The Mail Order Billionaire (DC Billionaires Book 3)

by Eliza Ellis

  He smiled gently. “I’m your husband. Why shouldn’t I?”

  History had taught her otherwise.

  He cautiously slid nearer. “Don’t punish me for what he did. Give me a chance.”

  She nodded. He was right. She was punishing him, and that wasn’t fair to either him or their marriage. If she really believed her algorithm, then she’d give him a chance. She’d give them a chance. “Okay.”

  Maxim briefly touched her arm. “Good. I found some blankets. How about we sit near the fire?” He held up both hands. “I won’t touch you. Promise.”

  It was his mouth she was worried about. When he kissed her, she lost all sense of control. Until she knew him better, she had to maintain boundaries.

  She hadn’t noticed that he’d brought in blankets. They were in a pile on the floor. “I found these in a closet in one of the back bedrooms. Some of their stuff is still here. Maybe they only took what they really needed.”

  They arranged the blankets, creating layers of soft cushion. He let her have the space closest to the fire. Deanna accepted his arm as a headrest.

  To Maxim’s credit, he didn’t urge her. He simply waited quietly, giving her the time she required. Deanna let out a slow breath. “My ex-husband is currently in a psychiatric ward.” She heard his intake of breath, but he remained silent. “He’s bipolar. After he lost his job and had a complete breakdown, he was diagnosed.” She scooted closer to him, away from the heat of the fire. Maxim laid a hand across her waist, drawing her close. “He’s also an alcoholic and his drinking got worse after he found out he was ill.”

  “What about treatment?”

  Deanna shook her head. “We could never get the medication quite right where he wasn’t feeling sluggish and indifferent to everything around him. So he stopped taking the medication and drank more.” Tears escaped from her eyes. “We tried counseling, other therapies, natural remedies, but he would never stick to them long. It was painful to watch him…deteriorate into a shell of what he once was. Then came the anger.”

  “Anger?”

  That’s what had caused Deanna to become so bitter over the dissolution of their marriage. He had a right to be angry about so many things, but to direct it at her? “He would accuse me of sabotaging his success. I was starting my clinical trials and doing well. He would lash out, but he never physically harmed me. Until…one morning, I couldn’t breathe and I woke up to him strangling me.”

  “Deanna…” Maxim breathed. He cradled her close while she sobbed into his chest. “I don’t know what to say except…I’m so sorry. And I understand.”

  She leaned her head back and stared into his eyes. “You understand why I made the algorithm? Why it’s hard for me to trust in…feelings?”

  He nodded. “You thought you made a mistake with him, and you don’t want to make another mistake.” He sat them up and dried her tears with his hands. “But, Deanna, that’s life. That’s how we learn and grow. How many times did you have to adjust your algorithm?”

  Too many times to count.

  Maxim continued. “You couldn’t have predicted he’d have a breakdown.”

  “But now I take into consideration family history and probabilities.”

  “Sure, but it could’ve gone another way. And you definitely can’t blame yourself for him not taking medicine. That’s an everyday choice. A decision only he can make.” She sniffed and nodded. “How did you survive?”

  “I grabbed the lamp on my nightstand and hit him over the head. It was enough to get his hands off me, and I ran. I ran to a neighbor’s house, and they called the police. He was holed up in the bathroom, sobbing. I think he was having an episode. I…” Tears flooded her vision. “I couldn’t stay after that, and I feel”—she pressed her hand to her heart—“guilty for leaving.”

  Maxim wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t blame yourself.”

  “How could I stay? I was in fear for my life.”

  “He needed more help than what you could’ve given him.” He cupped her face in his hands, drawing her gaze. “Do you believe that? You have to believe that.” He guided her head to his chest.

  And that was a question that day after day brought no true answer. At what point do you value personal safety over the life and care of the one you love? Never, right? There are many happy marriages where one spouse is suffering from mental illness, but is supported by the other. Did she give all she had in her marriage? Grace and Rita had said she had, and even her parents had agreed.

  There were signs of trouble, long before she had married him. After studying psychology, her eyes had been opened, even though deep down inside she’d sensed them. But they were young, immature, and in love—and it could’ve gone either way.

  If I don’t believe it, I can’t move on. She wanted to let go, didn’t she? Truly give her marriage to Maxim a chance?

  For a long time, he held her and they watched the fire. As the storm continued to rage outside, Maxim held Deanna until they fell asleep.

  Chapter 17

  “What gives you the right to give a contract without the king’s approval?” Novak shouted at Maxim from across his expansive private office. He launched from his seat and began pacing behind it. “I…I can’t believe you would undermine me.”

  “Novak, I wasn’t—”

  “Enough!”

  Maxim stood at attention, something he hadn’t done since leaving the Navy, a mandatory service as part of his royal duties. He’d never seen his brother this angry and thought protocol would probably help. After all, he was technically a servant to the Crown.

  He and Deanna had arrived back at the palace early that afternoon to an irate king and a smug Jelena. Maxim didn’t have the energy to ponder whether or not his sister-in-law was rooting for him and Deanna to fail. She obviously didn’t want them to succeed, although Maxim couldn’t figure out how that would help her.

  Novak had accused him—again—of being reckless. He threatened to fire Maxim’s security detail. Only after apologizing profusely did Maxim get his brother off that subject. Maxim would’ve hated if anyone had lost their job over his blunder.

  The family had moved to another, smaller farm a few hours north of the one Maxim and Deanna had spent the night in. The governor of the province had forgotten to check his records for the update. Bright and early, Maxim and Deanna heard a knock on the front door. Maxim had wanted to continue on to the farm, but his head of security had informed him of the king’s order to return to the palace immediately.

  “Have you seen the papers?” Novak snatched a paper from his desk and waved it wildly. “Have you read what the people are saying? The billionaire prince is giving away free money. The country is saved!”

  “That’s obviously not true,” Maxim said, annoyed.

  “That’s what they believe!”

  “But with my money, we can turn the country around. What is wrong with that?”

  Novak continued his rant. “You do not have the authority to promise anyone anything!”

  Maxim crossed his arms over his chest. “What I promised that town falls under my and the countess’s—”

  Novak laughed harshly. “What countess? You haven’t married a countess.”

  Maxim eyed his brother’s mocking gaze, fury swelling through his chest. It was a miracle he kept his mouth shut.

  “I haven’t granted you permission to marry her, nor does she have a title.”

  “The people already see her as a countess.” Maxim stormed forward until he was at Novak’s desk. “She’s my wife,” he ground out.

  The brothers stared at each other, neither one willing to give way. Finally, Novak grinned darkly. “Not until I say she is.”

  “I await your decree, Your Highness,” Maxim snapped.

  “You dare take that tone with your king?”

  “I dare because you’re my brother and you’re wrong. You think because you’re king you’re right all the time? Because you’re not. This isn’t about my wife, this is about the
business I propose doing. What I’m promising the northern villages will bring resources to that area, not to mention unprecedented economic growth. Isn’t that what Degonia needs?”

  “What Degonia needs is strong leadership. And you usurping my authority does not look good for the monarchy. What am I supposed to do with you? I already let you live in America—”

  “Let me live?” Maxim laughed harshly. “What were you going to do? Send the Crown’s Guard to murder me? Your own brother?”

  Novak smiled thinly. “I’d hope it wouldn’t come to that.”

  “You didn’t need me here, not making money. That’s why I went to America.”

  “Don’t.” Novak pointed a finger at him. “You ran to escape your responsibilities as the heir to the throne.”

  “The spare to the throne, you mean.”

  “What if something happened to Jelena or myself? You would’ve had to assume the throne.”

  “And I would’ve done so. Lucky nothing did happen,” Maxim said sarcastically.

  Novak’s head snapped back. “Should I interpret that to mean that is your wish?”

  Maxim rolled his eyes and threw up his arms, exasperated. “Of course not!” He slammed both hands on the desk. “But how can you deny what I’ve returned with? I have a wife that’s my equal—”

  “Leonor is your equal in rank. You didn’t even try with her. You two could’ve made it work.”

  Maxim furiously shook his head. “I wouldn’t have worked, Novak. Believe me. Deanna is my equal.”

  Novak laughed. “Because some math problem matched you? She’s a quack scientist.”

  Maxim fisted his hands, his breath coming rapidly. He fought to control his tone. “Math isn’t a quack science.”

  “She is not what the Crown would have for you.”

  “Regardless. We get along well together. Our personalities are quite suited to each other’s. It wasn’t the same with Leonor.”

  “How so?”

  “Leonor…” Maxim looked away, his eyes going to the windows that overlooked the west end of the castle grounds. In the distance, he could see the skyscrapers of the country’s capital. “Power. She wanted power and money.”

  “Not so different than you.”

  Maxim about-faced. “I never wanted the power.”

  “And you think I do? Because what am I supposed to say and do with a younger brother—a subject—who is supposed to obey my commands and doesn’t? What do you think the people of Degonia want to see done?”

  “I think they’d want to see me happy. Both of us. It’s like…a fairy tale.”

  “Oh, please.” Novak threw up a hand and turned away. “You think this is a game. And then you go and marry the most unsuitable woman to be the future princess of Degonia. A woman who knows nothing of the culture, the language, what is important to us.” Novak’s steely gaze met Maxim’s. “She will never be accepted.”

  Maxim shrugged, unbothered by his brother’s inflation of the issue. “She was treated very well by the members of the village. She was respected and even addressed as Countess. I think she’ll have no problem convincing the rest of Degonia that she is fit to be a royal. With my help—”

  “With your help, we were supposed to rule Degonia and lead her into a time of prosperity!”

  His brother’s red face turned white as a sheet. Novak collapsed into his high-back leather chair, holding his head in his hands.

  Maxim stared at his brother, a defeated man. But from which foe? With the billions Maxim had returned with, why couldn’t Degonia move forward? “What do you mean we were supposed to rule? Last I checked, you were sitting on the throne and lording it over me.”

  Novak laughed so long Maxim thought he’d lost his mind. “You think this is a joke, don’t you?” He wiped underneath his eyes. “That we are born into this life and can do whatever we want without consequences.”

  “Not quite.”

  “Exactly.” He leaned forward, his face regaining color while hardening. “Not quite,” Novak spat.

  Maxim swiftly sat down, matching his brother’s eye level. “Novak, what is wrong? I’m not understanding you.”

  Novak chuckled and shook his head. “That’s right, you don’t understand.”

  “Then tell me! I am your brother—”

  “Yes, Maxim! You are my brother,” he cried. Eyes bugging out of his head, trembling, Novak continued. “I am supposed to count on you. We are supposed to count on each other! You have let me down when I have needed you the most. Do you understand now? Is it clear?” he cried out in distress.

  Maxim’s insides quaked. He understood that his brother was under some extreme stress and that—somehow—Maxim was supposed to know about it and provide the solution. “Brother, please tell me everything,” he said quietly. “I am here, and whatever it is, we can fix it.”

  Novak put a hand over his eyes and shook his head. He choked on a sob. “It can’t be fixed,” he whispered. “You’re married.”

  Ice shot down Maxim’s spine, stiffening it uncomfortably. “Why was I supposed to marry Leonor?”

  Novak snorted. “Don’t you know? To form an alliance.”

  “An alliance can still be formed. She is without a monarchy now! I don’t see how my refusing to marry her puts our monarchy at risk.”

  Novak’s hand slid down his face. “Why couldn’t you have done your duty? Isn’t that what we’ve been taught since birth? Duty and honor to the Crown?”

  Maxim nodded. He remembered his lessons on duty and honor. How every lesson, no matter the subject, circled back to duty and honor.

  “Have you nothing to say to me?” Novak asked.

  Fear snaked around Maxim’s heart. Tears shrouded his brother’s eyes. Novak’s heart was breaking, and Maxim was to blame. Maxim dropped his gaze. “I apologize,” he said softly. “I…I just wanted to have one choice.”

  “You don’t have that luxury when you are a royal.”

  Novak’s face was now stained with tears. “Novak,” Maxim urged. “I’m begging you…”

  “And I begged you. What did that get me? A brother who betrayed me.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Leave.”

  Maxim stood, bowed, and exited the room.

  He was numb by the time he returned to the apartments he shared with Deanna. She called his name several times, but he simply collapsed onto the couch near the fireplace. Although the room was a perfect temperature, he felt strangely cold.

  Deanna sat beside him and took his hand. “Maxim? What happened? What did your brother want?”

  “To chastise me for promising the northern villages contracts and resources,” Maxim said simply. He tried to wrap his head around his brother’s odd reaction. What could possibly go wrong with his plan?

  “He didn’t think it was a good idea? Did you explain how the contracts would work? How they would benefit the people?”

  He gave her a tired look. “You think I would’ve left that out?”

  She shrugged. “No. Not really.”

  “He didn’t care, Deanna. He didn’t care about any of it. He was more concerned about how I didn’t marry Leonor.” He raked a hand through his hair. “And he wouldn’t tell me why. Why marrying you is a disaster for the monarchy.”

  Deanna inhaled sharply. “He said that?” she asked in a shaky whisper.

  “Not in those exact words. But trust me, he believes it.”

  “Why?”

  Maxim groaned and left the couch. “I don’t know, Deanna! I wish I did. There’s something he isn’t telling me. It’s like he’s…I don’t know. I just don’t…” He exhaled slowly and began again. “He must be under some kind of pressure that he can’t tell me about. And it’s affecting his judgment.”

  “Maybe I can help?” She came to stand beside him near the fire.

  Maxim laughed. “I mean no offense, darling, but you have zero credibility here. Neither the king nor queen respect you, and every time I try to reason with Novak about it, I just make it worse.”
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  She rubbed his arm, and he wrapped it around her shoulder, bringing her into his side. He pressed his lips against the top of her head and then rested his chin there.

  “I’m having an outing tomorrow with the queen.”

  “You are?”

  “Very last minute. I think it has something to do with the positive press we’re getting.”

  “Oh, yeah, that,” Maxim said dryly. “Novak was livid about what was said. We’re saving the country.”

  “Well, you actually,” Deanna teased lightly with a chuckle. “Anyway, I pitched the idea to the queen, and it was approved. We’re going to do a carriage tour of the historic area before visiting the largest museum. It’ll appear as if she is welcoming me into the fold.”

  Maxim leaned back and searched her face. “Really?”

  She smiled. “Shocked?”

  “Immensely. What did you say to get her to agree?”

  “Oh, not much. Just that the popularity of the Crown had improved overnight by our visit up north. You had done a marvelous job of countering arguments that the Crown has been avoiding modernizing parts of the industry. Power appeals to her, and there is power in the people’s opinion.”

  “There is.” Maxim placed a swift kiss on her lips. “You are brilliant, wife. I knew we were a good match when I saw you on TV.”

  Deanna groaned, her head dropping back. “Please never remind me about that episode.”

  He cupped the back of her head and brought it back up. “Why not? It was the first time I ever saw you. It’s what brought us together.”

  Her embarrassment faded, and she said, “When you put it like that.” She yawned. “I’m ready for bed.”

  “Can I join you?”

  She stiffened slightly and then relaxed. “Okay.”

  He kissed her forehead. “I’m going to run and grab something from the kitchen, first. Don’t wait up.”

  Her expression completely softened, and Maxim knew he’d made the right decision. If she wanted intimacy, she’d have to initiate. He was happy waiting, because the longer it took, the more settled his heart that a math problem really could predict love.