Even during breaks I was still expected to keep up with the basic of training nutrition. That made me wonder why Aleksander was seeing a dietician and trainer. He was incredibly fit, but I didn't think he was a professional athletic. I kept thinking about him as I waited for a cab to take me home.At the corner of the street, i passed a newspaper stand with snacks and magazines. I grimaced when I recognized last month's magazine that I was on the cover of. But my eyes wandered briefly over the newspapers and newer magazines the stand owner was getting out for the day.A gasp pulled itself from my lips and vanished in the air. I reached out and grabbed the magazine with Aleksander's face on the front.Youngest millionaire in New York City. My heart dropped through the bottom of my chest as I read the words."You buying a copy, sweet heart?" The stand owner drawled in a heavy brooklyn accent. Then his eyes wandered over my face and whipped back to the older magazine cover I was splayed
"Have the nurses given you anything for cough? If not, I can go talk to them and get you something", l spoke concerned."No, darling, I'm alright. There is not much more they can do for me at this point." Papa tried to smile, but his point was emphasized by another bout of coughing, the kind of coughing you could tell was coming from deep within the lungs."Well, if they can't do anything maybe another hospital will be able to help you. I can keep looking if they aren't taking care of you here!" Panic rose from the tip of my toes to my scalp, racing like pinpricks up my skin as I looked over Papa's pale skin and sunken eyes."Rhea, no", My grandpa whispered and squeezed my hand weakly in his . "This is already the best hospital in Manhattan. They make as comfortable as they can, you know that. I'm lucky enough you were able to get me in here." His eyes were crystal clear today, no hint of the fog in his mind messing with his thoughts and memories.Those eyes held me in place as he sc
"Hello, Antonio, how's the family?" The car pulled into traffic and the world outside the windows blurred as we moved."Everyone's doing good, sir. Thanks for asking", The two of us settled into silence as the car raced through the streets. One thing I liked about Antonio; he knew how to drive, and I was never late to anything.My phone chimed and I was expecting a message from Nikolai since I was supposed to be meeting him at the sight of the new club. Instead, my mouth dropped open to see a message from Dax."Fucking finally!" I cursed out."Everything alright, Mr Makalov?" Antonio questioned."Uh, just fine. Just work stuff," I inhaled deeply. "Change of plans though. Can you take me to this address instead?" I gave the meeting location that Dax had just sent me."Ofcourse, sir." In the blink of an eye Antonio whipped the car across the road and we were taking an exit to leave Manhattan and head to the edge of the Bronx. The short notice surprised me, but I was going to miss this o
"Ofcourse, I understand. Tell me your terms and price", I had my own terms, but those were for Rhea."Well, first let me ask how long will this sweet tooth last?"That was a good question. I had no idea how I wanted her. All I knew was that I needed her soon and there were a few upcoming work events where it would be good for me to have a woman like Rhea on my arm."Shortest contract I can give is three months and the longest is two years," Dax added as I remained silent."Can we start with three months and see where it goes from there?""Sure can, ofcourse, this also depends on what she wants. We don't force them into the contracts, we just ensure they stick to one they have", His fingers drummed on the edge of the table, and he looked around the crowd on the other side of the restaurant. "When you first asked about a contract, we made sure she was willing and you're in luck, Aleksander. She was open to the idea of being exclusive with you."Something in my chest inflamed and I felt
"well, I wanted her bare, just like it's covered in this contract but looking at her schedule I wonder if she'd be willing to stay with me.""Wait, you want her to move in your house?" Dax's eyes widened and he stared at me as if I had grown a second head before his very eyes rolled over."It does sound a bit ridiculous saying it out loud but here me out", This new idea had only popped into my head while looking over the schedule listed on the contract. "I'm already paying so much to have her, and I want to have her.....a lot."Yeah, and?""I want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth, and this schedule she has with the ballet company is extensive. If I only have a limited window throughout the week, I don't want to have to schedule it or take her down", I leaned forward and whispered. "If I want dessert in the middle of the night why go across town when it's already in my fridge?",Dax laughed so suddenly at my words and I jolted back. His wide mouth parted, and his barking laugh
"Yeah," I huffed out. "I think it's time for a break", I pulled myself out of his arms and took few steps away from him.Ricky looked down at his watch and whistled. "Actually it's about time we stop for the day. We need to rest and get ready for tonight's show anyway."Turning my head, I looked to the old clock over the door to the studio. I sucked in a gasp realising how late it was. "Wow, yeah." The other dancers had already left the studio for the afternoon and it was just me and Ricky in the dance room over the theater. "Shit, I haven't eaten all the day.""Want to get a bite to eat together?" Ricky offered. "I'm going to meet my boyfriend for a light dinner before the show if you want to come.""Thanks for the offer, Ricky, but not tonight. "I think I'll just grab a bite to eat around the corner and come back to get ready for the show," I stated. Putting my leg up on the bar for cool down stretches. My pulse was still racing a mile a minute and every time I blinked in those devi
I froze and felt ice shards freezing my veins as Luke leaned down. He braced one hand on the wall by my head and the other started to reach for my face. My stomach turned over itself and the room felt a thousand degrees colder as he got too close."I wasn't asking for myself. Although I have thought about it....", His fingers traced over my cheek and his breath that smelled heavily of onions assaulted my nose."Then please get to the point, Luke." I snapped back, turning my face away from his."Some bastard offered Dax a shit ton of money to have you exclusively." The words struck me, and my heart leapt into my throat. "A three month exclusive contract for the lovely Rhea Martinez." "Holy shit." The words slipped out before I knew it and I almost forgot about Luke in my personal space as my mind started leaping to the conclusion that it was . I normally only saw one or two men a month, but now it would be just him for three months. After experiencing him on two separate occasions I c
Ballet during the day and at night.....the very thing Luke had called me. It made my stomach twist uncomfortably, but his words rang through my head like a hammer on a bell.A live in fuck toy.My dreams of becoming the prima Ballerina in New York seemed like garbage when this was haunting me. All I could do to soothe myself was remember that in the end the price was worth what I was paying. It would be worth selling this part of my soul if I could help the one person in this world that I loved more than anything.After I was showered and gathered my things from my locker a black Cadillac was outside of the theater waiting for me, just like I had been instructed."Good evening, I'm Antonio. I'll be your driver." The man had a genuine smile on his face, and I found comfort in that. I gave him a weak smile in return. "I was advised to take you home so you could collect some personal items before I drop you off." "Oh, well, that's nice." I pushed to keep the smile on my face. It made se
EPILOGUE RHEA'S POV Three wonderful years came and went. Each one became a new chapter in my life that I'd never forget. I couldn't when I had otherworldly love pouring through me every day. More than I ever thought I'd experience in my life.Trudging through the grief of losing so much family ate a hole in my heart. Aleksander came along and slowly threaded the chasm together, healing me with each delicate touch and sensual kiss. An unlikely love formed from that illicit contract, and through turmoil and pain, we forged our story.Glowing, floating on top of the world, I swept into the kitchen. A delightful buzz from champagne left a rosy flush across my cheeks. I poured myself a glass of water, listening to precious laughter drifting from upstairs as I did."Rhea!" Annika's excited coo made me whirl around from the sink. I came face to face with her, waving her red nails, gesturing for a hug. I stepped into her arms. Annika shimmied against me. "How did the event go?""It was great
The technician broke the silence first. "Your chart says that you're estimated to be about eighteen weeks along. Is that correct?""Yes," Rhea swiftly answered. Her smile widened. "The size of a bell pepper this week.""That's right," the technician chortled. She glanced between the three Makalovs in the dimly lit room. One hand clicked a button on the ultrasound keyboard and the monitor flickered on. With the probe hovering over Rhea's navel, she asked, "Are you interested in knowing the gender?"Rhea's throat bobbed. Her fingers twitched in mine. Simultaneously, we locked gazes. It was an important question, and one we hadn't discussed nearly enough."I'm going to love them, regardless." Her bottom lip trembled as she studied my face. "As long as they're healthy.""Do you want it to be a surprise?" I whispered in my wife's ears alone. Leaning closer, I nuzzled into the side of her face. "Whatever you want, baby. Just say the word."Despite her nerves, Rhea giggled. She turned her he
ALEKSANDER'S POV A month passed, and we returned home.Keeping my promise to Rhea, I relinquished the reins over to Nikolai to close the loose ends with the Genovese crime family.My aunt and uncle understood and approved of my wish to keep my hands clean for my wife's sake. Nikolai didn't bat an eye when he proclaimed the Genovese would accept a deal and leave our family alone if we did the same.Antonio recovered from his injuries from the car accident. After two weeks in bed, he returned with renewed vigor. The incidents of that day wounded his honor, and he stated he needed to make up for it. As much as I argued, he needed to take time away. He continued showing up in uniform.Rhea had a checkup with her doctor. That was an appointment I wouldn't miss for the world. I held her hand through the follow-up tests, using her as my lifeline through the stress. I'm sure I was the same for her.The thumping sound of a heartbeat lifted a weight off my chest. Rhea cried from the sweet tast
Keeping one hand on his cheek, our lips a hair's breadth apart, I hooked my other arm around his neck. Chest to chest except for his hand on my breast, I breathed my promise into him. "I love you, Aleksander. Forever."A relieved shudder rushed through his body from head to toe. The stuttered sigh past his lips tickled my mouth. I repeated my vow to him, again and again, accompanied by each primal thrust of his hips. "I love you. I love you. I love you."Lush warmth blossomed in the center of my being. It rose from a taut coil in the depths of my core. All at once the carnal pleasure of Aleksander making love to me exploded through my body, rushing in waves from between my thighs to each of my limbs.Quaking against him with searing pleasure wracking my body, Aleksander couldn't hold back. My pulsing cunt forced him into the throes of his climax, following the heels of mine. He painted me from within, claiming me in the salacious way that I enjoyed.He caught my cries on his tongue, s
He seized me in his hands, tenderly stroking them over my fevered flesh. I didn't notice when the gloves came off, but I savored the sensation of his skin on mine. Aleksander explored every dip and curve of my body as if discovering me for the first time.His scruff tickled my throat as his lips tasted me from my chin to my collarbone. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and Aleksander grabbed my hips. In one swift motion, he lifted me off the floor. My legs curled around his waist.The stiffness of his growing erection slipped against the wet center of me. A groan escaped from his mouth into mine. We shared a brief moan at the sweet moment of friction.Aleksander's lips clashed with mine in a passionate frenzy. He moved forward, marching us under the hot spray of the shower. We didn't stop until my back met the tile, crushed between the shower wall and Aleksander's perfectly sculpted frame.I grasped the back of his hair in one hand, tugging slightly as Aleksander's teeth nipped at my
RHEA'S POV Every ounce of my consciousness slipped from my grasp the moment Aleksander freed me. While all the world moved around me, my thoughts stayed still within the pit of darkness consuming my mind. My awareness stayed on my pulsing veins, coursing with cold blood and the rough pounding of my heart throbbing through my limbs.Each breath cleaved through my lungs, strained and burning. Only the heat of Aleksander's hand on my arms kept me on my feet. He was my anchor to reality during a turbulent car ride, and as he swept me through the blinding lights of a semi crowded lobby.A hotel, I thought, somewhere downtown. My eyes couldn't focus on anything, from the onlooking strangers in the shadows to the overly bright glow of opulent lighting. Aleksander and Nikolai's hushed voices brushed against something inside my head. I knew they were with me, but I moved on autopilot.My body floated on a cloud. Up an elevator. Several turns down hallways that felt like a damn never-ending ma
Men screamed. Blood and brains splattered the walls and floors as they went down.A figure popped out around a corner. I fired one shot at his head, and he descended to the ground like an axed tree falling in a forest.Another came behind him. Too close to shoot from afar. My left arm shot out and blocked his. I used the momentum to force his aim up. My opponent shot and missed, bullets lodging in the ceiling. With my left hand, I pointed the gun at his stomach and fired two rounds.The last shot went into the side of his skull as he stumbled to his knees. Then he dropped like a stone on the filthy concrete.An arm emerged at the end of the corridor I passed through. I pulled the trigger, yet nothing left the chamber.Regardless of my unloaded pistol, I grabbed the arm in front of me. One twist of the wrist forced his weapon from his hand. The gun clattered away on the floor.The man grunted. When I jammed the butt of my gun into his face, breaking his nose, he screamed. As he fell, I
ALEKSANDER'S POV Nikolai burst from the front doors of the Makalov mansion. I followed hot on his heels, rushing toward the line of awaiting cars parked around the massive fountain at the end of the driveway.The very last thing Nikolai and I expected was to receive a call from an anonymous contact who worked for the Genovese. Someone in their organization vehemently opposed a potential war. Enough to give away Luca's location.Rhea was the one thing in this world I wanted more desperately than my body needed air. Luca Genovese stole her from me. Now betrayed by his own, I would take his life.The fiery glow of dusk settled itself over the horizon. A brisk wind whipped up the edges of my coat. My fingers twitched, itching for a cigarette to relieve my bristling nerves.Leaving Annika safe at the mansion, I joined my uncle in the backseat of the first car. Personal guards accompanied us. All well-trained and armed with the same pistol I carried.Savage anger writhed like a serpentine
"I'll handle it." The snarky response pulled me from my thoughts. Then the door at my back pushed open with a grating creak of metal on metal. I slammed back into reality, where I sat handcuffed to a chair in some semi-abandoned building.Every breath I took burned my chest. My body tensed with the fear running in my blood. As Luca's shadow rose ominously over the opposite wall, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move a muscle as each sinister thump of his shoes carried him closer.Luca appeared in front of me with an eerie aura. His disturbing grin slashed wider upon finding me alert.I tried maintaining my gaze at first. He lasciviously ogled every inch of me with a malicious sneer, twisting his features. The threatening glint in his eyes forced my gaze down to his expensive leather loafers crunching on bits of broken glass beneath us."You're finally awake," Luca announced, cocking his head to the side. "The accident was unfortunate, but I didn't think your driver knew any defensive ma