Chapter 13
Zara
Before I can properly thank my husband for his amazing gift, the intercom buzzes. One of the security guy’s voice comes through.
“Mr. Maksimov, you have visitors. Detectives Martinez and Sullivan. And they have someone with them.”
My blood turns to ice.
* * *
The detectives are with a woman I don’t recognize. She’s older, sharp-eyed, exuding the kind of overconfident authority that sets me on my guard.
“Mr. and Mrs. Maksimov,” Martinez says. “Thank you for seeing us.”
“This is Agent Rebecca Smith, FBI,” Sullivan adds. “Organized crime task force.”
FBI. Jesus Christ.
“What can we do for you?” Nikolai asks.
I try to hide my shaking hands.
“I’d like to speak to Mrs. Maksimov alone,” Agent Smith says, her eyes locked on mine.
I cut her off. “You can say anything in front of my husband.”
She nods, her jaw working. “Zara, we know that sometimes people make choices out of fear.”
“I’m not afraid of my husband.”
“Maybe not anymore. But you were. The night Marcus Jameson died?”
The memory hits me hard. The dark alley, the gunshot, the blood. Nikolai’s cold eyes.
“We can give you a new life,” Agent Smith continues. “Witness protection. New identity, new location, complete financial support. You’ll be safe.”
“Safe from what?”
“From retaliation. From the consequences of testifying. From…” She glances at Nik. “Anyone who might want to keep you quiet.”
Martinez jumps in. “We have a safe house ready. You could be out of the city within an hour. Start fresh.”
I stare at them. They’re offering me the escape I had been praying for, before…
“All you have to do is testify about what you saw that night.”
And send Nik to prison for murder.
“I’m not interested,” I say firmly.
“Zara, think about this carefully,” Smith presses. “This is your chance to get your life back.”
“My life is here. With my husband.”
“Really? Or is it the life he forced you into?”
I think about that first night, how terrified I was. How Nikolai gave me no choice but to marry him. How he systematically cut off every possibility of escape. Then I think about how he’s protected me, cared for me, made me feel precious in a way no one ever has.
“No one has forced me into anything,” I reply, and I’m surprised by how strong my voice sounds. I look at Nik and see something fierce and proud flash through his dark eyes.
Smith shakes her head. “You’re making a mistake, Zara. But our offer stands,” she adds as they head for the door. “If you change your mind…”
“I won’t.”
After they leave, I feel all the adrenaline leaving my body at once.
“That was your chance to walk away,” he says quietly.
I hold his gaze. “I know.”
“New life, new identity.”
“Yeah.”
“And you chose to stay.”
“I chose us.”
He’s on his feet in seconds, his hands framing my face.
“Say it again.”
“I choose you, Nikolai Maksimov.”
He kisses me like I’m oxygen and he’s been dying for air. When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“Bedroom,” he growls. “Now.”
And he carries me upstairs.