Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Maksim

Abby’s eyes flash, and her whole body is shaking. “Where are we going? Take me to my sister’s house.”

I clench my jaw. “I can’t do that.”

“The hell you can’t!”

“It’s too dangerous,” I growl. “Those were professionals tailing you.”

“Your professionals,” she snaps, showing me more fire than she ever has before. “So call them off, if you’re so concerned!”

“I don’t know those men,” I say, fighting to keep my own cool. “They’re connected to the fraud ring I’m investigating. They know you’re involved, somehow.”

“So I should trust the mobster who lied to me? Who killed a man while I waited patiently outside in the car like an idiot?” She gives a bitter laugh. “If they’ve connected me to Booker’s death, it’s because you put me at the scene of the crime.”

“Dammit, I didn’t kill that idiot!” I shout, before forcing my voice down. “I roughed him up a little and left him unconscious. We wanted information, we wanted him alive. And now we’ll never be able to get more out of him. I didn’t shoot him. That wasn’t me or my guys.” My temper rises, but I stamp it down. “And what was I supposed to tell you that night? Here you are, darling, I’ve beaten the man who cheated you out of money, would you like an entrée or shall we go straight to mains?”

She snorts angrily and turns to look out the window.

I rake a hand through my hair in frustration. She’s not understanding the severity of the threat. I thought I was protecting her by keeping my business dealings quiet. But now she’s at risk because of me.

“Please listen,” I say urgently. “Your sister’s house isn’t safe anymore. Come with me to one of my secure locations. Just until I figure this out.”

“Are you insane?” she cries, turning back to me angrily. “I’m not going anywhere with you! I want you out of my life for good.”

The words pierce my heart, but I force myself to stay calm. “I’ll leave if you want, after this threat is handled. But if you don’t come with me now, I’ll have no choice but to take you by force.”

Her eyes widen in outrage and fear. “You can’t do that!”

“I don’t want to,” I say softly. “But I will if it means keeping you and our children alive.”

She trembles, tears filling her eyes. “I hate you for this. For everything you’ve done.”

Each word feels like a knife twisting deeper. But I swallow hard and nod. “I know. And I’m sorry. But I’d prefer your hatred over your death.”

She doesn’t speak for the rest of the drive, staring silently out the window with tears rolling down her cheeks. I want to comfort her, but I know she won’t accept it right now.

When we arrive at the safehouse, she hesitates in the doorway. “I’m not going in there.”

“Abby, please,” I say gently. “This is for your protection.”

“Don’t pretend you care about protecting me,” she snaps. “You’re a monster.”

Her words cut deep, but I swallow the pain. “Think what you want of me. But I swear I’ll keep you and our babies safe, no matter what.”

I guide her inside and lock the door securely behind us. She crosses her arms, glaring accusingly.

“The bedroom is through there,” I tell her. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll have food brought up. Call your sister and ask her to bring the babies here. When she arrives, I’ll give her the location of another safe house. Tell her she’ll be heading straight there after she drops the children off.”

“And if I don’t?” she challenges.

I sigh heavily. “Then I’ll send my men to collect them. Is that what you want?”

She glares at me. “No.”

“Neither do I. I’d rather not frighten your sister that way.”

Abby presses her lips together angrily, but finally pulls out her phone.

We have a long way to go to bridge this rift between us. But keeping my family safe has to be my priority right now. I’ll do whatever it takes—even if Abby hates me for it.