Lorraine Lebedeva"Ms. Preobrazhensky is suffering from TBI, traumatic brain injury. Her current state from the wound is penetrating when the projectile enters the cranium, but does not exit." The doctor explained, as he went through Katina's medical files.Dante squeezed my shoulder out of comfort. I gave him a small smile, and sighed."So, when do you think she will wake up?" I demand. He adjusts his spectacles and clears his throat. "Well, the projectile itself went through the brain, there is injury from both the direct penetration of the brain and from transmission of a pressure wave with high-velocity projectile traveling through the brain tissue. Both bleeding and damage from this pressure wave results in brain swelling, which can also lead to death."I shook my head. "No, you did not answer my question." I complained, crossing my arms."Ma'am..." Dante trailed off.My shoulder's fell in defeat. All I wish is for her to wake up. It's my fault she's battling for her life right
Lorraine Lebedeva"Lora." A sweet voice called out my name, I moaned and shifted in my bed. The voice gently laughs then shakes me, which awakes me.I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was my mother's bright smile stretched across her beautiful face."Freshen up, we are going out in an hour." She announced.I licked my chapped lips and lifted myself up, resting my head on my bed's leather headboard."What time is it?" I asked, my voice coming out raspy. "It's noon." she said before leaning in and pecking my forehead. "I'll wait for you downstairs."She soothed her beige colored trousers before walking away, shutting my bedroom door leaving me in silence.I sigh and purposely drown myself in my silk bed sheets.I just want my birthday over and done with.⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Let me see Lorraine!? " My mother wheedled with excitement.I soothed the sleeveless satin red long dress that touches the floor, it has a deep split between my thighs with a revealing cleavage. I don't have to
Lorraine Lebedeva"Mother!" I screamed.I quickly rushed towards her and placed her head on my thighs.My chest tightened when I saw tears streaming down her face."Mom, mom, no, no don't worry you will be okay..." I sobbed. "You'll be okay." Nodding my head rapidly, I convinced myself that this was a dream. That I should pinch myself awake.She grabbed my hands and kissed it. "Don't worry baby." She whispered, smiling weakly.Blood rushed out of the open wound as the warmth of life was slowly fading away."Mom, no you can't leave me now, not yet..." I gasped for air as the harsh tears flooded my face like a river. "Please." I pleaded, my voice cracking at the end.Mother squeezed my hand tightly as she sobs. "I'm not ready either, my angel. I'm not ready." She sobs and whistles gasping for air."HELP!" I yelled out, hoping a guardian angel will come and save the day. "HELP, PLEASE!!" I yelled out again and moments later I noticed Dante rushing towards us from a distance with a wounde
Lorraine LebedevaGrief has a way of removing you from the world.It comes in little waves, at first they are calming and sometimes they are overwhelming.It's been three days since she died. After that evening, I immediately went home and locked myself in my room.Once in a while the maids would check up on me, even Dante. But what I found funny is that I haven't spoken to my father.We've both been grieving in different ways.He's been cold and distant and I've been depressed or somehow lost.I'm surprised I haven't seen him shed a single tear, they smuggled each other with so much love, so seeing him acting like he was not bothered or that she literally wasn't the love of his life confused me.It was strange even for him.I sat on an arms chair and glazed out the window, a light blanket of snow covered the ground, and armed guards walked around the yard fulfilling their duty. I was all alone, father just left a few hours ago to God knows where.I haven't visited Katina in the hospi
Lorraine LebedevaI paced around in circles in my room. The same question is repeating in my head like an endless loop.If I was my father where would I hide and torture the man I hated the most?I thought of the warehouses but it would be easy for him to escape, it's basically advertising a break in to torture someone as powerful as him.What about one of his safe houses?I scoffed at the idea. That's dumb why would he keep someone hostage at a safe house...It's literally a safe house for a reasonI think deeper all the possible places kept running in my head.Clubs, abandoned buildings, hotels, underground warehouses...Knowing my father–well the decent side of him, he is a very unpredictable man and smart.He will do the most brutal things just for his name to gain infinite power and fear.It was power over anything for him.Then that's when I realized, we have a basement that's always locked.There is a chance father might keep him there.I'll have to confirm that theory before I
Lorraine LebedevaSilence filled between us.I was anxious to see how he would react to what I told him.Would he help me?Would he report me to my father?The answer remains unknown until he speaks his mind."Dante." I called out, anxiety creasing in my veins.Dante looked at me, an unknown emotion swirled in his brown eyes."Lorraine, why are you telling me this?" Is the first thing that left his mouth. I sighed, taking a set at the edge of my bed. "I don't know." I answered truthfully.I actually do not know why I am asking for his help. I just feel like he has the heart in him to help even though he is loyal to my father.Dante crossed his arms deep in thought.We sat like this for the past five minutes, anxious by the minute."If I help you, I will be seen as a traitor and your father will kill me instantly." He explained which was true. It was selfish of me to ask him to risk everything just for me but that is how desperate I am to leave this hell of a house."Dante I know, It's
Lorraine LebedevaI stared at him in disbelief, my hands wrapped around my sore neck, the tears drying on my face."Why the fuck would you do that?!" I questioned my voice cracking midway. I was not scared. I was filled with anger and confusion.Raphaël studied me, his dark eyes softened a hint of guilt forming."I don't trust you." he asserted.My brows pulled together as I glared at him. "I could have left you to rot in that basement but instead I was decent enough to take you with me." I remarked."Yet you were the one who got me locked up in the first place." he proclaimed in a horse deep voice, sending chills trailing down my back."You kidnapped my best friend and injured her." I snarled bitterly.He took a step closer to me. "If you obeyed she wouldn't have been fighting her life in a hospital bed.""If you used your fucking brain, you would have kidnaped me the moment you sneaked in my apartment back in France but clearly poor Raphaël only thinks with his fucking dick and blam
Lorraine Lebedeva"My mother died in my arms."Raphaël did not react whatsoever which made me happy because I did not want his sympathy, I just wanted his help."When?" he asked, his attention focused on me. "On my birthday." I uttered.His eyes softened as he looked into my eyes. His eyes spoke to me as if he understood what I'm feeling."You want my help to find the person who was behind your mothers death?" He trailed off.I pressed my lips together tugging on the bed sheets. Replying with a nod. "Are you ready?" he asked.I did not know what he meant by his question but personally I knew I was ready and I wanted blood.Raphaël caught me by surprise when he pulled me onto his lap. I pushed my brows together. "You are still wounded. I will hurt you." I said.He stroked my right cheek. "You've changed the last time I saw you. You are more - determined to do what you want and hurt." he whispered leaving me speechless."How was I the last time you saw me?" I asked curiously. "You wante
Lorraine Lebedeva5 YEARS LATER"Calm down Lora." Abree exclaimed, she gripped onto my shoulder and forced me face her. "Deep breath in..." she proclaims then takes a deep breath in. I mimic her actions. "And out." she says, exhaling and I did so too.My heartbeat was quick, goosebumps trailing up my spine as my palms sweat from the nervousness."What if something goes wrong? What if I trip and fall? What if I say the wrong words? Wha-" Abree interrupted my panic when she shoved a piece of chocolate in my mouth then turned me around as I came into view with myself.For the first time I felt and looked beautiful.I did not want to style my hair. It was black and long as it grew over the years till it reached my mid-back. My makeup was light as always, my cheeks powered with a rosy colour. My lips painted red and my light eyeshadow made my blue eyes pop with a touch of mascara.The dress runs vertically from the shoulders straight to the floor like a gown a royal would wear. Layers of l
Lorraine LebedevaThe aroma of spaghetti and mince hangs in the air when Raphaël walks into the kitchen.Unbuttoning his jacket, he takes it off while his eyes scan over me. "You cooked?" is the first thing he said to me in 4 days.Raphaël and I have been living together in Italy for the past five months. It has been heaven, but I hated that work got in-between our time we had together. When he left for a business trip for days I would be left home and with me it would be vice versa.These 4 days without him has been awful. I missed him when he wrapped me around his arms. Home did not feel like home without him being near me but I have grown close with the Romano's they have accepted me in like their own. Flavio and I would always hang out whenever I visited the Romano's. Abree and I eventually tolerated each other and grew close over these past few months.I can actually call her my friend.Raphaël's parents treat me like I'm their own daughter which makes my heart melt. They finally
Lorraine LebedevaToday is the day.Just calm Lorraine. You can do this..."Hey..." a soft voice pulled me out of my trance. I lift my head and I meet his gaze. "I'll be by your side okay. Just remember to hold your head up high because you are the queen of the Bratva and will always be my queen." Raphaël reassured me.Warmth filled my chest. Raphaël leaned in, placing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Plus, whoever tries to cross the line with you I will fucking destroy them."I let out a small laugh. "Thank you...?" I trailed off.Once the SUV pulled up in-front of a skyscraper I took the building in aware. I was definitely not expecting this... I must my admit Simeon had a taste for modern architecture.As we pulled into the driveway, I'm helped out of the care even though I can manage on my own. I've given up scolding Raphaël whenever he tried to help with things I'm capable of doing. This man does not listen to me. He placed his hand on my lower back as we walked into the building
Lorraine LebedevaIt was raining.My eyes focused on the grave 16 feet away from me as I sat in the car. It's going to be my first time actually seeing her.I let out a shaky breath and shook of the nervous feeling.Come in Lorraine, you can do this. You have to do this. For her...A week has gone by since the incident with Simeon. Dante tried to escape but Simeon's- my men caught him along the way. I'm going to save him for something special.Raphaël and I agreed that we will not take down the house Bratva instead we will expand the territory and finally sign a peace treaty to end the feud that has been going on between the Russian and Italians. It's time for something new to be born. I will leading the Brava under the knowledge that Simeon has forced me to know. Organized crime groups exist in many countries, but the most powerful groups are Russian and Italian mafia. There is a great difference between origins and predispositions of the Italian and Russian organized crime groups. s
Lorraine LebedevJust as I casually walk by a set of sliding doors, I see a group of men gathering around three parked SUVs. I knew something was up. Simeon was not home, he left five days ago due to an emergency.Just as Raphaël promised, I was on the lookout for anyone who might be sent by Raphaël and I have spotted all five. They are either cleaners or gardeners who were replaced.Josephine and I talked two days ago as she explained the plan for me. Raphaël managed to wreck one of Simeon's biggest shipments of the year from the Irish which cost Simeon over half a billion dollars of stock being stolen. Probably more weapons and illegal substances. That was phase one of the plan. A distraction. Phase two was to swap around the workers for the house so that they could work from the inside and plus with Simeon being distracted no one really pays attention to do background checks with swapped workers. Simeon will be back before midnight as I was informed by one of Raphaël's undercover w
Lorraine Lebedeva"Eat Lorraine." Simeon demands.I didn't bother to look up as my gaze was fixed on my plate filled with chicken and vegetables."I'm not hungry." I mumbled as I used my fork to move the vegetables around the plate.Silence hummed in the air as I felt Simeon's gold stare lasering into me. I slowly lifted my gaze and gawked at him. "You need to eat." he said slowly, more so you could hear the threat in his tone.His annoyance flared, as his pulse slammed in his neck.I forced down the sick feeling by climbing on the table and stabbing him in the eye with my fork. I stabbed a piece of broccoli with my fork and shoved it into my mouth, his threatening gaze on me as the tension rose by the second our anger and disgust mixed together creating a dangerous combo.Tick tock, tick tockThe sound of the clock ringed in my ears, as the atmosphere darkened.The audacity of him, forcing me to sit down and have family dinner like everything is normal and okay. Like our relationship
Raphaël Romano"You have no business here." she whispers as her face turns white.I shake my head and place the locked suitcase on top of the table. The club is electric tonight everyone feeding off the smiles and dancing tonight.Abree and Marcello appear beside me, I look up to them and Abree gives me a curt nod gesturing that we are in the clear and no one seems suspicious...for now.I unlock the suitcase and flash the woman in front of me 1 million dollars in cash. She eyed the money and me then shook her head."Look, I've been risking my ass for you Raphaël but these are getting dark and I don't think I can keep up with this." she said.I lean back against the couch, my legs spread wide and arms rested on the head of the couch."I have her Josephine and if you want to see your daughter's face again, then shut the fuck up and do your job and as a bonus I am generous enough to pay for her treatments." I proclaimed. Josephine lowered her head as she clenched her fist beside her.Aft
Lorraine Lebedeva3 MONTHS LATERHis fist collided with my face, sending me to the ground so quickly my hair whipped around my face before I hit the mat.I groaned in pain as the hard impact of my chest crushed my lungs and ribs that it became difficult to breathe for a few moments. I was frozen on the boxing ring's floor, almost dead, before I tried to push myself up. My arms wobbled, my chest rose and fell as I desperately tried to get the air back in my lungs. Sweat dripped from my forehead as it glided down my flesh.Get the fuck up Lorraine, you are embarrassing yourself.I managed to get to one knee before crumbling back onto the mat. My limbs are giving up on me.I have been in training for the past 9 hours with no breaks. Simeon has been torturing me for the past 3 months and 4 weeks since I've been back.He made me do terrible things I'd never forgive him for.I killed dozens of people.I skinned people alive, set them on fire, let them drowned, tortured them with weapons' I
Lorraine LebedevaDay 1"Mother!" I screamed.I quickly rushed towards her and placed her head on my thighs.My chest tightened when I saw tears streaming down her face."Mom, mom, no, no don't worry you will be okay..." I sobbed. "You'll be okay." Nodding my head rapidly, I convinced myself that this was a dream. That I should pinch myself awake.She grabbed my hands and kissed it. "Don't worry baby." She whispered, smiling wickedly. "You did this to me, you killed me."Blood rushed out of the open wound as the warmth of life was slowly fading away.I woke up with a gasp. My sweat drenched in the sheets as it slid off my body. I looked around widely, certain to find an intruder but nothing except deep shadows skulled the corners of my room.The pale blue hues of twilight, filtered through the white lace curtains, the wind fluttering the windows.It was just a nightmare.It was just a nightmare.It was the first time I've ever had a nightmare of my mother, especially since her death.