The Mail Order Billionaire (DC Billionaires Book 3)

by Eliza Ellis

  “My wife,” he gritted.

  “And you would give it up?” she cried disbelievingly. She waved her arms around her. “All of this up?”

  “Have you forgotten where I’ve been living for the last couple of years? I would move back, tonight, if I could. I’d only have to fly back every once in a while to oversee the progress of my investments.”

  “That’s your plan?”

  “It is, yes. Wouldn’t that suit you? Being back in your office and running your business?”

  She frowned and looked away. He knew the answer. Why couldn’t she see they could both have what they wanted if they just stuck together?

  He hated being angry. And this room felt stuffy and tight. “We’re going in circles. I’ll sleep in the other room.” He strode out, ignoring her pleas not to go. He slammed the connecting door, shutting out her voice.

  Raking his hands in his hair, he paced the room. Did she want a divorce? Had he misread her profile? Was divorce an option for her?

  Wait, he hadn’t read the full report. Rita hadn’t sent it to him. He got on the phone with his lawyer and ordered him to get the report to him as soon as possible.

  How could he be paired with a woman who wasn’t willing to fight for their marriage as hard as he?

  Chapter 20

  Maxim stepped into his brother’s office and bowed. “Your Majesty?”

  Novak looked up from the paperwork on his desk. He gestured for Maxim to take a seat across from him. Maxim obeyed and waited silently for Novak to start the conversation.

  “Thank you for coming,” Novak started in a groggy voice.

  Did his brother just wake up? Novak’s hair was without its usual amount of gel, and there were bags underneath his eyes. Maxim opened his mouth to speak and thought better of it. The last time he and his brother were in conversation, it hadn’t gone well. He didn’t want a repeat experience.

  Maxim was already irritable after his argument with Deanna the night before and then sleeping in a cold, lumpy bed away from her. Their relationship was moving backward, not forward. Half the night he lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering if his impulsivity was really the right choice. Could he have done something differently? Put off marrying Leonor for another…how many years? He rarely second-guessed himself.

  Novak dropped his gaze back to the papers on his desk. His desk was messy. Not a trait his brother possessed. Novak was the type of man to never wear sweatpants, always in a collared shirt and tie, and was a stickler for things out of place. Likely borderline obsessive-compulsive, if Maxim was a doctor.

  Which he wasn’t.

  Maxim interlaced his fingers in his lap, something he hadn’t done since he was a little boy being scolded for the latest practical joke or skipping a tutoring session. He often found himself in this room, only his father was sitting in Novak’s seat, his much fuller beard hiding the expression that would give Maxim a clue on the length of his chastisement and follow-on punishment.

  Once was he sent to the tower. Only now visited by people touring the castle, it was used as a holding cell for those awaiting execution. Degonia’s last monarch-ordered execution was well over two hundred years ago, and the room had been shut up since. Maxim and Novak had given themselves night terrors thinking about the claw marks on the walls made by people anguished by their fate.

  Maxim hated that punishment. The tower was cold, dank, dark, and creepy. From the windows, he could see in full view the courtyard where people were decapitated.

  Now, he believed Novak would send him there, probably out of spite. After Deanna’s capitulation to Jelena and Leonor, Maxim was the last man standing.

  “I…this has been…” Novak cleared his throat. He took a few sips of something hot from his steaming cup and then started again. “I have thought quite a lot about your position and acknowledge that you are not in possession of all the facts. If…I’d like to believe that if you were, then you would”—he raised his eyes to Maxim’s—“be on my side.”

  Maxim leaned forward. “I am always on your side, brother.”

  Novak smiled weakly. “Then you should know the truth.”

  “About?”

  “Leonor.”

  The name dropped from his lips like a brick of gold, and Maxim felt its full weight. Was it something Deanna already knew and failed to tell him? Maxim’s tongue dried, so he sat in silence.

  “The reason Leonor was intended for you started out innocently enough. A union between our countries was a favor to her father made a long time ago by ours. Velin was being ousted by the people, and our father felt bad for him.”

  Maxim nodded. He’d figured as much.

  “But then our parents died, and…and Velin came into some information, or maybe he already knew it—I’m not sure—and he has threatened to make that known. It would mean the destruction of the Malenkov dynasty and the start of another.”

  “What information?” Maxim practically shouted. He dipped his head in respect to his brother’s position and raised it again, keeping his lips sealed.

  “I am illegitimate,” Novak said flatly.

  Maxim’s eyes grew large. The word made no sense. Illegitimate? Novak? Our mother had an affair? With whom? Who was Novak’s father? Please let it not be Velin. That would mean Leonor was his half-sister.

  No. No, Velin couldn’t mean for Leonor to marry him if that were the case. An incestuous monarchy? That went out ages ago.

  Novak smiled. “The crown is not mine. And unless Velin has any information on your parentage, it belongs to you.” He shrugged and chuckled. “You fled to America, and…I’ve been putting off Velin for years, hoping to prepare our government for an easy transition if it came to it. But you never wanted to rule.”

  Maxim again opened his mouth, and no words exited. Was that true? He was never supposed to rule.

  “Maybe because you were the younger brother. Had you been older, would you want my place?”

  Novak waited for an answer while Maxim considered. Maxim was a good leader, and he ran his companies and charities well. But did he want the pressure of ruling a whole country? To be a figurehead monarch? He’d never had the choice before.

  Would Deanna want to be queen?

  “Wait…” Maxim put both hands up. “You aren’t offering me the crown, are you?”

  Novak’s mouth slanted down to one side. He leaned back in his chair. “I don’t believe I have the option. It isn’t mine.”

  “You are the son of the late King Novak—”

  “I’m not.”

  “Then whose are you?”

  Novak handed Maxim a piece of paper. “It’s a copy of the sworn statement by Mother’s doctor on the father’s identity. Velin has also shown me her diary where she reveals an affair she had with a member of parliament. He currently controls the leading party—Kostav.”

  “The one Velin controls, you mean,” Maxim grumbled.

  “Yes, well. Velin has considerable influence over it. Kostav was told about the affair, and was persuaded to give Velin confidential information in exchange for power.”

  The paper looked legitimate, but Maxim couldn’t tell and wouldn’t believe it without hearing it straight from the doctor’s mouth.

  “I know what you’re thinking, Maxim. The doctor died before I could ask.”

  Maxim groaned and rubbed a hand over his eyes. “I don’t understand how Velin could’ve persuaded Kostav. And how in the world did he get mother’s diary?”

  “I can’t answer you about the diary. Perhaps someone loyal to him works in the palace and stole it after she died. Or maybe it was taken before whenever he came to visit our parents. And…I’m inclined to believe our father knew as well.”

  “You mean Velin was blackmailing Father?”

  Novak sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know. It would explain how Velin has enjoyed so much freedom here when our parents were alive.” Novak stared at Maxim with sad eyes. “There’s been a question about your heritage as well.”


  Maxim’s blood ran cold. He was illegitimate as well? Their father, Novak Malenkov, had died without an heir? Then the crown wouldn’t be his.

  “The only reason our country hasn’t gone the way of Velin’s is because of the people’s love for the Malenkovs. If they found out that I—and even you—were illegitimate—”

  “The monarchy would end, and rule would fall to the people,” Maxim whispered.

  “Precisely.”

  “But parliament is in place. Velin’s country didn’t have that luxury because he wanted to retain full control. Our people might be better off without monarchs.”

  “But Velin is in control of parliament. He was willing to settle for Leonor being queen one day and his lineage to continue on the Degonian throne.”

  “But because I married Deanna, he will do whatever it takes to bring down the Malenkovs and be content with parliament as consolation.”

  “Yes. I believe that is his plan.”

  Maxim sighed and collapsed back into his seat. “Father must’ve known,” he said, thinking out loud. “That’s why I was matched with Leonor since her birth. Velin’s country was already in an uproar and ready to oust him as king, and he didn’t want to lose power.”

  “He probably told our father that Mother had cheated on him and he was without an heir to the throne. The Malenkovs could retain the crown if Velin’s daughter would one day be queen,” Novak added.

  Maxim looked again at the statement. “Has Velin given you any proof of my parentage?”

  Novak shook his head. “No. And I don’t believe he can. You are the spitting image of Father at his age. No one would believe otherwise.”

  “No one will believe this,” Maxim said vehemently, waving the statement before tossing it back onto Novak’s desk.

  “They might if it gets out.”

  “Nonsense. You said it yourself that the Malenkovs are beloved.”

  “But if the people believe they’ve been lied to for all these years. That the Queen Mother was unfaithful to her husband… People will question our judgment.”

  “We are not our parents!” Maxim launched from his seat.

  “But you married a love doctor,” Novak shot back.

  Maxim groaned. This was true. They might not accept Deanna as their queen, despite the warm welcome she had received up north. Maxim returned to his seat. “We have to think of a way out of this.”

  “You must take the throne.”

  Maxim laughed. “How? What excuse could you possible give? And with the heir on the way?”

  “It’s a girl,” Novak said quietly. “And parliament has stalled over passing a law allowing firstborn females to inherit the crown.”

  Maxim’s forehead crashed into his hand. Jelena was weeks away from giving birth. Velin’s influence in parliament was being felt even in the new nursery.

  “You see, it is hopeless,” Novak said in a soft, dejected voice.

  “No. I have money. Velin’s country awarded him a paltry living after the monarchy dissolved. We can pay him off.”

  “Velin wants power, Maxim. What he once had. He can wield it through Leonor and parliament.”

  Maxim stared at Novak, and the realization hit him. “You really do want me to divorce Deanna and marry Leonor instead.”

  “Now that we know the truth, we can do what we must to thwart Velin’s influence.”

  “How? If we give him me, he will only expect more.”

  “It would hurt his position.”

  “Only if Leonor becomes queen, which she won’t because you and Jelena will have a boy or parliament will catch up with the twenty-first century.”

  Novak’s gaze didn’t falter. “I don’t believe either of those scenarios will come to pass, brother.” Tears filled his eyes. “I must confess that I don’t believe Velin will allow me to live. Not if Leonor becomes your wife. It’s the only way she could ever become quen.”

  Maxim’s hand dropped from his forehead to cover his mouth. “I don’t believe he’d assassinate you,” he whispered through his fingers. “He couldn’t get that close.”

  “Perhaps my guards aren’t loyal.”

  “And they would be to a man trying to steal the throne?” Maxim said sarcastically.

  “He could force me to abdicate and you to take the throne.”

  “And let Leonor rule through me?” Maxim barked in laughter. He rose from his chair and began pacing behind it. “There must be another way for you to keep the throne.”

  Novak’s hopeful gaze scanned him. “You…you would accept me as your monarch?”

  Maxim smirked. “You already are. Seems like a lot of work to change it now.”

  Novak chuckled, then his eyes watered again. “It doesn’t matter that I’m not really a Malenkov?”

  Maxim gave him a slanted look. “You are my brother. You are Novak’s son. That’s all that matters to me,” he said firmly. “How could you even ask?” He crossed his arms and stopped pacing. “We have to get parliament to pass a bill to end the monarchy. If they won’t accept your daughter as the future queen, then that’s our only option.”

  Novak cleared his throat and then sipped his drink again, probably cold. “That isn’t the only option.”

  Maxim narrowed his eyes. “I’m not divorcing Deanna. That’s off the table. You can at least grant me that request after leaving me in the dark all this time. Have you truly known since before I left for America?”

  Novak frowned. “No. Only recently when we found out that Jelena was having a girl. She told Leonor, of course, and she—”

  “Told her father, yes.” Maxim slammed his fist down on top of Novak’s leather seats. “That’s why you wanted me to return and marry Leonor. Novak, you should’ve told me.”

  “I owe you an apology.”

  “Which I’m still waiting for.”

  Novak’s chest heaved. “I am sorry, Maxim. Truly. I don’t deserve your support now, but I am grateful for it.”

  “Then I’ll say no more about it.”

  He felt for his brother. To find out his mother had an affair and hadn’t told him of his true parentage. To be told by Velin of all people. And his father! Kostav was sitting in parliament, staring at his son whenever Novak sat in on the sessions, and would pass by without a word about it. How had that made Novak feel? Betrayed? Unwanted? Unloved?

  Maxim’s heart burned with anger for his brother.

  At least their father had loved them both. He’d never seen the late King Novak treat either of them differently, nor not accept Novak as his own. He gave him his name. “Do you really think Father knew?” Maxim asked.

  Novak shrugged. “I hope he didn’t.”

  Maxim came to stand beside his brother. He rested his hand on Novak’s shoulder. “Whether or not he did, you have carried his name proudly, brother.”

  Tears escaped, coursing down Novak’s cheeks as he stared up at his younger brother. “Do you think he’d say that now? A son who almost lost the monarchy.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. It isn’t your fault. And you won’t lose the monarchy.” Maxim kneaded a fist. “We need something on Velin. Dirt. Anything that will make him leave the country without explanation.”

  “No.” Novak decidedly shook his head. “No, Maxim. Let’s leave it alone.”

  “So no to the money? The dirt? Parliament?”

  “We can’t get anything passed in parliament thanks to my father,” he said glumly. “Extortion always comes to light, so you must keep your money. Use it for the people.”

  Maxim’s heart lightened. Novak agreed with Maxim’s plans. “You approve then? Of what I’d like to do in the agricultural and farming industries?”

  “How could I not? If we end up losing the monarchy, I’d like to go out with the people in a better position. I hope they will believe me when I say that the duties of the Crown and to my people mattered more than who fathered me.”

  “They would, Novak. They would acknowledge the late king as your true father.”

>   Novak sighed and stood. “I’m afraid Leonor and Velin won’t take no for an answer when it comes to Deanna.”

  Maxim’s heartbeat slowed, and he felt his chest petrifying.

  “I suggest you take your wife and leave the country.”

  “What? And leave you here?”

  “I can make some excuse. I’ve been doing it for years. Say you can only divorce her in the United States and will return shortly. You have business affairs to settle before Leonor becomes your wife and you can move forward with your initiatives.”

  Maxim didn’t like all the lying, especially now when it threatened the life and position of his brother. “To leave here without giving my wife a title will cause the public to become suspicious.”

  “I’ve thought of that. We can say her title is forthcoming after affairs are settled in the United States.”

  “And Velin is told the opposite.”

  “Exactly.” Novak gripped Maxim in a firm embrace. “Forgive me, brother, for putting you in this situation,” he whispered.

  “I can’t leave you here. We are stronger together. Not apart.”

  “If you have any hope of protecting Deanna, you must leave.”

  That silenced all argument from Maxim.

  Chapter 21

  The aides had rushed in and begun packing her clothes, motioning for Deanna to say nothing. Deanna had looked around the room, wondering if there were recording devices around. Maxim had been with the king, and she had waited for him to return so they could have breakfast. She hadn’t liked the way they had parted the night before and wanted to find some common ground they could work from. Instead, she had helped pack, while a couple of aides guarded the door. Had Novak ordered them out of the country?

  It wasn’t until both she and Maxim were sitting in Maxim’s plane taking off that Maxim finally explained.

  “Novak thinks it’s best that we leave Degonia, especially if we want to remain married.”

  Deanna’s jaw slacked. If they wanted to remain married? “I don’t understand how he could possibly—”