“Kon was discovered,” Gio says.
“In the worst timing possible.”
“No wonder your father’s on the warpath. Seeing you in bed with a bodyguard.” He shakes his head.
“I’m going to change the locks, by the way.” I finish my food. “Are you going with me to the hardware store?”
“Juliana.”
I shake his hand off me. “You’re either going to support me or support my father right now, Gio.”
He sighs. “It’s not that simple.”
“No, we’ve been overcomplicating it. Stop sitting on the fence and choose a fucking side.” I order.
He arches an eyebrow. “An ultimatum?”
I continue to watch him. He looks at his phone and sighs. “Stay here, I’ll get the lock.”
Somehow, I’m not really sure how they manage it, but Gio and Max manage to keep me in place along with the new bodyguard – a woman who has made clear she’s straight. Gio and Max don’t even bring up sex, don’t push or hint, nothing. I feel even more unwanted.
Anytime my dad tries to see me, I refuse to answer the phone. Hell, I’m even taking PTO from work. I hate not seeing Konstantin. He made it so easy to smile. So easy to enjoy life. But one night, when Max is watching me, he rubs my leg.
“You’re not supposed to be in my room.”
“I know,” He says gently. “I hate seeing you so broken up, Juliana.”
“I should be able to move on, right? I still have you and Gio in my little harem.” I snort at the idea and wipe at my eyes. “I’m so worried for Kon. He hasn’t texted or called. What if my dad got him in trouble with the Volkovs?”
Max pulls me up and curls me against his chest. He just hugs me as I cry. I’m furious, upset, and impatient, but I feel so guilty. Guilty that Konstantin lost an easy assignment. Guilty for lashing out at Gio, guilty for liking these men at all.
“Don’t second guess yourself,” Max whispers in my ear.
I start to lift my head, but he keeps me in place. “Your father has cameras in the living room. Right now it’s like I’m comforting you. No audio. Stay right here.”
I sniff and knot my fingers in his shirt. “No wonder you and Gio have behaved.”
“He threatened to end our careers and enjoy watching us struggle for the rest of our lives if we touch you.” Max agrees.
“Bastard.”
“Keep pushing, Konstantin has been blocked by your phone provider, but he’s okay. Three days from now, I’m going to try to convince you to come out and shop away your sadness. We might just happen to run into Valerie, who knows.”
I lift my head a little and nod once. “Okay.”
“Gio and I have been reporting how upset you are to your father. You’re so brokenhearted. So upset that we’re worried about your mental health too. Luckily, we know a great counselor.”
“Valerie?”
“We’re going to help you end this since your father won’t, doll. I know how to play the game, age and experience, and all that.”
“Thank you, Max.”
“Just keep that tear-stained pout that I want to kiss away until your father drags himself here and offers you the world. Then pounce.” He encourages.
“I’m good at pretending,” I say while hiding my wicked smile against Max’s shirt.
Iwillmake the life I want. No one is going to get in my way. Not my dad, not a hitman, no one.