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4
Saturday, and it's work as usual.
I pick up Maksim from his house and drive him to his friend Rumo’s country manor. Maksim plays cards there once a month, but they always play at different times and days. Men like Maksim don't have routines. They say routines make them easy targets for their adversaries.
Maksim is on the phone throughout the drive—arranging a place for a few trafficked girls—so I don't have to endure a conversation with him. I'm glad. After coming eye to eye with him last night while he was having sex with that girl, I'll admit, I am a little nervous. There was something in the way he stared at me… in the way he touched that girl while staring at me…
Maksim hangs up the call as we pull up on Rumo’s paved driveway. It’s illuminated with floodlights. They're so bright that I have to squint. The redbrick house before us is a fortress; black iron bars covering the sash windows and a red laser security system surrounding the dwelling.
Two SUV's pull up around us, the rest of Maksim's security detail. No one can get to him without a war.
In the cold, I help Maksim out of my car by opening his door. I bow my head to him, clasping a heavy gun in one hand.
“You look lovely this evening, my little pet,” he says in Russian, grinning at me with a cunning gleam in his eyes. “I haven't had a chance to tell you.”
He looks good, too, in a sharp gray suit against a white shirt under a knee length black coat, his long brown hair curtaining his hard face. He smells nice—something spicy that makes my nose tickle as the night breezes against my face.
I don't thank him for his compliment, nor do I smile. I just bow a second time.
“Have you heard anything from Charlie Decena?” he asks, tipping his head. “After last night, I mean.”
I nearly frown, peering up at him with innocent eyes. “No,c?pMaksim.”
He studies me for a moment, scanning my expression. “So... he hasn't been to your apartment?” His golden eyes widen for an answer. “I know he fancies you.”
“What? No, no! Of course he hasn't been to my apartment. I would have told you. You know I wouldn't-”
“Okay.” Lifting a hand, he cuts me off. “That is good, I guess.” He scratches his stubbly chin. I cringe at the sound of his bristly beard rubbing against his nails. “But he's up to something. I just know it. I don't get why he's come to me for help on a job...” he goes on and on about his confusion over Charlie's agenda. “And what he did at the Prince's party... that wasn't him. He wouldn't do something so thoughtful.”
So... it isn't just me who thinkshe'sup to no good. That makes me anxious, and the fact that Maksim is questioning me over my loyalty makes me even more anxious. He should know I'd never keep anything from him.
I'm sweating in my uniform.
Maksim eventually asks, “What did you both talk about when you gave him a lift to London? Did he want to know anything about me?”
No hesitation, I spill my guts about the useless questions Charlie directed at me. “He waffled on about my car... how fast it goes... the color...” I tell him everything—leave nothing to chance.
James appears from one of the SUV's and I almost gasp out with relief. Maksim will focus on him for a moment. He's as fond of James as he is of me.
“Ahhh,” Maksim breathes out with a broad smile, turning his attention to James. “He's here.”
Wearing a black combat outfit just like I am, James walks up to us with steady composure and bows to Maksim, touching his chest.
“Hello, my pet.” Maksim calls us both his pet; however, I'm his 'little' pet.
“Evening,c?pMaksim,” James says. He's got a Russian peppered accent, his low notes deep and level.
“How are you this evening?” says Maksim, his eyes flaring with something that a man shouldn't express to another man.
James answers as courteous as ever with, “I'm great, thank you.”
We never return Maksim's gestures. We're not allowed to. Maksim doesn't like having to explain his moods—not that he needs to. I can sense his moods a mile off. Tonight, he's thriving.
“Good. Good!” Maksim claps like a child in a sweetshop, grinning from ear to ear. “Well, let us get on with this evening. My best vodka is inside waiting for me.”
Maksim turns his back on me and I internally shake my head. He drinks far too much.
James gently catches my hand and gives me a squeeze, causing me to peer up at him. He flashes his most affectionate smile, mouthing, “Are you okay?”
