Chapter 66ArielThe force of the cold water splashed on my body jolted me from my drug-induced sleep. My eyes fluttered open, but it met utter darkness which reminded me that I was still blindfolded.I slowly raised up my head from the tilted position it was in and winced at the soreness of my neck.Loud footsteps drew closer to me and I shivered in fear, struggling to untie my hands. The cloth was yanked off my face and a bright light shining from the incandescent bulbs in the room struck my eyes painfully. I gasped for air and drew in a deep breath then looked around. Summoning a little bit of courage, I yelled to whoever cared to listen. "Let me go this minute. You won't have it easy if you don't do as I say," Darting my gaze around intently with the hope of seeing my captor, I yelled again. "Show your face if you aren't a coward,"A shrill chuckle reverberated in the room and then a sigh followed.I passed a cursory glance around and noticed the speakers that were hung in differ
Chapter 67DmitriThe drive to the bar where I'd asked Fedor to wait for me was the longest I'd ever had. All through my journey to the place, my heart was in my throat and my body trembled slightly at the thought of what could be happening to her right now.Regret and guilt gnawed in my chest knowing that I'd pushed her out of the house with my crazy attitude.Though she'd cheated on me, right now I was willing to forgive her.A sigh of relief crossed my lips the moment I got the bar and parked my car properly. I hopped out and dashed into the small downtown bar that barely had any customer.Fedor was seated at the first table and he waved at me the moment our eyes met. "What happened?" I reiterated as if he hadn't summarized the full details before. "How could you have allowed her to go out without your knowledge?" Rage rose within me as I planted my fist on his face.He stumbled off his chair and held onto the affected part of his face, kneeling down with his face bowed. "I'm sorr
Chapter 68ArielA horrified gasp flew out of my lips as my chest became bare before them. I struggled to cover the exposed part of my breasts with my thighs but the man who tore my blouse held them firmly."My name is James and trust me, baby, I'm going to give you the craziest orgasm you've ever had," He grinned cynically while I fought the urge to tell him that he couldn't even match Dmitri's mouth game."I don't want an orgasm. I want to leave this place. Please, let me go," My emotions took over me and tears gathered in my eyes.James trailed his fingers through my cheeks while his other hand worked on his belt. "Aww, I love it when women cry for me and I can't wait for you to cry harder when I pound into you like a raging horse. Girls like you love it rough so you don't worry, you'll get it all from all of us," He blurted and then it dawned on me that he was a psycho.My body shuddered involuntarily and I shut my eyes, hoping that I could become unconscious so that I wouldn't ha
Chapter 69DmitriAmidst the surprise, I called Armen and he answered immediately. "Ariel is missing. Send the men to search the streets, bars, and abandoned warehouses. Every fucking place in Seattle and beyond. We must find her tonight and I don't care how you're gonna go about it," I ordered with an impatient husky tone."Yes, Capo," He replied sharply and the line went off.The neighborhood was a quiet one and it would take a while before the police got here and found the dead bodies, but I didn't risk being found there so I took her phone and went to my car.I hated myself the more as the minutes went by. I was disgusted at how careless and callous I'd been and right now I was ready to give anything just to go back to the past and right my wrongs.If only I could be given a second chance. Sadly this wasn't a magical world where anything I wished could happen in a matter of seconds. If Ariel didn't survive this I'd be forced to live with the brunt of my mistakes for the rest of
Chapter 70DmitriI sat quietly, my head bowed in anticipation of Ariel's present status from the surgeon. Amidst that, I thought of everything that I could have done properly if I wasn't blinded by rage and jealousy.However, my pensive mood was intruded upon by the click of heels that made its way toward me. I raised my head and my heart further plummeted as I stood up to meet them.The fact that Ariel's parents were here for a not-so-good reason made me bitter. The last time we met it was for celebration, and I'd hoped that it would continue to be that way."Good evening, Mr and Mrs Scuderi," I stretched my hand forward for a handshake.He regarded my hand hesitantly and I expected him to ignore it, but then he shook it firmly while his wife approached me and embraced me warmly.My eyes became misty when her arms around me gripped me hard and then I broke down. All these while, I'd put up a tough front and acted as if I was impregnable, but what had it done for me?My whole world w
Chapter 71ArielMama's eyes bored into mine as I licked my lips and gulped. My throat was parched and I scrunched my face at the soreness I felt after swallowing while wondering when the doctor would show me mercy and allow me to take a cup of water."Are you alright, my child?" Her voice was soft and melodic, soothing all the build-up of heartache and trauma I experienced in the past two days.I shook my head and gulped again in preparation for my response."Please, don't talk if you aren't up to it," She suggested and gently lowered herself to the space on the bed.Feeling too helpless on my back, I hoisted myself up and Mama drew nearer to help me sit up properly. "Of course, I have to talk. There are several things I have to say, but where is Dad?" I spoke slowly.She regarded the door for a moment and sighed. "He's with the doctor and I guess he went to look for Dmitri as well. We have all been searching for you,"I snorted in irritation. "Why is he looking for me?" I muttered
Chapter 72Dmitri I stood in front of my penthouse, staring absentmindedly at the colorful pattern of the neatly arranged flowers that beautified the facade. My mind strayed into a deep array of thoughts as I traipsed into the house with a heavy heart. Liora dashed toward me immediately I appeared in the doorway as if she had been expecting my return. "Daddy," She screamed in excitement while I swept her off her feet and held her tightly. I'd been so engrossed with finding Ariel that I relegated my daughter to the background. It wouldn't happen again though. Once Ariel returned, I'd ensure that they would never have the chance to miss me. "Hey, baby," I pressed my lips against her cheeks and proceeded to pepper her whole face with kisses. She slid down my body and dragged me to the sofa. "Sit down, Dad. We have a lot of things to talk about but first, where's Mommy?"A knot tightened in my stomach and I looked away, unable to meet her prodding eyes. She tugged at my arm consist
Chapter 73ArielGuilt gnawed in my chest at my selfish act but the peace of mind that filled my heart since I absconded from the hospital overshadowed it.Once again Guilia came to my rescue. I wouldn't have been able to succeed without her help. Before the time Dmitri came into my ward, I'd considered coming to Chicago with my parents, but after he came, I realized that my plans to leave might not be successful if I included my parents.So I did what I was good at doing which was running away and I'd never felt more at peace.The only person I missed was Liora. We had already bonded strongly and I hoped to see her once again, but right now, I had to focus on healing both physically and mentally.Guilia and I were in a cabin that overlooked a sparkling blue lake in a remote area that belonged to Raphael. She'd chosen this place since it was quite remote and no one would suspect me to be there.She stoked the fire and brought down the window blinds while I sipped my coffee."Are you s
Chapter 98ArielTWO MONTHS LATERI stood before Dmitri with the priest holding a book in his hands. A petal dropped from the canopy of flowers that was used as a roof to shield us from the harsh rays of the sun.And Dmitri beamed at me with the brightest smile I'd ever seen as we renewed our vows to each other in the presence of my parents, Vladimir, Liora and a few important Bratvan members.He reached for my hands and squeezed them tenderly, peering into my eyes. "A year ago, I was bittered by the fact I'd be getting married to a woman whom I barely knew anything about. We met for the first time unconventionally and your sassiness strengthened my dislike toward the idea of marrying you. I continued to console myself with the fact that the alliance would help solidify the gang and our trade, but what I never knew was that the marriage was arranged to make me a better version of myself,"His voice cracked as he paused and I began to wonder when he became this emotional.I leaned clos
Chapter 97DmitriAriel should have been here with me to say goodbye to the last phase of our trauma, but her body suddenly started acting up this morning, and after what happened three days ago, I admitted her for a general body check."Wait, Dmitri," Anya's raspy voice stopped me from taking any further step out of the ward.She'd be locked in here until the psychiatrist decided that her mental health was back to normal. At least, it was better than living in guilt for the rest of my life.I spared her a backward glance, my eyes roving through her pale face. How did I go from being madly in love with this woman to feeling nothing for her?"What do you want from me?"Her hands had to be chained to the metal rail of the bed after she made two attempts to escape from her ward this morning. I couldn't have her doing more damage to my family so the doctor and I decided on forcefully restricting her to a place."I'm sorry," She sighed, running her tongue over her lips. "Can I have thirty
Chapter 96Ariel Anya smirked. "Who else do you think it was?"Dmitri's eyes shimmered with tears. "I loved you so much, Anya. Why didn't you just tell me who you were?"She sunk her ass on the edge of the chair and shrugged. "I was scared that you'd break up with me if you found out so I faked my death. The plan was to watch you from afar and make sure you were alright. I didn't want a woman whom I couldn't control to be around you so I sent Margaret to watch over you, fortunately, she was indebted to me,""Don't you think you need to visit the hospital? Who sends a woman to fuck their man?""I do," She flashed her teeth vilely. "The plan was going smoothly until you decided to get married to this bitch and fall for her. I couldn't bear it anymore and then I thought to come back and get my man. It's that simple,"Dmitri paced around the room in frustrated struts, while drawing in shallow breaths to control his anger. "I have a question for you, Anya, and I want you to answer me trut
Chapter 95ArielIt was another chill morning for me to experience different kinds of emotions while everyone went about their day peacefully. The worst part was that I couldn't follow Dmitri around as I wanted.His work was just too violent and unsafe and we couldn't tell the next enemy who'd waylay us and use me as bait.The drama playing on the television was too chaotic for me to follow so I turned it off flippantly in a bid to head out. Maybe take a stroll or stop by Cake Treats.The doorbell rang twice and I abandoned my initial plans, hurrying off to get to the door. I placed my eye on the peephole and my heart skipped a beat.Overcome with trepidation, I dashed back to the sofa to get my phone to inform Dmitri about Chiara's visit, unfortunately he wasn't reachable.Back in Chicago, we had a safe house where we'd hide if anyone was in danger, but I couldn't make assumptions and raise an alarm when I wasn't sure of her identity.At least she was here, and I'd get the opportunit
Chapter 94DmitriMy knuckles met on the wooden frame of the door and then I halted for a while, impatiently waiting for the permission to come in. Nikolai and I had never related to each other as brothers so I didn't have access to his house.We fought a lot when we were younger and while I thought that we'd grow out of the resentment we bore for each other, it tripled when I found him banging a girl I liked in high school.I was met with silence so I knocked again and my instincts urged me to open the door. The door gave way and I strolled in, quietly taking in the features of his mansion.I didn't even know he had a mansion here in Seattle.Giggles and murmurs resonated from the staircase to the living room where I was. Then he appeared behind her, spanking her ass while she blew a kiss at him.She froze when she noticed my presence, her eyes bulging in surprise. Nikolai trained a smirk at me, clad in a long black robe that he didn't bother to tie up.His face was quite red, his li
Chapter 93ArielAnger and jealous tears streaked down my cheeks as I palmed my face; my raging hormones spurring the roller-coaster of emotions that rode through me.I quickly wiped the tears off my face when the door made a creaking sound.Shit! How could I have forgotten that Dmitri would be returning home soon? Not wanting him to find me in this embarrassing position, I dragged my panties up to my butt and kept the dildo back in the drawer, leaving the frame on the desk.In hasty and sad strides, I pushed the door open and he waltzed in, his dark orbs scrutinizing my face meticulously. My emotions chose to betray me at that moment as tears welled up in my orbs again."What's wrong, Ariel?" His voice was so soft and soothing."I don't know. I missed you so much," The part where I missed him was partially the truth, but I couldn't tell him that I was grieved about his past.He cupped my cheeks, his thumb wiping off the tear that hung around my eyelid. "I missed you too," He replied
Chapter 92Dmitri "Shoot them," Enzo's gruff voice resonated in the darkness and I lurched forward, falling flat on my stomach as more shots were fired above me. Nikolai single-handedly cleared all the guards that came with Enzo and then the light flickered on. Dead bodies were littered around the room, some of them stacked upon each other like a pack of cards. A deep pain-filled groan caught my attention and I found Enzo, holding onto one of his thighs, the same one I'd planned to explore my artistic carving skills on. A black vest was flung at me and I put it on quickly. As I crossed over to him in slow and calculated strides, he cowered, his body trembling visibly while blood seeped out from the bullet wound on his thigh. "How the mighty has crumbled," I mocked him, reveling in his fear. He flitted his gaze around and the light dimmed in his eyes when he realized that no one was coming to rescue him, just the same way he'd made me feel some moments ago. "Please," His lips qu
Chapter 91DmitriIt was one week already and I was yet to believe that Ariel was in love with me, just as I was with her. My lips stretched wide with a grin spreading over my face; a light chuckle cracked from my throat. Fortunately for Vladimir and me, I wasn't in the driver's seat or our lives would have been under threat without how I was chuckling nonstop. Vladimir spared me a glance, his brows arched. "What's wrong with you man?""I'm in love again, brother. Never knew it would happen this soon," I declared, pressing my knuckles. I was sure that if we weren't on a mission, he'd have parked the car to the side and drilled me of all the details. "Fuck that shit, Dmitri! What did she do to make you this excited about love again? I thought you just wanted a physical relationship with her,""It's hard to not fall in love with a woman who's everything to you. She's carrying my child,"This time he couldn't help but step on the break and floor the gas. "How did that happen so fast?
Chapter 90ArielThe rays from the bright incandescent bulbs fixed on both sides of the room jolted me from my sleep. At least, I wasn't feeling exhausted anymore and my vision wasn't blurry.Forgetting that a cannula was fixed to the vein on the back of my palm, I sat up abruptly and passed a paranoid glance around and realized I wasn't in my room. This wasn't even the queen-sized, plush bed I enjoyed sleeping on every night.It wasn't that the bed wasn't comfortable. I mean it was bigger than the size of most beds in each ward, and maybe a little birdie might have told the nurses whose wife I was, but I wasn't just comfortable being here.Then my mind flashed back to the reason I was here and Liora who was earlier staring at the window, spared me a glance and came to me with a huge smile plastered on her face."Mommy, you're awake. I'll go call, Dad,"I grabbed her arm in shock before she could take another move. "Your father is here?"She nodded with a sweet smile. "I called him on