Moral conflictsWhen I woke up the next morning, I acted on autopilot.I dressed in that dark silk dress Nikolay had prepared for me, matching dark and suggestive lingerie, and high-heeled shoes as usual.I was surprised to still be alone in the room, or so I thought, because when I entered the bathroom, I saw Nikolay with a towel around his waist, drying his hair with another towel. Water dripped down his strong back, and a shiver ran through me.I quickly moved away before he noticed me and sat at the vanity. I had to calm down and divert my thoughts to other things. Yes, that's it.I started to do my makeup and hair, and then Nikolay came out of the bathroom, fortunately already dressed. I sighed in relief to see him in a suit, and it amused me to watch him struggle with the tie."It seems like you're feeling better," he seemed somewhat nervous, "I insist, I apologize for yesterday's hit...""Forget it, Nikolay," I replied quickly and coldly."It won't happen again," he promised.I
A monster "You haven't done anything," he said seriously.“I am your damn bait! I couldn't be at ease. How could he?”“And now you work for me. You should be grateful.” He cornered me against the wall, looking at me sternly.“I'm not grateful to you, because if I'm doing this, it's not for you or for me, it's for Mike…” I snapped dryly, knowing my words didn't please him.“It's the least you owe me. Let's go.”I followed Nikolay's orders and left the building with him, heading towards his vehicle. I assumed we were going to his house. On the way, I thought about everything I had seen and experienced that day.I couldn't understand how a person could enjoy being immersed in such a dangerous world. Until I met Nikolay, I thought people were good, and society made them bad, but killing for pleasure seemed to me the most despicable and cowardly thing.Nikolay killed people; he was a dangerous man, and my brother and I were now under his control. Of course, if my brother were a decent an
A new mission "Please don't. I don't want a scumbag like Nikolay to take away your innocence all at once," he pleaded."Mike, relax," I tried to comfort him, but he pulled away somewhat agitated."He's a damn pig, and I don't want...""Mike, the other day we couldn't talk much, and I have many questions," I told him very seriously."Go ahead...""How did you get into this world, how did you meet Nikolay?"He snorted, looking frustrated."The third time I came to Russia, I already had some friends," he shook his head. "One of them advised me to work for Nikolay, said I would make a lot of money, and I didn't hesitate."I felt a chill run down my spine.“And what happened next?”“I had to make a payment to Nikolay, but they stole the money from me. I explained it to him, but he showed no compassion,” he finished explaining, quite upset.“He's a monster,” I said firmly.“Has he done anything to you?,” he looked at me extremely worried.I shook my head, but Mike glanced me up and down, se
A woman with characterSure, he could have anyone he wanted, but... oh, I'm getting tangled up in my thoughts...I didn't want to dwell on it, there was nothing to think about, so I chose the outfit for that night and, after Nikolay's approval, went to shower and change.For this occasion, I chose a dress in golden tones with dark embellishments that ran from one side of the body to the other. I selected matching accessories and decided to style my hair in a braided updo.Once ready, I faced Nikolay's appreciative gaze. He smiled eagerly and offered me his arm, to which I didn't know how to react."Come on, Margaret... I don't bite," he teased."It's true, you do worse things," I retorted."Bury the hatchet just for tonight, okay?" he asked, seeming sincere."I have no other choice. Let's go," I sighed.Finally, I accepted the arm he offered, and we left the house, realizing how beautiful and large it was. I wondered where we would go for dinner and with whom.The chauffeur took us in
Mistrust, jealousy and a proposalAnother thing I didn't understand was why I felt so out of place when that woman flirted with Nikolay, and her shameless attitude boiled my blood. I shouldn't be upset; Nikolay had been with many women, and she was probably one of them, but...None of this made sense.When dinner was over, and I sat back in the car's seats, I felt much better.I took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of the leather that always relaxed me, but I became nervous again when I felt Nikolay's gaze on me."I apologize for making you go through this," Nikolay said condescendingly."Don't worry," I sighed."I'll give you advice. You should learn to control your impulses," he said serious this time."It's not that simple," I rolled my eyes."I don't want you getting into trouble that I can't get you out of," he said with a grimace, trying to reason with me."I don't need your help, Nikolay," I sighed again, as I wasn't going to give in on that."What worries you?" the Russian
TrapI placed my hands on his shoulders to stand on tiptoe and kissed him. I did it delicately, surprising myself with how convincing I wanted to be with Nikolay, making him fall into my trap.He took me by the waist to deepen the kiss, and I felt like I was on cloud nine.I hadn't forgotten how skilled Nikolay was in these things. I just hoped I wouldn't regret this trap someday because if he found out, I would be dead without a chance to protest.I shivered at that thought, but Nikolay attributed it to the caresses that were making me tremble. Almost without realizing it, we were already on our way to his room, almost naked.By the edge of the bed, we fell with a gentle movement, while Nikolay started kissing and biting my neck, making me sigh helplessly.I figured it was my moment to show him how serious I was about making him believe that I wanted to go through with this. I stroked his strong back as if my life depended on it, then reached his bare buttocks, feeling them to my tou
See Mike "I'm doing it for you," I frowned."It's not worth it, Margaret." He shook his head disapprovingly. "What you need to do is escape, and if they kill me, it doesn't matter. You'll get over it."I clenched my teeth with anger."Are you serious? I've already lost two very important people in my life, and I'm not going to lose you too." I exclaimed loudly. "In fact, we'll escape together, and I have a plan for that.""What? A plan?""Yes, and in fact, I started it tonight." I took a deep breath.My brother looked at me almost alarmed. It even seemed like he had frowned, despite being in the dark; I could sense it."I hope that plan of yours isn't to sleep with Nikolay to soften his heart because he lacks that organ," he said gruffly."Do you have a better idea?" I raised an eyebrow."Nikolay will get tired of you and leave you stranded..." he began, but I interrupted, annoyed."Do you think I don't know that? I don't care! If I sleep with him, I'm not doing it willingly, believe
Sex classesNikolay I never would have imagined that a woman would ask me for what Margaret asked me. At least not in the way she did.She looked so innocent, so fragile... but I also knew she was a woman of character, and if I accustomed her to me, if I taught her everything a man liked, she would be capable of carrying out the missions I sent her on much better.However, making love to Margaret was one of the most wonderful things I could have imagined. She was truly beautiful as a woman, but also as a person.I even felt guilty sleeping with her because I felt like I was taking advantage. But when I was inside her, the world seemed to stop.I didn't know what was happening with her, but I was starting to become obsessed.I worried about her when she cried or disappeared, felt jealous when another man looked at her with desire, thought about her all the time, and sometimes seemed to forget that she was my archenemy's sister.Mike and I started off getting along very well, but he be
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