Grab some water, we're not done yet...
Alessia stirred from her sleepy haze, the residual warmth of the dream still lingering on her skin. The memory of Nicolai's possessive kiss and the low rumble of his voice sent a shiver down her spine. But as her eyes fluttered open, the reality of the situation hit her. The moonlit bedroom was unfamiliar, the scent of masculine cologne strong in the air.Then, the softest of touches brushed against her core, and she felt the wet warmth of a tongue tease her most intimate place. Nicolai. She was in Nicolai's bed. The realization hit her like a wave of pure desire, and her eyes snapped wide open.The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains allowing only a sliver of moonlight to peek through. She could just make out Nicolai's broad shoulders and the determined set of his jaw as he knelt between her thighs. His eyes were focused intently on the task at hand, and a strand of dark hair fell across his forehead as he leaned in closer.The sensation of his tongue lapping slowly at her core wa
Alessia's pulse quickened as she watched Nicolai's skilled fingers traced the outline of the plug, his touch sending shivers along her nerve endings. She felt a slow heat building within her, a mix of anticipation and desire that made her wet.Gently, Nicolai applied a slick substance to the toy, the cool gel contrasting with the warmth of his touch. On her hands and knees, the sheets slipping against her skin as she fisted them in her fingers, preparing for something she wasn't sure she was ready for.Nicolai must have sensed her uncertainty because he gave her a dark, reassuring smile. "You will take everything I give you, Alessia. I will be gentle, but you will feel every inch. All of your body is mine."With expert precision, Nicolai guided the tip of the butt plug inside her, his movements slow and deliberate. Alessia's breath hitched as the smooth object stretched her, filling her in a way that was both foreign and exhilarating."Easy, moya krasavitsa," he murmured, his voice low
Weeks passed in a whirlwind for Alessia and Nicolai. Every day, Alessia found herself drawn deeper into Nicolai's world, glimpsing more and more of the duality of his nature - the hardened leader versus the calm, the attentive, affectionate man in their quiet, private moments with her.Alessia did her best to navigate her own double life. By day, she was Dr. Rossi, respected ER doctor. By night, she was Nicolai's woman, privy to a world of shadows and power.Her first taste of that power came when Marco, one of Nicolai's lieutenants, stumbled into the ER with a knife wound. Alessia recognized him instantly."Hunting accident," Marco grunted, eyeing her warily.Alessia's lips tightened as she sutured the wound. "I'm sure it was," she murmured. "You should be more careful... when hunting."Word spread quickly after that. Soon, Alessia found herself treating more of Nicolai's men, always after hours, always with discretion. She never asked questions, but her silent competence spoke volume
As their relationship deepened, Nicolai found himself grappling with unfamiliar emotions. The fierce protectiveness he felt for Alessia went beyond anything he'd experienced before. He caught himself thinking of her during meetings, wondering what she was doing, if she was safe. He wanted everything for her. It both thrilled and terrified him.One evening, as Nicolai sat in his study reviewing reports, Sergei entered with a grim expression. "Boss, we've got a problem. I've been hearing whispers about Dmitri."Nicolai's jaw clenched at the mention of his half-brother's name. Their history was complicated and bitter. When their father had shown up at Nicolai's mother's funeral when he was 20 and recognized Nicolai as his son, Dmitri had at first seemed to be happy to have a little brother. The novelty quickly wore off, however, and the resentment had taken over and had now festered for years, even after Nicolai moved his operations to the US. His brother was a dangerous and unstable man.
The drive to Nicolai's country estate was a blur for Alessia, her eyes never leaving his strong profile as he focused intently on the winding road. Nicolai had been reassuring, his thumb stroking her knee back and forth, but she'd been unable to shake the feeling that something was amiss.White Birch Manor appeared before them, a majestic fortress surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests. Alessia's memory of her previous visit sent a shiver down her spine. It had been her first experience being dominated by Nicolai in the bedroom. She'd been shocked at the way her body and mind responded to his roughness. She'd left with a few finger bruises on her body but a big smile on her face. Everything was a new and exciting experience since Nicolai came into her life.As they pulled up to the house, Alessia's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the gazebo at the edge of the river. That gazebo was where it all began for them. Nicolai's strong arm snaked around her shoulders, pulling her clo
Nicolai couldn't help but smile as he approached the chair where Alessia had obviously fallen asleep. The book that had dropped from her hands onto the thick carpet was facedown, its title Twisted Shifters – Four Twisted Romances. One Very Good Time. He picked it up and flipped through the pages, chuckling. Cursed Dildos and AI that came alive indeed. A faint blush dusted her cheeks from the warmth of the fire and he imagined her reading the steamy passages, lost in a world of make-believe lovers.As he settled into the matching chair across from her, he studied her face in the firelight. Her features were relaxed, her eyes gentle beneath long lashes, unlike the intense gaze she fixed on him when awake. The stress lines that so often creased her forehead and the corners of her mouth were absent, giving way to a peacefulness he hadn't often seen. Her lips were slightly parted, and he imagined the softest of sighs escaping them as she dreamed.Alessia's hair was splayed across the armre
Nicolai's mind was full of memories of his brother as he prepared the bath for Alessia. His life had all changed when their father had suddenly appeared at Nicolai's mother's funeral. Nicolai had been twenty, and his world had been turned upside down by the revelation of his true paternity. Suddenly, he'd gone from being an only child to having a half-brother, and their father had shown him an unexpected affection.He and Dmitri had always been so different even as young men --Dmitri so serious and focused, Nicolai wild and unpredictable used to being on his own. Even so, Nicolai had looked up to Dmitri, admired his strength and the power he already garnered in their father's business. He'd followed in his wake, desperate to belong. To be a member of 'the family'. But where Nicolai had been overjoyed to finally know his true heritage, Dmitri had seen his father's attention as an insult, a challenge to his legacy. Their father trying to bring Nicolai into the fold had fueled his broth
Alessia sighed contentedly as Nicolai carefully lowered her into the deep tub, the warm water enveloping her sore muscles. She felt him behind her, his strong fingers working the kinks from her shoulders and back, and she leaned into his touch, reveling in the familiarity of his hands on her skin."This feels amazing," she murmured, closing her eyes and letting the stress of the past few weeks melt away."You're amazing," Nicolai replied, his breath warm against her ear. "Stronger than you know."Alessia's cheeks warmed at the compliment, and she turned her head to capture his lips in a soft kiss. "Thank you. For everything. I know this can't be easy for you, keeping me close while dealing with your brother."Nicolai's hands paused, and she felt his body tense. "It's my job to protect you," he said, his voice strained. "No one will hurt you, Alessia. Not while I'm alive."She turned in the large soaking tub to face him, gripping his wrists. "You're scaring me, Nicolai. What's going on
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