A Treacherous King- Dark Mafia Romance

ten

Maeve

I liked the way it smelled here. It was an odd thing to think, but it was true. It was so different from the fumes of Chicago. Here I could actually smell the fresh air. I could smell the flowers blooming and the distinctive scent of pine trees. Even though the air here was more biting, I didn't mind it. It bit into my thick knitted sweater and jeans, sending goosebumps all over my flesh. As long as I could feel the cold air on my skin, it meant I was alive.

I took a walk around the garden late this afternoon. The sun had been setting low in the sky, when I had discovered a bench nearly hidden by rose bushes. That's where I sat now, twisting the ring around on my finger.

I liked taking refuge here in the garden. I actually liked the library more, but I hadn't dared to go back there since the night Caine had threatened me with death. Plus the fresh air allowed me to think and I had a lot to think about.

I wasn't able to sleep last night. The dinner with Ivan and his family kept replaying over and over in my head. Caine thought I had something to do with his mothers's death? That was why I was here. Because he thinks in some inexplicable way I was tied to his mother.

I hadn't even known any Russian women until I met Nadia. I had grown up in a small town. My own mother had died when I was young and I never knew my father. My grandmother had raised me.

We never had any money, so we never went anywhere. I had worked a job as a waitress at a small cafe from the time I was fifteen. I didn't really have friends, never did much of anything besides work and clean up after my grandma.

A month before I graduated high school my grandma had gotten sick. The doctors said it was the flu but then that quickly turned into pneumonia. She had died shortly after, her body not strong enough to sustain such an illness. Although my grandmother hadn't been the best guardian, she was family. The only family I had. And now she is gone. I felt so hollow, so empty.

I had found an unopened envelope in her nightstand. Inside was a simple silver ring that had my initials engraved on inside. There was a note signed by my mother who had instructed me to go to Chicago and seek out a man named Maxwell Huxston. She stated that he would be willing to help me if I mentioned her name.

Two weeks later I graduated and packed all my things. I had a little money from my grandma's life insurance policy and managed to buy myself a ticket to Chicago. I sought out Huxston and name dropped my mother. He had given me a job as his personal assistant. I didn't question him on how he knew my mother. I just accepted his offer and the rest was history.

I hadn't played a part in any deaths. I just experienced them with the only two people who had ever attempted to care for me. Now it was just me.

"Now you've taken over my garden. I can't seem to escape you." A cold voice sounds in front of me.

I jerk my head up, meeting the iced stare of Caine. He wore his usual suit attire. Today it was gray with pinstripes, a Rolex gleaming on his wrist. His hair was perfectly styled on his head, dark strands styled with gel. His scowl was enough to make me squirm, but I made no move to stand. Instead I straightened my spine in hopefully a defiant gesture.

"If I'm that insufferable, just let me go."

"Why would I do that? I haven't even acted on my promise to end your life yet." He reaches out and plucks a rose from the bush.

"And why haven't you?" I know I am toeing in dangerous waters talking about my potential death with him, but he seemed to bring the worst out in me.

"I have been met with an issue that I find you can help me with. That would of course require you to still be breathing." He twists the rose around with his thumb and forefinger.