SWNOVELS Chapter 5
“And this is the marital bedroom.” Nadya, Maxim’s personal assistant, flings the door open and charges in ahead of me while I’m still contemplating the term “marital bedroom”.
I better have misheard her because my feelings towards Maxim are anything but domestic. He disappeared after the reception last night, leaving me alone at the hotel where we were married. Frankly, it was a relief that he had no wedding night expectations. I tore off my dress like it contained the plague, ordered fries and a milkshake from room service, sank into the luxurious cloud of a bed, and binged The Golden Girls.
This morning, reality came calling. A car came for me, whisking me to the high-end Rublyovka area Maxim calls home. It’s my first time seeing the house or meeting any of his staff. And this delight, Nadya Petrovna, appears to run the joint with an iron fist.
Stern, with silver-streaked hair pulled back into a tight bun and hawkish brown eyes, I can sense her territorial instincts flaring. According to her, she’s been running Maxim’s home and life for the last fifteen years as his personal assistant. I’ve stepped into her territory, and she’s clearly not happy about having to deal with a new lady of the house. Especially one young enough to be her daughter.
I turn to her and force a friendly smile. “I think there has been a miscommunication. Maxim and I won’t be sharing a bedroom.”
Her lips tighten. “According to Maxim, you will.”
There’s no way I’m getting cozy with that mudak at night, especially since I bought myself a whole sex-free month. But the other factor is the nightmares I have about my aunt’s death. I don’t have them every night, but when I do, they leave me shaken and sweaty, the images haunting me long after I wake up. It’s not something I want Maxim to witness. Who knows what I’ll reveal in my sleep.
“If you call him,” I say between clenched teeth, “you will find that the arrangement between us has changed.”
Nadya sniffs and raises her chin, fingering the cross around her neck. ‘Maxim would have informed me. He’s not a man who acts on a whim.” She changes the subject, like my objection means nothing. “Your clothes are in the closet, and your personal belongings have been unpacked. I suggest you make yourself at home.”
Home? Please. There’s nothing cozy about this place. When Nadya rushed me through the mansion, from the fancy entrance to Maxim’s room, I noticed the dark-paneled walls covered with modern art, sleek leather furniture, and a whole lot of glass.
Sure, it looks nice, but the space doesn’t exactly feel inviting.
Nadya’s lips press into a thin line, like she’s daring me to argue with her. I’d love to tell her off, but she could be a valuable source of information. It might take her time to accept my new role in the house, but hopefully she and I can come to an understanding.
I break our silent face-off with a peace-making smile. “Alright then. I’m sure you know what’s best.”
“I do. And it will benefit you to realize that sooner than later.” Touché! But her shoulders lower an inch at my placating words.
I certainly have no plans of sharing a bed with Maxim, but Nadya doesn’t need to know what happens behind closed doors.
With a victorious sniff, she informs me, “Breakfast will be served in half an hour. Maxim will be expecting you in the dining room.”
‘Got it,’ I say, attempting to sound enthusiastic but falling short.
I breathe a sigh of relief as the witch takes her leave.
Alone in Maxim’s bedroom, I feel a million miles from home. His room is as generic as a hotel. Like the rest of the house, it lacks the personal touches that make a space feel lived-in and warm. Everything is beautiful and expensive, of course, but the only sense of Maxim is his aftershave lingering in the air.
Sitting down on the bed, I fish my cell phone from my purse and prepare to make the call I’ve avoided for … oh, an entire month. But now that we’re married and the wedding was certainly covered by the press near and far, there is no putting off the inevitable.
Aly answers on the first ring. “Kira! Oh my God, I’m looking at your pictures online right now. Holy shit, you actually went through with it.”
I stare at the four-carat ring weighing down my finger. “I did,” I confirm.
She sighs. “Why didn’t you tell us it was happening so soon? I feel bad that we weren’t there for you.”
“Don’t feel bad, please,” I say, shaking my head even though she can’t see me. “There’s so much bad blood between everyone and Maxim, and I didn’t want it to be uncomfortable.”
“We would have sucked it up in order to be there for you,” Aly counters.
“I know it’s hard for you and my brothers to understand, but this is something I have to do on my own. I’m fine, really. I promise you.”
She releases a wary breath, and I can tell she’s holding back a barrage of questions. “How are you and Leo?” I ask, changing the subject. “I bet he’s the happiest man in the world right now.”
Aly and my brother, Leo, have been circling each other since they were teens. The one good thing that came out of Maxim attempting to abduct Aly is that it brought her and Leo back together. When my brother found out someone was pursuing Aly, he dropped everything and whisked her away on a yacht to keep her safe.
A puff of laughter slips from her. “He’s good. We’re both good. We’re planning our wedding in a few months. I hope you can come.”
My heart sinks in my chest because I have no idea what the future holds for me. “Maybe,” I offer. “Keep me updated, okay? I have to go, but it was so nice to hear your voice. I miss you. Send my love to everyone.”
“I miss you too. And, Kira?”
“Yes.”
“You know we’re always here for you, whether you change your mind or need help. Whatever the situation, I’m a phone call away.”
I fight the ball of emotion that threatens to choke me. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
“Right back at you, babe.”
I hang up, struggling to contain my tears. The weight of everything bears down on me. My family wants to help, but getting them involved means putting them right in Maxim’s crossfire.
I check my watch and realize I only have five minutes before I’m expected downstairs. With that, I make my next call.
Liza answers on the first ring. “Allo?”
“Hi. It’s me, Kira.”
“Oh, I know who it is,” she quips. “You married Maxim fucking Belov, and you didn’t think to … oh, I don’t know … give me advance warning! Seriously, what the fuck?”
Welp, I had to see that coming.
“I know it seems nuts, but the opportunity presented itself, and… What can I say?” I haven’t spoken to Liza since the night of the ball. I knew she’d try to reason with me, and frankly, that’s exactly what I wanted to avoid.
“I’ll explain everything in person,” I promise. “Can we meet today? Somewhere private, where we can be alone.”
“Alone?’ She sighs as if this is all too much. ‘You’ll never be alone again. Maxim is going to assign a legion of guards to you.”
I puff out my cheeks. ‘Let that be my concern. Pick a place and text it to this number.’
She snorts. ‘I hope you know what you are doing, Kira. Da ty yobanulass.’
Am I out of my mind? Maybe. I’ve certainly been accused of worse.