Entangled By Him

CHAPTER 19

Anna

My stomach drags me downstairs early for breakfast. It’s got to be from all the extra added workouts. Maxim, Booker and I have been spending hours in the gym. I smile as I think back to what they said, they were both shocked about how well I’ve been trained.

I probably can’t beat either one of them, if they would actually fight me, but it would be really close. Maxim is really good, better than Booker. I’m not sure who’s better out of him or Jax.

Martha, Booker and Maxim sit around the island with me as we each eat breakfast. Martha and Booker discuss stories from Maxim’s childhood. Some of them are really funny and have me in tears. Maxim does occasionally break out a smile.

After breakfast, Maxim and Booker escort me over to the library. At first I thought they were going to hang out with me, but they’re just making sure I’m in a safe area while they leave. Apparently there’s a big meeting with two other families that are in the Mafia. I’m not sure which families, I just hope it’s not the Mexicans, I can’t stand Cruz.

Maxim pulls me close and gives me a lasting kiss goodbye before Booker snickers and heads out the door. They both leave me alone and unattended. I’m not planning an escape during the day. I know I’ll never make it. But, I am grateful for the quiet time in the library.

I browse through the different selections. Maxim has amassed a huge amount of books. I find a few that I’m really interested in and take them over to the recliner right in front of the tall fireplace. I really need to have somebody start this thing. It would be freaking cool.

If one book doesn’t catch me at the beginning, then one of the other ones should. I finally settle on the second book I grabbed which is a psychological thriller. I spend the next few hours reading until my bladder reminds me I haven’t used the bathroom for a while.

I leave the library and head towards the bathroom. I cringe with disgust as I pass the area that Troy had grabbed me. I can’t stand that creep. No one else is around, it’s very quiet and relaxing.

Right as I open the door to the bathroom, my back is pushed hard, slamming me inside. I’m able to reach out and grab the corner of the sink before I fall flat on my ass. I turn around quickly, somebody’s gonna pay for this.

I’m about ready to go after the guy as he mumbles, “you are the light that sparkles from the stars. You are the sun that chases away the dark.”

I stop dead in my tracks. I had lunged for him right when he started talking. My eyes fill up with tears right before they spillover. He smiles, he knows that he’s convinced me.

“How,” I need answers and I need them now before I fall apart.

“Your brothers were able to get me in.” Strange guy doesn’t continue, he’s not built like all the other guards, but he does have a mean push.

“Are you getting me out of here?” I ask

He shakes his head, “I’m just passing on information. Tomorrow night you need to be ready. At two a.m. your brothers and a shit ton of other guys, I’m not sure if they’re the contractors your brother hired, will be coming to get you.”

I nod really grateful. “Thank you,” I mumble.

He looks at the bathroom door, then right back to me. “Be careful. They wanted me to remind you to watch your energy level. Don’t let on to anyone what’s happening. That could spoil everything.”

“I understand.”

The man slightly opens the door and looks out making sure no one’s coming or going. “Remember two a.m.” Just like that, he’s gone before I can answer.

I splash cold water on my face and realize I’m actually going home. I get to see my family and make sure they’re okay. I chuckle as I also realize that Jax is borrowing ideas from Maxim. Striking in the middle the night, infiltrating one of our guards.

This can mean so many good and bad things. I skip a little bit back to the library and snuggle down in the recliner. Tomorrow night I’ll be home.

My shoulders sag at that thought. Do I want to go home? I know I don’t want to be away from Maxim for long, but I have no other choice. I cannot willingly be with him until he promises to never hurt my brothers.

It’s decided, even with a broken heart, I’m going. And tomorrow night when they break in and fight, I will stand next to them and fight side-by-side.

The Ivanov’s don’t know what’s coming to them. They might be trained fighters, but we are trained and experienced fighters. A lot of the guys they hired are new.

They’ve never seen the Moretti siblings fight as a team before. All of us have something that’s worth fighting for. Me for my brothers, Jax for his sister, Colt because he loves it, Finn to get revenge on what they did to him and Mason because he’s been out of the field so long and he needs it to survive. I get deep in my thoughts as I lay my book down.

I awake several hours later. I haven’t slept this good for a very long time. Somebody came in and moved the book next to the recliner for me. I’m also covered up with a really warm quilt and there’s a bottle of water sitting on the bookstand.

Not very much longer till everything’s in place. Instead of thinking about all the different things I need to do to get ready, I think about Maxim. Maybe, just maybe, I can talk him into understanding, maybe we can come to a consensus.

Maybe he’ll decide he wants me, all of me. But not in a way that keeps me a prisoner. In a way where we’re equal, and we do everything together.

It’s dark outside now. I don’t feel like sticking around for dinner. I’m pretty sure everyone already ate, but there’s going to be leftovers. I just drag my ass up to my room and go to bed.

Sadness is flowing through me, overpowering the happiness that I felt earlier. I close my eyes and let myself drift off to sleep. I don’t want to think about this day anymore.