64. Nat

Today is James' funeral. We sit at the kitchen table while I push a pancake around my plate and Max watches me like a hawk. He isn't happy about me attending but he has grudgingly agreed that it is something I need to do.

Dread seeps into my skin at the thought of seeing my colleagues and James' family. Will they think it's all my fault? Even if they don't, I know I am the only reason he's dead. If he hadn't come with me, he would still be alive, bragging about his latest date.

I had planned to go to the funeral on my own. It seemed easier that way and it's not fair to expect Max to drop everything to be at my side, not when he's already doing so much for me. Unsurprisingly, that idea did not go down well.

"Malyshka, it isn't safe for you to leave my estate, so if you think I'm letting you go to the funeral unaccompanied, you must be fucking delusional." He stands to refill my coffee cup.

"But I'll be surrounded by people!" It irritates me he's not even willing to discuss the idea.

He folds his arms and stares at me like I am missing some vital brain cells. The stubborn part of me wants to argue some more, so I open my mouth intending to do exactly that.

"If one more bad idea comes out of that pretty mouth, I will stuff my cock in it before spanking your ass."

My mind goes blank, which was his intention. As much as I want to be outraged by the idea he thinks he can shut me up with his dick, my pussy loves it. She gushes with excitement and I rub my thighs together under the table. From the way he smirks, he knows exactly what effect he's having on me.

"I…I… OK." I"m tempted to push my luck, but I decide now is not the time. Even though I hate to admit it, he does make a good point. "Fine. So who's taking me? One of your guys?"

That provokes a stony glare. "Why would I let one of my men accompany you? Were you not listening last night when I told you you're mine and I will always take care of you?"

"But I assumed you meant in a vague sense. You're busy and I'm sure you have better things to do than go to a funeral…" My voice trails off as his glare deepens.

Just as I'm about to get up and head back to my bedroom to shower and change, he stalks around the table like a panther.

"Malyshka, let's get one thing fucking straight. If you're in danger, I will be the one to protect you. My men will be there too, but I am your first line of defense. Whoever is after you better be ready to die because I will sacrifice my life for you if that's what it takes to keep you safe. Are we clear?"

Max offering to die for me is probably a red flag, but once again, I'm speechless and overwhelmed. Tears prick my eyes. How is Max so perfect? I never dreamed I'd meet someone like him, someone who puts me first.

"Baby, don't cry." He pulls me into his arms, his annoyance melting away at the sight of my distress. "I promise you, please believe me when I say I will take care of you." He rubs soothing circles on my back and slowly, I relax.

"What time do I need to be ready?" I have to shower, find something to wear, and repair the wreck that is my face. I'm not sure that's even possible, but at least nobody will be surprised to see I look dreadful. Not after what's happened.

"We leave at 12."

The small church is packed when we enter through the massive wooden doors. Max keeps me tucked under his arm and I don't miss the way he scans every face we pass.

Outside, his men have taken up positions around the perimeter. I've seen lots of people throw confused looks at all the heavily armed men patrolling around the church and cemetery, obviously curious about why James' funeral needs such a high level of security, but aside from a few discreet mutters, most of the congregation is focused on the reason we're all here today.

To pay our respects to a young man taken from us in the prime of his life. A tragic accident, the press reported the day after it happened. A bizarre electrical fault that triggered a terrible explosion. The official explanation is as unlikely as it is ridiculous, but most people seem to have bought it.

I guess it's better to believe James died in a tragic accident than to know he was murdered in cold blood in an attempt to kill or maim me.

Amanda waits in the entrance vestibule, tapping her shoes and staring at her phone. She didn't know James, but she is here to support me. Jane too, only there's no sign of our other friend.

Kolya stands a few feet behind Amanda, glowering as per usual. I swear he gets more grumpy every time I see him. She ignores him, like always.

"Babe, I'm so sorry this has happened." She pushes her phone in her pocket and pulls me into a tight hug. I soak up her warmth for a few moments. Thanks to thick stone walls a foot thick, it's cool in here, despite all the assembled mourners. "Are you OK? You know you can stay with me if you need to, right?" She glances back at Max, who's watching me while pretending not to. "Don't feel like you have to stay with Mr. Murderous over there."

A flicker of amusement breaks through the bleakness of the moment and I half-smile.

"I'm fine, don't worry. Max is taking good care of me."

She snorts. "I bet he is." We smile at each other before I remember to ask about our absent friend.

"Where's Jane? I thought you two would come together?"

Amanda frowns. "I did too, but she messaged me last night to say she was staying with her man and he'd drop her off. No sign of her yet, I guess she had a late night…"

"OK, makes sense, I guess." We both watch a few last stragglers enter the vestibule but none of them are Jane.

The priest has emerged while we've been talking and the service is about to begin. Amanda and I head down the aisle to take our seats, with Max and Kolya close behind. James' family sit at the front, his mother sobbing quietly and his father stoically trying to hold it together. A teenager in an ill-fitting suit sits beside them, staring at his hands.

We pass some of my colleagues and a few nod a greeting, but most barely acknowledge me. I'm not sure if it's because they don't know what to say to me, or because they think I'm to blame, but before I can spiral down a path of self-recrimination once again, Max takes my hand in his and squeezes it tightly.

"I got you," he says quietly as we sit down.

And it means everything.

Once the service ends, people slowly leave the church, talking among themselves. The family has organized a wake at a local hotel but Max doesn't think we should go. I'm fine with that. I don't feel comfortable spending time with James' family. I'm sure every time they look at me, they are reminded of why they no longer have a son.

Amanda looks at her phone for the millionth time and frowns. "Where the fuck is she?" It's what we're both thinking. Jane isn't normally flaky. If anything, she's the best one of us for sticking to arrangements, unlike me, who routinely cancels plans last-minute.

"Maybe the car she was in broke down or something?"

"That wouldn't prevent her from letting us know," Amanda points out.

"Her phone could have died too…" Amanda scoffs and then opens up our group chat to send another message.

"What's wrong, malyshka?" Max moves in behind me, his arm snaking around my waist in a possessive way. Amanda sees the gesture and smirks.

"Jane's missing. She should have been here but we can't get hold of her. We're worried."

Max tenses and he and Kolya exchange cryptic glances.

"What?" A chill zips down my spine, like a ghost walked over my grave. Which is kind of appropriate given where we currently stand. "Is there something I should know?"

He doesn't reply immediately because he's too busy having some kind of silent conversation with Kolya. Then Kolya steps back and makes a phone call. I try to listen in but he turns his back and talks in a voice so low it's impossible to make out what he's saying.

Just as I'm about to quiz Max further, my phone pings. I pull it from my purse and stare at the screen. There's a message from an unknown number. Hoping it's Jane using a different phone, I unlock the screen and open the message.

The person messaging me from an unknown number has sent me a photo of Jane tied to a chair, a gag in her mouth. She looks terrified. The message that follows says:

If you don't do as I say, your friend will die.