Heart of My Monster (Monster Trilogy, #3)(25)

“And no fucking board games,” he snaps before I manage to speak.

“Watch your fucking mouth,” Anton warns from beside me.

Maksim narrows his eyes on him. “You. Fight me.”

I offer a placating smile. “I’m sure we can come up with something better…Anton!”

My brother is already removing his coat and stepping to the middle of the basement. Anton built him a new bed and we brought over a few weights and a TV, but apparently, those aren’t enough to entertain Maksim.

“What are you guys doing?” I try to get between them.

“Stay out of this, Sasha.” Maksim is talking to me, but his hawk-like attention is on my brother. “This is between me and the fake motherfucker.”

“Yes. Stay out. I’m going to put this insolent fucker back in his place—”

His sentence isn’t finished, and Maksim has already driven his fist into his face. “Not so fun when I’m not tied up and helpless, is it, asshole?”

Anton swings back with his own punch. Then they’re downright throwing each other against the wall, on the sofa, and to the floor as they exchange blows.

I give up trying to break up the fight a few minutes after they start. This might well be what they need to get whatever animosity is lurking out of their systems.

With a sigh, I sit down and rearrange the cards.

So much for making the basement a bit homey. It’s like a war zone now.

If we were in New York or even the army, Anton wouldn’t have stood a chance against Maksim, but that was only because he was hiding his actual ability. Now, however, he doesn’t hold back as he pummels Maksim into a corner.

My friend tackles him to the ground and slaps him across the face. No, he backhands him. Like Anton did to him before.

Anton growls and holds Maksim down, but it only lasts a second before they roll on the floor, hitting each other everywhere. Adrenaline must be stronger than whatever injuries they’re giving one another, because they keep going. There isn’t a sign that either of them will give up.

I go upstairs to grab a bottle of vodka and a couple of glasses. When I return, they’re still as energetic as ever. I pour myself a cup and sit at the small table to watch their fight with keen interest. I expect it to end any moment, but it doesn’t. It actually lasts for over half an hour before they finally collapse on the floor in the aftermath of the destruction they’ve wreaked.

Their harsh breaths, sweat, and the smell of blood lingers in the air, only interrupted by my casual sips.

“You guys get an A-plus for stamina.”

Anton staggers to his feet and kicks Maksim in the ribs. “I won.”

Maksim captures his ankle and brings him crashing back down—on top of him. “Like fuck you did.”

Anton fists his shirt. “Admit that you’re not a god, after all.”

“I am to you, dick.” Maksim throws him off and stands up, then walks in my direction and snatches the bottle of vodka and drinks right from it. “You watched, Sasha. I won, right?”

“Nonsense.” Anton takes the bottle and drinks straight from it, even though a few glasses are lying about. “Anyone with eyes could see that I got more points on you.”

“In your fucking dreams.” Maksim steals the bottle back and pours more alcohol down his throat.

“I’m not sure, to be honest.” I tilt my head to the side as they keep fighting over the vodka until they finish the whole bottle.

Both their faces are a map of bruises, cuts, and bleeding lips.

Maksim throws his weight on the seat beside me, dwarfing the wooden chair. “You obviously have nepotism issues.”

Anton sits on the chair on my other side, causing it to creak under his weight. “Watch your fucking mouth when you talk to her.”

“What are you going to do about it, motherfucker?”

“You—”

I slam my glass on the table. “Seriously, stop it. You’re giving me a headache. You’re like children.”

“The only man-child in this equation is your brother, who has small dick energy.”

“You speak as if your dick is all that impressive.”

“You know it is.”

“Okay.” I lift my hand. “Too much dick talk for my taste, and seriously, Tosha is my brother, and I don’t need these images.”

The latter closes his eyes as if he’s just realized he’s been talking about dicks in front of his sister. Which is surprising, considering he’s collected to a fault.

Maksim rattles him—or his rage toward him does.

Interesting.

Maksim hits my shoulder with his. “You lived with men for two years, and while you never participated in a dick measuring competition, you never flinched from it either.”

“Well, that was before I knew Yuri was actually my brother.”

“Guess I should feel like I’m in good company if he also managed to fool his own sister.”

“Stop talking about me as if I’m not here,” my brother says.

Maksim doesn’t look at him and, instead, smiles at me. “What type of game are we playing?”

“Don’t fucking ignore me.” Anton speaks so low that goosebumps erupt on my skin.

“Card game?” Maksim does a marvelous job of completely erasing him. “I prefer that over a board game.”