everything,” she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “When my mom died, she was the one who kept me from falling apart. I was twelve. She tried to make life normal.”
Her fingers tighten around mine, her knuckles whitening. “She hid the worst parts of it from me. My mom’s addiction, the strangers she brought around, the chaos. Grandma made me feel safe.”
Her breathing shudders as she continues. “When my dad walked out and never looked back, she was the one who held me. She told me he didn’t deserve me, that I was better off without him. She’s the reason I survived all of it. She’s my family, Maxim. My only family.”
Her tears spill over, and I lift my other hand to cup her cheek, brushing them away. She doesn’t flinch at the contact, leaning into my palm instead.
“You won’t lose her,” I say, my voice firm, unwavering. “Not while I’m breathing. Do you hear me?”
She searches my face, her eyes desperate, pleading. “How can you be so sure?”
I pause, drawing in a slow breath, feeling the weight of what I’m about to say. “Because I’ve been where you are,” I admit quietly. “I’ve watched someone I love destroy themselves. My mother…she couldn’t be saved. She didn’t want to be. But your grandma? She’s a fighter, I’ve no doubt.”
Her brows knit, confusion softening into understanding as she realizes the depth of what I’m sharing. “Maxim…”
I shake my head, holding her gaze. “I couldn’t save my mother, Sophie. But I’ll save your grandma. For you. Because I want to see you happy. I want to do something selfless, for once in my life. Just this once.”
Tears stream down her face now, unchecked, and she doesn’t try to hide them.
“Trust me,” I say. “You’re my wife, Sophie. My family now. And I’ll hurt anyone who hurts you. I’ll destroy them.”
Her lips part, as though she’s searching for words, but nothing comes. Instead, she lets out a choked sob and throws her arms around me.
I catch her, pulling her close, her body trembling against mine. My hand strokes her hair, the other resting on her back, holding her as if my grip alone could shield her from everything.
I get a call, breaking the moment. I press a kiss to her temple before pulling back, pressing buttons to send it to my earpiece. “What?”
A voice rattles off information, sharp and precise. My grip on Sophie tightens as I listen. “Good,” I reply curtly, ending the call.
“What is it?” she asks, her voice trembling.
“Federico was spotted entering the building,” I tell her. “He thinks he’s there to claim his victory, to gloat over the money when you send it. He’s in for one hell of a surprise.”
I pull a handgun from my jacket, pressing it into her hands. She stares at it, then at me.
“When we land,” I say, my tone firm, “stay close to me. Show no fear. Follow my instructions exactly. And Sophie…”
Her fingers curl around the weapon, her knuckles tight.
“Make sure you hit the target.”