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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
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2023-12-27 19:15:13ZOEY
My fingers dug into the skin, the pain grounding me as my heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. Alexei's retreating figure, broad and sun-kissed, receded into the twilight, each step a hammer blow to my already bruised ego.
"Shakily" doesn't begin to describe the way my body betrayed me. My legs trembled, the ground beneath them suddenly unsteady. My breath, shallow and ragged, hitched in my throat like a sob I refused to let out.
The kiss, oh God, the kiss. It was a supernova, a collision of galaxies that left me breathless and dizzy in its wake.
No one, not the awkward boys in school or the drunken fools at parties, had ever kissed me like that. Alexei's lips, rough yet tender, had claimed mine with a possessive hunger that sent shivers down my spine. His hands, calloused yet somehow gentle, had cupped my face, tilting it up to meet the storm of his desire.
And
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ALEXEI I was in my office, the heavy oak door framing a picture of stoic control. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows on the bookshelves crammed with leather-bound volumes, each a silent testament to the Pushkin legacy. Yet, I couldn't focus on the crackling flames or the comforting aroma of pipe tobacco. My mind, usually a battlefield of strategic maneuvers and calculated risks, was consumed by the memory of her kiss. Zoey. Her lips, soft and yielding beneath mine, had ignited a fire within me, a wildfire that threatened to consume the carefully constructed walls I'd built around my heart. I poured myself another glass of amber liquid, the rich burn of the vodka offering a poor substitute for the lingering warmth of her touch. My fingers traced the rim of the crystal glass, the echo of her name resonating in the stillness. Little sparrow. The nickname had slipped out, a possessive murmur against her ear, a stark contrast to the cold, calculating persona I pre
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ALEXEIRage pulsed through my veins, fueled by Zoey's infuriating accusations. I barged into my office, the door slamming against the wall. The room felt too small to contain the tempest of emotions swirling within me.Yaz, Viktor, and Ivan looked up from their seats, surprise and caution flickering in their eyes. They could sense the storm that accompanied me."What the hell happened?" Yaz asked, rising from his chair.I ignored him, my gaze fixated on the massive space of my estate. The buildings stood tall and unyielding, much like the chaos within me."Boss, are you okay?" Viktor ventured cautiously.I scoffed, the bitter taste of anger lingering on my tongue. "Okay? No, I'm not okay."Yaz exchanged a glance with the others, unsure of how to navigate the brewing storm."What did she say to rile you up like this?" Ivan asked, breaking the tense silence."She accused me of orchestrating the car bombing
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ZOEYThe past few days have been dull and boring. Alexei has been nowhere in sight since the day he choked me. Every attempt to escape was thwarted by an army of guards stationed everywhere, making freedom a wishful thinking.Even the thought of finding a phone to contact Emma proved futile.Boredom had settled in like a stubborn fog.Today, I hadn't seen or heard from Yelena either. The routine of bathing and changing into suitable clothes was the only break in the dull routine.As I stepped out of my room, two imposing guards awaited me—far less appealing than the ones I'd seen around the estate grounds. One had a menacing scar along his right eye, and the other wore a perpetual frown."Come with us," Scarface grunted."Where to?" I questioned."The boss wants to see you," he replied tersely.W
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ALEXEIThe air was thick with tension as we stepped out of the salon. Zoey's anger radiated like heat waves, and I couldn't help but find her defiance both infuriating and intriguing. She had a spirit that refused to be tamed, and that was both exasperating and exhilarating."Welcome to the family, Zoey," I said, smirking at her obvious discomfort.She shot me a withering look. "Don't get too comfortable, Mr. Pushkin. This marriage changes nothing for me."I chuckled. "We'll see about that."As we made our way back to the estate, Zoey walked beside me with an air of defiance. I couldn't deny the thrill of having her by my side, even if it was against her will. This marriage was a strategic move, a way to bind her to me in a way she couldn't escape.Back at the estate, the news of our impromptu wedding had spread like wildfire. The guards and staff greeted us with a mix of surprise and curiosity, their whispers following us a
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ZOEYAfter the so called celebratory feast, Alexei led me to his private wing in the estate. Though I was angry with him, that did not stop me from marveling at his part of the mansion.It was exquisitely beautiful and breathtaking.But as we entered the private quarters, my mind raced with thoughts of escape. This marriage was a nightmare, and I refused to accept it as my reality. Alexei seemed to revel in his victory, but I wasn't about to play the obedient wife.He gestured toward the opulent room. "This is our new living space. Get used to it."I scoffed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. "I don't need your fancy rooms. And don't get too comfortable thinking you've won."He chuckled, infuriatingly amused by my defiance. "You're a feisty one. I like that."I shot him a glare. "This marriage is a joke. I won't be your puppet."He leaned in, his gaze intense. "You may not have chosen this, but
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ZOEYThe next morning greeted me with an unusual sense of peace. The chaos that typically surrounded me seemed to have taken a backseat, and even spending a whole day with Alexei didn't ignite my usual anger.Surprisingly, I found myself opening up to him about my life with Emma. To my surprise, he listened with genuine sympathy. It wasn't a pity party; I could see a reflection of his own struggles in his eyes when I shared the story of my birth parents abandoning me.Behind the infuriating and annoying Don facade, there was a man battling his own demons.As I looked at the adjoining door, I wondered if he was right behind it. My perspective of him had shifted after our conversation.With a soft sigh, I tiptoed to the door, gently opening it, only to find his room empty. It was the same as the last time I'd been there.Sighing, I returned to my room, had a refreshing bath, and changed into a comfy b
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BLOODSTAINED HEARTS CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
ZOEYI sat there in the cold basement, wondering where Alexei was. He had gone after Mikhail, so I assumed he didn't know Yelena and I were kidnapped.I was so thirsty and hungry, and the cold in the basement was making it worse. Yelena and I huddled together for warmth in the chilly space, but it wasn't enough to ease the discomfort.Yelena, her face full of concern, asked, "Are you okay, Zoey?"I nodded, trying to downplay the discomfort. "I am fine.""Are you sure?" She pressed.I sighed. "Just hungry, that's all." Hunger was gnawing at my insides.Suddenly, Yelena shot up and marched angrily to the door. She started banging on it loudly, yelling for whoever was responsible to let us out. "Hey! Get us the fuck out of here, assholes."Yelena's outburst startled me, and I watched as she unleashed her frustration on the door, demanding answers.I sat on the floor, too exhausted to join Yelena in her futi
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ALEXEIThe room was dimly lit, the air thick with tension as Mikhail's piercing gaze met mine. The moment felt suspended in time, the weight of our shared history palpable in the charged atmosphere.I took a step forward, my eyes never leaving Mikhail's. "You didn't think I'd come knocking, did you?"Mikhail chuckled, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "Alexei, my old friend, I must admit, this is unexpected. What brings you to my humble abode?"I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his feigned innocence. "Cut the act, Mikhail. We both know the game we've been playing."He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Game? This is no game, Alexei. It's survival. And in this world, only the strong survive."I scoffed at his pseudo-philosophical posturing. "Survival doesn't justify the lives you've ruined, the chaos you've sown. You've crossed too many lines, Mikhail."His eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation
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ALEXEIThe pre-dawn darkness hung heavy in the air as I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Zoey. A soft kiss on her forehead was my silent goodbye before I dressed in the attire of my trade – all black, from head to toe. The weight of the leather jacket felt familiar, a shield against the impending storm.I made my way to the office where Viktor and Yaz were already waiting, the air thick with anticipation. I could see Viktor, ever the showman, flexing his muscles."You sure you're up for this, Viktor?" I asked with a smirk.He grinned back, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Born ready, boss. Ready to kick some ass."Yaz chuckled at Viktor's bravado. "Let's hope those muscles are as ready as you claim."We headed to the garage where our men were gathered, a sea of faces that mirrored a mix of determination and uncertainty. As their leader, it was my responsibility to address them, to give them purpose and instill
