Chapter Twelve

Aksana

He wasn’t listening to me.

The second we made it back to the compound and Vladmir ensured I was safely behind the gates and walls of the sprawling house, he left.

Stepping out of the shower, I tried to forget the night.

It was a lot to take in. But what kept my attention is what happened at the Soulless Sinners’ compound.

I got Vladmir was only trying to protect me, but he needed to realize that no one could. Then I remembered what Montana said about his club brother, Bane. If that was true and I was the daughter of this club brother’s sister, then there was someone, but that would mean putting my life and the life of my daughter into the hands of a Soulless Sinner.

Getting dressed quickly, I peeked in on Katiya before heading downstairs. I needed to talk with Maxim.

I found him in his office with Aleksandr, Rurik, and Dmitry. Softly knocking on the open door, all four men turned, giving me their undivided attention.

“Yes, Aksana.”

“I can’t marry Vladmir, Maxim.”

“It’s alright, Aksana.” Dmitry smiled. “I’ve got all the paperwork ready. It will hold up in court.”

Shaking my head, I sighed. “No. This isn’t right. There has to be another way.”

Rounding his desk, Maxim walked over to me. Taking my hands, he led me to one of the chairs in his office, motioning for me to sit. Taking the chair next to me, he said, “It’s going to be alright, Aksana. We will keep you safe.”

“No,” I whispered. “It’s not that. I know you all can. I know you will do everything in your power to keep that promise. What I’m saying is, what if you don’t have to?”

“What do you mean?” Aleksandr asked, leaning against Maxim’s desk, crossing his arms over his chest.

“What Montana said,” I began. “It kind of makes sense, if you think about it. I know George Stone sold me to Konstantin Baranov. Dmitry, you read the files I gave you. It’s all in there. What if I am the daughter of Bane’s sister? If I am and he claims me, then the Soulless Sinners are required to protect me. Montana sits at the head of the table. He represents the Biker Federation. If I am a relative of this Bane, Montana can order Steele and Satan’s Angels to leave me alone.”

“It’s not that simple, sweetheart.” Maxim groaned. “If you are the biological daughter of Amy and Bane claims you, then my hands are tied. I can’t interfere in biker matters. You are the legal daughter of Konstantin Baranov; right now, my claim on you trumps Montana’s because his hypothesis isn’t proven yet. He knows that. But if you do this DNA test and it comes back positive, then Bane and Montana will force you to leave my house and they will lock you down at the clubhouse, where myself, Vladmir or any of us can’t get to you.”

“So, I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.”

“Yes.” Maxim nodded. “If you are a blood relative of Bane, he could claim you. Or maybe, he won’t. Then there is Montana to consider. You are the legal wife of the president of a major biker club. Now, Montana can grant you sanctuary or he can send you back to your husband. Then there is the whole matter where you flat-out refused to even consider the Soulless Sinners. If you stay with us, now that Montana has seen you, our choices are limited. You can either marry Vladmir and stay here with us under my protection, free from all this while I sort it out or I can make arrangements for you to disappear again. But something is telling me you don’t want that. Am I right?”

“I’m tired of running. I want to walk out of a house and not have to look over my shoulder. But you’re right. I don’t trust the Soulless Sinners. Especially Montana. He is just like his father.”

“Don’t lump him in with his father just yet, Aksana. There are many facets to Montana. Yes, he is gruff, loud, and hot tempered, but the man is nothing like his father. Montana inherited his father’s club, and while certain things have come to light, Montana is trying to rectify matters before everything blows up in his face. His father put him in a horrible position, and only time will tell how Montana handles everything.”

“So basically, I just complicated matters for him.”

“In a way, but it’s nothing Montana can’t handle.”

“Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” I smirked.

“Yes.”

“I feel like a yo-yo, Maxim. I’m being pulled every which way, and I don’t know what to do or who to trust. I don’t know who I am anymore and it’s frightening. Everyone wants me, but no one really knows me. All anyone sees is a bargaining chip. I’m nothing but a pawn.”

“You are Aksana Samara Baranov. You are the loving mother of Katiya Eloise Baranov. You are a strong woman who was dealt a shit hand and survived it all. You are smart, cunning, and a superb cook, and we are all better for just knowing you,” Vladmir said, standing in the doorway.

Looking up at him, I muttered, “You hate my cooking.”

Walking over to me, he kneeled before me and smirked. “I never said I hated your cooking.”

“That’s because you don’t say anything at all.”

“Aksana, I know this isn’t how you thought things would go. When I gave you my word, neither of us expected things to turn out like this, but I need you to trust me a little while longer, because I promise I will find a way out of this for you.”

I wanted to believe him.

I really did, but everything was so messed up. The only thing that made sense was for me to leave, but go where? No matter where I went, I would never be safe, and I hated the thought of spending the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.

I just didn’t know what to do anymore.

I wanted it all to end.

“Aksana,” Vladmir whispered.

When I didn’t look at him, he carefully cupped my face and lifted my head until I could see into his eyes.

Then he did the one thing I never expected.

He kissed me.

Like a gentle wisp of air blowing across my face on a warm sunny day, I closed my eyes and welcomed a warmth I never knew existed. There was no rush, no need for more as he leisurely took his time, allowing me to set the pace. Never in my life had I ever experienced anything so decadent, so delicious, so mouthwatering before.

Yes, I was married and experienced everything that came with that, but Steele never kissed me. With him, it was all about the fucking. Even on the day I married him, I never got a kiss. Instead, he just bent me over the dais and consummated the marriage in front of God and everyone.

In this magical moment, nothing else mattered.

Not who I was, where I came from, who wanted me dead—nothing.

Only him, as he gave me the one thing I had yet to experience.

An honest-to-God genuine kiss.

So, when he pulled away, a part of me wanted to yell at him and ask him why he stopped. Was I doing it wrong? Did he not like it, like he hated my cooking? Was there something wrong with me?

“Why did you stop?” I whispered as a frown wrinkled my forehead.

He smiled warmly. “There’s the stubborn woman I know.”

“Did you find a preacher?” Dmitry asked when Vladmir got to his feet.

“Better. A Russian Orthodox Priest. He’s waiting in the entryway with Nikandr.”

“And he agreed to everything?” Aleksandr questioned.

Vladmir shrugged. “Really didn’t give him a choice.”

“If he’s Russian, then he understands,” Maxim said, walking back to his desk. “I’ll make a donation to the church and offer my protection. That will help.”

I sat there and watched while all five men talked like what just happened was nothing to them. Didn’t they understand the significance of what had just occurred? Something life altering just happened to me and they didn’t care.

Getting to my feet, I said nothing more. I walked out of Maxim’s office, still stunned and a bit amazed. I mean, the man showed no kind of interest in me. For all I knew, he tolerated me as if I were an annoying bunion he couldn’t get rid of.

Yet, that kiss said differently.

Unless I was imagining it all.

Stopping, I frowned.

“Did I imagine it?”

But I could still feel his warm lips pressed against mine, I shook my head, knowing it was real.

Nope. I wasn’t imagining it.

He kissed me.

I was married... again.

It wasn’t legal. Once again, men surrounded me. The priest looked as if he’d rather be anywhere but here, and once it was all over, I found myself standing alone.

At least he didn’t force me to consummate the marriage.

So that was a plus.

And then there was the pretty gold band on my finger.

Never had one of those before.

Standing over the stove cooking breakfast, I tried to forget everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours.

Well, not everything. Meeting Javier Tito was something I never wanted to forget. It was everything that happened afterward that needed to be wiped from my memory.

I still wasn’t sure this farce of a marriage would work, but anything was better than the alternative.

“You’re awfully quiet this morning, Aksana,” Clara said, getting my attention while she sat at the small kitchen table, making sure the kids were eating and not playing with their breakfast.

“I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

“Have anything to do with that wedding band on your finger?”

“Maybe,” I muttered.

“Good morning, everyone.” Illyria smiled happily when she breezed into the room, heading straight for Henry and Little Max. After quickly giving them both kisses, she walked over to the coffeepot and poured herself a hot cup. “Clara, I’m going to be at the club most of the day, so if you need anything, Aleksandr will be around. Aksana, I have a luncheon today at the Tavern on the Green. It’s rather stuffy, but the food is good. Would you like to join me?”

Before I could respond, I heard, “Aksana has other plans.”

Turning, I watched as Vladmir walked into the kitchen and like Illyria, he went straight for the kids. Only, Vladmir ruffled Henry’s hair and glared at Little Max, who gave him a head nod, before he bent over to kiss Katiya on the forehead. My little girl smiled happily as she raised her hands, wanting him to pick her up, and without a second thought, he did. With my daughter in his arms, I watched the man deftly pour himself a cup of coffee, before carrying the hot cup and my daughter back over to the table and take a seat.

“What plans?” Illyria questioned, frowning at the smiling man. “And why do you look happy?”

“Can’t I be happy?” he challenged.

“No,” Illyria snarked. “It’s creepy and I don’t like it.”

“ Moya Lyubov, leave Vladmir alone. He is on his honeymoon.” Maxim smirked when he walked into the kitchen, and I stiffened.

“Honeymoon?” Illyria shouted as Clara gasped.

Ignoring all of them, I stayed right where I was and concentrated on my task.

If I could drown myself in the country gravy I made, I would.

It wouldn’t be a bad way to go.

I liked country gravy.

“Aksana?” Clara whispered softly.

It was at that moment that I felt everyone’s eyes on me.

Refusing to turn around and acknowledge them, I held firm with my task. Breakfast wouldn’t cook itself and I wasn’t in the mood to rehash last night’s events.

Of course, I should have known that Illyria wouldn’t let this go, because before anyone could say anything, she moseyed over next to me and asked, “Aksana? Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Nope,” I muttered, opening the stove and taking out the freshly baked buttermilk biscuits I made.

They looked perfect.

Golden, fluffy, and they smelled delicious.

“How’s the happy couple this morning?” Dmitry asked, too damn jovially for my taste as he, Nikandr, Rurik, and Aleksandr walked into the kitchen.

Sighing, I laid the wooden spoon in my hand on the counter and turned to face everyone. “You guys are worse than old women. Yes, Clara, I am wearing a wedding band. Yes, Illyria, last night Vladmir and I were married. And before either of you asks, no, it’s not legal.”

“That’s what she thinks,” I vaguely heard Dmitry say before chaos ensued.