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63|Ultimatum
Last Updated:
2025-01-21 01:04:59
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Reckless Hearts 64|Off The Rails
For once, the family dinner was going well, despite Holly being almost two hours late. They were all minding their own business and enjoying Nanette's four-course meal. They were all happy. Until Liam addressed the elephant in the room, asking about the marks on Holly's neck. When she made it clear the subject was not up for discussion, he doubled down, demanding to know if Cooper was responsible. Soon, Willow jumped on the bandwagon, and Holly knew she didn't stand a chance. So, after much badgering from the brother-sister tag team, she caved and filled everyone in on her encounter with Cooper and her subsequent protection order. As expected, her parents were furious, threatening all kinds of legal action against Cooper. Liam and Willow were equally enraged, but happy to settle the score with violence. "Honestly, you guys have nothing to worry about; I've handled it. The hearing is in three weeks, and I'm pretty sure the judge will rule in my favour and grant me a permanent o
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Reckless Hearts 65|Blindsided
"No," Holly whispered, gasping for air as the walls of her chest moved closer, squeezing her lungs. "He wouldn't do that." "He did, and right in front of Sabrina," Cooper said in a hauntingly calm voice. "I didn't realise you have a thing for psychopaths." "What the hell is he saying? He's not making any sense!" Liam said, glancing at Holly, annoyance and confusion flitting on his face. "Yeah, what does Andrei have to do with this?" Willow chimed in. "I'm so confused!" "For God's sake, Holly, tell me you are not involved with Andrei!" Liam said softly, disappointment and anger burning in his eyes. "Oh, they are involved, alright. He was with her at The Castle the other night, threw his weight around like some hotshot," Cooper added fuel to the fire, fanning the flames of Liam's rage. "Is it true?" He demanded, turning all his anger on her. "Were you with Andrei a few nights back?" "I was," Holly admitted, nodding her head. "But it's not like that. He agreed to sell the penthouse
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Reckless Hearts 66|Wounded Her
After their call earlier, Andrei didn't expect to hear from Holly again, but when Helga ran upstairs and crashed his meeting with his lieutenants, excitedly announcing Holly's arrival, he left his study faster than the Flash, eager to see her. So her cold reception—no, her rage simmering just below the surface—was the last thing he'd hoped for. "You are upset," he said, unsure if he should approach her. Holly followed his lead, staying put on her end of the room, her hands curled into fists, shaking at her sides. It was clear as day she was trying her damnedest to hold her anger in, and he wanted so much to take her in his arms, if only just to make her feel better. But her sharp intake of breath, followed by a fierce look, told him to stay the hell away from her. "What exactly do you think of me?" Holly asked just when Andrei began to think they'd spend the entire night staring at each other. "What do you mean?" "Do I look like some damsel in distress to you?" "Of course not, b
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Reckless Hearts 67|Little Osaka
Little Osaka, the brothel where Nathan Gopal died in a hail of bullets a few months earlier following the fallout with Jaco and the De Jagers, was a fortress when Andrei and his lieutenants arrived just after 11:00 PM. Several highly skilled security teams, trained in crowd control and threat management, were stationed at all entry points, armed to the teeth and ready to handle any ambush, big or small. A year ago, Andrei would have thought it was overkill. But after Willem unleashed hell on Rock Castle and sent his henchmen to slaughter Nathan and several escorts like pigs, he understood Lev's overly cautious approach. They could not afford a repeat of the chaos, especially when they were hosting a prominent member of the Mexican cartel. Ivan killed the engine and switched off the headlights, but they stayed put and scoped out the place from the safety of their seats, waiting for Lev's all-clear. Despite the infamous massacre, now known as the 'ambush of Little Osaka' in the under
Last Updated : 2025-02-04Reckless Hearts 68|The Long Game
"You get it now," Andrei said with a slow smile, glad they were finally on the same page. "He wants to double-cross me," the Mexican mused, coiling his thin ponytail around two of his fingers. "It appears so." "That bloody ingrate! That bloody, fucking weasel! Nobody steals my product! Nobody!" Juan raged, and it was precisely the reaction Andrei had hoped for. While the embers of Juan's rage were still blazing hot, Andrei seized his chance, but was careful to play it cool. He didn't want to appear too eager or too desperate. Both were deadly for any business deal. Nothing turned people off faster than eagerness or desperation. It was a lesson he'd learned early in life. So, with just the right amount of authority and humility, he pushed Juan in the right direction, "Look, Mikhail is family. But as someone who values loyalty and doesn't tolerate betrayal from anyone, I understand how bad this looks, and I want you to know I support whatever action you wish to take." Juan needed
Last Updated : 2025-02-04Reckless Hearts 69|More Valuable As An Ally
Could it be? Could the two men be related? Could this be Jaco's return to The Corporation and the start of his long-anticipated revenge? And could Anton be just a chess piece in whatever deadly game Jaco was playing? "No fucking way," Andrei whispered as he pushed the contract away and reached for his laptop, getting down to some serious internet sleuthing as soon as it blinked to life. There were several photos of Anton from LinkedIn and other social network sites for professionals. A quick scan through his online résumé confirmed everything he'd told Andrei at their meeting—from his educational background to the founding of Nexus. Andrei breathed a sigh of relief he didn't really believe in when a search through his connections revealed no apparent link to Jaco. But, he thought as he sat up and stared at the screen. Just because he couldn't find an obvious link between the two men didn't mean he wasn't right. In fact, the longer he sat there, going over the timing of the mee
Last Updated : 2025-02-04Reckless Hearts 70|Played A Stupid Game
Holly stuck to her guns and was at the Institute first thing Monday morning to hand in her resignation letter. Hoping to avoid another ugly confrontation, she planned to leave it on Katherine's desk, collect her stuff from her locker, and sneak out without detection. But, she had a rude awakening when she found the campus already bustling with student apprentices and the Corps as they went about their morning. It seemed she wasn't the only one with a good work ethic. Her disappointment shot up when she reached Katherine's office. Even though it was just before 6:00 AM and too damn early for anyone to be productive, her soon-to-be former boss was already hard at work, furiously typing away. The dark circles around Katherine's eyes, her constant yawning, and the coffee mug beside her laptop were very telling. Her insomnia was back, and Holly couldn't help but smile with glee as she knocked on the ajar door, glad to see that her ugly sins were keeping her awake at night. Katherine l
Last Updated : 2025-02-04Reckless Hearts 7I| What The Devil Stole
"Please, let's talk about this," Katherine pleaded, stopping short of selling her soul to Holly. "You are a valuable asset to the team. The Institute needs you. You'll make an amazing teacher. After your surgery, I'll speak to the board and fast-track your promotion—" "Promotion?" Holly snickered, rolling her eyes. Joining the teaching staff was hardly a promotion. If anything, for someone with unparalleled talent like her, it was a demotion. "We both know that's not a promotion!" She clucked her tongue in contempt, wondering if Katherine had always seen her as nothing more than an idiot who could easily be manipulated with just a few empty promises. Deciding it didn't matter anyway since she'd resigned, Holly tried to leave again. But Katherine held on to her arm and switched gears as she ramped up her manipulation tactics, promising to find her the best dance instructor to help her return to the stage. "I know how much being a prima means to you. I'm sure your condition can be fix
Last Updated : 2025-02-04
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Reckless Hearts 105|Holding The Match And Gasoline
"Behind what?" Nikolai looked confused, but Andrei didn't buy his act one bit. After all, he was a master manipulator. "You know damn well what I'm talking about!" Andrei shouted as he backed away, terrified that if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to resist the urge to grab his father by the throat and strangle him to death with his bare hands. Nikolai shut the door and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're crashing out. Pull yourself together." "Don't tell me to pull myself together!" Andrei yelled, steepling his hands as he sat on the edge of his desk. "You were behind Holly's accident—" "What accident?" Nikolai demanded, and when Andrei filled him in, he was adamant he had nothing to do with the shitshow on Church Street. "That's all on you, Son," he said, still leaning on the door. "What the hell did you think would happen when you held Veronika at gunpoint?" "No," Andrei shook his head in denial, but deep down, he knew his old man was right. He'd put
Reckless Hearts 104|By Any Means Necessary
All eight photos of Holly, taken at various nightclubs in Rock Castle, including Crush, painted her in a terrible light. But the most disturbing was the one of her snogging Cooper at the Institute just a few weeks back. "Why do you have these?" Andrei stammered, seeing the future he'd envisioned slip through his fingers. "How do you even have these photos?" "Does it matter?" Nikolai replied as he draped his hands behind his head and crossed his legs. "All that matters is your jig is up." "It wasn't an act." "Yes, it was," said Nikolai. "I knew you were both up to shit last night when the Anderson lass showed up with her gift bags like Freddie Krueger handing out candy on Halloween. And I admit, all that jazz about loving you since she was sixteen and wanting to protect you was touching. But I knew there was no shred of truth in her words. Not with that photo of her and her lover floating all over the internet." "They broke up," Andrei explained. "They are not together anymore."
Reckless Hearts 103|The Trouble With Masks
"Right!" Andrei nodded, his shoulders drooping in defeat. The quick five-minute chat he'd hoped for would be much longer, it seemed. So he buzzed Monique and asked her to bring refreshments and the Nexus file. "Yes, Mr Ivanov," she said before strutting out of the room. She was back before Andrei had even settled down in his office chair, making small talk with Nikolai while she poured him a cup of coffee and handed him the Nexus folder. When she was done, she excused herself, reminding Andrei she was a phone call away if he needed something. With a bitter smile, Andrei waved her off. The only thing he needed was an update on Holly. So, while his father browsed the Nexus file, Andrei texted Lev, demanding an update. 'Still nothing,' came Lev's response, and Andrei had to dig deep inside himself for every ounce of self-control to not hurl his phone across the room, the knot in his stomach growing bigger the longer the waiting game continued. "Is everything okay?" Nikolai looke
Reckless Hearts 102|Difference Between Life And Death
With the situation well beyond his control, Andrei had no choice but to sit and patiently wait for Lev's call. But, ten minutes in, and his head of security still hadn't called, Andrei tried Holly again. Her phone didn't ring this time, the dead tone thrusting him into utter despair. He was always an optimist, a glass-full kind of guy. He had to be. His role as the number two of the family required him to always present a confident facade. How else would he negotiate high-stakes deals and run one of the country's most powerful crime families if he weren't? But the mess with Holly and Veronika was forcing him to put aside his rose-tinted glasses and see it for exactly what it was: a catastrophic failure on his part and his first real test at keeping his word to Liam. Two nights ago, he'd thrown down the gauntlet to Liam and swore he'd do a far better job of protecting Holly than the Andersons had ever done. If he failed… If Holly didn't make it out of the disaster unfolding on Ch
Reckless Hearts 101|Bring Him To His Knees
Sometime during his morning commute to work, Andrei came to the firm conclusion that he was an asshole. But, it wasn't something he would have readily admitted to if it weren't for his long chat with Ivan. His lieutenant had rightly pointed out that his shock at finding Juan's drugs in Holly's possession was perfectly understandable. His reaction, though, was over the top. He could have handled their 'talk' with far more grace and owed Holly an apology. Of course, even before chatting with Ivan, Andrei had already planned to surprise Holly with a bunch of peonies later, kiss the hell out of her and whisk her off to lunch at her favourite restaurant where he'd beg for forgiveness. So, as soon as he settled down in his office, he called the florist to order the flowers. But Diane soured his mood, telling him he'd have to wait at least two weeks since peonies were no longer in season and would have to be imported. "Can I interest you in roses instead?" she asked. "No, Diane. Roses
Reckless Hearts 100|Just Getting Started
You know how in movies, just before you die, time seems to slow down, and your life flashes in front of your eyes, making you question every decision, every choice you've ever made leading up to that moment? Sometimes, some long-dead relative, shrouded by a halo of light, is waiting for you at the end of a long, narrow tunnel to help you crossover. And other times, it's just the light. All you have to do is walk towards it. Holly didn't get any of that. No long-dead relative was waiting for her. No bright light to walk towards. No memories of her life flashed by. And time definitely didn't slow down. In fact, she was aware of every excruciating second as the car hit a traffic light and spun around several times before, ironically, crashing into a luxury car dealership on the corner of Church Street, missing a shiny Range Rover by mere inches. When the car salesmen—going about their mundane morning just moments before disaster struck— screamed and jumped out of the way, du
Reckless Hearts 99|Larger Than Life
A mournful sigh slipped through Holly's lips as she pushed the laptop away and picked up her now-cold coffee. As much as she wanted to look away, her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own. They remained glued to a Polaroid photo of Isabella taken in one of the studios at the Institute while she was in croisé devant, a pose in which the dancer stands facing a corner at an angle to the audience.Knowing what Holly knew now about the circumstances leading up to Isabella's tragic end, it wasn't hard to figure out who had taken the photo. Her own socials were littered with such images, and she always joked that if dancing didn't work out for Cooper, he could always go into photography. Of course, he didn't have the technical know-how. But there was something special about how he captured his subjects...He had a way of making them appear larger than life, like they were the centre of the universe and everything around them existed purely for them. Looking at the photos, at the fragments
Reckless Hearts 98|Parallels
After Andrei insisted on driving her to The Castle, Holly had planned to jump straight into bed and pass out. But, agitated and heartbroken, hours later, when the sun finally came up, she was still tossing and turning, going over their fight. Never in her wildest dreams would Holly have imagined that her first-ever argument with Andrei would be over some stupid snuff bullet that wasn't even hers. At the heart of it, though, she wasn't all cut up because Andrei had insinuated she was a junkie. Everything he said was true. She was a cokehead and owned her addiction. What really messed her up was that he didn't believe a word she said about the capsule not being hers. After everything they'd been through, hearing her out was the least he could have done. But the distrust in his eyes, like she wasn't worthy of being given the benefit of the doubt simply because she was a drug user, had damn near killed her. In that moment, with his unfounded accusations smashing down on her like a to
Reckless Hearts 97|Bad For Business
"You know the rules," Igor stepped in. If there was ever a time when Andrei wanted to throttle him, it was then. He not only knew the rules, but also enforced them diligently by subjecting the family's top management to random drug testing and running background checks on potential girlfriends. So, Igor playing the rules card felt like a fucking slap in the face."Holly is compromised," insisted Ivan, siding with Igor. "She's bad for business!""Watch yourself!" Andrei growled. "That's my future wife you're talking about!""Oh, for fuck's sake! After everything we've just said, you can't still be thinking about going through with this marriage. Your father will not allow it!""After the shit he pulled with Veronika, I'm done with my father. Holly and I will still get married as planned!""So what exactly did Papa Ivanov do?" asked Ivan, picking up his cutlery again."What didn't he do?" said Andrei, linking his hands behind his head. Without further prompting from his lieutenants, he
