“Nothing I don’t already know.” He sucked on his teeth and looked around. “It’s funny that you think you’re in any position to demand anything. I mean, considering the dunghill you’re currently living in, it’s sad to see how far you’ve fallen from the top to the bottom, sister.” I scoffed. I shouldn’t have been surprised to know he deluded himself. My teeth jammed so hard that my head throbbed. “That’s where you get it wrong,brother. Living with you was the bottom. Thisdunghill,as you call it, is the top.” I didn’t see it coming. In a lightning-fast move, his long legs eliminated the distance. His hand closed around my hair like a noose, fingers twisting into a merciless grip. He yanked me down with savage force, slamming me onto my knees. My scalp screamed in protest as he ripped out strands of hair, the pain searing like a branding iron. My vision blurred as my face smashed into the cold floor, the impact shuddering through every bone. I caught the daze of horror on Aiden’s
NikolaiI stared out the passenger window, the lights reflecting from the tall city buildings blurring together and creating flashing white rotating circles through the windshield as Anatoly navigated the streets. My mind raced with every possible scenario, but my eyes kept drifting back to Aiden’s message on my phone.“Ronan took Rosalyn to Nova Clinic, 5th and Main. That’s all he says.” I re-read the text for the tenth time, searching for hidden meaning.Why Nova Clinic? What would he take there? Even if there was the slightest possibility that she’d been sick and needed medical attention, I could bet two of my properties that Ronan would have left her to die. He’d just find another way to extort funding from Tristan—or better yet, some other asshole to extort from. Ronan always made sure he never fully ran out of options.“How much longer?”My patience wore thinner than a used-up thread. I didn’t understand it—the overwhelming feeling to get to her as soon as possible. Like an itch
“We’re playing the offensive.”“Fuck, yes!”Like me, he maintained his composure, sticking one hand in the pocket of his pants as he gunned down one…two, threemen. Only bringing out the fist when necessity demanded that he lay a punch.I refilled my magazine and laid two bullets in one man who thought he was big enough to swing a fist at my jaw. The fist connected, but I swung an arm, knocked him out, and made sure he never saw the light of the day again. Eager to march inside the building, I advanced forward toward the entrance, shooting down every man who was nothing but a hindrance and leaving the fight behind for Anatoly and the other men to handle. I’d barely gotten to the entrance when Ronan emerged through the screen doors, aiming a gun at my head. Aiden followed after him but made a motion with his hand, signaling that he was going to make himself scarce from the scene.The hate in his eyes screamed no mercy, and I knew he was going to pull the trigger.I swerved to the right,
Stainless steel clanked on the floor, and the operation table rattled when they bumped into each other. They ran as fast as their legs could take them to the door.I planted myself by her side, and on seeing me, she busted into a fit of uncontrollable tears. They ran down the sides of her face, soaking the pillow underneath her head. The turmoil of emotion I felt after setting my eyes on her again could hardly be expressed.Quietly, my fingers began working the ropes bound around her wrist while my eyes did the scanning of herappearance. Even though she was a teary-eyed mess, her beauty remained untainted.Watching her cry helplessly squeezed my chest in the most uncomfortable way. There were tiny patches of skin on her tangled head, some missing hair. I grated my teeth. Dark bruises on her cheeks, her jaw…everywhere. But something else was different. I worked the second rope on her wrist, observing her with more attention. She’d gained some weight.No, that wasn’t it.Twisting fully,
RosalynA day was all it took to release the beasts from their cage. A day. Barely twenty-four hours even.After Father’s funeral that night, they came hungry and angry—draped in the most expensive designer suits in the racks. Black on black, as always. They couldn’t even wait before ransacking Father’s closet to retailor his suits to their fit.They stood by the door, cold steel blue eyes pinned on me, licking their lips in anticipation of the next phase of trauma they were about to put me through.At the field, after I read the eulogy, I heard the men speaking. The older men. They put their hands on Sean, patting his back and muttering commendations in Irish. I knew what it meant. He was the next in line—the next to rule us since Father was gone.“Get up.”Sean’s voice had always been rougher around the edges than Ronan’s, but the latter had more sparks of craziness in his eyes.“Why?”I’d been crying, mourning the loss of my hero. I didn’t want to get up. I didn’t want to go out. I
“Nikolai?”His footsteps were quiet as he ambled closer to the side of my bed. Brown hair fell forward, hanging over his eyes when he peered down to look at me. A few strands had grown from his hair, casting a soft youthful glow over his hard features.I had to tilt my head back a bit to catch a better glimpse of his face and the hard glare he gave me. “Your lips are dry.”I wanted to smile that he’d noticed but suddenly remembered there was really nothing to smile about.“I’m thirsty.”“Here.” He picked up a glass from the top of the nightstand and handed it to me. He had barely shown any considerable concern or anything out of the ordinary, but I felt warm tingles spread throughout my body.“Thank you,” I mumbled.I took a sip and felt a delicious shock ripple through my skin when he held my head back and nudged the glass to make me drink more.Quietly, I obeyed and dropped the glass, finding nothing better to do than fidget with my fingers. “Ronan is dead.”His answer came in a hea
A broad daylight confession. A sharp hook, reeling me in like a helpless fish.His thumb brushed my cheek, and his eyes held the most sincerity I hadn’t seen since the last time my father told me he loved me.“You…. I…um…. I have never wanted any other woman as badly as I want you.” He eyed my lips, the timbre of his voice dropping to an even more husky tone. “When you ran away, I….”He pulled back, his eyes suddenly snapping back to that cold, unfeeling glare, as if he’d been slapped back to reality with a wet cloth.The absence of his hands on my skin left an unwelcome chill, and my eyes followed him as he rose to his feet. He pushed up his sleeves, flexing those hard muscles before his hands slipped into the pocket of his pants. He looked at me like he was about to school me.“Here, with me, you’re free to do whatever the fuck you want: grocery shopping, go to the mall, go for a swim. If you want to play video games, virtual reality, or chess. If you want to have takeout or eat atL
NikolaiTwo Weeks LaterNo woman more beautiful.No woman more fucking perfect.Adorned in her simple white gown and a crystal princess tiara, she offered a small smile, blushing underneath her veil, and I swear I felt my heart shift. It was a sudden move, stopping my breath for a second at her glowing radiance.The world around us spun in blurs. A haze or, better yet, a fucking dream. I barely heard the voice of the priest but watched her lips move when she said her vows. Her eyes twinkled like tiny diamonds sparkling in a sea of green. She seemed happy, content.When we picked the gold rings out of the velvet cases for the exchange, they glimmered like sun rays. Gold was intentional, priceless,andcustomized.When she lifted her finger, I leaned forward, whispering into her ear, “Look.”I tilted the gold double band, and her gaze dropped to the tiny gold-brown lettering and symbol crested on it.Rosa∞The smile on her lips moved to her eyes, shining even brighter when the ring slid
I never considered myself a saint, but growing up, a part of me hated it when Jayden called the Lord’s name in vain. I was uncomfortable with anyone doing it, and because it felt wrong, it made the hairs on my neck rise, so I’d caution him. But now, I felt nothing but satisfaction as I watched Timur—not hate or caution…justsatisfaction.His gaze faltered, and he leaned against the wall, tugged down the zipper of his pants, and—in a blinding flash—he pulled out his—“Put a finger in your pussy for me,Pchelka.”I couldn’t concentrate, not when he offered me a full big-screen-worthy view of watching him wrap his hand around his veiny hard-on.“Serena.” His commanding voice and the huskiness, combined with the sound of my name, brought me back to focus.On its own accord, my finger moved towhere I badly ached for him, and, like the first time, I slipped inside through my slickness. An involuntary moan left my lips, and my eyes fluttered, but he didn’t even give me a chance.“Eyes on me.”
Through my reflection in the mirror, I watched my cheeks flush a deeper shade of scarlet, and my body tingled in excitement. I didn’t even know when I laughed out loud.What are you thinking, Serena?And yet, despite the million and one reasons I had to desist from taking any step closer to the bed, one reason posed to be the most convincing, forcing me to abandon thoughts about right and wrong until I lay my back on the soft mattress, spread-eagle style:I missed him.“Oh, Serena.” I heard the nerves in my voice and pinned my eyes to the smooth ceiling above me.Clutching the sheets with one hand in a vise grip, I spread my legs wider. The cold air hit my skin, causing goosebumps to rise, and I turned toward the window, only realizing now that a rainstorm had picked up outside. I should have shaken off the stupid idea that brought me to the bed in the first place, got on my feet, and moved to close the shutters. Instead, I pulled the bed covers over my legs and lowered my back into t
SerenaFingering the hem of my dress, I stared at the soft fabric and looked back at the mirror. Blue eyes met mine, golden hair poured below fair shoulders, and I blurred out the image of soft curves and bare hips.Countless times, especially in high school, I’d been called a prude.It wasn’t true. Or maybe it was. I didn’t squeal or gush over pictures of slippery hard abs or full naked men as they did or swooned over R-18 magazines they snuck into class. I couldn’t remember ever being a big fan of nudity, not even where I was concerned. I just didn’t know how to…reactto provocative images or thoughts.Sad, but needless to say, it contributed a lot to my not having many friends.I shook my head in an attempt to get rid of the distracting thoughts. Then, I stared again at the mirror.Throughout everything I’d been through in recent times, I was still me. I was the same person who watched her parents break apart, the same girl who had to step into the shoes of both parents to cater to
TimurThe dreams should have been the first sign. After I noticed that they’d been gone for more than a week, I should have known. Thinking about it now, I almost couldn’t remember the artistic red splash on the wall or the face that owned those lifeless eyes. A new kind of nightmare haunted me. This one was a living nightmare, with perfect lips, perky tits, blonde hair, and blue eyes. Saying I was screwed wasn’t even going to cut it.Fuckedbetter suited the context, and it wasn’t helping that I suddenly remembered Nikolai’s question.Why didn’t I sell her off, leave her in the sea of sharks to feast on? Then, I wouldn’t have to deal with fighting off the provocative images and sounds from my mind that I’d practically guided her to plant there. Her well-being wouldn’t be my fucking business; none of her would concern me. But simply, the thought sent a violent fire that spread up my back, forcing me to straighten up on the chair.My gaze on the desk hardened, and I directed my anger tow
The mirth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by an inferno of undiluted desire. Without looking at me, he recited the third piece of our own secret mantra.“Have me.”The tip of his veiny erection—which was very hard and big—rubbed against my sex before easing into me. My eyes fell shut, shock waves rolling down my body as I tensed, my walls clamping around him.“Fuck…” he cursed, a smooth roll of Russian pouring from between his lips. Almost resisting him, I clenched down on him so tightly, struggling to adjust to his full size, and his jaw flexed. He caressed my bare ass, muttering incoherently in his foreign accent while he squeezed gently.Finally, with gritted teeth and holding back a drop of tears, I relaxed.He watched me, his eyes boring deep into my soul as we moved together. I felt my world shift. I was aware of every gasp, every sigh, every flicker of pleasure that danced between us. I surrendered to the fire that burned brightly within, trusting him to guide me through the
He was all man and no emotions, with a very inviting chest, a chiseled torso, and a mouth that held back nothing. Whenever Jayden cursed, it sounded dirty, but the same words pouring out from this man sent tingles to my toes.Nodding, I gulped. “I understand.”“Want me.” His fingers brushed my cheeks so lightly as his eyes stared into the depth of my soul. “Have me. Need me.Those are the only things I want you to think about. I’ll handle the rest.”Want me.Have me.Need me.I was already breathing fast, and my clothes were still on.This moment between us reminded me of the first time I had welcomed the sixth graders to class. Only now, he felt like the teacher and I, the new student. And this was like class.He was going to handle the rest, he said. All I had to do was immerse myself in the waves of tumultuous passion for thisman, whose gaze licked the length of my body as though it were a delicious lollipop.“Are you okay now?”Startled, I looked back at him, rattled on my rocker t
Then, the moment came.As his lips brushed softly against mine, the kiss was gentle, almost reverent. In that fleeting moment, I felt the wallsof my heart begin to crack, and I wasn’t sure at the time, but something in me wanted more.****We went into the house at separate times for a quick shower and a change into something smoother. Klavdia practically had to force me out of the room when all I wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep the rest of my life away.He had some of his people set up and organize one of the large halls in the house to be decorated. Before now, I didn’t even know such a chamber existed in the same building, and slowly, it started to sink in, what Klavdia said about being the lady “…of all of this.”I could hardly believe it as I stepped into the grand ballroom. It was jaw-dropping magnificent. The air was thick with the intoxicating blend of expensive cologne and the sweet aroma of floral arrangements. Russian laughter—if there ever was such a thing—and mu
SerenaI didn’t like it.Not the dress, the tears. They just kept rolling freely, and Klavdia had already warned me to wipe them off and not ruin my makeup. Somehow, she reminded me of my grandmother. She died of a stroke when I was six. I didn’t remember much abouther except that she was low-key stuck-up, had long white hair, and never smiled. And she gave great advice, like telling a six-year-old, “Whatever you do, don’t get knocked up before you get married.”Needless to say, years later, I didn’t have to do much to follow that advice.Klavdia seemed like the type, too, but I doubted that we’d ever get to the stage where we’d share bits and pieces of our lives over cups of tea and biscuits, and I’d get to know if she had grandchildren.She also said I wasn’t supposed to let mysoon-to-be husbandsee it. He’d already made it very clear that he found tears sickening.Carefully dabbing the tears off under my eyes, I fixed my mascara and eyeliner, aiming to reappear brand new, like a gif
TimurThe air buzzed with the familiar energy of drunkenness, wasted lives, and ecstasy.The club lights pulsed low, a hum settling over the crowd as we made our way through the reserved spot with “VIPs ONLY” dangling beside the plush red ropes. The place was high-end and sleek in design, with black marble, plush leather seats, and a bar that stretched half the length of the room. Neon blue lights traced along the walls, flashing a glow that glinted off the glassware and tinted everything a cool, metallic hue.One of Rafayel’s contacts owned the club.I nodded, assessing the bubbling life. Not bad.My brother’s laugh cut through the bass-heavy music, and I turned in time to see him share a handshake with Arlo, both of them already in high spirits. I didn’t need either of them to tell me; they’d probably made some stupid bet on something I wasn’t going to bother myself about.Nikolai followed close, his gaze scanning the room—a man with more restraint these days, but still, he’d undoub