“But you want me. I was inside you. I tasted you. That is a truth you will never escape Sera” Serafina had only one dream: to take center stage at the New York Opera. But if wishes were horses, even beggars would have a ride. Thrown into an arranged marriage, She is determined to hate him but soon discovers that there’s a thin line between love and hate. Adriko has no use for love. His focus is power, his goal is revenge.But what do you do when your greatest threat is your most sinful desire? A pawn in the game… A Bride for a truce…
View MoreADRIKO The warmth beside me was gone. I blinked against the morning light as my eyelids fluttered open, stretching my arms against the space where Serafina laid snuggled up against me a few hours ago. The sheets still felt warm but she was gone. A frown pulled at my lips as i glanced around the room. “Sera?” I called out,my voice still gruff with sleep but there was no answer. She hadn’t slept well last night—even being curled up to me, she had found it difficult to fall asleep. I hadn’t asked questions or prodded to know what the nightmares were about but i could tell that they upset her. I’d stayed with her, whispering words of comfort in Russian until she drifted asleep, her fingers still holding me for comfort. The scent of something spicy drifted into my nose, luring me out of bed. I ran a hand through my hair, stepping into her bathroom to brush my teeth with the spare toothbrush I knew was there. My eyes scanned the bathroom sink as I took in the array of product
ADRIKO THE PENTHOUSE I needed a drink. Something stiff to relieve the tension, frustration, and a little bit of bloodlust that plagued me. I was spiraling and I hated the feeling of not being in control. Striding to the bar, I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and took a swig straight from the bottle. I knew leaving Russia and setting base in New York would raise eyebrows especially as I was straying away from the more traditional aspects of the Bratva but from today's attack, it seemed a particular syndicate had grudges against my operations. I paused at Serafina’s doorway and looked in. She was asleep, curled up against the pillows, her hair a mess of fiery auburn spread across the pillow. Her lips were parted slightly, her breathing soft and even. She looked like she didn’t belong here in my fucked up world. She looked so out of reach, untouchable. But I had touched her. And fuck I wanted to do it again. I exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair as I approached the
ADRIKO If sexual frustration had a name, it would be mine. I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to walk towards Sergei who was pacing across the living room. As soon as he sensed my presence, his sharp gaze roamed over my disheveled appearance, taking in my rumpled shirt, the undone buttons, and my mussed hair. A sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips. I had never felt so strongly about killing him the way I do now. He was smart enough not to comment. “We have a problem,” he said without wasting time. “It would be a shame if we didn't, that means I’ll have to kill you.” I snapped in annoyance. He grimaced but adjusted quickly. “It’s about Marco.” That got my full attention, the embers of my dying frustration flickering back to life. “What about him?” “I was casually listening in on him and it seems he already figured out he got a duplicate device. He said something about attacking with precision.” My spine stiffened as I strode into my study, grabbed my laptop, in
SERAFINA There is a saying that goes ‘flee from all appearance of evil’—but what if the devil's touch feels like heaven? And as I stand here, staring into the eyes of sin himself, I realize, … I want to burn. I let out a shaky breath as I whisper “Touch me. I want you to.” There was a look of hunger in his eyes before he claimed my lips again, this time slower, more deliberate. He kisses me like he has all the time in the world, biting my lower lip and sucking it in before releasing it with a soft pop. Heat settles in my belly. His hands move, tracing patterns down my arms, then sliding down to my waist, gripping me firmly as he pulls me flush against him. I suck in a breath. God, he’s hard everywhere. His fingers tangle in my hair, tugging just enough to make me gasp. He angles my head back as he leaves a trail of kisses down my jaw, my throat. He pauses on the pulse beating wildly beneath my skin, his tongue skimming over it before his teeth scrape against me. A
SERAFINA I wasn't nervous. At least that's the lie I told myself as I stared at myself in the vanity mirror. Was I excited? Maybe. Anxious? A little. Conflicted? Definitely. Why you might ask? Because after being married for months, I was going on a romantic dinner with my husband and I didn't know what to expect because this was unfamiliar territory. My fingers trembled slightly as I secured the final clasp on my diamond earrings. I had chosen a rich deep purple off-the-shoulder dress, with an asymmetrical neckline and draped satin that extended over an arm. It clung to my figure in all the right places, the high slit revealing just enough of my thigh to be a distraction. I let out a breath, running my hand over the fabric as Nadia fussed around, arranging my hair in soft waves. “You look like a dream,” she murmured, stepping back to admire her work. A small smile tugged at my lips. “A dream or a well-dressed lamb walking into the lion's den?” Nadia snorted. “
ADRIKO After breakfast, Serafina informed me that she had to go to the Opera for rehearsals—she had a performance coming up. I instructed Dima and two other soldiers to accompany her as Mikhail was already on assignment. I stepped into my shower, the scalding water hitting my skin as thoughts of Serafina clouded my mind. Auburn hair, doe eyes that could make even the devil sin, and the body on her. A low groan rumbled in my throat as I fisted my cock, the memory of her lips closing over the fork at breakfast playing on repeat. I stroked harder, my free hand bracing against the tiled wall, tension coiling low in my stomach. “Yes” Her voice echoed in my head, breathy, soft and my cock twitched in response. “Fuck” I growled as I increased my pace. The sounds of my labored breathing filled the bathroom as I felt my release bearing down on me fast— Then my phone rang, the shrill tone shattering the moment. “What the fuck?” My head snapped towards it. Sergei’s name flashed
ADRIKO I stared after her with a realization that I couldn't let her continue to think that I didn't want her. She consumed my every thought and I wanted her with a fierce intensity. She had issued a challenge and I was up for it. “Buckle up Mrs Ivanov. You’re in for a wild ride” I smirk. My phone vibrated in my back pocket and I brought it out, placing it to my ear “Govori” “Two of Marco’s and Vincenzo’s warehouses went up in flames today.” I didn't miss the note of tension in Sergei’s voice. “No survivors.” A ghost of a smile tugged at my lips “I’m aware.” Silence settled between us. Then. “You're behind it.” It wasn't a question. “Of course.” Sergei cursed under his breath. “Marco is not an idiot, Adrik. If he figures it out—” “He won't.” I cut him off, strolling down the hallway to my bedroom. “I took care of the loose ends.” Sergei sighed but he didn't argue. He knew better. Instead, he shifted topics. “About the USB….I did some more digging.” M
SERAFINA Dinner is always a perfect way to end an amazing day but as I sat across Diana in the dimly lit upscale restaurant where we had ended our girl's day out in, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive. ”The thing is, he’s just so annoying. The other day after I got attacked at the hospital, we came home to meet Zlata waiting.” I huffed as I remembered the incident. “And then he left with her! Such an ass.” Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, I stabbed at my salad with force, channeling my frustration into the poor vegetable. I looked up and caught Diana smirking at me. “You do realize you’ve spent the last twenty minutes talking about him right?” she teased, setting her glass down with a knowing look. My fork froze mid-air before I quickly dropped it onto my plate with an annoyed sigh. “I am not talking about him. I am complaining about him. There’s a difference.” Diana rested her chin on her hand, amusement dancing in her dark eyes. “Mmm-hmmm. And what exactly are
ADRIKOI woke up to a banging headache and a throbbing pain at my side. The stitches pulled slightly, a reminder of the fucked up night I had.A groan slipped my lips as I rolled to my unhurt side. I sat at the edge of the bed, rotating my arm in slow deliberate movements. The stiffness lessened but not by much. My phone vibrated on the bedside table. I ignored it but then it buzzed again.Letting out an annoyed sigh, I reached for it, my mood souring further the second I saw the name flashing on the screen. Zlata. Zlata: I’ll be waiting for you at the club tonight. I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the screen. A few weeks ago I would have jumped at the opportunity—anticipated our meetings with a certain hunger. The guarantee of easy pleasure has always been a lure but not today and in as much as I tried to deny it, it was all because of a certain doe-eyed minx. My pulse quickened at the mere thought of her. And that was the problem. I typed out a reply. Adrik: N
SERAFINA’S POV The black Mercedes pulled up smoothly to the front gates of the Vitale estate. I stepped out and walked towards the front door. My performance tonight was exceptional as usual,I loved the thrill that went through the crowd whenever I finished a piece. But as I approached the house, a rising sense of danger slowly encircled me. I shook it off and walked in. I stepped into the foyer, glancing around. The extravagance of our family home always left me in awe. I heard footsteps approach me from behind. “Signoria” came a soft voice. I turned to see Tessa, our family maid approaching with a soft smile on her face. Tessa has been with the family for as long as I can remember. Ever since we lost mum, she had been a constant. “How are you, Tessa?” I smiled in return. “I am fine Cara (dear). You’re home late tonight”, Tessa observed taking my coat and scarf that I was about to put up. She kissed my cheeks “You were amazing tonight as always” she gushed, her eyes shining...
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