I was excited about Maxim, but also excited about the day’s activity, and focused on that as I left the building, heading farther into the city’s downtown. I didn’t see my companions, the men Maxim insisted accompany me everywhere, but I knew they were present, even if they weren’t visible.
They didn’t have my attention, though, and instead I thought about what I was about to do, nerves biting at my stomach and growing more intense as I got closer to my destination.
I always got nervous, but I still went anyway. I’d started doing this about five years ago. Anytime I thought we might be somewhere for more than a few weeks, I’d find some volunteer activity. Cleaning off a dirty lot, building a playground, or, like today, working in a community kitchen.
They were small contributions, and in truth, they were more for my own benefit. I never lingered and didn’t get too personal, but simply being there gave me a sense of connection and purpose that had nothing to do with Maxim, and allowed me the opportunity to spend time with people who weren’t a part of the Syndicate.
I followed the signs that led volunteers toward the entrance. I’d heard about this place on television. It was a food bank, but twice a week, it offered a pay-what-you-can dinner that welcomed all and always needed volunteers.
Just the sort of activity I preferred, one where I could get lost among the crowd and not draw attention but still enjoy.
“I’m here to help with the dinner?” I said when I stopped in front of the table labeled Volunteers Here.
The words came out more like a question, but the woman manning the table didn’t seem to notice. She smiled up at me brightly. “A new face! What’s your name, dear?” she asked.
“Jo-Jolene,” I said, quickly rushing over my stutter.
“Welcome, Jolene,” she said, seeming not to notice how embarrassed I felt at giving the false name. I’d said the first thing that came to mind, but next time, I would pick a name before I left.
“Thank you,” I replied, taking the name tag that she handed me and trying to smile past my nerves and embarrassment.
“Thank you. You know how to peel potatoes?” she asked, a gleam in her eye.
I smiled, this time the expression genuine. “I have done it a time or two,” I said.
She clapped. “Great! Head back that way and you can get started.”
I nodded and then went into the kitchen and stopped in front of a tall man who stood at the door. “Hi,” I said.
He looked down at my name tag. “Hi, Jolene. First time here?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Great to have you. You can wash your hands over there,” he said.
“Thanks,” I said and then headed to the sink, washed my hands, put on a hairnet, and then went toward the mountain of potatoes.
I said brief hellos to the three women and two men who were also peeling and then I started working. I said little but happily listened to their chatter. Conversations about kids’ activities, television, work. Normal stuff that I so rarely heard about in my life with Maxim.
Two hours later, we had finished the mountain, my fingers scraped and tired.
I was ecstatic.
Today had been everything I’d hoped, more, even. It was always so easy to lose myself in Maxim, in his world and the world of the Syndicate. But days like today, meeting the people I’d met, helping people, always gave me much-needed perspective.
I said good-bye, waved at the woman who’d signed me in, and began to venture down the street, practically floating. I made it a block before Adrian pulled up beside me.
“Get in, Senna. I’ll take you back,” he said through the lowered passenger-side window.
Initially, I wanted to protest because I treasured these times alone, wanting to maintain the feelings that peeling the potatoes had brought. But as much as I loved that feeling, sought it out, it wasn’t my life. A diversion, yes, one I welcomed and needed, but it was only a very small part of my life. Unlike Maxim, who was my entire world.
I got into the SUV.
Seventeen
Senna
Maxim wasn’t in his office, but I waited, knowing he would be here soon, knowing that seeing him would be the only thing that could calm me. I cared for nothing else in this moment, not the past, not Santo, the people I’d met today, nothing but him.
I turned when I heard the door open, struck by the sight that greeted me.
Maxim had been in his gym. His broad chest was slick with sweat, the hair on it darker, matted with his exertion. His chest, legs, and arms were bare, and all he wore was his shorts, shorts that did nothing to hide the protrusion of his thickening cock.
Without stopping to think, I headed directly toward him. He gazed at me, momentarily surprised, but he quickly covered it. Still, I didn’t stop. I moved toward him and did something I never had before.