The Russian Fighter (Mafia Men #1)

A New Monster

Chapter 29

Edited

"Go upstairs," Igor addressed me as soon as we entered the house. "Pack your clothes. We are going somewhere secure for some time."

"Where is that?" I asked, taking the stairs with Mira and the remaining staff racing about to transport the last of their belongings.

"You will know in time, young mistress," said Anatoly, guiding me to my room.

"Why are we leaving so suddenly?"

"Your grandfather has been banned from entering Los Angeles. That makes him a target for his enemies. That makes you target. Angelo has been keeping watch on you and your family. The rumor has been shared within the Mafia. Igor no longer has the protection of the Bratva."

So Maksim was telling the truth.

"What does that mean exactly?"

"It means," he started piling my undergarments and clothes from the dresser Igor bought in preparation of my arrival; though there wasn't much, "there will be a target for his head. He needs to go underground."

"Oh," was all I said in return, waiting by as my belongings disappeared from shelves. When Anatoly grabbed the rolls of film, stacking them in the next duffel bag, I wanted to tell him not to bring them, including my cameras.

He moved away to grab my toiletries and hygienic essentials. As he did I moved toward the table of cameras, the walls expended with tack after tack of gray and white photographs as well as most in color. All replayed the faces of my family in diverse positions, each changing from one angle to another. There was even several of Maksim.

I plucked one of him sitting on his bike, standing outside the motel late under the moonlight while waiting for me to come out. I had remembered the almost kiss we had before his mood became sour after that phone call.

"Did you really think you'd get rid of me that fast?"

I whirled at the unanticipated baritone that filled the room. "Maksim?"

The sound of a gun being drawn to my left spurred to glance back at Anatoly, his pistol prepped to fire. "Stay where you are, Nikolaev."

"I'm not leaving without my girl."

Maksim waltzed further into the room, dressed in black jeans, dress shirt and suspenders and gloves like he were preparing for a heist. In my case, he was here to take me back with him.

"You should not be here," Anatoly said, unkindly.

Maksim broke from the shadows hovering about the corners of the room, a stream of moonlight shone like silver from the balcony where the double doors fanned out. He must have climbed up the side wall to get in, having tailed us not long after I left.

"I'm not here to hurt you," Maksim consoled, hands in the air. "But I will if it means keeping her from that monster."

"Why should I leave her to you? You've done no good. You hurt her."

"Trust me," Maksim cut his gaze at me, eyes shining. "I am never going to hurt her again. She's my world. I love her. I want her at my side. I want her in my arms. I want to protect her. Always."

My heart swelled at his confession, and a lightness soared through my veins. I started shaking, my emotions losing the reins as the icy fortress around my bruised organ started melting. Tears formed at the edges of my lashes.

Memories rushed to the forefront of my mind, a flash of images of happier times with my family. Nina and I in our old house by the canal, laughing about petty girl things. Another of Levin, Mikhail and Nina surrounding me as we danced that night before hunting down the Nikolaevs. Mama and Papa, then Babushka and Dedushka. Aleks and his brothers. Maksim when he kissed me, and kissed me, and ignited the fire I longed for since feeling abandoned by Vitaly.