CHAPTER 2

~••~Aleksei~••~

Standing at the windows of my penthouse suite, I looked out to the busy streets of the city where several people moved about their daily activities. My mind was consumed with the thoughts of Ava Addams; I closed my eyes, trying to recall the intimacy that we shared the previous night.

For several years, I had monitored her from afar, watching every step she took. As the daughter of my sworn enemy Dominik Addams, one would expect that I killed her the moment I laid eyes on her, but that wasn't the case. There was something about her innocence that drew me closer to her, almost making her the exact price to be claimed.

My encounter with her the previous night at the bar was never a coincidence, it was a calculated plan that I had spent the entire evening formulating in my head. I knew our paths were going to cross eventually, and I had sent one of my men to distract her friend while I had my way with her. 

My thoughts were broken away by the sudden ringing of my phone, which snapped me back to reality. I checked the screen to see my most trusted partner, Viktor, was on the line.

"Good morning, sir; we have Dmitri Addams in custody." He revealed.

"A very generous news this morning, Viktor; bring him to me," I ordered as I began to envision a plan in my head.

Once I got off the phone, I changed into my usual dark trench coat and made my way out of the room, heading down the stairs.

Viktor and the rest of the gang members would certainly meet with me at the warehouse, where I intend to act out my plan to an old enemy. 

Hours later, I arrived at the warehouse looking around the place and smiling in satisfaction as most of the workers were deeply engrossed at work, preparing my supplies to be exported down to Mexico.

The moment I entered the warehouse, I heard screams coming from one of the rooms, and I felt a sense of satisfaction enjoying the pain that my men caused Dmitri.

When I stepped into the room, my eyes landed on him, and when he noticed my presence, he glared in my direction. 

"You stupid fool, I promise you that you will never get away with this," he said, trying to maintain his breath, which he had exhausted from the scream of pain.

I turned to Viktor, who instantly ordered for a chair to be brought to me. I took my seat close to him, folding my arms and staring at him for a split second.

"You see Dmitri, I have already gotten away with it. I have acquired something that I will consider precious to you." I mentioned smiling in his direction. "Your sister, Ava," I added.

His eyes widened in disbelief, trying to break away from the ropes as anger flashed through his eyes. "I will kill you if you dare touch her." He said, his voice laced with so much hatred.

"But I already did," I replied, drawing my chair forward. "I find no pleasure in killing such a sweet girl, which is why I want to make her mine."

Viktor walked over to my side, handing my phone over to me. I looked down at Dmitri, who was struggling through the ropes, while I waited for the caller to respond.

"Mr. Dominik, great to hear your voice once again." I pressed the speaker for everyone in the room to hear our conversation.

"What do you want Aleksei?" His voice was calm, but threatening.

"I have your son with me and I am guessing you want him back," I said, staring at Dmitri, who had stopped fighting the ropes and listening attentively.

"If anything happens to my son, I promise to kill you." His threat caused me to laugh out loud.

"You will not do anything, Dominik; I assure you of that." I paused, allowing him to process the severity of what I had just said. "I am a man of quick words and action, which is why I am offering you a juicy proposal." 

"What sinister plan do you have underneath your skin Aleksei?" He asked.

"I want you to give me Ava, your daughter, as my bride, and I will make sure no harm comes to Dmitri, and he will return to you in one piece." 

"Father, don't listen to him. He is a liar!" Dmitri yelled, but Viktor punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.

"You have four seconds to decide before I put an end to his miserable life." Viktor and the rest of the gang members loaded up their guns, the sound getting to Dominik's ear.

"Wait, don't shoot him." He pleaded desperately.

"So, what is it going to be? Do I get Ava as my bride or should I put an end to your dynasty?" There was silence on the phone and I got irritated.

I grabbed the gun from Viktor and shot Dmitri in the leg, causing him to scream out loud in pain.

"Stop!" Dominik screamed.

"I am slowly losing my patience, Dominik; I don't like my time being wasted. I need an answer immediately." I demanded.

"You don't have to do this, Aleksei. My daughter and my son are the most precious assets to me, and as a father, I have to protect them."

"How dare you talk about parental responsibilities to me? Do I need to remind you what you and your stupid family did to mine? I was left without a father and mother years ago and it only takes the goodwill of my heart not to have destroyed everything you owned. If you do not give me a response, I will kill your son and also find Ava and kill her as well." I threatened.

Another tense silence filled the room and it made me realize Dominik might want his children dead. I loaded up my gun once more and aimed it at Dmitri, ready to pull the trigger.

"Fine, I will speak with Ava and she will be yours to take." He finally said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Thank you for your cooperation, your son will return to you when Ava is brought to my mansion." Before he could say any more words, I hung up the phone.

"You are not going to get away with this, Aleksei. Your time will surely come, and I will have the pleasure of killing you myself." Dmitri spat out blood in my direction, an act of disrespect.

I stood up from the chair and walked closer to him, raising his chin so he could take a look at me.

"Unlike your miserable father, I am the biggest Mafia Lord in the entire city. Every single one of my enemies fears me, and they all have the right to do so. I am showing you mercy by exchanging your freedom for that of your sister, you should be thankful." I let go afterward, and with one last look at him, I walked out of the room.

"Boss, members of the Isiak gang are posing to be a threat to your supplies in Canada, should I take them out?" Viktor asked as I walked through the dark hallway, making my way out of the warehouse.

"You know what to do Viktor, handle this with care and make sure no one finds out I am the one who did it. We cannot have those rogues in our business right now." He nodded his head, before walking away.

I smiled in satisfaction, realizing that in a matter of days, Ava Addams would be mine, and she would not leave my side again.