ApologiesI saw the numbers on the paper he handed me and ran my hand through my hair."How many people was Mike stealing from?" I asked Levy."He stole 3 million from the Nazis, the rest, believe it or not, comes from gambling, more than what he stole from you guys. Seems like your brother-in-law is doing well.""Even if he returned triple what he stole from them, the Nazis won't just forgive him," I said."Even if he gave them the 20 million in this account, Mike wouldn't walk away from this alive, because as much as he wanted to find another way to make Margaret happy, there wasn't one."I didn't know what I hated more, that his words were true or that it was him who said them.I felt my pocket vibrate.I pulled the disposable phone from my pocket and read the message."It's done."I breathed a sigh of relief at the words.That message was my signal to know that Mike had arrived alive at the gang's building. Now I owed Berta a favor.I glanced at Levy, who was looking at the papers
Leave the past behind I pocketed my phone and told the lady to keep the change before exiting the store.Putting the carton in my pocket, I lit the cigarette as I watched Levy come down, with Mia in his arms.I frowned as I watched Levy kiss the blonde in front of him before handing Mia over. The girl hugged Mia and planted a kiss on her forehead before getting into the gray Mazda CX-30 behind her.The van drove off quickly, and I walked over to Levy."New girl?" "Not just a girl," he replied, eyeing the cigarette in my lips. "Is it absolutely necessary for you to smoke?""Only if you want me to stay coherent while talking to you.""I can deal with that then," he murmured, and I followed him back to the apartment.I looked at Levy, who opened the door for me. Once inside the apartment, I closed the door behind me."Is this your base?""Base?""I've heard something about your hacker service. It's pretty rare. You charge a lot, you work fast and leave no trace. Many have tried to scor
A Lucky Man“He’s treating you like a queen, babe. You've deserved this for a long time, and now you have it. Damn, I'm happy for you."I was happy too, but I didn't entirely like this. Part of me felt like I was trading Mike's life to have all of this with me."On another note," I said to distract Sasha. "When are we going to see each other?""When your brother's situation is resolved, babe," she replied."How am I supposed to tell Nikolay that $20,000 has been stolen?""Naked and with a bottle of vodka to soften his anger," she burst into laughter as I flipped the page of the book in front of me.I love numbers; they're predictable, they make sense, and they're the same everywhere.They're perfect, period."Nikolay likes to pull my hair when we're intimate," I blurted out, then covered my mouth, looking towards the door of the room, as if to make sure Nikolay hadn't heard me."Excuse me?""If you tell him you know, I'll kill you.""And how does it feel?" she asked curiously."How do
Truths"I have to tell you something," murmured a breathless and naked Margaret, lying face down next to me."Darling, if you tell me you're going for round four, I seriously might lose my mind," I warned, making her laugh. "Is it because I sounded weird today?"She smiled a bit, and I kissed her forehead. Damn, this woman was beautiful."There are two things, one of them has to do with today," she murmured, and I watched her stand up, walking towards the closet.I raised my eyebrows in surprise, seeing our clothes hanging there."Babe, you don't have to do that," I said softly."I had time, plus I like feeling useful," she said to me before pulling one of my black t-shirts over her body."Why aren't you naked anymore?""Can you concentrate with me being naked?" she replied, and I groaned."No.""There's your answer.""I'll start with the less significant one: Fernando is dead.""Excuse me?"I looked at Margaret's now pale face, watched her walk slowly towards me until she sat down. S
The trust"Nikolay?""Mmh?""Are you awake?""After 4 rounds, I'm barely conscious," he murmured, and I bit my lip.Should I tell him now about the $20,000?It's a good moment; he's almost asleep and completely exhausted, he won't kill anyone in that state."Would my boss like some vodka?" I whispered in his ear, and I heard Nikolay laugh."Any reason for making me so happy today?""Are you implying something?" I raised an eyebrow."No, just asking.""Well, I have to say something," I said nervously."Is it good or bad?""You won't like it," I wasn't going to start lying."Just say it," he murmured.I took a deep breath."I checked the accounts of the four establishments three times; the downtown café, the Italian restaurant, and the hardware store all add up perfectly, but the Salamanca café, umm, is missing a bit.""How little is 'a bit'?" my words seem to unsettle him."20.""20 dollars, cents. 20 what?""20 thousand," I murmured."20 thousand isn't a little, Margaret.""Well, then
Reconciliation and DinnerNikolay"Do you want to go for dinner on Wednesday at Heatman? They have a show and then dinner," Margaret nodded, with a big smile.She liked the idea. "Good job, Nikolay, you're on the right track.""I would love to," she accepted with a big smile and a beautiful blush on her cheeks.Truth be told, I really liked this woman, and her scent had me on another planet."You smell divine, Margaret."She squeezed my arm, and I fell at her feet; I wanted to kidnap her and never let her go.The whole thing with my mother had been more or less resolved, but it had made it clear who my wife was and that she would agree with my decisions, not hers.Of course, she didn't like it much, but she accepted my terms somewhat reluctantly, and I decided to tell my wife what had happened, leaving her very happy and apparently forgetting that she wanted to kill the damn accountant.I had to take care of that matter, and traveling without my wife was not my favorite pastime, but I
She's Only MineWe said goodbye to Sasha; I wanted to have Margaret all to myself, enjoy her company, and then make her mine until dawn.I loved that innocent look on her face. I pulled her close to my body, longing to immerse myself in her.I opened the car door for her and got in afterward, taking her soft, small hand in mine."Margaret, you look beautiful," she gave me her fabulous smile with perfect teeth."So do you," she said, flirtatiously.I couldn't hold back any longer; I pulled her onto my lap, craving to touch her, because she's a drug I'm already dependent on. Screw everything else!"I want you close, Margaret," I kissed her hair, and her soft fragrance filled my senses. "You smell divine.""I've been looking forward to seeing you, Nikolay," she said, and I smiled ecstatically."Not more than me, baby," it was true.Desperation had been my companion these days. I saw her dilated pupils and she slightly parted her lips.God, her mouth.Unable and unwilling to resist, I tan
“I love her”I hugged her tightly, and she reciprocated."Margaret Queen, you drive me crazy," I kissed her tenderly, as if she were a unique, fragile piece of glass, because she was unique.Her warm, soft kisses became so delightful as we touched each other, filling us with desire.She slowly unbuttoned my shirt, and instinctively I tensed, hoping that the darkness within me would fade away to receive her, my angel of light.When she touched that forbidden area on my body, all I felt was a desire to continue and bring her to ecstasy. The fear of what was to come diminished as I caressed her breasts and forgot about my dark past for a moment.She wrapped her delicate hands around my neck and pulled me closer, deepening the kiss, causing me to groan into her mouth.Damn, I was harder than ever in my life.She stroked my hair, and I trailed down her delicate neck, my fingers tracing the neckline of her dress until I reached the clasp. I only broke our kiss to look into her eyes, enchant
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