Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

If there had only been one missed call and Alexei hadn’t had the same she might have thought he was cheating on her. But Maya knew better; Alexei was an honorable man. He would never do that.

“That’s not me.” Alexei protested as Ivan ended the voicemail.

Maya groaned.

“I can tell that’s not you, you idiot. You don’t sound like you’re drunk.” She rubbed her hands over her face and began to pace around. “Jonny’s been at it again.”

“I’m so sorry, Maya.” Alexei sounded pained. “I didn’t know what to think.”

Maya was hurt. He shouldn’t have jumped to such conclusions. She went to him and slapped his chest with both hands, causing him to step back.

“You just needed to trust me.” She accused. “I told you I’m not your ex-wife.”

“That’s not all.” Rodrigo said. He sounded uncomfortable. “Jonny tried to get himself onto the set this morning.”

Maya spun around and swayed when she moved too fast. Alexei caught her and held her close. She leaned into him, grateful to feel his presence wrapped around her.

“What was that?” Alexei asked quietly.

“I saw him in the parking lot when I got here. You and Jenny were already inside. He was trying to get past Steve and Dan on security.” Rodrigo took a breath. “I told him to go home and that he’s not going to get you to himself even if he tried. He said that Maya is meant to be his and nobody is going to stop him from getting his girl back.”

Maya felt cold. She felt Alexei’s body stiffen. Jenny looked disgusted.

“He’s sick.” She declared. “I’ll never understand why a man gets so fixated on someone they end up doing all this.”

“You need to call the police, Maya.” Ivan said.

“Definitely.” Alexei agreed.

Maya knew they were right. But she still felt sick. She had a feeling Jonny wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.

Now she was scared.

*****

It was a quiet journey home. Alexei had told Ivan to head home and he went in Maya’s car back to their apartment. Maya could tell he wanted to talk but he kept stopping himself. It was as if the man who seemed to have something to say all the time didn’t know what to say.

She should give him the silent treatment. It was the least he deserved for assuming that she would commit this to him. Maya was an honest person; if something wasn’t working out she would let the other person know. She had told Ash many times but he refused to let her go and the hold he had had on her was that powerful that she kept going back to him.

She wasn’t about to let someone as disturbed as Jonny Widecombe ruin something good for her. He was selfish to think she would even consider him after the way he was acting. But Maya wasn’t a psychologist – she didn’t know what went on in people’s minds.

They entered the apartment in silence and Maya put her things on the couch. She leaned against it, closing her eyes and trying not to cry. The pregnancy made her more emotional and this wasn’t a time Maya wanted to burst into tears. She wanted Alexei and she didn’t; not with this hanging over them.

She felt his hands on her shoulders, his hands hot through her t-shirt.

“Maya? Are you okay?”

Maya shook her head and almost laughed.

“Ask a stupid question, Alexei.”

“Sorry.” Alexei shifted closer and slipped his arms around her. He pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m sorry to cause this much stress when you don’t need it.”

“It’s not you.” Maya paused. “Partially. But if I’d heard that coming from you first I would’ve thought the same thing. I just don’t know how he managed to do it.”

“He probably spoofed our numbers and then dubbed the noises.” Alexei rested his chin on her shoulder and Maya leaned back into him. “Thinking back now I should’ve guessed that wasn’t you?”

She felt like she was about to float away with only Alexei’s arms holding her down.

Alexei nudged her head back and he kissed her, cupping her jaw.