Chapter 33ArielMy eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and I shook my head instantly. "Wait, Dmitri, you made a pact with your late girlfriend that no woman would ever see your face and now you want to break that vow for me?"Deep down, I desperately wanted to see how he looked without his mask, but his decision didn't sit right with me as I tried to put myself in her shoes."It's my choice, Ariel. Just allow me to do it, besides, I've caught you staring at me several times with the desire to see my face, even that time at the club," He noted and my cheeks turned red. Did he remember that? "Okay," I replied in a still small voice, having no choice but to agree. "Close your eyes," He ordered and I obeyed without hesitation. My lips trembled with expectation as I shut my eyes tightly until I heard my name leave his lips softly. And then my eyes opened to a stunning revelation that caused my jaw to drop and my lips to remain parted for as long as I could remember. I'd expected
Chapter 34ArielWhile marching to the foyer where Vladimir and some of the men were having a conversation, I kept contemplating returning to my room or going ahead to confront him.But with the intense disdain that boiled in my chest, I went ahead with the latter option.His annoying smirk faltered as I neared them and immediately he dissolved the meeting."I need to speak with you," I voiced out with a very harsh tone whilst hoping that Dmitri wouldn't bump into us.I didn't want to explain myself to him. Vladimir folded his arms and shrugged. "I can see that, sister-in-law. So tell me, what crime did I commit now?" He asked nonchalantly, further infuriating me."Why does it have to be her?"He fixed me a blank look and I raised my hand. "No, don't look at me like you have no idea of what I'm talking about. Back at the club, why didn't you push her away when she came to you drunk?" I intoned through gritted teeth. Talking to him with the carefree expression on his face tugged at my
Chapter 35ArielMy fingers trailed along the rail of the baluster as I imagined what Dmitri's reaction to my outfit would be. I doubted he picked my dress himself or he just wanted to show off that he had a gorgeous woman as his wife.My dress was the complete definition of a revealing attire, the length of it was just a deception.The red maxi dress he got for me complimented my tanned skin, and the slit began just above my upper thigh. We hadn't gone out yet and I was already exhausted with trying to keep my thigh hidden.The heels of my black glittery sandal clicked against the tiled floor, steering Dmitri's attention toward me. His eyes scanned my face which barely had any make-up.Guilia was still mad at me so she didn't bother to doll me up, and since I wasn't good at the art, I decided to play safe and apply some foundation powder and nude lipstick.Fortunately, she'd carved my brows the last she did my makeup so I didn't have to do much about that.And when I thought he was d
Chapter 36ArielHeat spread over my body as I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him back with a matching intensity. It was my first kiss ever and I'd always thought that it would be slow and boring, but this beat my imagination. It was lingering and sensual, yet, intense and demanding. The contrast was enough to make any woman go crazy with want.My legs buckled in weakness and my ass crashed onto the table while he held my waist firmly with his hand. I moaned into his mouth, praying that my wetness wouldn't stain the back of my dress. His tongue poked at my lips, and I parted them widely so that he could gain access to my mouth. We explored each other's mouth and I grinded my body against his while at it. And then I melted when his other hand moved from my waist to my ass. He grappled it tenderly while I propped my hands against the table behind me for support. He deepened the kiss and my heartbeat skyrocketed to an unimaginable rate. It was surprising what his kiss and
Chapter 37DmitriHer hair was slightly disheveled and her lips faintly swollen. Her dress was also creased but it was proof of how well I took care of her body.It was so hard to keep myself in check after seeing how gorgeous and responsive her body was, but tonight it was all about her.Our stomachs growled simultaneously and we chuckled. "I'll make you something to eat," I offered quite enthusiastically.Her brows arched in doubt immediately and she folded her hands, her blue eyes staring at me distrustingly. "The great Capo of the Russian Bratva knows how to cook?""I'll show you," A grin spread over my face. A night with her like this had brought me more smiles than I'd ever had in the last six years. I'd lost the will to laugh or engage in any fun-filled activity since Anya died, but being with Ariel brought out a part of me I thought was dead and buried. She slid down the table and stretched her dress. Her hands swiped her bottom and she gasped. "The back of my dress is stain
Chapter 38ArielMy core clenched with each stair he climbed in anticipation of what he'd do to me.We got to the room and took out a key from his pocket and swept it over the fob. My heart pounded hard when we got in and he dropped me onto my feet, brushing his lips aggressively against mine.He tore his red luscious lips away and we gazed at each other passionately; our breaths bursting out in quick pumps. "I don't know what you're doing to me," He admitted, his voice shaky and breathy. My lips curled into a small smile. "You don't even know what you're doing to me," I corrected. "I never knew it could be this intense,"He didn't say anything else but covered my mouth with his in a state of frenzy, backing me up against the wall while his hands roved all over my body fierily. I gasped into his mouth, gobsmacked at the level of chemistry that we shared. It was undeniable and quite scary, and instantly I shoved the negative thoughts aside. Tonight was already going smoothly and I
Chapter 39ArielSettling onto the chair tucked under the dining table with the events of last night flashing into my mind caused my lips to stretch into a wide grin. I didn't care if anyone was looking. To be honest, I yearned for another session of jerking into orgasm this morning. He had gotten me addicted to it. My train of thought was interrupted by the footsteps that steered toward the dining table, and then the squeaking of chairs. In curiosity, I whipped my gaze toward the noise and found an unmasked Dmitri, plopping down on a chair adjacent to me. Immediately, my jaw dropped and my eyes bulged at him in befuddlement. "Your mask, you don't have it on?" I reminded him; my voice shrill with surprise.It was funny how I used to resent him for hiding his face, but after he shared his story with me, I saw him from a different perspective coupled with the kind of things we'd been doing that brought a paradigm shift to our relationship."I won't be using it anymore," He replied fl
Chapter 40ArielThe warm afternoon breeze washed over my skin as I sat at the edge of the pool. I was clad in a short flare skirt and sports bra which gave me the freedom to take a dip in.Liora was still deeply asleep and Dmitri had gone to settle an urgent business that I didn't bother to ask him about. I was yet to come to terms with their kind of business so I didn't get inquisitive even though into one of the families that did such business and my father was one of their heads.Guilia strolled to the pool as well and sat beside me. I looked away, waiting for her to begin the conversation. After how she reacted the other day, I was being careful of the things I said around her."I'm sorry," She whispered, staring at me with misty eyes.It came too easy and I contemplated accepting her apology immediately or giving her a hard time. However, she had been a sweet soul and we'd never had a reason to fight so I chose the former. "You hurt me though. How could you say those mean word
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