Previously, Caroline tried to be part of the plot and failed. Alessia was kidnapped again, but this time by the fiance she’d fleed Albania to escape.
The Mister Summary Chapter 27:
Maxim is fuming over Caroline’s judgemental reaction to his and Alessia’s relationship.
What will Caroline say when I tell her I want to marry Alessia?
What will my mother say?
Marry someone with money, darling.
Kit chose wisely.
I am highly anticipating the reaction of these characters who we have grown to know so well.
My dark mood grows darker still as I stomp into the night.
I was going to make a joke along these lines then realised I didn’t have to. I love the imagine of Maxim just stomping off into the night. Amazing!
Anatoli–the book’s latest villain who will likely be dispatched in 1-2 chapters and be the catalyst for Maxim and Alessia to tie the knot–insists that Alessia come with him who can’t fathom why she doesn’t want to comply.
He glares at her, his neck reddening and his eyes narrowing to icy pinpricks. ‘Why are you behaving like this?’
‘You know why.’
James, E L. The Mister (p. 440). Random House. Kindle Edition.
BECAUSE YOU TERRIFYING, BRUV!
Anatoli insists that Alessia was promised to him and that she really needs to come with him. He even threatens to kill Maxim, so Alessia claims there’s no man in her life.
He presses for more information about Maxim, wanting to know if Maxim has “had what is [his].” Alessia assures Anatoli that Maxim is just her employer, and for some reason allows him to lead her out of the store (I still do not understand why she doesn’t call for help in the middle of the store?) and back to Maxim’s apartment (?????).
Back at the apartment, where they are for inexplicable reasons, things get tense when Anatoli finds a condom in Maxim’s trash can (WHY IS HE LOOKING IN THERE? ANATOLI WHAT IS YOUR DEAL?)
But he returns moments later holding the small wastebasket. ‘And this?’ he growls.
Alessia manages to mobilise her features and screws her nose up in disgust at the condom in the bin. She shrugs, trying desperately for nonchalance. ‘He has a girlfriend. They are out at the moment.’
James, E L. The Mister (p. 443). Random House. Kindle Edition.
Shockingly, Anatoli does not demand a DNA test to assess the validity of his claim and instead insists that they leave quickly.
He puts the basket down, seemingly satisfied with her answer. ‘Get your things. I am parked outside.’
She stands motionless, her heart racing.
‘Go. Now. I don’t want to wait for him to return. I don’t want a scene.’ He undoes his coat, slips his hand inside his jacket, and pulls out a pistol. ‘I am serious.’
It’s not clear to me how he knew that Maxim wasn’t home. Alessia didn’t even know for sure, although I guess presumably he would have just waved the gun around?
Alessia convinces Anatoli that it would be bad manners if she didn’t leave a note, so as we find out later, she leaves a seemingly innocuous note explaining that she’s left with her fiance.
We hop on over to Maxim’s point of view where he’s headed home when Caroline shows up and pulls Maxim into a hug. Maxim is distracted though when he sees Anatoli getting into his car and notices Albania’s flag on the number plate!!
Back in Alessia’s point of view, she is betrayed by the sight of Maxim hugging Caroline as the car pulls away.
Alessia chokes back a sob.
This is where he has been. With Caroline. And now they are hugging in the street and he’s holding her. The betrayal is swift and cruel, slicing Alessia into tiny pieces and shattering her faith in herself – and in him.
Him. Her Mister.
James, E L. The Mister (p. 446). Random House. Kindle Edition.
Wow! The drama of it all! The trust between Alessia and Maxim sure does make me believe in their love.
Maxim freaks out once he realises what’s going on and that Alessia must have been in that car. He freaks out further once he reads her note! QUICK MAXIM CALL YOUR SECURITY DETAIL AND MAKE SURE NO ONE GETS IN OR OUT OF THE COUNTRY ON THEIR WATCH!