Chapter 22ArielThe car rode slowly into the parking lot of the airport and I hissed for the umpteenth time, yawning in exhaustion while I trained my attention on some of the passengers who dragged their luggage into the airline's check-in counter and another set of passengers who sat patiently at the lounge.I didn't bother to check what the others were doing as I was already getting irritated by Dmitri's silence. It was raining rather heavily and I was supposed to be in the attic, enjoying how the rain pattered on the roof and the cool breeze that carried the scent of wet ground since I wasn't sure he'd allow me to play under the rain, but here I was, acting as his escort.Unable to tighten the lid on my curiosity, I asked him the question. "Why are we here again?" I made sure the annoyance in my tone was audible."Just be patient, you'll see,""I don't want to see anything. Why did you drag me out of the house without any explanation anyway? Agreed, I don't have much to do with m
Chapter 23DmitriDown the dark alley in a bar owned by one of my captains, was where the representatives from the Napoli gang agreed to meet with Vladimir and me.Apparently, they were wary of the cops even though I'd assured them that most of them were under my payroll. But I didn't blame them for trying to be thorough after what the cops did to them back in Naples."It's great to have you in my area once again. Let's get into this meeting, shall we?" I smirked and clapped once.The door leading to other rooms behind the bar opened and three ladies seductively cat-walked towards our guests, all of them scantily clad.Vladimir and I exchanged glances and he nodded in satisfaction. The ladies did their jobs, sliding onto their thighs and caressing their chests.The meeting was very important to me and I didn't want anything to go wrong, that's why I went the extra mile to please them.Vladimir cleared his throat and leaned forward. "We requested this meeting because you haven't been d
Chapter 24ArielBeing with Guilia in the past twenty-four hours was like seeing a ray of sunshine on a rainy day. The depression that I heard in her voice when spoke to me on the phone the last time had disappeared and her eyes each time I gazed at them, sparkled with determination and resilience.I wished that she didn't have to see through what she was planning, but I'd seen how adamant she was about the matter and there was nothing I'd say that would change her mind.The only thing I owed her was my support and protection which I wouldn't fail to give.We were both dressed and ready to go out. I opted for a dark blue sleeveless jumpsuit while she wore a two-piece outfit; dragging the skirt to her waist so that her creamy thighs would be properly exposed.Tonight, we were to go to the club and in my mind was a roller-coaster of emotions. Though I was giddy with excitement, I couldn't help the fear reared its ugly head when I thought about the things we would have to do to make our
Chapter 25ArielThe night before, we were busy plotting the perfect way to leave the house without any obstructions and now, which was another night, our hurriedly made plans were being executed.Guilia did a good job in tying up Fedor and locking him inside the basement while I ensured that Irina was having a good night's rest in her room.Getting their drinks drugged was quite a hassle, but I pulled it off fast and now we were more than ready to leave. The only challenge was the guard at the main gate. I didn't take the risk of sedating his drink as it would affect the security of the penthouse. Anyone could come in and harm everyone in their weak state. "The guard, don't you think we should drug him as well?" Guilia asked for the umpteenth time and I fixed her a glare. "No, we can't. Have you forgotten what I told you?"She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. I could see the nervousness in her eyes, but it didn't stop the glow that radiated on her face. She wore a sle
Chapter 26DmitriThe world had stopped moving around us and it was just her standing before me, no one else. Her eyes glimmered with tears and her lips quivered, but she managed to keep her emotions in check by not bursting into tears.Her lips stretched into a small smile and she waved at Margaret whom I intentionally avoided her gaze. I shouldn't have fallen for her charms, but after everything that I'd gone through yesterday I couldn't help it."I'm so sorry to barge into your lovemaking session. It was rude of me," She chuckled, but the nervousness in her voice was very audible and for some reason, I felt guilty. "I promise that no one will hear about this," She made a zip lock sign and turned around to leave.I tried to follow her but Margaret reached for my wrist and stopped me. I knew what would come next and I didn't like it, but I wasn't fast enough to stop her."Wait! Aren't you Ariel?" Margaret asked.Ariel's body went taut instantly and she spared her a backward glance. "
Chapter 27ArielStanding so close to him with his light caresses strangely arousing the butterflies in my tummy after seeing him cheat on me without any remorse caused bile to rise to my throat. I should have asked for an apology, but it would only make him feel as if he was important and he had hurt me.But deep down, I wanted to dig my nails into his face and scar him for allowing me to go through such humiliation. I hated that I was jealous even when I wasn't supposed to be, and it infuriated me the more that my brain had refused to register that Dmitri couldn't love me the way I wanted.Gosh! This was so fucked up."Forget what I said, I think the alcohol is messing with my mind. And I truly don't care about what you do with other women, it's to my advantage after all," I said lazily. He peered down at me, his gaze intense and filled with several conflicting emotions. I'd never been so tempted to yank off his mask and just catch a glimpse of his expression.Why did he have to t
Chapter 28Dmitri"Liora, what are you doing?" I rasped but she wouldn't even look at me, instead, she kept poking at Ariel's thigh until she had no choice but to lift her.I advanced toward them but halted when I saw how watery Ariel's eyes were. She looked very happy and pleased to hold my daughter in her arms like that, and that stopped me from doing what I'd intended. So I resigned to watching both of them keenly, wondering how Liora got so comfortable with Ariel that she had to ignore me. Though she wasn't so used to seeing me with my mask, she should have at least regarded me for a moment. My heart was shattered at her slight betrayal, but seeing her relaxed and calm gave me so much peace. I felt a squeeze on my arm and Vladimir silently nudged me to come along with him. My feet were still glued to the ground as I didn't want to leave her with Ariel whom I didn't fully trust. "Come on, bro. You and I know that Ariel can be everything else but a murderer," He muttered under h
Chapter 29ArielLying side by side with Liora who sleeping peacefully caused my heart to swell with excitement. This was the last thing I expected especially after I'd vowed never go to close to her again.Not because I wanted to stay away from her, but I wouldn't want to be locked up in a basement again and the fact that she was always throwing a tantrum each time I tried to establish closeness was discouraging.I tucked away the bangs covering her forehead and began to input the features of her beautiful face into my memory. Who knew when I'd have the opportunity to be this close to her again?Gradually, my eyelids became heavy and sleep crawled in with the liquor I'd taken in the club taking its toll on me. I took off my shoes and pulled the covers gently over us so she wouldn't be stirred from her sleep.After seeing to it that we were properly covered, I laid my head on the pillow and allowed sleep to claim my consciousness.~~~~Morning came by quickly as my eyes flew open when
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