ANAI jolt awake, fumbling for my phone like it’s a lifeline. No messages from Dmitri.Fantastic.“Come on, you brooding idiot,” I mutter, scrolling through my empty inbox. “Give a girl a sign of life.”I’ve spent the night tossing and turning, my mind conjuring up increasingly ridiculous scenarios. Maybe he’s joined a secret underground knitting circle. Or he’s been abducted by aliens who needed a crash course in scowling techniques.As I drag myself to the shower, I catch my reflection. I look like I’ve been hit by the worry truck. “Please don’t be out murdering someone,” I plead to no one in particular.Because that’s a totally normal concern for a wife to have.Welcome to the Orlov family, folks!Downstairs, the house is quieter than a library run by mimes. My phone buzzes—it’s Viktor, with a cryptic “gotta run” message.“What is this, the Great Bratva Disappearing Act?” I grumble, heading out the door.At work, I’m a bundle of nerves wrapped in a pantsuit. When my office phone ri
DMITRII stop in front of a florist shop, parking my car and staring at the flower arrangements sitting prettily in the window. “She finds roses ordinary,” I say to Yelena on the phone. “I’ll get carnations.”She laughs. “Are you sure she likes them, or is it because you bought them that one time? Did you ask her if they are her favorite?”I shake my head, already annoyed. “She’s my wife, Yelena. You’d think I’d know a thing or two about her by now.”“Right.”I roll my eyes, more at myself than her. “That was sarcasm.”She clicks her tongue, the playful attitude still there. “I knew it. Are you delivering them yourself, or will you let your ego get in the way of showing up at your wife’s office?”“Yelena,” I say, the impatience clear in my voice, “I’m hanging up now. I’ll call you back in two hours.”“Wait, I?—”I hang up, tuck my phone in my pocket, and get out of the car, grabbing my coat as I step out. The florist shop door swings open easily, and the warmth inside contrasts sharpl
I stride into the building, fury driving my steps.His secretary, the same woman I saw the day I demanded Nikolai give up his daughter, stands at the entrance. She frowns when she sees me.“Mr. Orlov, to what do we owe this pleasure?”“Is he in? And don’t lie to me,” I growl, the threat hanging between us. “My wife is missing. Anyone who makes it harder for me to find her will regret it.”She glances behind her, her voice less sure now. “Anastasia is missing? Why would you think that?”“She hasn’t been in her office today,” I bite out. “Now, is he here, or do I have to find out for myself?”Her eyes flicker with hesitation, but she steps aside. “You think he kidnapped his own daughter? He hasn’t seen her since she moved in with you. Why would he take her now?”I don’t answer, pushing past her and striding straight into Nikolai’s office.He’s mid-conversation, but I don’t wait for an invitation.“Dmitri,” he snarls, glaring at me. “How dare you?—”“Where’s Anastasia?” I demand, my voic
ANAWhy does it feel like someone dropped a piano on my head?I slowly open my eyes, only to be stabbed by the brightest, most sterile light. It’s like my retinas have signed up for an all-out assault, and the pounding in my skull doubles. I blink, groaning as I try to gather my bearings.Where the hell am I?There’s an obnoxious beeping sound, and somewhere nearby, I hear a voice—familiar, distant. It’s muffled, like when you’re dreaming and someone tries to talk to you in real life. But I’m too busy figuring out why I feel like I got steamrolled.As my vision clears, I realize I’m in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines like some sci-fi experiment.“Ana?”Dmitri. The voice snaps into focus, and I turn my head toward him. Well, try to. My entire body revolts, screaming in protest as pain shoots through every muscle.“Kotyonok,” he says softly, taking my hand in his. “I’m here. I’m right here.”“What…?” My voice is barely a croak, and even that hurts. “What happened?”“You’re in the
And just like that, life barges back in. “I’ve got to take this,” Dmitri says as he stands up. “I might need to leave the hospital for a while, but I’ll be back. I promise.”As he walks away, I sigh and close my eyes. I just hope he’s safe.I open my eyes again,blinking against the hospital’s harsh, white lights. The steady beeping of the machines, the smell of antiseptic—yep, I’m still here. My body protests as I shift slightly, everything feeling heavier than it should. But before I can fully process anything, there’s a loud pop that nearly makes me jump out of my skin.I whip my head around, almost giving myself whiplash, only to see Viktor standing there with a ridiculous bouquet and an army of balloons.“Welcome to the land of the living.” He grins, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Sorry about that. One of the balloons popped.”I sigh, trying not to laugh, and watch as he awkwardly ties the balloons to the bedpost, the roses unceremoniously dropped on the bedside table.“Hey, sis,”
DMITRIOne.Two.Three.Boom.Watching the warehouse go up in flames is satisfying. The kind of satisfaction that seeps deep into your bones. The crackling wood, the thick smoke curling up into the night sky—it all feels like a cleansing, a purge of anyone foolish enough to betray me. It’s the kind of catharsis only fire can provide, a reminder to the world that Dmitri Orlov doesn’t just make threats. I deliver.“Is this the last one?” I ask, not tearing my eyes from the inferno as Leonid steps up beside me.“Yes, boss,” he says. “I just got word from the others. Two of the sites had some resistance, but it was handled.”Resistance. Pests. That’s what a once-powerfulpakhansyndicate and an Italian Mafia gang have been reduced to.Handled.Good. It’s the beginning of the end for anyone who thinks they can move against the Orlov family. If this doesn’t scare them, the fire will finish what my reputation started—reducingeverything they built to ash. And if that still doesn’t do the job? I
I slip in quietly, the sound of the shower masking my footsteps. I place my hand gently on her shoulder. She jumps, gasping, her wide eyes locking onto mine as she shakes her head.“You scared me to death, you brute.”“I would’ve brought you back to life,” I murmur, my voice low, possessive, as my fingers trail up to cup her chin. I tilt her head back, making her meet my gaze, my mouth hovering just inches from hers.Her lips part slightly, and my tongue flicks out to trace the seam of her mouth, teasing, a soft, needy sigh escaping her.There’s nothing gentle in the way I look at her—nothing soft. I’ve been cold, ruthless, dangerous all my life. But with Ana, there’s something else. Something more.My control frays at the edges every time she’s close, and tonight, I don’t intend to hold back.I deepen the kiss, cradling her face with a hand and pulling her close with the other. Her body is soft, as usual, and warm from the water cascading down.“You’ll get wet,” Ana whispers.“Mm,” I
ANAWell, here I am, standing outside the house where I grew up, feeling like I’m about to walk into a minefield.The door swings open before I can chicken out, and suddenly, I’m surrounded by Papa’s minions—I mean,associates. God, I’d forgotten how creepy it is when they all stare at you.Maria, our housekeeper—and let’s be real, probably the only sane person in this place—gives me a sympathetic smile. “He’s in his study, Miss Ana.”Great. Papa’s lair. Where dreams go to die and organized crime goes to thrive.I take a deep breath, straighten my shoulders, and march toward certain doom. Okay, maybe I’m being dramatic, but after months of radio silence, what else am I supposed to think? If it weren’t for Viktor practically begging me to come, I’d be home binging Netflix and pretending I don’t have a family.I knock twice, push open the door, and there he is—Nikolai Petrov, criminal mastermind and emotionally unavailable father extraordinaire, typing away on his laptop like he’s just a
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