[ANASTASIA] Twelve hours – that’s how long it takes for us to fly to Kazan. Ivan insisted on taking the private plane, and I didn’t mind. The sooner we finished the formalities, the better the chances were for Ivan Jr. to start schooling. To say I’m nervous would be an understatement. I feel much
I listen intently, realizing this is the first time he’s opened up about his past in such a way. It’s a side of him I hadn’t seen before, and my curiosity only deepens. His gaze returns to mine, and for a moment, I see something that wasn’t there before. It’s a fleeting vulnerability, swiftly maske
His lips curve into a smile. Instead of handing me the bottle, he leans in and cups my face with his warm hand. “Yes. We are. But I’d prefer it even more if the fun didn’t involve alcohol.” I shove his hand away, rolling my eyes. I push myself off the seat, trying to reach for the bottle. However,
[IVAN] If I were a good man, I would have used this alone time with Ana as a way to win over her heart. But that’s one thing I’m not. And I don’t need any reminder of all the horrible things I have done to reach where I am. My great-grandfather was probably the last man in the entire Volkov empire
[ANASTASIA] I feel my lips with the tips of my fingers and tell myself it was all a dream. It has to be. There’s no way I would do something so stupid and embarrassing. I would rather try and try dying kicking myself in the butt than do something as imprudent as kissing the man I claim to hate wit
[IVAN] It’s all hazy at first. All I can think about is some woman’s attempt to stab me to death. But the second my vision clears and reality sets in, pushing aside the same damn dream, I realize what I have done. With the muzzle of my gun shoved hard against Ana’s stomach, I lift my gaze and find
[ANASTASIA] Once the plane lands at a private airport, it doesn’t take long for us to move into the cars Ivan’s security had already arranged and drive to the nearest and probably the safest hotel. When I step out of the car, I’m greeted by a tall building that stands out like a sore thumb amid th
[IVAN] I’m hard. Fuck, I’m so hard I could probably drill a hole in a wall if I were to try. But I can’t be that desperate. There’s no other way but to wait while taking care of my needs myself. It’s been years since I made love to Ana. And of course, if it’s not Ana, it can’t be any other woman.
After our fourth round of pure, wild sex, I have nothing left in me. Every ounce of energy drained, I barely manage to pull the sheets over myself before sleep claims me.When I wake hours later, the room is dim, the soft glow of my bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls. My body feels heavy
[NADIA]“You’re here?” I say into the phone, clutching my books tightly to my chest as I glance around. “Where?”“Outside. Meet me when you’re done with your classes.”A wide grin spreads across my face, excitement bubbling inside me. “Oh, I’m done. And even if I wasn’t, I’d still run to you.”Dimit
The Ivan I know is strong. Unshakable. Even in the worst situations, he carries himself with a quiet, effortless confidence that makes you believe nothing could ever touch him.But the man lying in this hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic, looks nothing l
[ANASTASIA]Ever since I woke up after the incident, I have been dying to see Ivan.But now that I’m standing outside his room—where supposedly he had been admitted—, I can’t muster up the courage to push open the damn door.I’m nervous. Terrified. And most of all, unsure.I don’t know if I’m ready
Lena presses her lips together tightly, the color draining from her face until it looks almost lifeless.For a long moment, she doesn’t speak. The silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating. I can feel my heartbeat in my ears, pounding relentlessly, echoing my fear.Why the hell is she taki
[ANASTASIA]The next time I open my eyes, I’m not alone.Lena sits next to my bed, her hand in mine, her eyes closed, as if she fell asleep while watching over me.For the first time since waking up from my so-called long slumber, I look at her carefully. She looks more tired than I’ve ever seen her
[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 m
[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
[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, w