Page 39 of His to Own

Alexei hesitates before shaking his head. “No.”

“So I don’t need your help. Please. Just leave me to my studies. I need to focus.” I open my book again and bury my head into it and after a long moment, Alexei leaves.

I try to study for a bit longer but I can’t. When I leave the library, I run into Professor Romanov outside.

“Miss Karetov. That little stunt your husband pulled today will not always work. I suggest you show up on time for our next class if you want to pass it.”

I duck my chin to my chest. “Yes. Of course.”

“Married.” She shakes her head. “You’re so young to be married. I never would have guessed it.”

I blink. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“Just don’t be late,” she mutters before walking away. I turn in the opposite direction.

Of course, nothing can be simple when Polina stops me in my tracks in the middle of the quad.

“You’re married? Since when?”

“Since yesterday.” I try walking past her but she doesn’t let me. “Why does it matter to you? It has no impact on your life.”

“You think you’re so much better than me, don’t you? More smart. More pretty. But I will remind you, Elena, that you’re not getting that internship. I am.”

“You remind me of it every day. How could I forget?”

She huffs. “Well… don’t forget it. And don’t let that husband of yours distract you. Then I will surely win. And I like the competition.” She grabs the books from my hands and throws them to the ground before walking away.

After collecting my books, I head out to the parking lot to find Maxim waiting for me.

“How was class today? Was Shakespeare any fun?”

“Shakespeare was Shakespeare. I need to go home and study some more. And please don’t let me be late for class again. I can’t afford it.”

Maxim slowly nods. “All right. I promise. I’ll try my best so you’re never late again.” His eyes flick over my shoulder and he frowns. “That boy cannot leave well enough alone, can he?”

I turn around to see Alexei watching us. “Let’s just go.” I hurry into the car and after a beat, Maxim gets in. I breathe out. As long as Maxim is with me, Alexei can’t get hurt.

But the pit in my stomach is telling me I need to be worried.

Maxim

I need to deal with that little shit. He’s hanging around Elena too much and I don’t like it. Not at all.

It’s not hard to find where Alexei lives. In one of the dorms on campus. A hacker friend of Nikolai’s easily finds the information for me. Connections everywhere. My new alliance with Nikolai is already paying off.

I find Alexei’s dorm room and knock on the door. Once he opens it, his eyes widen. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to have a chat with you about my wife. Can I come in?”

Alexei closes the door so there’s only a small sliver showing where his eye is. “No. You cannot come in. I don’t trust you. I can sense you’re a bad man.”

“Oh, can you now? What are you worried about? That I’ll murder you?” I considered it but then I thought better of it. I don’t always need to kill to get my way.

“I wasn’t worried about that but now I am.”

I glance down the hallway. No one around. With a sigh, I push open the door fast before Alexei can stop me. He’s all alone in the room. No roommates.

“What are you doing?” he demands. “Get out.”