ELVIS POVThe thumping bass from the party faded the moment we found an empty bedroom and stepped inside. She closed the door behind us and left us in a sudden, almost eerie silence amplifying the faint buzz in my head from too much drink.She turned to me and before I could say anything, her lips were on mine again. I let myself go with i. Her hands slid over my chest, working at the buttons of my shirt, and I awkwardly tugged at her top in return.As she backed me toward the bed, her lips trailed from my jaw down to my neck. I should have been into this but I wasn’t. My heart pounded, not with excitement but with a creeping sense of dread.As she unbuttoned my pants, I swallowed hard. All I could think about was Oleg and my father standing in the room, judging me.I couldn’t do it.“Wait,” I said, my voice cracking. I stepped back, sitting on the edge of the bed as she froze, mid-motion.“What’s wrong?” she asked, her brows furrowing.I couldn’t look at her as I forced out the words
OLEG POVAfter storming out of my father’s office I forced myself to push the conversation out of my mind. It had played out exactly as I expected, pointless. I barely had a moment to breathe before I was back in that same office, this time surrounded by his most trusted men. We went over the deal, the negotiations, the expansion, and every move that would solidify our power. Hours bled together until the day was gone. By the time we called it a night, it was 2 a.m.I showered, changed, and tried to rest. But sleep never came.All day, my mind had been consumed by business. But now, only one thought remained,” I needed to see my brother”.Viktor.I got dressed, grabbed my keys, and left for the hospital without hesitation. I always went alone, with no security and no driver. Most times, it was at midnight to avoid drawing attention and keep unwanted eyes away. The drive from my father’s mansion was thirty minutes, a route I could take in my sleepAs I neared the hospital, that famili
OLEG POV“What problem, and how bad is it?” My voice was steady. My eyes, however, remained on my brother.A shaky breath came from the other end of the line. A mistake.“We… we lost track of Elvis Andreyev.” His voice carried the tremor of a man who knew he was about to die.“What the hell do you mean by that?” I asked with the last shreds of my patience.My attention shifted from Viktor for the first time since this call began. We were certain he was home last night since he was last seen earlier this evening. But then… his father arrived, and abruptly, there was chaos over his whereabouts, he stumbled over his words as he answered.I went still. The silence between us thickened as I checked the time it was around 4 a.m. here, which meant it was around 6 a.m. there. If he was still missing now, that meant he hadn’t been home all night.As the realization fully sank in, I uttered."WHAT?"The chair scraped against the floor; careful not to disturb my brother, I strolled out of the ro
OLEG POVNadia and I knew each other too well. In truth, our bond was stronger than either of our relationships with our older brother or father. But of course, I wasn’t the only one who had once been close to that two-faced rascal.If I searched my memories, I’d remember that my sister and Elvis were even closer, given they were only a year apart. She was naturally too headstrong for her good, and wouldn’t have listened to me. If anything, it was only a matter of time before she reached out to him.The real question was what had they talked about, and was it tied to his disappearance? But she seemed unaware and pressing her for answers would be pointless. I needed answers from someone else. I pulled out my phone and dialed a direct line to someone I had placed near Elvis for situations exactly like this. A few beats passed before it was picked up, but instead of an immediate report, I was met with the distant hum of voices, laughter, and loud music."Why is there so much noise?" I
ELVIS POVAs I stepped out of the room, I stole one last glance at the lady lying there, her breaths slow and even. I didn’t know her name, her number, or even if she went to my school.” Yet, somehow, I had revealed things about myself I never should have.The realization hit me like a ton of brick as I drove home, my head still pounding from the hangover, each turn of the wheel forcing the truth deeper into my mind.A small part of me felt relieved she was still asleep, I didn’t want her to get a good look at me. Truth be told, I couldn’t even remember her face. The haze of liquor, the dim lighting and the way the night had blurred together were all a mess in my head. I told myself it was mutual with her but that wasn’t what worried me the most. It was the flood of missed calls I woke up to.None of the men assigned to watch me had been at the party. Not even Pavel. That alone sent alarm bells ringing in my head. He wouldn’t have let me stay out all night. Pavel was many things, a
ELVIS POVA storm of conflicting emotions churned inside me. My father despised wasted time, especially in places that held no value for me. If he had known I was at a party, he would have torn the entire place apart without a second thought. Yet, he hadn’t, I pondered the possibilities, carefully weighing my options.he fixed me with an intense stare, his lethal voice slicing through the silence.“You don’t hesitate when I ask you a question, remember?” His tone was clipped. “Do you need me to remind you, boy?”I stiffened, my pulse spiking. “I was at—” I faltered, “The library.”The lie slipped out before I could stop it, the only excuse I could grasp in that split-second of panic. That excuse had always worked before. As the son of Mikhail Andreyev, I had been raised with a strict set of rules where perfection was the bare minimum.His lips curled into a mocking smile. “And you didn’t think the penthouse was convenient for that?” he drawled, baiting me and waiting for me to slip. B
ELVIS POVAfter slipping out of Montenegro unnoticed, my father and I, accompanied by a few men, boarded a commercial flight to Russia. It felt strange even after years of traveling by private jet. Meanwhile, the rest of our men dispersed separately, each making their way.Upon landing, a few guards, dressed as civilians silently led us to the waiting SUVs, our luggage already loaded. I slid into the backseat, Pavel taking the passenger seat beside the driver, while my father rode in the car ahead.Shifting slightly, I unfastened the top three buttons of my shirt, letting the fabric loosen just enough to reveal a sliver of my bare chest. I wasn’t sure what look suited my return, but I settled for this along with pants. My hair, now back to how my father preferred, had been styled into a wolf cut, though I had tied it into a messy bun to keep it out of my face.As the convoy moved, I cracked the tinted window just enough to let Moscow’s crisp air drift in. It carried the warm scent of
ELVIS POVI had no idea how to react, so much had changed between us that I could only manage an awkward greeting. Just before I got a word out, Luca lunged forward, enveloping me in a crushing embrace, only after making sure our mother was securely seated in her wheelchair. The sight of her in that condition struck an aching chord in me. "I was worried about you, but damn, look at you!" he said, his half-smile deepening the dimple on his right cheek as he stepped back. His gaze roamed over me, absorbing every change. "More muscle, extra pounds, and taller too." His comment pulled a reluctant grin from me.Luca and I were fraternal twins, yet we were entirely different beyond our basic sibling resemblance. I had always been the larger one at 6’1”, while he stood around 5’10”. His lean build was a contrast to mine which though slender, now boasted defined muscles with my slim waist accentuated by my medium-built shoulders, honed by the rigorous training I underwent in Montenegro. His
ELVIS POVUpon realizing it was Oleg I was clinging to, a chill coursed through me despite his warmth. Sweat slicked my palms as my heart hammered violently, threatening to give out. All the emotions I thought I'd buried sprinted back in a single breath. In the face of what Oleg had become, I felt utterly insignificant.I had assumed I was the only one who had changed. But Oleg looked almost unrecognizable, carved, and hardened by time. As if my touch had burned him, he shoved me away with such force that I sprawled onto the pavement with a loud thud, as though I were nothing more than a clinging pest. his rejection felt like a bullet to my chest, though I didn't know what I was expecting.For years, I lived in constant vigilance, haunted by nightmares of the day Oleg would come to end me. Yet, despite everything, a small foolish, selfish part of me clung to the hope that somewhere within him remained a fragment of the boy I once knew, with whom I had shared memories. however, the w
ELVIS POVAmidst hushed voices, we silently boarded a fleet of Rover golf carts, the lair's mode of internal transport, which guided us toward the Cuisine restaurant.Though cars were permitted, my father deliberately chose this understated entrance, likely aiming to publicize my return and dispel circulating rumors. I couldn't help but snort inwardlyThe restaurant was no ordinary one; functioning as a secure stronghold for confidential meetings, fortified with bulletproof walls and loyal staff. Any act of betrayal within its confines would result in the eradication of one's entire lineage.Upon our arrival, Father commanded, "Remain here and hold your heads high. I'll summon you when necessary," with that he disappeared into a private room, leaving my brothers and me in the main area.The crowd paid little attention to us, engrossed in their meals and discussions. The atmosphere here was slightly less unnerving."Speaking of which, I'm famished," Luca's voice broke through my though
ELVIS POVHis other hand tightened around my throat like a slow game. At first, it was almost playful until it gradually pressed deeper, squeezing the air out of me. I couldn't even see the expression he wore in the darkness, which only intensified the Panic that gripped my chest. One hand broke free from his grip, clawing at his hand on my neck, but he didn’t budge."O...L...EG…” I choked out in desperation, but it only seemed to amuse him further. My body grew weaker, the sounds around me muffled, and I heard my very soul being called from the other side.“Elvis! Hey, Elvis!”The voice cut through the haze, jerking my body violently to reality. I bolted upright with frantic gulps of air. My hands clenched the damp sheets beneath me, my skin clammy, my clothes from the night before drenched in sweat. Disoriented, I scanned the now-brightening space, realizing it was morning. my eyes darting around in search of Oleg or any potential threat. The taste of fear was still thick in my t
ELVIS POVI had no idea how to react, so much had changed between us that I could only manage an awkward greeting. Just before I got a word out, Luca lunged forward, enveloping me in a crushing embrace, only after making sure our mother was securely seated in her wheelchair. The sight of her in that condition struck an aching chord in me. "I was worried about you, but damn, look at you!" he said, his half-smile deepening the dimple on his right cheek as he stepped back. His gaze roamed over me, absorbing every change. "More muscle, extra pounds, and taller too." His comment pulled a reluctant grin from me.Luca and I were fraternal twins, yet we were entirely different beyond our basic sibling resemblance. I had always been the larger one at 6’1”, while he stood around 5’10”. His lean build was a contrast to mine which though slender, now boasted defined muscles with my slim waist accentuated by my medium-built shoulders, honed by the rigorous training I underwent in Montenegro. His
ELVIS POVAfter slipping out of Montenegro unnoticed, my father and I, accompanied by a few men, boarded a commercial flight to Russia. It felt strange even after years of traveling by private jet. Meanwhile, the rest of our men dispersed separately, each making their way.Upon landing, a few guards, dressed as civilians silently led us to the waiting SUVs, our luggage already loaded. I slid into the backseat, Pavel taking the passenger seat beside the driver, while my father rode in the car ahead.Shifting slightly, I unfastened the top three buttons of my shirt, letting the fabric loosen just enough to reveal a sliver of my bare chest. I wasn’t sure what look suited my return, but I settled for this along with pants. My hair, now back to how my father preferred, had been styled into a wolf cut, though I had tied it into a messy bun to keep it out of my face.As the convoy moved, I cracked the tinted window just enough to let Moscow’s crisp air drift in. It carried the warm scent of
ELVIS POVA storm of conflicting emotions churned inside me. My father despised wasted time, especially in places that held no value for me. If he had known I was at a party, he would have torn the entire place apart without a second thought. Yet, he hadn’t, I pondered the possibilities, carefully weighing my options.he fixed me with an intense stare, his lethal voice slicing through the silence.“You don’t hesitate when I ask you a question, remember?” His tone was clipped. “Do you need me to remind you, boy?”I stiffened, my pulse spiking. “I was at—” I faltered, “The library.”The lie slipped out before I could stop it, the only excuse I could grasp in that split-second of panic. That excuse had always worked before. As the son of Mikhail Andreyev, I had been raised with a strict set of rules where perfection was the bare minimum.His lips curled into a mocking smile. “And you didn’t think the penthouse was convenient for that?” he drawled, baiting me and waiting for me to slip. B
ELVIS POVAs I stepped out of the room, I stole one last glance at the lady lying there, her breaths slow and even. I didn’t know her name, her number, or even if she went to my school.” Yet, somehow, I had revealed things about myself I never should have.The realization hit me like a ton of brick as I drove home, my head still pounding from the hangover, each turn of the wheel forcing the truth deeper into my mind.A small part of me felt relieved she was still asleep, I didn’t want her to get a good look at me. Truth be told, I couldn’t even remember her face. The haze of liquor, the dim lighting and the way the night had blurred together were all a mess in my head. I told myself it was mutual with her but that wasn’t what worried me the most. It was the flood of missed calls I woke up to.None of the men assigned to watch me had been at the party. Not even Pavel. That alone sent alarm bells ringing in my head. He wouldn’t have let me stay out all night. Pavel was many things, a
OLEG POVNadia and I knew each other too well. In truth, our bond was stronger than either of our relationships with our older brother or father. But of course, I wasn’t the only one who had once been close to that two-faced rascal.If I searched my memories, I’d remember that my sister and Elvis were even closer, given they were only a year apart. She was naturally too headstrong for her good, and wouldn’t have listened to me. If anything, it was only a matter of time before she reached out to him.The real question was what had they talked about, and was it tied to his disappearance? But she seemed unaware and pressing her for answers would be pointless. I needed answers from someone else. I pulled out my phone and dialed a direct line to someone I had placed near Elvis for situations exactly like this. A few beats passed before it was picked up, but instead of an immediate report, I was met with the distant hum of voices, laughter, and loud music."Why is there so much noise?" I
OLEG POV“What problem, and how bad is it?” My voice was steady. My eyes, however, remained on my brother.A shaky breath came from the other end of the line. A mistake.“We… we lost track of Elvis Andreyev.” His voice carried the tremor of a man who knew he was about to die.“What the hell do you mean by that?” I asked with the last shreds of my patience.My attention shifted from Viktor for the first time since this call began. We were certain he was home last night since he was last seen earlier this evening. But then… his father arrived, and abruptly, there was chaos over his whereabouts, he stumbled over his words as he answered.I went still. The silence between us thickened as I checked the time it was around 4 a.m. here, which meant it was around 6 a.m. there. If he was still missing now, that meant he hadn’t been home all night.As the realization fully sank in, I uttered."WHAT?"The chair scraped against the floor; careful not to disturb my brother, I strolled out of the ro