Lorraine LebedevaI was warm, the smell of a smoky, tobacco aroma filtered my nostrils.I snuggled deeply into the warm source, enjoying the strong warmth beneath me. My eyes flutter open and the first thing I see is my favorite thing to look at.Hazel eyes, radiating brown sun warmed with inner soft hues of gold.Raphaël smiled softly as he placed a gentle kiss on my lips and pulled away, pressing his forehead on mine.I let out a sigh as I switched positions my naked body pressed up against his.Through the huge window glass rested the tips of trees, a way to watch the changing season in real time. I watched in silence as the steady patter of rain upon the glass windows. Droplets yet to scatter the nascent rays of the rising sun. The sound brings a calmness to mind, a soothing melody, a natural lullaby. With eyes at rest I feel my center, living happily within myself for these blessed moments of solitude.I snuggled into Raphaël's arms, a small sigh escaped my lips when the tip of h
Lorraine LebedevaThe cool breeze brushed my skin, goosebumps coating my skin.I let out a sigh and my eyes fluttered open as it scanned the dark room. I pulled myself up and glanced at the clock sitting beside the bed and it read 4:22 am.I've been asleep for almost 5 hours.My head was pounding from all the crying and my throat was dry, eyes puffy and cheeks flushed with dried up tears stain.I removed the blanket and swung my legs out of bed as I made my way to the bathroom.I flicked the light on and cringed at my reflection. My strawberry hair was messy and my face was all puffy and red. I groaned as I let the tap water run and splashed cold water onto my face. After refreshing myself I walked over to the door and slowly opened it. My head peaked out first making sure that Raphaël was not in sight. I was not ready to face him yet.The lights were off and the only light was from the full moon.Our- Raphaël's room was just across the hall so I didn't want to wake him.One foot in f
Lorraine LebedevaToday was the day. After a week of Raphaël's' team gaining research about the Knights we finally got them. They are currently hiding in Texas and we all decided that we will fly to America because things have quieted down in the underworld and it's better now to attack when they least expect it.But before we left Raphaël wanted to deal with something very important. Abree, Rhett, Dante and I sat in Raphaël's office as we waited for him. "Sooo..." Dante dragged his tone as he awkwardly took a sip of his drink. "How are you guys holding up?" he questioned, his thick Russian accent laced in his tone. Rhett gawked at Dante and cocked his thick brow. "Since when do you care about our personal lives?" Rhett questioned. Dante cleared his throat. "We are stuck with each other so the least we could do is tolerate one another." he explained. I turned to look at Abree who was already staring at me. I smiled awkwardly and she scrunched her nose then looked away. "Well, I'm
Lorraine Lebedeva"What?" Abree snapped.I smiled and shrugged as I continued to brush my hair.We all agreed to have dinner together before we drive to Texas. It was Rhett and Dante's idea. They said it's better to be calm and collected before epic events so eventually we all agreed.Abree and I are getting ready as the other guys get ready in separate rooms. Raphaël wanted to get ready with me but Abree protested saying that we will take forever and the food will be finished when we are done.I mean she's not wrong so I agreed with her which only made him grumpy.Abree was happy that Marcello decided to fly to America just to make sure everything went well. Everyone did not find it suspicious apart from me. I secretly knew that he flew the way from Europe to America just to see Abree and make sure that she was safe.Abree can take care of herself but I think it's sweet of him.My suspiciousness escalated when I caught Abree and Marcello sneaking out together the other night into Mar
Lorraine LebedevaInstead of taking a road trip like planned we took a Private flight so that it could be quicker to reach there.Immediately after hearing the news at 23:48 pm we did not waste any time. 4 hours later we find ourselves stalking a specific house in the middle of the night in the dark.They are dead bodies scattered across the yard and gates have been crashed wide open with glass windows shattered and bullet holes on the wall."Shit." Abree said as she handed the binoculars to Rhett. Rhett analyzed the scene and nodded as he turned to face Raphaël."Yep, they are definitely dead.""Cazzo." Raphaël mumbled under his breath.My shoulders tensed when I felt sick to my stomach but not for puking.I have a really bad feeling about this."Okay, let us not waste any time."Dante and Marcello were in a different SUV, along with other soldiers just for backup.Perspiration shone on Rhett's brow as he was the first one to step out of the car. Followed by Abree. Before I could wal
Lorraine Lebedeva"Dante what the fuck are you doing?" Rhett spat bitterly, he took a step closer to us and Dante pressed the gun further into my flesh."Of course..."Abree laughed bitterly, "The dude has been fucking with us. Let me guess you've been informing her father what we have been up to these past 2 months?"Dante took a couple of steps back, as the others stepped forward. "Clever girl." Dante let out."No hard feelings, I'm just doing my job and father wants his daughter back home." He chuckled darkly.I tried to fight him but he was too strong. Tears stung my eyes as his grip around my neck tightened, slowly suffocating my windpipe."I swear if you fucking lay a hand on her I will-""You shoot me, I shoot the girl. We both lose at the end. So for once think with your fucking brain and do the smart thing." Dante proclaimed, his voice calm and collected.Raphaël met my gaze, anxiousness clouding his features."I will save you red, don't worry." He said.Dante slowly steps bac
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.
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 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.