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“I do,” she countered. She grabbed a glass and filled it with water. “You’re a sweet child, Maxim. Out of all your brothers, you were the easiest to love. I’m not your mother, but I know you very well, I know you care for that girl.”
She’s made up her mind on that, it was no use trying to convince her otherwise. “Thank you for the food,” I said, my way of bringing the conversation to an end.
Ms. Popov grimaced as she untied her apron and hung it on the handle of one of the floating cabinets. “Damien will drive me home. Make sure not to leave any dirty plates in the sink.”
I took a bite of my pasta and instantly regretted turning it down. Ms. Popov made the best meals I’d ever eaten. Even better than my mother used to make when she was alive.
A dull ache splintered through my chest. I miss my mother very much. We’d hunted her killer and killed him, but even that didn’t make the pain of losing her any better.
If Gianna truly believed she lost hers because of me, then the hatred she carried in her heart would be too much. She once loved me, I wondered how long it took for that love to fester into hate.
She needed to know her hate was directed at the wrong person.
I quickly finished my food, washed the plate, and went upstairs to my room. Sleep didn’t come easily, but after hours of thinking, I finally drifted off.
When I woke up the next morning, took a shower, and went downstairs, I sighed at the uninvited visitors in my kitchen.
“The sweetest Vadim brother is finally awake,” Lilianna said, beaming with a smile.
Sweetest Vadim brother? Whoever gave her the idea, I was the sweetest. She hadn’t even ever seen me laugh before. Maybe she had, once or twice, when my nieces and nephews were born.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I leaned on the doorframe and watched my sister-in-law with a frown. “What are you doing here?”
“Mariana told us about the girl you kidnapped,” Giselle said, her eyes crinkling mischievously. “The kids are on holiday, and we thought we could keep her company and get to know her.”
“Okay. Let’s start with; I didn’t kidnap her.” I didn’t like explaining myself, but these women were going to hound me if I didn’t. “She tried to kill her, and I took her to find out who sent her and why.”
Giselle propped her hand on the table, holding her face. “Well, isn’t that kidnapping? Mariana told us everything.”
I glanced at Mariana, who shrugged. She had two shopping bags in front of her.
I nodded to the bags. “What’s in those?”
“Clothes and toiletries,” Mariana answered. “I figured she would need a change of clothes, so I went into a boutique this morning and got her some. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No.” On the contrary, I was grateful she’d gotten some. I was going to ask her to accompany me to a boutique later today. I’d never shopped for a woman before, and I figured it would be easier to do so if I had a woman accompany me. I stretched out my hand. “I’ll take it to her.”
Giselle rolled her eyes. “Like we’d let you. Do you want to give it to her and boast of how you’re good at buying clothes for a woman?”
I sighed. Hearing them read more meaning to my gestures was exasperating. “I’m taking them to her because I’m not letting any of you go upstairs.”
Lilianna pursed her lips. “Why? Do you want to lock her away until she loses her mind?”
“She’s dangerous. She attacked Ms. Popov last night.” My sisters-in-law were docile. Gianna was nothing like them. She was as ruthless as a wild bear. I wouldn’t want to answer to my brothers if she hurt either of them, which I was most certain she would.
Giselle lifted a cup to her lips. I couldn’t tell its content, but I assumed it was black coffee. She always talked about needing coffee to start her day. “You kidnapped her. Were you expecting she’d get on her knees and give you a blow job for that?”
The other girls chuckled at the joke; none of them minded how offended I was.
“No,” I said dryly. “I wasn’t expecting a blow job, but she almost killed Ms. Popov, and I’m not letting any of you near her. That is final.”
“Come on, Max.” Lilianna pouted, giving me the sad puppy eyes she knew I couldn’t refuse. “We’re not kids. We know how to fight and use a gun. I’m sure we can defend ourselves against one woman.”
“Allow us to see her, or I’ll call Sergey and tell him.”
I squinted at Mariana. “When did you and Sergey become so close? You used to be afraid of him?”
She rolled her eyes. “Mind your business. Are you letting us see her or what?”
