(Flashback)It was the second day of their marriage, and although he should have been devoting himself to his newly-wedded wife—treasuring her, adoring her, losing himself in her allure—he was ensnared in a pressing matter that demanded his immediate attention.The two members of his crew had been brutally murdered, their decapitated bodies delivered in cardboard boxes as a part of their latest shipment.“I just had a word with the Morozov brothers. They don’t know anything about this.” Dimitri supplied stoically.Ivan pursed his lips then flicked his hand, asking his men to take away the bodies. He turned to head back to his office. “Isn’t this funny that they never know anything about anything? Last time when they sent the lesser orders, it was the exact response from their end.”“You think they are lying?”Ivan paused, glancing over his shoulder. “It’s your job to find that out, isn’t it?”“Right,” Dimitri mumbled, nodding. “I’m on it.”Once alone in his office, Ivan barely had a c
(Flashback)Ivan’s movements were so swift that Ana almost thought that maybe she was hallucinating.“Ivan…” A gasp slid off her lips when she felt his hand wrap around her throat. He squeezed, almost viciously, as his mouth bore down on hers. Her gasp was replaced with a groan as she felt her breast pop free of its confinement in her bra. The cups of her bra were still in place, but Ivan’s strong fingers had deftly plucked the material out of the way to expose her breasts.He had told her to be naked, but she had been shy and didn’t follow through with his demands. She thought she had angered him when he stalked toward her like a predator, but she soon realized that her rebelliousness had excited him even more.Her fingers curled around the headboard as his mouth trailed down her neck, leaving a hot, burning path in its wake.“Ivan, are you mad at me?” She all but whispered, panting even though they had barely started.He pulled himself away from her briefly, blowing hot breath acros
(Flashback)From a distance, Ivan observed as his sister introduced Ana to her circle of friends.The atmosphere was one of celebration—a reception party orchestrated to embrace Ana into the fold of the family. Although Ivan harbored an innate aversion to such gatherings, he understood the importance of this event for Ana. Moreover, the chance to showcase her as his wife was an intoxicating satisfaction he couldn’t resist.Truth be told, he felt an immense sense of pride to have her by his side.Just a year ago, if someone had posed the question of whether he would marry a woman whose father had inflicted substantial losses on his reputation and power—a man who, in his estimation, deserved the most brutal and ruthless demise—he might have reacted with disdain before dismissing it with a laugh.But life had its own way of surprising him. Ana had entered his world, turning his preconceived notions upside down. She was like a fresh breeze in the midst of his chaos, bringing with her a ne
(Flashback)“If you spit out another poison about her, I swear to God, Mom, I won’t ever step into this place again!” Ivan’s voice boomed, reverberating against the walls of the room.Ana stood just outside the room, her heart pounding as she strained to make out the words being exchanged within. Ivan’s voice, laced with anger, cut through the air like a sharp blade, and her curiosity combined with the right share of concern pushed her to listen closely.Her brows furrowed, confusion gnawing at her. What could be the reason for this heated clash between her husband and his mother? She had felt the tension building in the household lately, but the exact cause remained a mystery.The matriarch’s retort was more subdued, but laced with a venomous undercurrent. Ana strained to hear her response, but her words were lost in the shuffle of emotions echoing within the room.She glanced down the corridor, contemplating whether to intervene or not. She wanted to stand by Ivan, but she also unde
[IVAN]When a knock falls on the door of my home office, I’m almost taken aback to find Ana actually listening to me for once.I can’t help but wonder what’s behind this change. It shouldn’t have been so easy to convince her to meet me like I wanted.A nagging thought creeps into my mind, suggesting that she might have her own agenda in complying with my request.I can’t wait to find out.I lean back into my chair and prop my elbows on the armrests. It makes a squeaky sound, while my eyes remain fixed on the woman still standing at the door.“You called,” she says, her facial expression devoid of any emotions.Little does she know that no matter how much these past few years have changed her, deep down, she’s still the same Ana. I can tell when she’s trying to hide something or keep her emotions in check, and right now, she’s doing exactly that. It’s a game we’ve played many times before, a game that I’m very good at.I gesture towards the chair opposite mine. “Please, have a seat.”S
[ANASTASIA]The moment I reach my room I shut the door and press my back against it.My heart pounds inside my chest as if it’s ready to break out of it.I close my eyes and try to shake off the conversation I had with Ivan out of my head.But it proves to be an impossible task.Especially when I’ve done something that I’ve never done before.I hit him.I did.I look down at my hand, still feeling the sting from the impact.They are trembling…my whole body is.I can’t believe I let myself get so worked up.Ivan’s words had cut deep, and I let my anger get the best of me.But the worst part is, deep down, a small part of me enjoyed it.The rush of adrenaline, the feeling of power…But only for a few seconds before I am back to being myself.I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts.This is not who I am. I am not a violent person. I’m not Ivan.My eyes are welling up for the reason I don’t understand.Or maybe I do. I can’t tell. Not right now.No. I have to be strong. I have to be
[IVAN]I can tell Tatiana is intrigued by me, and I can’t help but find it amusing.Even after Ana tried really hard to get our little girl to play outside and not bother me (she might as well have said I am the monster who eats kids for breakfast, lunch and dinner), my adorable daughter keeps coming back to me.Sometimes she hides behind the curtains, peeks at me through the windows, or even checks through the keyholes, as if I wouldn’t hear her laughter and giggles.Every time she’s around, I can sense her curious eyes on me, and she doesn’t seem like someone who gives up easily. My daughter, for sure.I don’t plan to give up on us either. By hook or crook, I’ll win Ana’s trust back, and then there will be nothing breaking us apart. I’ll have my woman and my kids, and I’ll do everything I can to make things right, even though I know Ana won’t make it any easier.But no matter how much she acts like she doesn’t care, has moved on, or could be better without me, I won’t take no for an
[ANASTASIA]I know it’s a trap.It has to be.There was nothing so straightforward when it came to Ivan. For as long as I have known him, he never shied away from lying or buying his way in or out of any situation. He would buy off anyone with money, and if someone wasn’t ready to sell their loyalty or compromise their principles, he would use their fear against them to get his work done. But no matter how much someone tried, there was no escaping Ivan once he set his eyes on someone or something.And right now, I know without a doubt that his vicious eyes are set upon me and my kids. If he has decided to make us the family that can only exist in his fantasy, he will do anything for that to make it happen. He will use every trick in the book to manipulate me and my kids.And I can’t let that happen.I can’t let him win.Perhaps that’s why when he tells me that there’s something in his nightstand that I might be interested in, I know exactly what he’s trying to do.Honestly, does he re
[NIKOLAI]Once we finally get to his office, Konstantin takes his seat behind the desk and raises an eyebrow. He looks kind of pissed, but not enough to end me right here and now.He might have the power to do that and carry on with his day as if nothing happened, but I know in my gut he won’t. He made a promise to our parents that no harm would come to me. And if there’s anyone I know who keeps their word, no matter the circumstances, it’s him. My very own, very infuriating brother.“So,” he drawls, leaning back in his chair and propping his legs up on the desk, crossing them at the ankles. “What do you want to talk about?”I don’t sit in the chair in front of me; instead, I start pacing the room. I glance around and find it exactly how our father designed it. Not a single thing has been changed or moved. It’s like walking into a museum of old memories.“I want to challenge Madam Volkova,” I say, almost expecting him to scoff.But he doesn’t. Instead, he tips his head to the side. “Wh
[NIKOLAI]I hang up the phone and stare hard at the ground.“Fuck you, Dimitri!” I growl, clenching the phone tighter and huffing out a heavy breath.The bastard has the audacity to make me responsible for everything that happened to Ana and Ivan. But is it? Am I really the one to blame?I look away, peeling my back off the car and slipping inside.I put my hand on the steering wheel, unable to shake his words from my mind.Shit. If only I had known the consequences of my actions, maybe this day would have never come. Maybe Ana would still be safe, and Ivan would still be breathing on his own, not with the help of some fucking machine.“Fuck!” I punch the steering wheel, growling louder.I turn the key in the ignition and drive away from the motel. I’m not sure if what I’m about to do next is the right choice, but it seems like the only option I have left. I can’t go back to Madam Volkova after my fallout with her, and Dimitri doesn’t seem interested in having me by his side either.I
[DIMITRI]I storm out of the building and light a cigarette, unable to think of anything else.I breathe in the smoke and then blow it out, hoping it will take away the stress pressing on my chest, making my lungs incapable of doing their job.I don’t know what to do anymore. Ana is finally awake, which is good news, of course.But what the hell do I tell her when she wakes up next time and asks the same questions all over again? How do I give her the answers that are sure to crush her?Maybe I’ve developed a new weakness these days—maybe falling in love makes you a fucking weak asshole—but I can’t seem to bear seeing that woman cry. I just can’t.It fucking stabs me right in the throat to see those tears streaming down her face, to see that fear in her eyes that seems to linger around her whenever she asks about Ivan.I take another big breath of smoke and then drop it, crushing it under the tip of my boot.“Fuck!”My phone rings just then. I thank God for the fucking distraction and
[ANASTASIA]“Mommy!”One word, and my heart shatters into a million pieces.Before I even turn my gaze to the door, warmth floods through me, and tears well up in my eyes.My little girl comes running into the room, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail bouncing with every step. Her eyes are sharp, excited, and filled with so much love. Her face is a canvas of every emotion I’ve ever seen her wear in my entire life.I don’t even realize it, but my arms open on their own, my chest aching to feel her little heart against mine.But just when I think she’s about to jump onto the bed and throw herself into my arms, she stops and stands there with her hands behind her back, her little legs fidgeting as she looks up at the doctor, her small eyes seeking some kind of permission.I suppose the last two months have changed a lot. My daughter, who used to storm in and out of any place she wanted, now suddenly looks afraid of hurting me.Tears race down my face. I wipe them as quickly as I can,
[ANASTASIA]“How long was I out?” I whisper, lips trembling. “How long was I unconscious?”Lena, now standing in front of me, looks like the words are stuck in her throat. She swallows thickly and squeezes my hand, a sad smile playing on her lips.“Two months,” she says, but it feels like she’s talking about someone else. “You’ve been in a coma for two months.”This can’t be true. It can’t be.Tears burn my eyes. My heart feels like it’s on fire. “What the hell do you mean by that? How can I be… how is that even… I can’t… I mean… this can’t be…”I don’t even know what I’m trying to say, but I know I don’t believe her.Frustration grates beneath my skin. “Just call Ivan. If he says the same as what you’re all saying, then I’ll believe you. Just call him, Lena. Where is he anyway? Shouldn’t he be here? Sitting next to me, taking care of me? He promised he’d never leave my side again. He promised, Lena. He fucking promised.”“I know,” she sobs, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
[DIMITRI]A week later, we both sit in the car and stare at the huge gates ahead.“This is it, I guess,” she says softly, for the first time not so eager to talk about leaving.It’s strange how the last few days changed everything. They changed me. Who would have thought an asshole like me could ever fall for an angel like her? Nadia is an angel. She’s the most beautiful, pure-hearted, a little fiery, but the best of the angels out there. In fact, if you ask me, she’s the only angel out there.My angel.I let out a sigh. “Yep. This is it.” I turn to look at her and can’t help grabbing the back of her head, pulling her in for a kiss. A long, deep, and passionate kiss. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her—her lips, her body, everything about her. “I’m going to miss you like hell.”She grins, her pale blue eyes twinkling, her stubborn blonde curls escaping the trap of her knitted cap. “I’ll miss you like hell too. In fact,” she brushes her nose against mine, “I think I’m going to mi
[NADIA]I’m not sure what to say.And if I look like someone who has been slapped across the face with a hand as cold as ice, then maybe I do look like that person, because apparently, I feel like that person.Every word coming out of Dimitri’s mouth is like slap after slap.But not in a bad way, of course. More like a slap of surprise. Or shock. Or whatever I’m feeling right now that has no name.“What did you say?” I can’t help but ask. There’s still a chance I heard that wrong. Never before has Dimitri talked about my Uni of his own free will. So, to think he not only brought it into the conversation but also seems happy about it is a little hard for me to believe.He gives me a look—of course, he does—but doesn’t try to argue. “I said you’re going back next week. They’re expecting you to continue your semester and sit for the final exams.”“But what about my attendance? I’m way behind—”“It’s been taken care of,” he says, but the smug look on his face is scary as hell.I tilt my h
[DIMITRI]I should’ve known my words would get twisted like that. And of course, it would end up hurting my woman in the worst way possible.But God knows that wasn’t my intention. I just have a crude way of speaking and often forget not everyone can take it. It’s an old habit, one I need to work on changing.I cup Nadia’s face, wiping her tears with my thumb. I should be comforting her after everything she just blurted out, but instead, I can’t help it—I start laughing. I can’t stop until she looks up at me like I’ve completely lost it.Her eyebrows snap and her lips upturn in a deep frown. “You think it’s funny?”“No!” I shake my head, meaning it, but laughter simply bubbles out of me. I turn around to take a breather, and when I think I’m in better control of myself, I turn back around to face her.Only to find her gone.Whatever lingering smile on my face dies right away. “Nadia?”I glance toward the door and see her rushing out of the room.“Shit!” I bolt after her down the hallw
[NADIA]After getting another round of hot sex out of our system, with both stayed sprawled out on the carpeted floor of his office, with me using his arm as a pillow.I sigh. “I can’t believe the kind of stamina I suddenly have.”Dimitri chuckles, the deep sound vibrating through my entire body. “And I can’t believe I get to make love to a woman without her screaming within five minutes how she can’t handle someone like me.”I turn over my stomach, resting my chin on his chest. “Really?”“Yep!” He says, casually, entwining my fingers with his and kissing the tips of each one. “You’re the only one to never have complained about anything. Not even my ugly face.”“Hey,” I shush him, placing my finger on his lips. “Never say that again.”He quirks up a brow. “Why? You want me to say I’m fucking beautiful instead.” He rolls his eyes.“You ARE beautiful,” I say, more stubbornly because he seems to be in the mood to not take me seriously. I can tell. I sure as hell can. “Sure, you have scar