Page 20 of The Brat: Prequel

Maxim: If any issues present themselves, you’ll tell Eoghan. Immediately.

Maxim: Because if you don’t, I will deal with them myself

Maxim: You are my business, katyonok. I should have known sooner. I can’t have guards inside the school and a lot of the upper-ranking scum at your old school don’t see me as their leader. Yet

Maxim: You accelerated my timeline

Maxim: Because you are, and will always be, my priority

EIGHT

MAX <3

Victoria: Is it true?

Maxim: Is what true?

Victoria: That you almost died in Moskva?

Maxim: So, it takes a near-death experience to get your attention, katyonok

Victoria: Don’t piss me off, Maxim. Are you okay?

Maxim: Silence and then concern? It’s enough to give a man whiplash, zaya

Victoria: ANSWER ME

Maxim: I’m fine

Victoria: Are you still in Moskva?

Maxim: No. I’m back in the city.

Victoria: I don’t have many contacts in the Bratva anymore, but I asked Karine about you. She said people were surprised when you came back

Maxim: I live to surprise people

Maxim: That bitch abandoned you at your last school. Why are you still talking to her?

Victoria: How else do you think I get information about you?

Victoria: How did you find that out anyway?

Maxim: I have my ways

Victoria: I understand you even less

Maxim: You don’t need to understand me

Victoria: Yes, I do

Maxim: You just need to know that I’ll do what must be done to keep you safe

Victoria: So you’re injured because of me?

Maxim: No. Of course not

Victoria: Then, what?