Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

Chapter 8

The police arrived quickly and began to process the entire scene. They took Maya and Alexei’s fingerprints to eliminate them from the set and one of the detectives went to get Jenny’s prints. But Alexei could already tell them who it was without the help of fingerprints.

Jonny Widecombe.

Alexei had never felt so angry. The bas*ard had the nerve to tell him to back off Maya because she was his girlfriend. And now he had invaded her home, the one place where she was supposed to feel safe. No man should ever do that to a woman.

There was no way Maya was staying there tonight. Pretty much everything had been destroyed. Luckily Maya always had an overnight bag in her car with a spare change of clothes so she didn’t need to pack anything. Alexei drove them over to his apartment once the cops were finished with them. They promised to tidy up as best they could and to leave the key with Jenny at her parents’. Thankfully none of her stuff had been touched.

But, then again, she wasn’t the target of a maniac.

Maya huddled in the passenger seat, staring into space. Alexei ached for her; she had been through a traumatic time and he wanted to make her feel better. But he didn’t know how. He had no idea how to make this go away.

Now he was feeling helpless.

Maya was silent as they entered his apartment. Alexei put her belongings in his room and came back to find her sitting on the couch, staring at the blank television screen. Alexei sat beside her and placed a hand on her knee.

“How are you feeling?”

“Not good.” Maya drew a shuddering breath. “He’s invaded my home. My personal space. Nearly everything was destroyed.”

“He’s crossed the line now.” Alexei agreed. His hand moved to her back and he began to rub it in slow circles. “Hopefully the police will be able to find him.”

That Alexei wasn’t sure about. He had called Ivan and let him know what had happened. Ivan had been over to Widecombe’s apartment but had called back to say there was no sign of him. The guy was in the wind.

That didn’t bode well for Maya.

Maya sniffed and wiped her sleeve across her nose. Alexei’s eyes fell to the bandage on her wrist. They had also called for an ambulance and the paramedic had taken one look at the wound and said it wouldn’t need stitches so there was no need for the hospital. He had cleaned the wound and bandaged it up before leaving, telling Maya to get a tetanus shot in the morning just in case.

“I didn’t think he’d go this far.” Maya said shakily. She sounded like she was about to cry.

Alexei didn’t like seeing her like this. He wanted to see her smile again. Reaching over, he pulled her towards him, settling her across his lap and wrapping his arms around her. Maya sobbed quietly, her head on his shoulder.

“Hey, Printsessa, don’t cry. I’m here.” He kissed her head. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

“I know you won’t.” Maya sniffed and looked up at him. Tear tracks lined her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Alexei.”

“For what?”

“For bringing a nightmare with me into this relationship.”

Alexei almost laughed but decided against it; this wasn’t the time.

“Considering what I’ve brought into the relationship, what you’ve got is a breeze.” He held her closer. “Widecombe will be found and he’s going to be charged. Focus on yourself and don’t worry about him.”

“I’ll try.”

They were silent for a while, Alexei rocking Maya gently as her sobs subsided. After some time he thought she had fallen asleep but then Maya spoke.

“Most men would be running in the other direction.”

Alexei smiled.

“I’m not most men.”

While he was still struggling with his own issues, there was no chance of him getting pushed away by a deranged stalker who thought he was entitled to something he could never have. And he wouldn’t let Maya deal with that alone.

Maya sighed and sat up, Alexei’s arms falling to her waist. She focused on his chest, not looking at him.

“Alexei, I can’t rely on you all the time. That’s not who I am. I rely on myself.”

“I know that.” Alexei knew that Maya was an independent person. That was what he admired about her. He rubbed her back gently. “At least lean on me now and then. Even the strongest of people need that.”

“I can do that.” Maya glanced up at him. “But I can’t completely rely on you.”

“I’m not asking you to.” Alexei sat up, sliding a hand up to the back of her neck. “I’ll be there, just not holding your hand.”

He kissed her gently. Maya’s lips trembled against his but her hands slid up to his shoulders, pulling him closer. She sank into his embrace and Alexei eased back, lifting his legs up until they were reclining, his head on the armrest and Maya draped over him. Maya pulled back and gave him a smile.

“You know, Alexei, a girl could easily fall for you.”

“Could they?”

“Yes, they could.”

Alexei then clicked what she had just said. He raised an eyebrow.

“Is this your way of saying you’re falling in love with me?”

Maya arched an eyebrow in return.

“What do you think?”

Alexei inwardly punched the air. She loved him. He grinned and kissed her.

“I think a guy could easily fall for you.” He whispered against her lips.

Maya groaned and deepened the kiss, Alexei’s arms tightening against her and she melted against him. Maya was the first to pull away, her eyes lidded in their desire.

“What’s the plan for tonight?” She asked. Her voice sounded breathless.

“Whatever you want.”

“Then can we just stay here and do nothing for now?” Maya lowered her head and rested it on his chest. “I don’t want to do anything except be held.”

“I can do that.”

Alexei’s co*k was saying he wanted something else but he was happy to do this for her. Pressing a kiss to her head, he held her close, staring at the ceiling as he listened to Maya’s breathing slow and deepen until she was gently snoring against him.

*****

Maya entered the gallery with trepidation in her stomach. She was still reeling from the news herself. The doctor was certain about it but it was taking a while for it to settle in.