CHAPTER FIVE

ZOEY

I am Alexei Pushkin.

Those four words hung in the air like a revelation, shattering my already fragile grasp on reality. The chaos of the gunfight raged around us, the club's once-sultry atmosphere now transformed into a battlefield. But amidst the violence and danger, my mind struggled to process the unbelievable truth.

"What the fuck? Did he just say he was Alexei Pushkin?" I muttered to myself, my voice trembling with disbelief.

The enigmatic stranger who had captured my attention, the man I had been conversing with just moments ago, was none other than the infamous mob boss himself. It was a revelation that defied logic, a twist of fate that I could never have imagined.

As the gunfight continued to unfold, I found myself torn between shock and a strange sense of attraction that I couldn't quite fathom. Alexei Pushkin was not a man to be trifled with, a fact that had been driven home by his earlier warnings about the dangers of crossing paths with him.

Yet, as I watched him move with calculated precision, his every action a testament to his skill and expertise, I couldn't deny the undeniable pull I felt toward him. It was a conflicting and confusing sensation, one that I couldn't quite unravel in the midst of the chaos.

The gunfight itself was a chaotic dance of violence and survival. Bullets flew through the air, and the acrid scent of gunpowder hung heavy. People screamed and scrambled for cover, their fear palpable.

But amidst the chaos, Alexei and his men were a force to be reckoned with, their movements coordinated and deadly.

I stole glances at Alexei whenever I could, unable to tear my gaze away from the enigmatic mob boss. He was a formidable presence, a man who commanded respect and fear in equal measure.

But as the minutes stretched into an eternity, I couldn't help but wonder what had drawn him to The Velvet Shadow on this fateful night.

As the gunfight raged on, I knew that there would be no opportunity to ask him the questions that swirled in my mind.

The truth about Alexei Pushkin was more complex and enigmatic than I could have ever imagined, and as I watched him navigate the chaos with a calm resolve, I couldn't deny that I was inextricably entangled in a world of intrigue and danger.

The deafening chaos of the gunfight gradually faded into the distance as Alexei Pushkin and I made our escape. He had pulled me with a firm grip, steering me toward a sleek black Range Rover parked discreetly nearby. The vehicle felt like a sanctuary, a world away from the violence we had just left behind.

As the engine roared to life, a heavy silence settled between us. I couldn't tear my gaze away from the man beside me, the enigmatic mob boss whose true identity had left me reeling. The enormity of the situation weighed heavily on my mind, and a million questions vied for my attention.

Alexei finally broke the silence, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "Are you going to continue staring at me or will you say what is on your mind?"

I blinked, realizing that I had been lost in thought, my eyes fixed on his profile. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "Why didn't you tell me you were Alexei?"

He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Would it have made a difference?"

I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. "Of course, it would have made a difference! You're not just anyone; you're a mob boss, a dangerous man. I had no idea what I was getting into."

Alexei's lips curled into a wry smile. "And yet, you chose to stay by my side during the gunfight. You didn't run."

I sighed, unable to deny the truth in his words. "I didn't have much of a choice at that moment. But now, I need answers. Why were you at The Velvet Shadow? Why didn't you tell me who you were?"

He leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "I have my reasons for being there, and my identity is not something I share lightly. I live in a world where trust is a rare commodity, and revealing my true self can have dire consequences."

I frowned, my frustration mounting. "But I deserve to know the truth, especially if I'm going to be involved in this investigation."

Alexei glanced at me, his eyes filled with an intensity that left me breathless. "You want the truth? Very well, but be warned, the truth is not always what it seems."

Despite Alexei's warnings and assurances, fear still coiled around my heart like a serpent. The dangerous dance I had entered with the mob boss could lead to consequences beyond my wildest imagination. But a fire burned within me, a flame of curiosity and tenacity that refused to be extinguished.

As the city lights blurred into a tapestry of colors outside the car window, I turned my gaze toward Alexei. His profile was a study in contrasts—calm exterior, piercing eyes that held secrets. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.

"You may think you've warned me, but I won't be scared off so easily," I declared, breaking the lingering silence in the car.

Alexei's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. "I never expected you to be scared off. Stubborn, perhaps, but not scared."

His acknowledgment of my tenacity stoked the flames of determination within me. "I need to understand why you were at The Velvet Shadow. What's your connection to that place?"

Alexei sighed, a heavy exhale that seemed to carry the weight of years. "The Velvet Shadow is a neutral ground, a place where deals are made, and alliances are forged. As for my connection, let's just say it's a business of mutual benefit."

I leaned back in my seat, studying his face for any sign of deception. "Mutual benefit? What does that even mean?"

He glanced at me, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "It means I have my reasons for being there, just as everyone else does. You'd be wise not to dig too deep into matters that don't concern you."

His warning lingered in the air, but it only fueled my determination. "Everything concerning you concerns me now. You can't expect me to walk away after what I've seen."

Alexei's jaw tightened, a subtle sign of the conflict that simmered beneath his composed exterior. "Curiosity can be a dangerous trait. There are things you're better off not knowing."

The cityscape outside the car window transformed as we entered a quieter neighbourhood. My mind raced, grappling with the complexity of the situation. I knew I was treading on thin ice, but the need for answers drowned out the voice of caution.

"Tell me Alexei Pushkin. Who are you really?" I demanded, my voice edged with urgency.

He remained silent for a moment, and then he spoke, his voice low and measured. "Alexei Pushkin is a name that holds power, and power is a currency in my world. It's a name that commands respect, fear, and loyalty. But it's also a name that carries burdens and shadows."

His cryptic response only fueled my curiosity further. "Burdens and shadows? What are you hiding?"

The car slowed to a stop in front of a nondescript building. Alexei turned to me, his eyes holding a gravity that left no room for doubt. "This is where our paths diverge. You won't find what you seek, and the shadows you're chasing may consume you."

Before I could respond, he opened the car door, gesturing for me to step out. The night air was cool against my skin as I exited the Range Rover, and I turned to face him.

"I won't stop until I have the truth," I declared, my voice unwavering.

Alexei offered a small nod, his expression unreadable. "Then prepare for a journey into darkness, for the truth you seek may not be the truth you find."

As the Range Rover pulled away, leaving me standing in the quiet night, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just taken a step into a world where secrets and shadows held dominion, and the enigmatic figure of Alexei Pushkin loomed like a spectre on the edge of my reality.