The unwanted wedding “There are details you don't need to know. All I ask is that you wear that vest for whatever may happen,” he said when we parted. “Trust me, Margaret.”“Okay, but be careful…”“You too,” he kissed me again.“Nikolay…”“Go now, we don't want your companion to suspect.”“Yes… Until tomorrow…”Nikolay stepped away from the door and let me out again. I splashed water on my face to calm down because that furtive encounter with Nikolay had been too much for me.With just one of his kisses, he could ignite me, make me forget that Fernando was waiting for me behind the door. No, I couldn't leave like this.I returned to the door, where Nikolay still watched me closely, and kissed him like never before. He grabbed me by the waist and locked the door, removing my coat from my body.He smiled at the pretty dress I was wearing, and I took it off for him, for him to adore my body as only he knew how. Nikolay licked his lips and removed all his clothes, revealing his very exci
Stay with himThe gunshot sounded again, but this time it was aimed at Fernando. He just smiled cynically and moved aside, leaving me in front of the bullet. Fortunately, I was wearing the bulletproof vest Nikolay had given me, so I didn't flinch.However, I heard another shot that hit Fernando and someone who stood in the path between the bullet and me. I was horrified to see Jonathan falling in front of me with a bleeding torso. Fernando was also lying on the ground a few steps away.I stood there paralyzed, not knowing what to do, until I heard the sound of an approaching ambulance. I knelt beside Jonathan, unable to move from my spot, with tears in my eyes. When the ambulance arrived, it took both of them, and I followed them afterward.I couldn't go in the wedding dress, and besides, the guests were leaving, and I had to make sure of that. I put on tight jeans, a red V-neck t-shirt, and heels in the same color as the shirt. Just as I was about to leave, I ran into Nikolay.I cou
ConfrontationsWe were about to kiss when at that moment, Dimitri and Jennifer appeared. Nikolay gave them a displeased look but got up to attend to them.I accompanied him, holding his hand tightly, making him smile.I didn't know how they had found out about the situation. I tried to remember, but seeing them more dressed up than usual, I knew they had been at the wedding even though I didn't see them at any point.“How are you? And Fernando?” Dimitri asked, focusing on me.“He escaped, no one knows where he went,” I explained.“I'm sorry, Margaret,” I knew why he said that.“Thank you, Dimitri... Although things aren't so bad after all,” I looked at Nikolay, and he looked at me in a way that made me shiver.“How can you say that when you are about to marry someone else?” Jennifer's shrill voice echoed in my ears.“You don't know my reasons, Jennifer. I'm sure you would have done the same in my situation,” I didn't even know why I was giving her explanations.“I genuinely love Nikol
The truth? I began to ride him gently, gradually increasing the pace as the desire between us grew.In the water, the pleasure was even more intense, and it excited me in a way that I could hardly describe. But he must have felt the same because he lifted me in his arms and took me out of the tub to carry me to bed and make love to me with wildness, just as I remembered with him.I let myself go, as after this, I didn't want to let more time pass and hide the truth from him. So, I enjoyed the sex he gave me as if it were the last time he would take me like this.When I opened my eyes, I was embraced by Nikolay's naked body, and he looked at me as if it were the first time, making me shiver again.“Margaret…” he whispered close to my face, making me shudder.“Nikolay... we need to talk” I felt a lump in my throat the size of a potato.“Yes, of course... What's wrong?” he looked at me with concern.“Being with you is like living in heaven…”“That's because of the masterful way I make l
A shocking revelationI looked away and grabbed her arm, shaking her roughly.“Ouch, you're hurting me, Nikolay!” she screamed.“Where the hell did you get that, Jennifer?!” I looked into her watery eyes, which, for some reason, tied my stomach in knots.“She lied to you from the beginning, used you like an idiot, and you... you were thinking of making her your wife!”“Shut up!” I let her go, and she fell, sitting, looking at me with pain and hatred on her face.“She's laughing at you,” she spat the words. “She manipulates you and makes you believe she's a saint, but she's not…’?”She showed another device where she and Mike were in a video.I frowned and looked at it; she was telling him that she had slept with me and that she was doing it for both of their good. Then... I felt nausea taking over my stomach, seeing that damn degenerate on top of her, kissing her, caressing her private parts, and Margaret allowed it.What the hell did that mean?!Jennifer took the video away, and I w
Pregnant MargaretIt had been a long journey, but I was finally home. I had returned to New York, and not in the way I would have wanted.Fortunately, when I turned on the lights, it seemed like no one was home. Mike was probably out or on his way to Russia. Nothing mattered to me anymore because I knew I had messed up everything, and maybe leaving Russia was a cowardly move, but it seemed like the best plan.Nausea overcame me, something that had been happening for about a month, and this time, I assumed it was due to the journey.I went to the bathroom to clean my system, and I heard a door open. Mike had returned, so I quickly left the bathroom."Margot?""Hello, Mike.""You're back!" He was excited to see me."I was taken back to Russia against my will... Bryan was killed," I informed him."Oh... I'm sorry."I couldn't fool Mike, so I told him everything that had happened. He was happy to hear about Fernando's situation and was also glad to have me back home. According to him, he
ReencounterAs I entered the house, Mike grabbed my arm abruptly, nearly throwing me onto the sofa."Where have you been?" he murmured angrily."At Sasha's house," I explained weakly, bewildered by his anger."And you didn't even bother to answer the phone?" he asked, raising an eyebrow."I was busy."Mike grunted in frustration."Instead of going to Sasha's, you should have gone to the doctor. You've been a mess all week, unable to keep down food or even cook. You need to do something before the virus gets worse," he insisted, and I pressed my lips into a thin line.Since returning to New York, he had been in a terrible mood, as if the Mike I knew before had stayed in Russia.I sighed, trying to understand. He deserves to know anyway; he's my brother, and I live in his house, plus he hasn't asked for a cent since I stopped working."This isn't something that gets fixed so easily," I muttered. "This discomfort will last for a couple of months, I think," I said, and he furrowed his bro
Back to Russia"Pack only the essentials; I'll get new things for you. Forget about this life and your things here; I'll even get you a more decent car.""My car is perfectly fine," I glared at him.His eyes met mine, and there was only one expression in his: "Don't mess with me.""Pack now and make sure not to vomit in my truck, do that, and we'll be fine for now.""For now?""We still have to talk about us, I know it, and you know it. Besides, I'd like an explanation of why you left so suddenly and, also, how you could get pregnant when every time we were together, we used protection."Did he not know that there was a very small percentage where contraceptives could fail? And I hadn't even told him that the doctor assured me I couldn't have children of my own."Do you doubt your paternity?""Do I not have the right to doubt?"I raised my eyebrows with wounded pride.Clearly, he thought my life plan included him and a baby. Yes, just what a girl like me needed: a baby and a future wi
A New LifeMargaretIt had been a year since my brother's death. He was buried in the park where we used to go for walks when everything was fine, long before we discovered where he was getting the money that kept us afloat.Nikolay didn't understand why I still felt affection for my brother, despite everything he had done. I didn't even know myself, but I supposed I was grateful to him for taking care of me when we were alone in the world.However, now I was not alone and would never be again.It had been a very long year, but finally, Nikolay had left behind the mobster life he had led before he met me, although that didn't mean he couldn't afford the luxuries to support his son and me.In fact, our wedding had been postponed at my request. I wanted a peaceful atmosphere and to avoid any misfortune."What's wrong, darling?" Nikolay asked me with a concerned expression."It's nothing... I was just thinking..." I bit my lip, letting out a brief sigh."It's supposed to make you stop t
Recovering KatrinaMargaret The next morning, I changed my clothes and headed towards Katrina's room. It had been some time since I had set up her crib in the adjoining room, and I felt very strange without my little one nearby. Although thanks to her and John, Nikolay was back by my side, and this time I wasn't going to lose him for anything in the world.I had arranged to meet him in Central Park, but first I needed to feed and bathe Katrina.I entered her room and approached the crib with a smile... a smile that froze on my face when I saw the empty crib. I tried not to lose my mind, but it was very difficult.Then, I remembered the kind conversation I had with Mike, and something didn't add up.I had never wanted to harm anyone, but I knew that if I found the man I once called brother, it would be very difficult for me not to kill him for taking my daughter.I ran to the living room and called Nikolay, who answered on the second ring. I couldn't help but tell him the events hasti
Perverse PlanMikeI knew I had behaved like a pig with Margaret, but I was truly going crazy without her, and it had always been the two of us... until that damn Nikolay Ivanov got in the way.I had to lie that I was going to distance myself from them to get him off my back, but I also knew people and had my tricks to give his men the slip, and with the help of a favor, I was already on my way to New York.Margaret didn't want to see me, but I needed to confirm that the rumors about her giving birth to a daughter from that damn Russian mutt were true. I needed to see it with my own damn eyes.I glanced at the clock. It was lunchtime, and for sure my Margo was with that guy, living the life I had yearned for all my life.Since the confrontation we had that night in the park, I had avoided crossing paths with him by all means, and I even gave Margaret a choice, but I had to leave far away and now I was back.I couldn't believe what had happened; Margaret had gone through a lot, and the
A ProposalNikolayI had to travel to Russia following an important lead and sort out some matters.I missed my wife and daughter terribly, so I sent for them when I realized my affairs were going to delay me more than expected.We then spent another week in New York. I made sure to see Margaret every day when I had a free moment, as the rest of the day I was busy running errands and working like crazy to wrap up all my business.I didn't want to condemn my daughter to a bad life, nor Margaret, although I wasn't ready to break this news to her yet.During those days, I didn't encounter Mike again, and that was a relief. The bastard had begged me for mercy, and although I usually didn't give it to anyone, I thought of Margaret and how sad she would be if I ended her only brother, even if he was an asshole.It's not like I cared in the slightest about what he thought, but I had to keep an eye on him from now on, mainly because he loved Margaret, or so he said. Besides, I was sure that i
Family DinnerI didn't know Nikolay's brothers well, but the last time they all appeared together; it had been fun, crazy, and overwhelming at the same time.One thing all the Ivanov brothers had in common was their love for splurging money and, above all, arguing with each other over any little thing.Although they hadn't had the chance to travel yet, Nikolay's brothers had photos of Kat, and they had sent her beautiful gifts, although I had to return one or two.It seemed that Yarik thought a necklace and earrings of rubies were appropriate for a baby who hadn't even turned two yet.After he got the message, he deigned to copy his sisters' gifts and sent toys and clothes. The only brother who had held baby Kat in his arms was Levy. Nikolay acted as if he didn't care, but he couldn't completely hide the smile on his face.But my daughter hadn't met her grandparents yet, and that terrified me a little.Victoria and Alexey Ivanov, as always, looked like they came out of a magazine, but
The Baby On The Way"LOOK AT THE DAMN ROAD, NIKOLAY IVANOV!" she screamed with panic, almost deafening me."Is it time already? Are you giving birth?" I felt my heart in my mouth, Margaret seemed to be pushing and I didn't want to receive her under these circumstances. "Damn it, what do I do?!""Just keep driving! Ahhhh!" she screamed and the pained groan sent shivers down my spine.I felt like I was going to lose my damn mind.We raced to the emergency room and they almost had to put me on a gurney, but I didn't want to miss the birth of my daughter, so I had to behave like a true man and get up from there, having one of the most memorable episodes when I heard my baby's cry.My girl, a beautiful baby girl whom I could smother with kisses, starting with those chubby cheeks."You're strong and brave, baby," I kissed her sweaty forehead and she smiled at me. "I'm so proud of you.""Thank you for being with me and for staying for the delivery," she smiled half-heartedly, looking quite t
LeakageDays later"Sir, I have to inform you about a Code Orange."Damn."What's going on, Tyrell?" A shiver ran down my spine."Sir, I've been called by the police, where Mike was detained, reporting that he escaped and they haven't found him yet."The hair on the back of my neck stood up."Tyrell, how is that possible?" I pounded the table in frustration. "Call Abel and sort this out now."My mind raced; I couldn't believe it. He was sick. Would he come here?Margaret.I looked at Tyrell with wide eyes, and he nodded with concern. He knew what I was thinking."Have Luca be Margaret's bodyguard. I don't want her going anywhere alone, understood?" Tyrell nodded. "Alright, I want Luca with her. I don't know how I'll do it, but I'll try to convince him," I sighed and rubbed my temples.This would be a problem, I knew it. This was a sign that someone like me didn't deserve to be happy; eventually, the darkness of my past would catch up with me, preventing me from being happy."Yes, sir.
HitsNikolayAfter leaving Margaret with my sister and Kate, I couldn't help but feel uneasy, like a strange premonition in my stomach.I was sure it wasn't paranoia; it was a feeling I had often when danger was looming, and I hoped none of our enemies would dare to ruin my wife's vacation, because they would have to deal with me.I was capable of pulling out someone's teeth one by one if they interfered.I tried to relax and called Will; he could surely cover for me for a few days while I stayed close to Margaret, just in case.I left the hotel where I was staying, wanting to clear my mind and wondering if it was Jennifer or that idiot Mike lurking around to continue messing with our lives.I strolled leisurely, contemplating the scenery, but something interrupted my peaceful walk. Someone managed to block me and threw me to the ground roughly.Seeing that it was Mike, I counted to ten. I had to avoid hurting him by all means, or Margaret would be angry. We hadn't talked about what w
JealousMy brother smiled."Don't worry, if they're leaving, we'll go after them," he said sympathetically.I raised an eyebrow."Seriously? I thought you didn't repeat," I joked. "And now you want to go after a girl? What happened to 'if I've seen you once, I don't remember you'?""I like her like no other, but you know what women want from us," he chuckled.Being in our position was sometimes a curse. You never knew when or who might stab you in the back. Women's eyes lit up when they knew you had money."I want to take it slow with her, get to know her, see how things go," he nodded. He was right to take it slow if he wasn't sure."If she's still around tomorrow, we can meet up for dinner or drinks around 4," he patted my shoulder. "I haven't seen you in quite some time," he reminded me.My brother and I got along very well, but we had both been immersed in work, unable to find anything else that motivated us more. Now I had found it: my precious goddess, and I had seen her displea