ZOEY
I couldn't believe how much fun I was having. It felt like forever since I enjoyed myself like this. And to think, I never knew Alexei had this side to him.
Seeing him smile was a rare treat, and I soaked it all in, knowing it might be short-lived. Once we're back home, he'd probably go back to being the intimidating Don.
I turned to glance at him as he drove, and he looked adorable. Honestly, Alexei was easily the most handsome man I had ever come across.
Alexei's profile was like something out of a dream. His jawline was strong and defined, giving off a rugged charm that made my heart flutter.
The way his dark hair framed his face added to his allure, and those piercing eyes of his held a mysterious intensity that could make anyone weak in the knees.
There was an undeniable grace in the way he carried himself, a mix of strength and elegance that made him stand out.
In simple terms, he was the
ZOEYHand in hand, we made our way back to the path that led us to the waterfall. The serene atmosphere of that magical place was etched into my memory, and I knew it was something I wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon.Gratitude swelled within me for Alexei, who had brought me to this tranquil haven. In that moment, I needed the peace and calm atmosphere more than ever.We strolled back along the familiar path, the sound of our footsteps mixing with the distant murmur of the waterfall. The moonlit night accompanied us, casting a soft glow on everything around.The experience at the waterfall lingered in my mind like a cherished melody. It was a moment of serenity and beauty that I desperately needed.Alexei's thoughtfulness in sharing this hidden gem with me made my heart swell with affection.As we walked, the world seemed quieter, more peaceful. The worries that had been gnawing at me earlier felt distant, rep
ALEXEIMy main concern was for Zoey as I wished to shield her from any harm. The adrenaline surged through my veins, my senses on high alert, calculating each move with precision.Zoey's whimper cut through the chaotic symphony of gunfire. "I don't want to die, Alexei."I turned to her, my gaze softening. "You won't, little sparrow. I won't let anything happen to you." The determination in my voice was as much for her as it was for myself. I couldn't afford to lose her.The car continued its relentless pursuit, bullets pinging off the bulletproof windows. I took a deep breath, assessing the situation. We needed a plan, and fast."Zoey, hold on tight," I warned, my eyes focused on the road ahead. I accelerated, weaving through the narrow streets with practiced precision. The pursuing car followed relentlessly, its occupants relentless in their pursuit.Zoey's grip on the seat tightened, and her eyes were wide with fear. "What
ALEXEIAfter ensuring that Zoey was in a deep sleep, I quietly slipped out of our room and made my way to the office. There, I found Yaz and Viktor waiting for me. We were all concerned about how Zoey had handled the recent attack."How's she?" Yaz asked, genuine concern etched on his face.I wearily slumped into the chair in front of the mahogany table. "She was scared," I admitted, I recounted the events of the attack as soon as we arrived home."Anyone in her shoes would've been scared," Viktor chimed in, understanding the gravity of the situation.Turning my attention to Yaz, I asked, "Do you have Pavel's location?"Yaz nodded. "He knows you're coming for him, so he's hiding out in a motel down south.""Does he have any men with him?" I prodded further.Shaking his head, Yaz replied, "It's suspicious, but he's alone.""It could be a trap," Viktor warned.I nodded, acknowledging the possibility. "Viktor, I need you on standby. Yaz and I will check him out, and if it turns out to
ALEXEII maintained my stern expression, studying Pavel's every move. The room was tense with anticipation as I contemplated the best way to handle the situation."Why were you after us?" I demanded, my voice unwavering.Pavel hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's business, Alexei. Nothing personal."I scoffed at his attempt to downplay the severity of his actions. "Attacking me and my wife in the dead of night doesn't seem like 'just business.'"Yaz, standing by my side, added his own remark. "You picked the wrong man to mess with."Pavel glared at us, a mixture of fear and resentment in his eyes. "You've become soft, Alexei. Too attached to your little family."I clenched my jaw, suppressing the anger building within me. Family was a sore point, and he knew it.Before I could respond, Yaz stepped forward. "Enough of the chit-chat. Where is he?"Pavel's eyes darted nervously between Alexei and me in confusion. "Where is who?"The tension in the room was palpable, and I could
ZOEYTime seemed to slip away as Alexei delved deeper into his plans to take down Mikhail. His days were consumed by strategy meetings, covert operations, and endless preparations for the impending confrontation.Despite his overwhelming schedule, Alexei always made it a point to check in with me. Whether it was a quick call, a brief moment together over breakfast, or a stolen kiss before he disappeared again, he ensured that I felt his presence amidst the chaos.Lately, I've been feeling off, waking up either sick or exhausted every day. I didn't want to bother Alexei with my problems, so I kept it to myself. Today, he left early before I woke up, and I decided to freshen up and change into comfy clothes before heading downstairs.In the kitchen, Olga was at work. "Good morning, Olga," I greeted with a smile."Good morning, my girl. How was your night?" she asked."It was good. What's cooking this morning?" I inquired.
ZOEYThe shock was evident in her face until she pulled me into a tight hug, and despite the awkwardness, there was a sense of warmth that washed over me."Come in, come in!" she exclaimed, leading me into her home.As we settled in the living room, her laughter seemed uneasy, almost forced. "I never imagined you would come see me first," she said, her tone uncertain."Why didn't you come to me when you learned I was your daughter?" My words came out harsher than I intended, but the frustration and confusion were overwhelming.She seemed taken aback, unable to meet my gaze. "Because I did not know what to say," she finally admitted, her voice trembling.I couldn't hide my confusion and frustration. "Excuse me?" I demanded, feeling a mix of hurt and anger."What did you expect me to do when I learned that my daughter, who I thought was dead for almost half of my life, was actually alive?" Her tears mirrored the p
ZOEYWe sat in the car for a moment, the weight of the recent events hanging in the air. Viktor seemed to sense that I needed a distraction."So, do you want to grab some coffee or something?" he suggested, trying to lighten the mood.A small smile played on my lips. "Coffee sounds good. Let's go."As we entered a nearby café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us. We found a quiet corner, away from prying eyes and ears.Sipping on the warm beverage, I took a moment to collect my thoughts."You've been a great help through all of this, Viktor," I said, breaking the silence.He grinned. "Well, I do try my best. Friends stick together, especially in the midst of mafia drama and long-lost mothers."I chuckled, appreciating his attempt to inject humor into the situation. "Yeah, you've been a solid friend. I don't know what I would do without you guys and Alexei."Viktor raised his cup
ALEXEII've been feeling uneasy all day, second-guessing whether I should've gone with Zoey to see Anastasia. But deep down, I know giving her space was the right call. She needed that time to reconnect with her mother, and I trust Viktor to watch over her.Meanwhile, our plans to take down Mikhail have hit a snag. The warehouse where he's holed up is heavily guarded, and we've been struggling to find a way in. We've been studying the place for days, waiting for an opening to strike.Yaz just came into my office with his laptop. "Any lead?" I asked him.He nodded. "Yes. Pavel finally spilled something useful. Turns out, there's a secret entrance that only a select few know about. If you look here," Yaz pointed it out on the map—a subtle blue dot indicating a hidden passage. "It looks a bit invisible to the eye but if you look deeply, this blue dot here indicates a secret passage.""Why didn't Pavel spill this so