"What's the update on Dmitri?" Nicolai lowered himself carefully into the office chair in the safehouse office facing his first lieutenant. The room was a far cry from his sumptuous offices in the city penthouse and in Birch Manor but it would have to do for another few days at least.Sergei templed his fingers under his chin, his expression serious. "Didn't Alessia tell you to stay in bed?""Tfuu! It's a scratch. We have both been through worse. Now, report.""No confirmed sightings yet, boss. Alive or dead. A few of his main lieutenants have been spotted but no word at all on Dmitri." Sergei shrugged. "But we are watching his men. We'll have more information soon."Nicolai scrubbed a hand down his face, his whiskers rasping under his calloused fingers. "I've promised her she can go back to work, Sergei. I need confirmation that he is truly dead. That my bullet found its mark in his heart.""I can't see how he could have survived a close up shot to the heart, boss, but I know what yo
Sighing, she crept to the bathroom and turned on the taps to fill the tub. Soon the bathroom was filled with steam and she slid off her jeans and sweater. She stifled a groan of pleasure as she slipped into the hot water and leaned back onto the soft bath pillow.Alessia sighed contentedly as she settled into the steaming water, the warmth soaking into her muscles and easing the tension that had been building all day. She closed her eyes, allowing the heat of the bath to envelop her completely.Just as she began to drift off, the bathroom door creaked open. Alessia's eyes flew open, her heart leaping into her throat as she instinctively covered her breasts with her arms. But it was only Nicolai, walking slowly and carefully, a pair of silk pajama bottoms riding low on his waist"Moya krasavitsa," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "I didn't mean to startle you."Alessia relaxed slightly, her arms falling to her sides. "It's okay, Nicolai. I just... wasn't expecting you. How are you
Sergei leaned against the wall outside the hospital's emergency department, his keen eyes scanning the area while maintaining a casual appearance. He'd been shadowing Alessia since she returned to work, keeping watch from a discreet distance. The doctor had protested at first, but Nicolai had been adamant about her safety, even with Dmitri presumably dead.His attention was drawn to a familiar figure exiting through the automatic doors - the nurse who had helped Nicolai escape. Taylor. She looked different in street clothes, her honey-blonde hair loose around her shoulders instead of pulled back in the severe bun she wore during shifts. She moved with purpose, her steps quick and confident as she headed toward the parking lot.Something about her intrigued him. Perhaps it was the way she had helped Nicolai without hesitation, or maybe it was how she carried herself - alert, aware of her surroundings in a way most civilians weren't. She had the bearing of someone who had seen the darke
Nicolai stood at the window of his office, his jaw clenched as he reviewed Sergei's latest report. Still no confirmation of Dmitri's death. The uncertainty gnawed at him, making him question every decision, every move. He'd promised Alessia she could return to work, assured her they were safe, but without concrete proof of his brother's demise, the threat lingered like a shadow.A knock at the door interrupted his brooding. "Enter," he called, not turning from the window.Luca stepped into the office, his movements still slightly stiff from healing injuries but much improved. Nicolai could see the young man's reflection in the window glass, noting the determined set of his jaw."We need to talk," Luca announced, his voice steady despite the implicit challenge in approaching the Bratva boss directly.Nicolai turned slowly, studying Alessia's brother. The boy had spirit, he'd give him that. "About what?""About my future," Luca stated, moving further into the room. "I want in. I want to
Nicolai stood in the doorway of his office, watching as Alessia bustled about the kitchen preparing dinner. The domestic scene before him stirred something deep in his chest - a longing for normalcy he'd never allowed himself to feel before. She hummed softly as she worked, her movements graceful and efficient, and he found himself mesmerized by the simple beauty of it all.He thought about telling her about his conversation with Luca, about his concerns regarding her brother's ambitions. But he held back, not wanting to burden her with more worry. She had enough on her plate, adjusting to being back at work while still trying to care for both him and Luca."Are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to help me?" Alessia's teasing voice broke through his thoughts.Nicolai smiled, moving into the kitchen. "What would you have me do, moya lyubov?""You can start by setting the table," she replied, gesturing to the stack of plates on the counter. "And maybe tell me what's b
Sergei watched from the shadows as Taylor left the hospital after her shift, her tired steps carrying her toward the parking lot. It had been three weeks since their coffee meeting, and while she hadn't reached out again directly, he'd noticed her watching him during his surveillance shifts, her expression thoughtful.He hadn't pushed, respecting her need for space while maintaining his protective duties. But tonight something seemed different. Her usual alertness was dulled by what appeared to be exhaustion, and she kept glancing over her shoulder as if expecting someone to follow.As she reached her car, Sergei noticed movement in the shadows - two figures approaching from different directions. His instincts screamed danger, and he moved silently from his position, closing the distance quickly.Taylor must have sensed something too, because she spun around, her hand diving into her purse. But the men were faster, one grabbing her arm while the other pressed a knife to her side."Miss
Alessia woke to find Nicolai's side of the bed empty, the sheets cold beneath her searching hand. A quick glance at the clock showed 3:47 AM. She slid from the bed, wrapping herself in her silk robe, and padded through the quiet apartment in search of him.She found him in his office, hunched over his desk, surrounded by papers and an open laptop casting a blue glow across his tired features. His shoulder was obviously bothering him, evident in the way he held himself and the tight lines around his mouth."Nicolai," she called softly from the doorway. "What are you doing up?"He looked up, his expression softening at the sight of her. "Did I wake you, moya lyubov?""No," she replied, moving into the room. "But I missed you." She came around the desk to stand behind him, her hands gently kneading his tense shoulders. "What's wrong?"Nicolai sighed, leaning back into her touch. "Dmitri is alive."Alessia's hands stilled on his shoulders. "What? How do you know?""His men tried to kill s
The morning brought a flurry of activity to the safe house. Nicolai had called an emergency meeting of his closest advisors, and the living room was now filled with the quiet murmur of Russian voices as they discussed strategies and security measures.Alessia watched from the kitchen as she prepared coffee, noting how naturally Nicolai commanded the room despite his injury. His presence was magnetic, drawing everyone's attention even when he spoke softly. She could see why men followed him, why they trusted his leadership.A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Sergei entered, followed by Taylor, whose presence immediately drew curious glances from the assembled men. She held herself with quiet dignity, her nurse's scrubs replaced by simple jeans and a sweater, but there was steel in her spine as she met their questioning looks."Gentlemen," Nicolai addressed the room, his voice cutting through the whispers. "This is Taylor Petrova, Viktor's daughter. She has information that co
Nicolai sipped his coffee as he gazed out the master suite's windows and watched staff running around like ants below getting ready for today's events. Good. Everyone should be busy. Everything had to be perfect.Today, he would make Alessia his wife.The thought sent a frisson of excitement and nerves through him. After a lifetime of violence and isolation, he had found a modicum of peace, and love. He'd also found a reason to build something beyond his criminal empire. Alessia had become the center of his world, her light guiding him out of the shadows he had inhabited for so long.A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned to see Sergei enter, looking uncharacteristically nervous in his new suit."Everything is almost ready, boss," Sergei reported. "The guests are starting to arrive."Nicolai nodded, straightening his tie. "And Taylor?"A small smile tugged at Sergei's lips. "She's with the doctor, helping her get ready."Nicolai studied his lieutenant, noting t
Nicolai stood at his office window, the weight of Viktor's letter heavy in his pocket. The past weeks had brought revelations that shook his world, yet also cemented what he'd known in his heart - family was everything. Not just blood, but the bonds forged through loyalty...and even love.He turned as Alessia entered, her presence bringing light to the room as always. She moved to his side, fitting perfectly under his arm as they looked out over the city together."I heard the surgeon cleared you today," she said softly. "Your shoulder's fully healed.""Da," he replied, his hand moving to touch the spot where his brother's bullet had torn through flesh and muscle. It was not one hundred percent, still stiff and his strength wasn't completely back but it no longer pained him. The physical wound had healed, but the betrayal still burned."And Boris? How is he doing?""Better. Taylor says he'll make a full recovery." Alessia leaned into him slightly. "She's good at what she does.""Like
Back at the safe house, Alessia and Taylor waited anxiously for news of the operation. The hours ticked by slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity as they worried about the men they cared for.Finally, the sound of approaching vehicles filled the air, and moments later, Nicolai and his men entered the safe house, their faces etched with fatigue but also a sense of relief.Alessia rushed to Nicolai's side, her eyes searching his for answers. "Did you find the weapons?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Nicolai nodded, his arm wrapping around her waist as he pulled her close. "We found them. And we found Dmitri too. He's dead, poisoned by his own hand."Alessia let out a sigh of relief, her body sagging against Nicolai's. "It's finally over," she murmured, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.Taylor stepped forward, her expression grave. "What about the weapons? How do we dispose of them safely?"Sergei moved to her side, his hand resting gently on h
Nicolai stood in the center of the war room, surrounded by his most trusted men. Sergei stood to his right, bearing a fresh scar along his jaw, a reminder of the recent skirmish with Dmitri's men. The air was thick with tension, the weight of their impending mission heavy on everyone's shoulders."Dmitri has crossed a line," Nicolai began, his voice steady and commanding. "His greed and ambition have led him to acquire chemical weapons, intending to use them against not just us, but innocent people as well."A collective murmur of disbelief and anger rippled through the room. The brotherhood had its dark sides, but the thought of using such deadly weapons against civilians was abhorrent even to the hardest of them."We have to stop him," Nicolai continued. "And we need to find these weapons before it's too late."Sergei stepped forward, laying out a map on the table. "Our informants have narrowed down the possible locations of the weapons to three warehouses in the industrial district.
The tension in the room thickened as everyone processed the weight of the decision before them. The stakes had suddenly become much higher than a family feud or a struggle for power within the brotherhood. Thousands of innocent lives hung in the balance. The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone absorbed the gravity of the situation. Finally, Vadim spoke up from his position near the door."We could split into teams," he suggested, his tactical mind already working. "One group to verify the storage unit's contents, another to reconnoiter the warehouse.""No splitting up," Nicolai said firmly. "That's exactly what Dmitri would want - to divide our forces, make us vulnerable.""Then how do we proceed?" Taylor asked, her mind already calculating medical supplies they might need if things went wrong.Sergei moved closer to the group, though his gun remained trained on their visitors. "We need more intelligence before we move. These two can be questioned separately - compare their sto
She strained against the businessman's grip, hoping to attract Sergei's attention. "Let me go! Do you know who I am? Nicolai will have your head if he catches you.The businessman tightened his grip, pulling her away from the cage by the rope that bound her hands in front of her and toward the shadows. "Tais-toi, you foolish girl. Do you think anyone here cares if you scream?"She struggled anew knowing at least one person did. Her eyes locked on Sergei for a brief moment. The figure hesitated, his eyes flicking between her and the men around them. Then, with a subtle nod, he disappeared into the night."Fuck you!" she cried, her voice echoing in the warehouse as she struggled against his, desperate to buy Nicolai's me some time to rescue her from this madness.Suddenly, the Frenchman slapped her hard across the face, and she stumbled, the taste of blood filling her mouth."Salope!" he growled, yanking toward the waiting SUV.Alessia's eyes watered from the pain, but she refused to sh
Alessia's heart sank as Dmitri led her toward a large cage in the corner of the room. The cage was enclosed by thick metal bars and occupied by a group of women huddled together. Their eyes widened as she approached, a mix of fear and desperation clouding their gazes.She was pushed into the cage, the impact sending a jolt through her body. The women shuffled aside, making room for her, and she stumbled into their midst, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The cage was large enough to accommodate them all, but the space was cramped and stifling. A sickening feeling settled in her stomach as she realized these women must have been brought here against their will, just like her.Outside the cage, Dmitri's men continued their grim preparations. Alessia's eyes welled with tears when she recognized some of Nicolai's guards among them, their faces beaten and bruised. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Nicolai, if he was even alive. The cage was lit by a single bulb, its hars
The tension in the room thickened as everyone processed the weight of the decision before them. The stakes had suddenly become much higher than a family feud or a struggle for power within the brotherhood. Thousands of innocent lives hung in the balance. The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone absorbed the gravity of the situation. Finally, Vadim spoke up from his position near the door."We could split into teams," he suggested, his tactical mind already working. "One group to verify the storage unit's contents, another to reconnoiter the warehouse.""No splitting up," Nicolai said firmly. "That's exactly what Dmitri would want - to divide our forces, make us vulnerable.""Then how do we proceed?" Taylor asked, her mind already calculating medical supplies they might need if things went wrong.Sergei moved closer to the group, though his gun remained trained on their visitors. "We need more intelligence before we move. These two can be questioned separately - compare their stor
One night, as Nicolai and Alessia were huddled over maps and documents in the safe house's main room, a sudden knock at the door startled everyone. Sergei moved quickly, pulling out his gun and positioning himself by the door. Nicolai signaled for Taylor and Alessia to stay back as he cautiously approached the entryway from the side where he could not be seen.Sergei peered through the peephole, then waved Vadim to flank him before exchanging a glance with Nicolai who had pulled a weapon but disappeared into the corner shadows before Sergei opened the door. Two men, both dressed in dark clothing and wearing wary expressions, stood on the other side."We're here to see Nicolai," one of the men said, his voice tense, his accent thick.Sergei eyed them warily. "Who are you?""We've come from Dmitri's organization," the other man said, his gaze darting nervously around the room. "We want to defect. Dmitri—he's unhinged. He's going to destroy everything if he's not stopped."Nodding at Vad