Page 25 of Unholy Tsar

“That’s enough, Bree. You, follow me.” He leaves, confident that I’ll do as he says. I sigh again.

“I’ve already done my best to wear him down, but he was pretty sure you wouldn’t come. Still, he might be a little more open if you ask him nicely…”

I nod at Bree. If only she knew the half of it.

“See you soon,” I say, optimistically. Then I make my way to the study.

“You little–” Maksim grabs my arm as soon as I walk in and gives me a little shake.

“What? Impressed that I gave your men the slip?” I smirk, slapping his hands away from my arm.

He lets me go with a scowl. “Are you even on your period?”

I see he’s gotten in touch with Roy. “No,” I chuckle. “It’s fascinating, isn’t it? How men can’t stand to talk about a woman’s anatomy.”

“You must be very proud of yourself.”

“Of course, I am.”

“That’s too bad then. All that effort for nothing. As we speak, my men are on their way here and will drag you back to your prison. You should’ve run away while you had the chance, Myshka.”

“Exactly, Maksim. I had the chance to run away, but I didn’t. I came here, where I knew for sure my captor would be. Why do you think that is?”

He rolls his eyes. “I believe you’re about to enlighten me.”

I let his sarcasm roll off my back. “Because, like I once told you, I have dangerous people after me. I need to partake in these lessons so I can learn how to protect myself, don’t you see that? Sooner or later, you’ll let me go, and I’ll no longer have the protection of Bree’s security. I’ll be easy prey for my predator.”

As I speak, his eyes soften. Am I getting to him? I continue with gusto, “I promise I’ll go willingly with Roy and the rest of your men after the lesson. I’ll stay in that damn apartment like a good prisoner, just like I have been for the past week, even though I was fucking suffocated and felt like I might go crazy at any moment. I promise I’ll stay still. Just please let me come for the lessons with Bree. By the end of it all, I won’t need you or anyone else anymore.”

His face closes off when I finish my speech, and my heart sinks. Oh no. But then he gives a sharp nod. “Fine. You can stay. But Roy is no longer in charge of your security. He’s been dismissed.”

As I watch him start to leave the study, fear grips me. Dismissed? I know enough about the mafia to understand that there’s no such thing as getting fired or dismissed. Once you’re in, you’re in for life. Did I just unknowingly sign Roy’s death certificate?

Without a second thought, I reach out and grab Maksim’s arm. “No!” He pauses and gives me a questioning look. “I want Roy back in my security detail. You have to put him back.”

“Or what?”

“I’ll be as uncooperative as possible. I’ll tell Bree you’ve been holding me hostage. I’ll keep trying to run away from whoever you appoint as my new head of security. I’ll even refuse to eat the meals I’m given. I’ll starve myself and—and—” My mind frantically searches for more ways to threaten him.

“What? All this because of an incompetent bodyguard? He needs to be punished for his incompetence.”

“So, punish him. Torture him. Whatever.” The words make my stomach churn, but I know begging for Roy to be spared from punishment won’t work. Maksim would never agree. “But in the end, I want you to put him back as my head of security. Please, Maksim. Please.”

His eyes turn cold. “Have you developed feelings for Roy?”

I gulp, wondering if I just made things worse. “Of course not, you asshole. I just don’t want an innocent man to get killed because of me.”

“Killed?”

“I know about your world, Maksim. People don’t get fired or dismissed. If someone no longer shows up to work, it’s because they’re six feet under. Roy doesn’t deserve to die because of me.”

Unexpectedly, he smiles. “Alright, little girl. I’ll keep Roy as your security guard.”

Little girl. His use of that term makes my heart skip and my core clenches as I remember the last time he called me that in this very room. Then his words sink in.

“Really?” Relief floods through me, and I can’t stop myself from rushing into his arms to hug him tightly. “Thank you. Thank you.” He goes rigid in my arms, and I realize what I just did. Shit. I pull away, not looking him in the eye as embarrassment flushes my cheeks. “Um—anyway, thank you.”

He gives me a curt nod, then leads the way to the library where Bree is pacing with a worried frown. Her face lights up when she sees us. “I’m in, baby,” I announce with a little dance. She cheers, pumping her fist at me.