Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Abby

Isit on the plush couch in Maggie’s living room, my heart pounding in my chest as I stare at my phone screen. The text message from Maksim is short and to the point: Do not go to the police.

My hands shake as I reread the message, unable to take my eyes off the unwritten threat behind the words.

“Abby, are you okay?” Maggie asks, her voice filled with concern as she sits down next to me.

I hesitate before showing her the text. “It’s from Maksim,” I say, my voice cracking as fear creeps into every corner of my mind.

Maggie’s eyes widen as she reads the message. “Oh God,” she whispers, her hand flying to her mouth.

I don’t know what to do and I’m feeling more vulnerable than ever before. “We can’t involve the police now. Not when he’s threatening like this.”

“Abby, we need to talk about Maksim,” Maggie says seriously, her eyes filled with concern. I can’t help but tense, knowing where the conversation is heading.

“Look, I know he must be Bratva, and I know what that means,” I reply defensively. “I’ve seen the reports hypothesizing organized criminal activity behind the killing, I’ve been doing my research.”

“Then you understand why we need to protect the children,” she says gently, reaching out to touch my arm in reassurance. I nod, knowing she’s right. The thought of Maksim hurting any of us to keep me silent, or, God forbid, taking my children away terrifies me to my core.

“Even with the security we have here, it might not be enough,” Maggie continues. “If he wants to come after us, he will. We can’t underestimate the power of the Russian mafia.”

I clench my fists tightly, my nails digging into my palms. “So, what do we do?”

“We’ll look into more security options, maybe even move if we have to,” Maggie suggests, determination in her eyes. “We’re going to keep you and the babies safe, sis. No matter what it takes. In the meantime, you’re living with us. We’ve got more security than you do, and we’ll up it. It’s better than nothing. I won’t have you in this alone.”

“Thank you,” I say gratefully, tears welling up in my eyes. “I don’t know how we’re going to make it through this, but I also don’t know what I’d do without you helping me.”

“Hey, that’s what sisters are for,” she replies, pulling me in for a hug.

As I bury my face in her shoulder, all I can think about is the danger we’re facing. It’s a terrifying reality, but one we must face head on. For the sake of our safety and the safety of our kids, we have no other choice.

As the days pass, we continue to live in fear, constantly looking over our shoulders. The police haven’t connected anyone specific to the killing of Booker yet, it’s all just hypotheses and there’s no indication that they suspect us or our foundation’s involvement. But that doesn’t make me feel any safer.

The constant anxiety gnaws at me, making it difficult to sleep or focus on anything else. My thoughts always circle back to Maksim and his vague threats, and to the fact that he knows we’re hiding something.

“You need to try and relax,” Maggie tells me one evening as she pours me a glass of wine. “You’re going to drive yourself crazy with worry.”

“Easy for you to say,” I snap, the stress getting the better of me. “You’re not the one he’s threatening.”

“I’m scared too,” she admits, her voice softening. “But we can’t let this consume us. We have children to protect and a foundation to run. We’ll figure out a way to deal with Maksim, I promise.”

I take a deep breath, trying to push down the panic that threatens to overwhelm me. Maggie’s right—we can’t live like this. We need to find a solution before it’s too late.

“Okay,” I agree, taking a sip of my wine. “We’ll find a way to handle this. Together.”

“Exactly,” Maggie says, her eyes filled with determination. “We’re stronger than he thinks.”

***

Over the last three weeks, I’ve barely left Maggie’s side, and my babies haven’t left my sight. Each day that passes without Maksim making any demands brings a small sense of relief, allowing me to slowly exhale. If he hasn’t done anything so far, maybe that message is all he planned on. Maybe a warning really is enough for him, and as long as I cooperate it doesn’t have to be anything more.

I don’t know that I feel safe in that knowledge, but the more time goes past without incident, the more hopeful I become.

But the anxiety is still there, deep within me.

I wrap myself in work for the foundation, grateful for the distraction. Today, though, I have an important appointment outside the house. The thought of leaving Maggie and the kids fills me with dread, but I push it down. Life can’t stop just because of Maksim.

“Promise you’ll be careful?” Maggie asks, her eyes filled with worry.

“Promise,” I respond, giving her a reassuring smile.

As I climb into my car and pull away from the house, I feel a strange mixture of freedom and fear. It’s almost exhilarating, driving alone through the city streets. But beneath the thrill, anxiety gnaws at me.

I’m only a few blocks from my appointment when it happens—a sudden jolt, my car lurching forward as it’s rear-ended. My heart leaps into my throat, panic surging through me. This isn’t a coincidence. They’ve found me.

“Dammit!” I exclaim, gripping the steering wheel tightly as I pull up to the curb.

Forcing myself to stay calm, I’m just psyching myself up to step out of my car, praying it’s only an accident, when I catch site of a huge, burly man in a crisp black suit stepping out of the car, and I immediately panic. Eyes wide with terror, I realize the truth. The mobsters are after me.

I try to restart my car and slam my foot against the accelerator, but something must have jammed with my mechanics because it won’t restart.

The man leans momentarily through his car window and says something, and a second man steps out. That’s when the first turns with a hand hidden inside his jacket, as if holding a gun, and I snap.

I scream internally, my body bursting into motion before my mind can catch up. Adrenaline pulses through me, lending speed to my legs, and I race out of the car and sprint away from the scene, desperate to escape the men chasing me.

“Get back here!” one of them shouts, his menacing voice echoing through the street.

“Please, God, let me get away,” I silently plead, my chest heaving with each ragged breath. “I can’t die today. Not like this.”

“Stop her!” another man yells, his footsteps pounding the pavement behind me.

I force myself to push harder, ignoring the burning in my lungs and legs. I have to outrun them—for my babies, for Maggie, for myself. Failure isn’t an option.

Heart pounding, I veer off the street and into a nearby park, hoping to lose my pursuers amid the trees and winding pathways. The scent of freshly cut grass fills my nostrils as I sprint past families enjoying picnics and children playing on swings.

I’m panting, darting between trees and bushes, trying to put as much distance between them and me as possible. But the sound of gunshots pierces the air, followed by the screams of bystanders, and I know they’re getting closer.

Tears blur my vision as I feel trapped and scared for my life. My mind races, desperately searching for a way out, a place to hide. Suddenly, as I turn a corner, I run right into Maksim, who is waiting for me in his sleek black car. My heart lurches at the sight of him, fear and relief warring within me.

“Get in!” he barks as he swings open the passenger door.

At first, I’m convinced he’s going to kill me, that this has all been an elaborate ruse to lure me to my death.

“Abby, hurry!” he snaps, his eyes filled with urgency.

But that doesn’t make sense, because if that was his intention, I’m sure he’d have shot me by now.

Shaking with fear, I get in and fumble with the seatbelt, finally clicking it into place. “What do you want from me?” I demand, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my own heart.

“Right now? To get us both out of here alive,” Maksim replies, slamming his foot on the gas pedal. The car rockets forward, leaving the park and my pursuers behind.

“Alive?” I choke out, my hands gripping the edge of my seat. “Why should I trust you?”

“Because,” he says, his eyes locked on the road ahead, “I’m your only chance.”