Chapter 132

Willa

I watch Maxim mull over what I’ve said and I feel my chest tighten with anxiety.

Why was I scared of him saying that he might want another woman in this relationship?

It's not fair of me to ask him to be okay with me having multiple partners and not offer him the same choice. Still, the idea of another woman being with him after we’re married makes my ice cream turn sour in my stomach. It’s hypocritical. I know this, but…

Finally, he shakes his head. “I’m not a saint by any means, but the idea of juggling multiple women long-term sounds tiring. I’m not sure how you would be able to do it. I mean I’m a handful on my own and it doesn’t seem like Luke isn’t much better.”

I laugh because he isn’t wrong. All of these guys have very Alpha male personalities. That much testosterone isn’t easy to deal with but my mom managed it, so could I.

“I can’t say for sure I’ll know how to handle you having other guys in your life, but I think I can try to deal with it. As long as they don’t hog all your time.”

Relief makes me relax back into the pillows. “Thanks, Maxim.”

He gives me that flirty smile again. “What will it take for me to get a cute nickname?”

“What kind of name would you want? Max?”

His nose scrunches. “No that's what a friend would call me. It needs to be special.”

I can’t help but sigh. “What is it with you guys and the cute nicknames?”

“It’s fun. Plus it means that the person is important to you. Different than anyone else.” He says with a shrug.

“Fine. Let me think.” I give it an honest effort.

He’s right. Max seems too casual.

“How about Honey?” I offer.

He puts on an act of considering it. “I guess that could work.”

“What about me?”

Another smile. “I like the sound of wife, but I’ll stick to the Russian version. Zhena.”

My heart kicks up a beat or two at the idea of him wanting to call me his wife so often.

“I like it. Now, when should we do this? We’ll have to find a courthouse nearby and pick a day.” I crawl over him and grab my phone from the other table.

When I try to move back to my spot he grabs me and lifts me like I weigh nothing so that I'm straddling him. I how…excited he is but he doesn’t act on it. Instead, he keeps his hands on my hips as I open the internet on my phone and search for the nearest courthouse. I find one but right below it is a cute little chapel that would work as well. It’s corny and looks like a place you’d find in Vegas or something but it’s more fun than a simple courthouse wedding.

“How about this?” I turn my phone to show him and he nods.

“I like it. We’ll need to get you a dress too. Look up one of those bridal shops too.”

“I don’t need to wear an actual wedding dress.” I try to push the idea aside even if it sort of makes me feel squishy inside.

He shakes his head. “No way. You’re wearing a dress. I’ll wear a suit and so will the others.”

“That’s not nec-“ He cuts me off by leaning in and brushing his lips against mine.

The kiss is short and gentle but makes my heart race just as much as the other times he’s kissed me.

“I want you to wear one. You’ll look beautiful without it but I still want this to be somewhat special. Please?”

Why does his saying ‘please’ make me melt a little? This guy is going to be bad for my health at this point.

“Fine.” I try to seem annoyed but I can’t help the excitement I'm feeling at the idea of going dress shopping.

The only problem is that I have no one to go with. Even though I'm only marrying Maxim, I still want to see Luke’s reaction when he sees me in my dress. I guess I could ask Lan to come. He seems indifferent to all of this, and would no doubt be brutally honest with me.

“I’ll take Lan with me to pick one out.”

Maxim frowns. “Why him? Why can't I go?”

“Because you can’t see me before the day. It’s bad luck.” I narrow my eyes on him daring him to fight me, but he already knows better.

“Fine.” He juts his lip out a little and I can’t help but laugh at him clearly pouting.

I take a page out of his book and lean in to kiss him. It’s quick and he’s insanely smiling again.

“Now I need to call my mom. I’m still pissed at her but I can’t do this without her.”

“Do you want me to leave?” His hands are back on my hips and the way they tighten tells me he doesn’t want to leave.

Maybe I should make him leave but I don’t want to. I need support to get through this conversation without falling apart again.

“Stay.” He nods and I pull up my mom’s number.

She picks up after just one ring. “Willa, are you okay? What happened?”

Guilt hits me and I feel my eyes burn a little. I hate fighting with my mom and it would be so easy to forgive her and let this go, but I’m still hurt. Still, she’s my mom and I can’t get married without telling her. No matter how mad I am.

“I’m fine Mom, but there is something I need to tell you.”

“Hang on I’ll put you on speaker.” There is some shuffling and then a chorus of voices greet me.

“Hi.” Is all I can bring myself to say. “So I’m calling because I’ve come up with a solution to keeping everyone safe while we deal with Luca.”

“What kind of solution?” My dad Asher talks in a way that he might already know what I'm going to say, but I'm not sure how.

It's best to just say it right? Beating around the bush would just prolong the inevitable.

“I’m getting married.”

Silence.

“To Maxim. The Russian Bratva son. He said if we got married then Luca wouldn’t think to touch me and if we’re married you guys would fall under his protection too. He offered to offer a  safe place for the boys to go while this is all going on too.”

Silence.

Several minutes tick by and I wonder if I’ve lost them. Then everyone starts talking at once. So much is happening that I'm not sure if they’re talking to me or fighting with each other. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter.

“Everyone quiet.” It’s rare that my dad Wyatt speaks so authoritatively and that's probably why everyone goes quiet. “Willa sweetheart, you don’t need to marry anyone just to protect us. We have done a pretty good job of protecting you guys until now.”

“I know but things are different now. Luca has already targeted Maxim’s family’s properties. I think he’s trying to get them to join him by intimidating them.”

“Then marrying the Russian wouldn’t mean shit.” My dad Asher snaps. “He could just put you in more danger.”

“My family takes things like this very seriously. If Luca targets you after Willa and I are married it would be like a declaration of war. My father wouldn’t join him and would even go up against him. You would all be untouchable.” Maxim says.

My family is silent again.

Then my least calm and the most protective of me father Asher speaks up first. “Is that the asshole who thinks he can marry you without asking for permission first?”

I roll my eyes. “There isn’t time for that Dad. We need to move fast. When everything settles down we can have a real ceremony if you guys want to. This needs to happen now.” I suck in a deep breath and lock eyes with Maxim. “I’m not asking for permission. This is my choice and I’ve made it. You can be there over video chat if you want but if you can’t bring yourselves to accept my decision then I’ll be doing this without you. I’m sorry.”

There are a few grumbles but no one outright refuses.

“Willa, I know you are upset with me but I would never miss such an important moment in your life. And when the time comes that we’re all safe and you want to get a divorce-“

“That won’t happen. We won’t be getting divorced. Ever.” Maxim says firmly.

“I think that's my daughter’s choice.” My mom says with the sharp mom tone she gets.

“I agreed to Maxim's offer Mom. Please don’t fight me on this. We’re going to have the ceremony in a day or two. I’ll text you the details and link to the video stream. I hope you can watch it. I…love you guys.”

“We wouldn’t miss this. We love you too.” My dad Leo speaks up and my shoulders drop in relief.

We end the call with a few goodbyes and I let out the breath I’d been holding.