The Arrangement: Chapter 18

Riding shotgun in Maksim’s sleek car, I’m hit with this wave of rightness. It’s bizarre, considering the whirlwind of events that’s been my life since he waltzed into it, but here I am, feeling downright cozy next to the most mysterious man I’ve ever met.

Pulling up in front of the shop, Maksim breaks the comfortable silence.

‘We’re still on for Friday, right?’

His voice holds a hint of something I can’t quite pin down—hope, maybe? It’s funny, considering the chaos that’s become my new normal since he showed up, that he’s worried about a date.

‘Yes, we are,’ I affirm, surprised by my own eagerness. It feels like ages since he asked, even though it’s barely been a day.

Before I can process, Maksim’s out of the car, moving with effortless grace to open my door. Gentlemanly moves from a man with a not-so-gentle reputation.

His goodbye kiss lands softly on my cheek, a chaste contrast to the fiery connection we’ve been tiptoeing around. ‘See you Friday,’ he says, a promise in his voice that sends a thrill through me.

He ushers me toward the shop with a hand on my back, a fleeting touch that somehow says more than words could. Then, he’s off, striding back to his car, leaving me to stare after him, a bundle of contradictions in a well-tailored suit.

Stepping into the shop, I can’t shake the feeling I’m walking a tightrope between my old life and something entirely new, thrilling, and utterly terrifying. Maksim, with his unexpected chivalry and his even more unexpected kisses, has thrown my world into a beautiful chaos.

I dart inside, but not before throwing a saucy glance back at Maksim. Something about him, all boss-man behind the wheel of that luxury ride, sends a sizzle straight through me, makes my pussy clench. It’s ridiculous, really, how much that sight cranks my engine.

But the chaos inside the shop pulls me back into reality. Ty’s in the thick of it, surrounded by a canine tornado that’s one tail wag short of a disaster. I burst out laughing as I dive into the fray beside him.

‘Sorry I’m late to the party!’ I exclaim, half out of breath and totally amused by the pandemonium.

Ty shoots me a grin, wrestling with a particularly enthusiastic pup. ‘Trust me, it’s more bark than bite around here. Just another day at the office!’ he quips, clearly unfazed by the furry whirlwind around us.

Helping Ty wrangle the dogs back into some semblance of order, I’m struck by the absurdity and utter joy of my day-to-day. From being kidnapped by mobsters to herding excitable dogs, my life’s nothing if not varied.

As the last dog settles down, Ty and I share a look of camaraderie and shared insanity that comes from doing what we do.

‘You owe me a coffee for this one, boss,’ Ty jokes, dusting off his hands with a theatrical sigh.

I laugh, already plotting to bring him his favorite fancy latte as a peace offering. ‘Deal. But you’re telling me all the gossip I missed,’ I shoot back, ready to dive into the day’s work with renewed vigor.

“Speaking of gossip…” He glances toward the front of the shop, toward the street where Maksim had been parked only a short time ago.

“Later, later…”

The moment the last yappy chorus quiets down, I’m on damage control, picking up after our furry guests. There’s a certain art to navigating through the aftermath of a doggie daycare day, a blend of grace and a lot of elbow grease. But hey, someone’s got to do it.

Next on the agenda is some quality yard time for a couple of our regulars: a hyperactive Beagle named Buster, and Luna, a Husky with a penchant for dramatic howls that could give opera singers a run for their money. As I let them out into the yard, the familiar sights and sounds of my neighborhood wrap around me like a well-worn jacket. It’s comforting, grounding, and just a tiny bit suffocating all at once.

Leaning against the fence, watching Buster’s relentless pursuit of his own tail and Luna’s more contemplative stalking of a particularly interesting blade of grass, I find my mind wandering. Maksim Morozov. The man’s a total mystery, with a dash of undeniable allure. And I am caught up in his orbit, contemplating a date with a man who’s as dangerous as he is captivating.

Let’s be real for a moment—my body’s already made up its mind about him. The man’s touched me in ways I didn’t even know I wanted to be touched. And the scary part? I know he’s just getting started. The thought alone is enough to send shivers down my spine. What else is he capable of if he’s already left such an unforgettable impression?

But it’s not just the physical pull that’s got me all tangled up. He’s a father—a good one, from the little glimpse I’ve had. Watching him with Adelina stirred something in me, a mix of admiration and curiosity. What’s their story? What happened to Adelina’s mother? These are the pieces of the puzzle I find myself eager to solve, questions I hope to explore on our date. Because, oh yes, there’s going to be a date.

As Buster finally catches his tail, only to look bewildered at his own success, and Luna lets out a satisfied sigh, settling down in the shade, I make my decision. I’m going on that date with Maksim. Because, frankly, the man’s sparked a curiosity in me that I can’t ignore. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, he’ll surprise me.

Breezing back into the shop, adrenaline still pumping from my reflections outside, I dive straight into the day’s work alongside Ty. But first—those cameras. With a purposeful stride, I find and snag the recorder and the camera, flicking them off with a satisfaction that’s as sharp as it is swift.

Holding them, I cast a glance toward the Murphy bed, a flush creeping up my neck as I recall the private show Maksim had front-row seats to. The realization that he was watching is bizarrely exhilarating, adding an edge to the memory that sends a thrill through me.

The rest of the day blurs into a canine ballet, with Ty and me as the conductors, until the final wagging tail exits stage left. That’s when Ty launches his inquisition.

‘Okay, spill. Who gave you that shiner?” he asks, his eyes narrowed.

Deep breath. It’s time for the truth, minus a few choice details.

‘Alright, deep dive into Tory’s soap opera,’ I start, leaning against the counter for dramatic effect. ‘So, Ned left me a lovely parting gift—a loan from the mob.’

Ty’s eyebrows shoot up, but I plow on, the words tumbling out now.

‘Enter Maksim, claiming I need to pay up. There’s been some…flirting,’ I admit, a half-grin sneaking through despite the seriousness of my situation. “Maksim has cleared the debt, but I don’t know if everything is okay.”

Ty’s reaction is a masterpiece of shock and disbelief, his mouth agape as he processes each revelation. ‘Holy shit, Tory. This is…a lot.’

‘Yeah, tell me about it,’ I agree, leaning back with a sigh. The bit about the camera, though? That’s a detail I choose to keep to myself, especially since it’s already been dealt with—destroyed, to be exact.

Ty shakes his head, awe and concern etched across his face. ‘Just when I thought running a dog daycare was as exciting as it gets. You okay, though?’

I nod, a determined set to my jaw. ‘Yeah, I am. Thanks to Maksim, weirdly enough. Friday’s still a go, and I intend to find out just how deep this rabbit hole goes.’

As we finish locking up, Ty shakes his head, amusement and disbelief mingling in his expression. ‘Your life’s turned into a full-blown action movie, Tory. You realize that, right? Going on a date with Maksim is just… Are you sure you’re not a bit out of your mind?’

I can’t help but laugh, leaning back against the closed door. ‘Maybe just a tad. But, Ty, I think it’s going to be alright. I actually trust him,’ I confess, surprising myself a little with the conviction in my voice.

Ty gives me a look, one that’s part skepticism, part genuine concern. ‘Good luck, then. I really hope it works out for you. But let’s not forget how well your last rendezvous with a bad boy went,’ he says, reminding me of Ned’s introduction into my life—charm dialed up to a hundred and trouble written all over him.

‘Yeah, yeah, I know,’ I admit, rolling my eyes. ‘You tried to warn me off him, remember? But the more you talked, the more appealing Ned became. It’s like you were his hype man.‘

Ty laughs at that, a hearty, genuine sound. ‘True, I might have accidentally sold you on the dearly departed Ned. But you’ve always had a soft spot for the bad types.’

He’s not wrong, and I’m not about to deny it. ‘Guilty as charged,’ I say with a grin. ‘But Maksim’s different. He’s not Ned.’

‘Sure, he’s different,’ Ty concedes, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ‘He’s a criminal with a nicer car and a bit of distinguished gray. Totally different league.’

I chuckle, despite the niggling doubts his words stir up. ‘Come on. Maksim’s got layers. He’s complicated.’

Ty’s laughter fades, replaced by a look of earnest worry. ‘Tor, I just don’t want you to get hurt. Ned was a disaster, and Maksim… well, he’s still a wild card. Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?’

I nod, feeling a warmth for my friend’s unease. ‘I will. I promise. My heart’s telling me this is right. But,’ I glance away, contemplating the turmoil of my emotions, ‘I guess there’s a part of me, and definitely you, questioning this whole thing.’

As we say our goodbyes and I head for my office slash bedroom, the weight of our conversation lingers. Ty’s words echo in my mind. My heart’s all in, betting on this connection with Maksim, on the flicker of something real between us. But my head, and Ty, well, they’re not so easily convinced.

Flopping into my office chair, I can’t shake the feeling of being at a crossroads. Choosing Maksim, stepping further into his world—is a gamble my heart’s willing to make.