“I am willing to wait.”
“Does she know what you really are?”
“I have never lied to her.”
“You are twice her age.”
“So, she keeps telling me.”
“What will you do if she wants to walk away?”
“I will not stop her.”
Looking at the older man, I cocked my head and stared at him. From what I knew of Maxim Fedorov, the man never walked away from anything in his life, and once he claimed something or someone, it was his…forever.
“And you expect me to believe that?”
Maxim faced me and said, “There are many things neither of us knows about each other, but we both have one thing in common.”
Staring at the man, I knew what he was talking about. I had done it many times. I never cared what anyone thought. I couldn’t. I had to make sure those I cared about were safe.
“You will give her the illusion of freedom, but you will never really leave her alone.”
Maxim said nothing as he turned back to the window. He didn’t have to say anything more. I knew. I would do the same thing. I did the same thing many times. My cousins Reggie and Dwayne were perfect examples.
If Layla wanted nothing more to do with me, I would let her leave, but I would never allow her to be truly free from me. I would always protect her, look after her until my last dying breath.
It was our way.
Maxim was right.
We may not know each other, but we were in accord on this subject. No one would ever touch what belonged to us, and God help anyone who harmed our loved ones.
Nothing but death would be acceptable.
My phone ringing brought me out of my thoughts. Reaching into my coat, I pulled it out and saw an unknown number. Ignoring it, I looked out the window when my phone started ringing again.
Seeing the unknown number, I accepted the call and said, “Who is this?”
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t put a bullet in your head right now.” A deep voice, so gravelly I barely understood him, but it was his tone that had the hairs on my neck standing in attention. A ripple of unease washed over me, and I stilled.
Looking at my phone quickly, I slowly placed it back to my ear as I started looking around the SUV. The windows were tinted black, and though we were stuck in traffic, I was sure no one could see who was in the vehicle with me.
“Who is this?” I asked, looking at Maxim, who now looked concerned as he stared at me. Laying the phone on the seat between us, I hit the speaker so he could hear, my eyes still scanning the area around us.
“Do you think because you rode in and saved me that gives you a pass? She was in your care and yours to protect. You failed.”
“Bullseye? I understand you are in pain, and I am deeply sorry for your loss. I do not wish to cause you further pain. I am moments away from her. Let me take this burden from you.”
“You need to clean up your house, Valentinetti.”
“It will be done. I give you my word.”
“Your word mean shit to me just like that fucker sitting next to you. As far as I’m concerned, the world would be better off without the two of you.”
Looking at Maxim, I didn’t know what to say as he too looked around the vehicle.
I never met Dylan Franks. I only heard stories. The man was an enigma with his own set of rules. No one really knew what the man was truly capable of. We all could speculate, but until he did something, we were all in the dark.