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
Valentin More disbelief flooded my system at that, wondering what he could possibly be on about. Things between me and Lyra had been perfect. We found a mutual understanding, and I had been working to fix things between us.Our sex life had been mind-blowing, and it felt like we were taking steps in the right direction.There was no way she had been texting anyone behind my back. I would’ve known. She wouldn’t dare.“That’s impossible,” I grumbled beneath my breath, aware of the dread that loomed above me, waiting to strike. I fished my phone out of my pocket and clicked through my apps.“What are you doing?” Nikolai asked in a hushed tone, glancing at my phone.“Making sure this rat isn’t telling the truth, or else he’ll be wearing a bullet in his head.”“It is the truth,” Enzo added, eyes filling with concern. “I have no reason to say otherwise.”“Shut up,” Dimitri growled, slapping the captive with the butt of his gun.The man yelped in pain, shoulders slumped as he breathed deepl
LyraPacing the length of the living room, I debated texting Valentin then and there. I had to warn him before anything happened—before he could be injured or killed. The thought gripped the back of my neck like an icy hand, and regret flooded my chest.Even if I hated him for what he did and for agreeing to the marriage pact, I never would’ve wanted that for him at his worst. He didn’t deserve to be hunted down by someone I didn’t even know.He was the father of my child, and we had gotten so far with our unorthodox relationship. Everything had been perfect, except for my inability to tell him about the unknown number. We had started to trust one another again, and I was sure I had ruined it immediately.Our time together had reignited those old feelings I had for Valentin, and I had to fix things before they got worse.Unable to handle the thought of waiting any longer, my hand shook as I pulled out my cell phone and pressed his contact.Before I could type anything, the door slamme
LyraI never thought I’d ever see the inside of my childhood bedroom again, but it turned into my makeshift prison.Valentin said he wasn’t my jailor, but he gave that responsibility to my father instead.The driver brought me back to Philly and handed me back to my dad as if I had never been married to Valentin in the first place. Beyond unworthy of even my apparent husband’s presence. They were worried I was still a threat to their empire, keeping me as far away from it as possible, thanks to my apparent betLyral.It made me worry he was working toward getting a divorce.Worst of all, I was kept away from Charlie. No matter how I shouted and screamed, nobody would bring my baby to me.Being separated from my son was the hardest part. It tore me up inside, leaving my cheeks stained and eyes dry from crying so much. Even if my marriage was ruined, I just wanted my boy. I had never been away from him for so long, and it was killing me.If everything else was lost, I at least wanted to
LyraCarefully, Dad crossed the room and sat against the edge of the bed, offering me my space still. “For making you choose such a difficult decision at your age without asking for the full picture. And for wagering your hand to advance my position in New York. This isn’t an excuse, but I did it for our family.“I know it only drove a wedge between us, and it hurt me every day to know you were out there on your own because of me, just as it was when I married you off to Valentin. You are right. It was all because of me, but I only hope you can see things from my perspective too.”“It hurt when you wanted me to abort my child,” I managed to say through the tears. “I needed your support, and you tore it away from me. I was prepared to never forgive you for it.”Dad nodded, cloaked by his own sadness that surprised me. “You have every reason to be angry with me. You don’t owe me forgiveness, but I hope one day I may earn it again.”The thought of simply letting go of everything that had
RomanAria hesitated then, seeming almost confused. She looked at the screen instead of me. "Are things getting any better?""Nikolai says so.""That's good then."It was awkward. Painfully awkward. But I couldn't help it. It had to be done."Did you get everything you needed today?" I asked, curious about what she got up to, even if I shouldn't be.Something moved across her face then, and she nodded."Let me know if you need anything else."Aria continued to look down at her food, seeming more uncomfortable than she had been before.I hated how I was coming across, especially with my unfriendly tone. I was being an ass."The food is good," Aria said, surely in an attempt to keep the conversation going.It felt like a lure cast in a lake, hoping I'd take the bait and be myself, the man she had grown used to after being around me for weeks.When I only hummed in response, I watched as her shoulders slumped. She looked hurt and confused, and I wished I could take that pain away. I wish
RomanI was getting too attached to her and I knew it. Nikolai had tried to warn me, but I didn't care to listen.I knew it was a problem the moment I saw her in the kitchen, looking like she had spent the entire night drinking. She was a mess, but I still found her beautiful. Something about it made me feel ready to take on anything with her.Aria had quickly turned into the one thing I looked forward to, always losing myself to daydreams of her.It was unlike me in many ways, and that was a problem no matter how I felt.I didn't want to be hurt when I inevitably needed to let her go. I couldn't hold onto her forever, not when I owed her complete freedom. I turned her world completely upside down because of my negligence and robbed her of not knowing about organized crime and who my family really were. I did that to her.And I was growing more attached with every passing day. That was my karma.I couldn't help but want her, even if it went against my best interest and that of my fam
AriaWeeks LaterI had planned on sitting in the kitchen to write, but the laptop was long abandoned, and I spent most of the day in the bathroom.My arms dangled from the cool porcelain as I dry heaved, despising the feeling.There was no way I had anything left in my stomach, but it seemed never-ending.At the very least, I’d managed to make my way to the ensuite to spare Roman from hearing any of it. That would only make matters worse.Sighing once the toilet flushed and I sunk against the nearest wall, I tried to pull myself together.I wondered if it was something I had for dinner the night before. Normally, the chef was thorough and clean, and I never had problems with their cooking before this. I could only guess that the salmon that had been crusted with parmesan wasn't as fresh as they were told.Wiping at my mouth as the chills started to ebb away, I glanced at the vanity and wondered if Roman had bothered to get me any sanitary products.With a sigh, I crawled over and op
AriaIt was a beautiful day as we ventured through the city. It was warm enough to wear a dress and I found a midi-length one from the collection of clothes he had bought for me that I didn't mind. It was strappy and airy, made of a dark fabric that felt almost like butter against my skin.It was a bit out of my comfort zone, but the vague smile Roman wore once he spotted me made it worth it.Designer shades covered his eyes as we walked, hands in the pockets of his trousers. His clothes were neat as per usual, but he’d left two buttons casually undone. The watch on his wrist caught the sunlight, and everything about him seemed so put together.For someone involved in a ruthless lifestyle, he knew how to clean himself up. Damn.Roman held the door open for me, and a bell rang as we walked inside.The baby boutique didn't look like some basic store. It was far nicer than anything I had seen before, with shining wood floors and large windows to let more than enough sunlight in.Everythi
AriaTwo days had passed since Roman and I had sex. Two days since I lost my virginity to the hottest man on the planet.It still made my cheeks burn to think about it, and I couldn't help but wonder how I had managed to pull someone like Roman.He was so intense and intimidating, yet there was this softer side to him that I didn't think very many people got to see. He was calculated and otherwise focused on his family's dealings, but when he was spontaneous, he was intoxicating.I wondered if he knew how glad I was to know my kidnapper wasn't the worst person ever. And that despite the strange way we were brought together, there was already a special place for him in my mind and heart.No matter how many times I told myself to pull back, to not get my hopes up, I couldn't seem to help it. It felt like there was something between us, and if the other night had proven anything, it was that we had passion. A passion that I wanted to explore.The smell of coffee and bacon filled the kitc
RomanMy hands were pressed against the round table while my feet were on the carpeted floor. My brothers were with me, talking as they normally did during our meetings. I was physically there with them, but not mentally present in the slightest.Nikolai had ordered us there at nine in the morning. While I had no problem rising early or making it to things when I was expected, I noticed how it weighed on Valentin and Dimitri. Watching their alternating yawns was the most focus I could muster at that moment.We were meant to brainstorm—to strategize our next moves—but I couldn’t stop thinking about Aria.I’d surprised even myself by giving in and sleeping with her. I knew I wasn’t supposed to get attached. It was harmless fun and I kept reminding myself of that.While I was somewhat annoyed with myself for it, especially while drunk, I didn’t entirely regret it...except for the sneaking suspicion I had that it wasn’t quite so innocent. The way my mind effortlessly floated back to her w
AriaI couldn’t take the mortification any longer and brought my lips to his, wanting to get the hard part over with. Our lips melded eagerly as he inhaled sharply, gliding his palms up and down my back.Wiggling my hips above his, I tried to find that rhythm from before, grinding against his cock. But my hips were stilled by his strong hands.With a rush of movement, I was scooped up and laid out across the couch, left confused as he moved down my body, pressing kisses down my stomach.I took in a sharp breath as his tongue glided down my skin, fingers hooking into my panties. In one sweep, they were removed, and nothing was left between the two of us.Roman kept going until he was level with my core, and that teasing tongue continued.Black rimmed my vision once he flicked it against my clit, immediately making me arch away from the couch. His hands secured my hips down, making sure I didn’t move too much.A throaty moan fell from my lips, overcome by his impeccable skill. He focuse
AriaHis lips were hasty in their movements, devouring mine like he was trying to get nectar from them. His palm traveled around, resting on my hip as he poured everything he had into the embrace.I did nothing but comply, so overcome by how amazing it felt. He moved with such precision that I was rendered useless, silently begging for more of him.There were other men I had kissed before, but never like that. Never with such fiery passion that it was almost tangible. The whiskey made it easier to stomach just how overwhelming it was to be so close to him, to feel him, and to taste that electricity between us.Roman was intimidating in many ways, but from how he kissed me, there was nothing left to fear. It was a side of him I had yet to discover, and it was unbelievably worth it.His tongue flicked against my lower lip, sparking pleasure through my sensitive skin. I shivered, caught off-guard by it, yet eager to part my mouth for him.Our tongues clashed as I gripped his black tee a
Aria Color flooded my cheeks upon hearing that he could so easily recall what was in my notes after having read them, but I pushed it down and nodded, paying close attention.Roman ran me through it, showing me parts of the weapon and how it worked. He did so with expert precision, letting me know that he clearly had a lifetime of experience with it all.His fingers did nimble work, somewhat splicing my attention away from the demonstration. I swallowed hard and silently told myself to focus, even if my mind began to wander, thinking about how close we were standing to one another, or how I could feel his arm brush against me from time to time.I felt depraved for even noticing it.Remembering myself, I followed along as Roman showed me more of the armory, picking up the occasional weapon and going on to describe it for me. It seemed like second nature for him to ramble on about the family business while pride gleamed in his eyes.It was clear that he loved his family, and he cared d