Page 88 of His to Own

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Nikolai asks Maxim. “You cannot provoke Gregory like that. He is itching to kill you.”

“He’s itching to kill you too. I say we be done with him and move on with our lives.”

Lana gasps. “You’re talking about killing our father right in front of us.”

Maxim doesn’t look regretful. Not one bit. When he believes something, he believes it with his whole being.

“No one is killing anyone,” Nikolai says. “Let’s just all cool down.” He inhales and exhales slowly. “All right. Things are tense right now. Maxim, go home. Elena, it was nice seeing you again but you should go too.”

I look to Lana, expecting her to tell her husband that I don’t need to leave. But Lana doesn’t. Because she listens to her husband. Because she loves and respects him. She really is different from the sister I grew up with. That only makes the whole in my heart grow.

Maxim approaches me. “Are you alright?” When he reaches out for me, I flinch and take a step back. He lowers his hand and clenches it into a fist.

I walk past Maxim and he follows. Even after I leave the house and suck in the fresh air, he’s still there. Always there.

“I thought you were at brunch today. Why were you here?”

“Lana is my sister,” I snap. “Am I not allowed to see her?”

“Of course you are. But what I want to know is why you’re here and not at your brunch date with Alisa.”

The way he says her name – like a caress – makes me feel even more empty. Knowing he slept with her and didn’t tell me…

I knew Maxim was a playboy when we got married. But it still hurts to be reminded of it.

“I just want to go home,” I mutter and head to my car.

“You don’t seem fine. Are you fit enough to drive? I’m taking you home instead.”

“Stop telling me what to do!” I scream.

He steps back. “Elena…”

“Just stop telling me what to do. Stop trying to control me. Just stop.” I gasp and hold my throat. It’s hard to breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t…

“Elena.” His eyes narrow and he reaches his hand out for me. “You don’t look good. Are you all right?”

“I can’t breathe,” I gasp out. My body slumps against the car. “I can’t breathe. I…” I claw at my throat. It hurts. I need air. I need air.

“Elena.” he gasps when I fall forward. He catches me in his arms and holds me close, rubbing my back. “You can’t breathe? What’s going on? You need a doctor. Nikolai!” he shouts. “Nikolai!”

The front door opens and Nikolai appears with Lana right behind him.

“We need your doctor,” Maxim says. “Now.”

He nods and pulls out his phone and makes the call. Lana rushes to my side. “What’s wrong with her?”

“She can’t breathe,” Maxim says.

Darkness plays at the edge of my vision. I’m dying. This is what dying feels like.

But that’s when I feel Maxim’s arms tighten around me. How strong they feel. How secure and steady. This man who made me his. This man who kept things from me. This man who has light my body on fire when no one else ever has.

This man…

“You’re ok,” Maxim says as my breathing slows down. “Elena? I’m here. You’re ok.”

“Just breathe,” Lana says. “Just breathe.”