They landed in New York at noon. Maksim dropped her off at the apartment and left for work. She was left to sort through a new set of dresses and chose a white dress. It showed less chest, but clung to her a little tighter.

It was nice, but matching it with shoes and purses all day just wasn't her thing. She chose the recommended pairs and then went through her closet in search of the baby clothes. She and Maksim never discussed the nursery, so she neatly kept everything on her side of the closet.

There were many things they had to talk about.

She came across a small drawer full of men's jewelry. The diamonds stunned her. She could easily steal them and live a good life, but that wasn't an option. Not when she promised Maksim.

Daniel sent her a hello text, so she flopped on the bed and caught up with him.

What are you up to today?

Going to some club.

You'll look like you ate the disco ball.

I'm really tired of your shitty jokes. Want to see my dress?

Sure.

She send him a selfie, and the reply made her face become as white as the dress.

You look hot! Will Mak let you out wearing that?

Mak? How did he know about Maksim? She never went into detail about him.

How do you know about Maksim?

Daniel didn't reply, and she only got more creeped out. Why was he suddenly so shady?

Was Maksim right? Could she no longer trust anyone?

The maid showed up to cook, but she left quickly. When Maksim entered, Raelynn realized she got so lost in her thoughts that she never changed out of her dress.

"Are you alright?" Maksim said, noticing her silence.

"Yes. I'm–"

He kissed her cheek.

"I'm fine."

"You look pretty."

She smiled. "Thanks."

He went to shower and change, and she stared at the black screen of her cellphone. How would Maksim react when he found out about Daniel?

"Did you eat?"

"Yes. How about you?"

"I had something at work. Ready to go?"

She picked up her jacket and followed him outside. This time, there were no surprise escapes to Arizona. They drove downtown to face business.

"Are the men angry that you canceled on them yesterday?"

Maksim looked up from his phone. "No. Rescheduling happens all the time. Any little thing will make us pull back, especially when we feel like the feds are eyeing us."

The club was literally underground. They went into a building garage and circled down. Raelynn quickly realized this was far from a nightclub. There was no sexy music, no flashing lights. It was classy and exclusive.

Maksim turned a few corners, and she stared at every statue and chandeliers they crossed. The wallpaper and flooring made his penthouse look boring. She wondered why Maksim didn't bother to do much decorating to his penthouse. There was no question that he could afford it.

He led her into a room full of laugher, and six sets of eyes moved to her. There were three men– two older, one middle-aged. Maksim was the youngest among them. The women ranged from mid-20s to middle-aged.

Everyone's eyes shrunk to her abdomen.

"Thank you for coming."

One of the elder men snapped out of it. He placed his glass on a nearby table and extended his hand.

"Maksim. How is your father?"

"He's in Russia, still recovering his health."

"The old bastard is going to kick the bucket soon. I see that you're on the way to replace him completely." With those cold, morbid words, he scanned Raelynn.

"And this is..."

"Raelynn," Maksim offered.

"A pleasure. I'm Gavriil."

Gavriil's name was Russian, and his accent was thicker than Maksim.

"Hello." She extended her hand for him to shake, but he brought his thin lips to the back of it instead.

Being unused to the gesture, she inwardly cringed with discomfort.

"This is my wife," Gavriil gestured beside him.

The introductions continued, and Raelynn was soon regretting that she wore white. The pure color made her stand out even more. The three other women wore bloody red, burgundy, and black.

They didn't chat about fashion as Maksim and the men discussed expanding drug trades into Canadian territory. No, they added onto the conversation while Raelynn struggled to keep up.

Gavriil's wife knew every small gang, loan shark, mafia boss and their families, from the eastern coast to the western coast. She knew everyone, but apparently not Raelynn. That's why she kept asking questions.

The youngest woman, Cadence, was French. She looked cure with her pixie cut and small stature, but her father referenced her proudly and Raelynn realized that she had a high position in her father's kingdom. Although she was the most observant, Raelynn could see the fierceness in her gaze.

The last woman spoke about three different languages, based to a phonecall she picked up.

Raelynn was just... Raelynn.

She stared at her cup. It had clear water, while everyone had liquor in their cup.

They talked casually. In half an hour, they planned at least a dozen crimes. It was sick how they laughed and drank as if they were discussing the latest broadway show.

"So," Vital– Gaviin's wife, leaned in with a smile. "Word on the street is that you had some run-in with Dante."

Everyone slowed their conversations to tune into hers. Maksim lowered his glass, ready to sweep in, but Raelynn was too curious to run away.

She was a person of interest? Who was talking about her, and why? She was rarely seen in public with Maksim. Even when they used to go to work, they took separate cars.

"What run-in with Dante?" Raelynn asked.

"No one knows the details," Vital replied, looking disappointed. Since she knew everyone's business, she found it unacceptable to be behind on the latest gossip.

It sounded like news of her meeting Dante was going around, although no one knew that he kidnapped her.

"Do you care to fill me in? Is this a love triangle? Or..." she gasped. "Polyamorous relationship?"

Some water tipped out of Raelynn's cup when Maksim grabbed her by the waist and tugged her into his arms. She felt him tremble against her back as he growled, "I don't share."

Vital raised her hands and with a smirk said, "Alright. Forget I asked."

"Let's go," Raelynn whispered. "It's getting late."

"Maksim, I'll call you to go into details about our... negotiation."

At least Maksim got what he came for.

They were in the car and on the way home in no time. Raelynn pulled her hand back and cross her arms over her chest.

Noticing her displeasure, he stared at the side of her face but made no comment.

When they made it home, she showered and thought over the evening. With a towel wrapped around her head and another around her body, she went to the bedroom.

Maksim was standing there; a tie in his fist and his jacket missing.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

"That little... play date," she pointed to the window. "I felt uncomfortable. Hearing you talk about crime. I don't want my children growing up around this."

"Our children," Maksim corrected.

"Does that change anything?"

"Yes. This is all theirs," he spread his arms. "In a world of poverty, they would be nothing."

"That's not true, Mak. You're still hurting over... over the way I left. I know I crushed you, but you need to accept that money doesn't make a person. The boys will be just fine with an honest job."

She walked to the closet and dug up the piggybank. "I want to put them through college on clean money and see them build the world with clean careers."

"That's the thing." He tossed his tie aside. "Clean doesn't build for the world. It builds for one person. If you want them to bring good to the world, then they'll have to get their hands dirty."

She shook her head anxiously.

"I'm right on this, Raelynn."

"You're not," she argued. "I–"

Pain made her hunch over. The piggy bank shattered once it hit the floor, and hundreds of cold coins snowed on her feet.

Maksim grabbed her and became frantic. "What's wrong? Sweetheart?"

She couldn't process much as she curled into herself and tried to ride the wave of pain.

"It hurts!"

Want to skip wait times? This story is FREE & Complete on Inkitt (also available on Patreon.com/ancientt)