LyraTime had been a blur since Valentin was injured, and two weeks came and went.I was surprised by how worried it made me. I knew he and his brothers had invested in a dangerous lifestyle, yet I couldn’t help but stress over his safety.I didn’t want our son to see his father in such a state, wondering if a day might come when a bullet lands in the right spot or if someone decides he has wronged them. Anything could happen in their business, and it felt impossible to be passive about it.As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I didn’t want to see him that way either, afraid the next time might be the end.Even if the feelings came from a once dormant place, I resented how I cared for him even after things didn’t end as amicably for us as they could’ve.No matter what happened between us, we had a son together, and that meant I had a stronger vested interest in him surviving his dealings.Despite the blinds being drawn in our bedroom, the vague light leaking through had stirred me f
Lyra By the time I finished breakfast, Valentin left to take care of business, and he dropped Charlie off at Enora and Nikolai’s house for their playdate.Surprisingly, it was refreshing to be out in the city on my own—aside from the bodyguard that trailed me the entire time—and left alone to browse as I wanted.Having one of Valentin’s men with me the entire time started to get on my nerves, but I didn’t say anything about it since it had been one of the few things Valentin asked of me. It was the least I could do.Perusing a cute boutique with an endless supply of dresses, I got lost in the music and the peace of having time for myself. It was a much-needed time away from everything that had happened in the last while.Just as I draped a black dress over my arm that looked perfect for what I had in mind, my phone dinged from inside my clutch—one that Valentin chose with his endless knowledge of high fashion.Digging my cell out, a chill moved down my spine the moment the screen lit
ValentinI had never been one to take much pride in celebrating holidays beyond drinking my weight in vodka and whiskey, but it was difficult to think about anything other than going trick-or-treating for the first time with my son.Getting him ready for the night out sparked more of that excitement, and seeing him so content about his costume made it all worth it.He was a joy to be around. He became the light of my life in no time at all, and I couldn’t be happier as a father.Charlie’s costume was already on while he ran around the condo, exclaiming about how badly he wanted to go get some candy. I slipped my cape on and put the fake teeth in, ready to go as a vampire.It had been a last-minute idea since I had been more focused on what our son was going as.The two of us waited in the living room with Charlie’s pumpkin-shaped container, waiting on Lyra. A Halloween film played on the tv, half keeping our attention.“How do I look?”Glancing up at her, I was stunned the moment I la
LyraThe feeling of his lips against mine was enough to make my knees weak, forgetting all the previous grievances I once had with him. While I wasn’t one to forgive so easily, the sincerity in his eyes was enough to convince me of just how sorry he truly had been.The way he melded our mouths together like it was the first time helped too.Pressed against him, he wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled away just enough to murmur against my lips, “You are more than I deserve, and I know that. I will never forget it. But you are my wife, and I mean to work at proving myself to you.”Swallowing against the dryness in my throat, a familiar pulse returned between my legs, dissolving every ounce of resolve I ever had. That resistance was gone, and my body knew exactly what I wanted.His palms glided up and down my back while his minty breath fanned my lips. “It didn’t take me long to fall for you the first time, and those feelings never truly went away. Let me show you just how badly
LyraI was surprised by how smoothly life had been ever since Valentin explained himself.The weeks had gone by, and we were doing better than we ever had. We were in a good place, co-parenting Charlie and working on understanding one another better. I was glad, and we were happy.I even noticed a difference in our son since his father came into our lives. He had always been a good kid, but his excitement and joy were contagious. Whenever he had the chance, Valentin spent time with him and took him places, always looking to expose him to new experiences.He seemed to flourish, and I enjoyed watching them interact with one another. Seeing his effort first-hand was everything I had hoped for.Padding down the hall and into the kitchen, I saw it was nine in the morning, and the condo was suspiciously quiet.A sticky note on the counter caught my attention, and I reached for it.It was from Valentin, letting me know that Charlie was with Enora and Liliya for the day. He was at work, and
ValentinTensions were high in the warehouse. Our captive from the ambush was bound to his chair in the middle of the room, blood dripping from his broken nose. His breath shallowed, glancing between us lazily.Nikolai and Dimitri stood before him, with the latter’s knuckles already stained crimson. He flexed his fingers, unbothered by the hits he had already given him.“What’s your name?” Nikolai asked, looking at him with a neutral expression.The man hesitated, then grit through his teeth, “Enzo.”“Well, Enzo, consider yourself lucky that you might just be useful to us,” he murmured, pacing in front of him slowly. “But the moment that stops, we won’t hesitate to send a message.”All it took was a glance in Dimitri’s direction, and he swung, hitting his face with a sickening sound.Enzo recoiled in his chair, taking full force without any other choice. He grunted from the impact, chest heaving. Blood seeped into his mouth, and he spat to the side, breathing hoarsely through the pain
He’s the ruthless king of the New York Bratva. She’s a lethal assassin sent to end him.He rules with blood-stained hands and an unforgiving heart.She’s fueled by vengeance, trained to strike without mercy.He’s untouchable.She’s the chaos he never saw coming.He’s her target.She’s his obsession.Their worlds collide in a storm of blood, betrayal, and forbidden desire.When enemies become lovers, the line between passion and destruction blurs.Will their fire consume them—or will they burn the world down together?***Chapter 1: Busted [Enora] “You’ll be dead in two minutes.” The man, whose time of death I’d just pronounced, pulled his face from a stripper’s cleavage and looked at me with eyes full of disgust, as the disco lights flashed green, red, and blue on him. “Who the fuck are you?” he asked, his Russian accent thick. “Me?” I smiled, because I thought it was only fair for a soon-to-be corpse to be surrounded by cheerful faces. “Enora, but some call me Portator
[Nikolai]I have no issue killing women for one reason: my enemies have no gender. But no woman had ever had the balls to point a damn gun at me—until now. This tiny woman standing in front of me with her ass pressing against my dick was the first one. And she hadn’t just pointed a gun; she’d dared to try and kick me in the balls. The thought sent adrenaline through my veins as I tightened my arms around her small neck, threatening to squeeze the life out of her if she moved the wrong way. Her white hair reeked of strawberry and lavender, masking the stench of alcohol, death, and nitroglycerin. I wrapped the length of it twice in my hands, yanking her head back painfully. She stiffened, her trembling legs betraying the fear she tried to hide. I wondered if she was cursing me or swearing to kill me. Not that it mattered. The chances of me fucking her life out of her were far greater than her taking mine. “Go, malysh (Little one),” I whispered hoarsely in her ear. “Tell him
ValentinTensions were high in the warehouse. Our captive from the ambush was bound to his chair in the middle of the room, blood dripping from his broken nose. His breath shallowed, glancing between us lazily.Nikolai and Dimitri stood before him, with the latter’s knuckles already stained crimson. He flexed his fingers, unbothered by the hits he had already given him.“What’s your name?” Nikolai asked, looking at him with a neutral expression.The man hesitated, then grit through his teeth, “Enzo.”“Well, Enzo, consider yourself lucky that you might just be useful to us,” he murmured, pacing in front of him slowly. “But the moment that stops, we won’t hesitate to send a message.”All it took was a glance in Dimitri’s direction, and he swung, hitting his face with a sickening sound.Enzo recoiled in his chair, taking full force without any other choice. He grunted from the impact, chest heaving. Blood seeped into his mouth, and he spat to the side, breathing hoarsely through the pain
LyraI was surprised by how smoothly life had been ever since Valentin explained himself.The weeks had gone by, and we were doing better than we ever had. We were in a good place, co-parenting Charlie and working on understanding one another better. I was glad, and we were happy.I even noticed a difference in our son since his father came into our lives. He had always been a good kid, but his excitement and joy were contagious. Whenever he had the chance, Valentin spent time with him and took him places, always looking to expose him to new experiences.He seemed to flourish, and I enjoyed watching them interact with one another. Seeing his effort first-hand was everything I had hoped for.Padding down the hall and into the kitchen, I saw it was nine in the morning, and the condo was suspiciously quiet.A sticky note on the counter caught my attention, and I reached for it.It was from Valentin, letting me know that Charlie was with Enora and Liliya for the day. He was at work, and
LyraThe feeling of his lips against mine was enough to make my knees weak, forgetting all the previous grievances I once had with him. While I wasn’t one to forgive so easily, the sincerity in his eyes was enough to convince me of just how sorry he truly had been.The way he melded our mouths together like it was the first time helped too.Pressed against him, he wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled away just enough to murmur against my lips, “You are more than I deserve, and I know that. I will never forget it. But you are my wife, and I mean to work at proving myself to you.”Swallowing against the dryness in my throat, a familiar pulse returned between my legs, dissolving every ounce of resolve I ever had. That resistance was gone, and my body knew exactly what I wanted.His palms glided up and down my back while his minty breath fanned my lips. “It didn’t take me long to fall for you the first time, and those feelings never truly went away. Let me show you just how badly
ValentinI had never been one to take much pride in celebrating holidays beyond drinking my weight in vodka and whiskey, but it was difficult to think about anything other than going trick-or-treating for the first time with my son.Getting him ready for the night out sparked more of that excitement, and seeing him so content about his costume made it all worth it.He was a joy to be around. He became the light of my life in no time at all, and I couldn’t be happier as a father.Charlie’s costume was already on while he ran around the condo, exclaiming about how badly he wanted to go get some candy. I slipped my cape on and put the fake teeth in, ready to go as a vampire.It had been a last-minute idea since I had been more focused on what our son was going as.The two of us waited in the living room with Charlie’s pumpkin-shaped container, waiting on Lyra. A Halloween film played on the tv, half keeping our attention.“How do I look?”Glancing up at her, I was stunned the moment I la
Lyra By the time I finished breakfast, Valentin left to take care of business, and he dropped Charlie off at Enora and Nikolai’s house for their playdate.Surprisingly, it was refreshing to be out in the city on my own—aside from the bodyguard that trailed me the entire time—and left alone to browse as I wanted.Having one of Valentin’s men with me the entire time started to get on my nerves, but I didn’t say anything about it since it had been one of the few things Valentin asked of me. It was the least I could do.Perusing a cute boutique with an endless supply of dresses, I got lost in the music and the peace of having time for myself. It was a much-needed time away from everything that had happened in the last while.Just as I draped a black dress over my arm that looked perfect for what I had in mind, my phone dinged from inside my clutch—one that Valentin chose with his endless knowledge of high fashion.Digging my cell out, a chill moved down my spine the moment the screen lit
LyraTime had been a blur since Valentin was injured, and two weeks came and went.I was surprised by how worried it made me. I knew he and his brothers had invested in a dangerous lifestyle, yet I couldn’t help but stress over his safety.I didn’t want our son to see his father in such a state, wondering if a day might come when a bullet lands in the right spot or if someone decides he has wronged them. Anything could happen in their business, and it felt impossible to be passive about it.As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I didn’t want to see him that way either, afraid the next time might be the end.Even if the feelings came from a once dormant place, I resented how I cared for him even after things didn’t end as amicably for us as they could’ve.No matter what happened between us, we had a son together, and that meant I had a stronger vested interest in him surviving his dealings.Despite the blinds being drawn in our bedroom, the vague light leaking through had stirred me f
It was after midnight by the time I walked into the condo, moving as quietly as I could. My head pounded, and ears rang from the royal scolding I received from my eldest brother for being incompetent and unprepared enough to lose not only the money but the drugs too.It was a complete loss for us, all at my hands, for not being able to defend what was ours.Exhausted, I had hoped to drag myself into the shower and let it wash away the blood, but I was surprised to find Lyra still awake and reading in the living room.Her head lifted at the sound of me walking in, and the moment our eyes met, hers grew twice the size. Concern flooded her face, and she stood up, tossing the book to the side.“Valentin, what happened to you?”“It was nothing,” I said out of instinct, dismissing the terrible day I had. “Why are you still awake?”“You were gone, and I couldn’t sleep,” she murmured, already face-to-face with me. “But that doesn’t matter. You’re covered in blood—let me take care of it.”Whil
ValentinA week had already gone by since the wedding, and I still couldn’t wrap my head around it all.Our new life together wasn’t how I had imagined it at all. While we had ground-breaking sex during our quick honeymoon, nothing else evolved from it in the days that followed. We were exes with a son, forced to come together. We were married, but not exactly lovers. Or even friends, for that matter.It was a difficult territory to tread, and I didn’t know how to act or what to say around her.A part of me wanted to not only be a good father for my son but to be a good husband as well, but I wasn’t so sure Lyra wanted that.I was beginning to look past how she had kept our child from me, but just when I felt like I was over it, that resentment came creeping back in. Not to mention, her occasional warning looks seemed like a clear sign not to get too close yet.She was still angry with me; that much was clear.But even if that was all true, I didn’t want to walk on eggshells forever
LyraMoving day was a strange experience, but at least everything had been done for us. Valentin had sent some of his men to Port Hope to gather some of our belongings, but we didn’t have much, to begin with.The condo was in New York, as anticipated, and it was ridiculously lavish, yet surprisingly comfortable. Coming from a rich family, Valentin had multiple different homes at one time, and I had never seen this place when we were together.“New digs?” I asked, walking in with my arms crossed entwined with my son's. Charlie followed, not entirely sure about what was happening.“It’s not the one you remember because I sold that place and all the others I had,” Valentin returned simply, taking Charlie’s hand while he guided us through the beautifully decorated space. “And if you’re curious, this is now the only place I own.”I hummed my response, surprisingly satisfied by the answer.More homes meant more places to bring other women to, I thought to myself. It was a strange sort of r