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67|Little Osaka
Last Updated:
2025-02-04 00:41:24
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Reckless 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 : 2025-02-04Reckless Hearts 72|A Magician Never Reveals Her Tricks
A pale-faced Lola stormed off with her groupies. One or two were brave enough to ask what Holly had said to leave her so shaken. "It's nothing," Holly heard her say just before she slipped inside the security office, where she spent an unbelievably long time going through the off-boarding process. When Carlo, one of the security guys assisting her, confirmed she was off the system, Holly excused herself, racing to the Porsche Cayenne Coupé parked in front of the entrance. For a minute or maybe more, she just stood there, soaking in the weight of her decision and unable to believe her journey as a dancer was truly over. "How does it feel to be a free agent?" Eric asked when she took her place in the back moments later. "Exhilarating! I never thought unemployment would feel so great!" Holly replied, amazed at how much she liked the idea of being a free agent. "I guess congratulations are in order then!" Eric teased, smiling at her as they pulled away. Holly gazed out the rear w
Last Updated : 2025-02-04Reckless Hearts 73|The Recording
The party was already in full swing when Holly arrived at Crush just after 3:00 PM, even though she was the guest of honour. She found Russel and Naomi at the bar, having a good old time sipping cocktails. "You made it!" Naomi placed her drink on the countertop and hugged her briefly, before pushing her to Russel. "That's a hell of a move you pulled, kid!" he said, giving Holly a bear hug. "Yeah, your exit was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card," Naomi chimed in, leading the way to a VIP booth upstairs, away from the deafening music and drunken voices. They sat down, with Holly running an appreciative gaze around the room. After Austin took over, the place had undergone a major revamp, and she liked the chic yet playful design better than the old, over-the-top, garish neon furniture. "What happened?" Russel asked, pulling out his laptop. "What was the final straw for you?" Forcing a smile on her face, Holly kept her response vague, blaming her career-ending injury for her sna
Last Updated : 2025-02-04Reckless Hearts 1|A Win-win
"Absolutely not! We've talked about this, Papa!" Andrei Ivanov grunted irritably as he lowered his towering frame on the burgundy camelback sofa in the den of his ancestral home in Glen Eagles, north of Rock Castle. Surprisingly, Pavel, the Ivanovs' longtime butler, dressed in a dark suit and not a hair out of place, remained unfazed by the tension in the room. The same way Andrei's father, Nikolai, sat unperturbed behind his vintage desk as he gazed back at him, "Yes, you will cancel your flight." Massaging his temples to stave off a looming headache, Andrei explained—yet again—why he couldn't cancel his flight the following evening, citing every excuse he could think of. When that didn't work, he doubled down and lit a cigarette, taking long, deep puffs before addressing his father again in a much firmer tone, "You've known about my move to Moscow for a while now. It's happening, with or without your approval. I suggest you get on board fast!" "I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Ni
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Reckless Hearts 2|Where People Find Wives
"Oh, you do?" Nikolai arched his brows in amusement."Yes, I do!" Andrei retorted. It was all lies, of course. He didn't have a girlfriend. But his father didn't need to know this. "How am I supposed to explain Veronika to her?"Nikolai shrugged carelessly, asking, "Why have I never met this mystery girlfriend?""You've never met any of my girlfriends," Andrei reminded him, suddenly glad he'd never made the mistake of bringing women home to meet his father. Who knew keeping his love life under wraps would work in his favour someday?"Your PA is always your plus-one at company events, and you've never been photographed with a woman before. I find it strange that you've never mentioned a girlfriend.""Strange or not, I'm not marrying Veronika. So call off this damn thing.""Who is she?" Nikolai ignored his outburst, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "And how long has this thing been going on?"Andrei took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, surprising himself with how easil
Last Updated : 2024-11-04
Latest chapter
Reckless Hearts 73|The Recording
The party was already in full swing when Holly arrived at Crush just after 3:00 PM, even though she was the guest of honour. She found Russel and Naomi at the bar, having a good old time sipping cocktails. "You made it!" Naomi placed her drink on the countertop and hugged her briefly, before pushing her to Russel. "That's a hell of a move you pulled, kid!" he said, giving Holly a bear hug. "Yeah, your exit was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card," Naomi chimed in, leading the way to a VIP booth upstairs, away from the deafening music and drunken voices. They sat down, with Holly running an appreciative gaze around the room. After Austin took over, the place had undergone a major revamp, and she liked the chic yet playful design better than the old, over-the-top, garish neon furniture. "What happened?" Russel asked, pulling out his laptop. "What was the final straw for you?" Forcing a smile on her face, Holly kept her response vague, blaming her career-ending injury for her sna
Reckless Hearts 72|A Magician Never Reveals Her Tricks
A pale-faced Lola stormed off with her groupies. One or two were brave enough to ask what Holly had said to leave her so shaken. "It's nothing," Holly heard her say just before she slipped inside the security office, where she spent an unbelievably long time going through the off-boarding process. When Carlo, one of the security guys assisting her, confirmed she was off the system, Holly excused herself, racing to the Porsche Cayenne Coupé parked in front of the entrance. For a minute or maybe more, she just stood there, soaking in the weight of her decision and unable to believe her journey as a dancer was truly over. "How does it feel to be a free agent?" Eric asked when she took her place in the back moments later. "Exhilarating! I never thought unemployment would feel so great!" Holly replied, amazed at how much she liked the idea of being a free agent. "I guess congratulations are in order then!" Eric teased, smiling at her as they pulled away. Holly gazed out the rear w
Reckless 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
Reckless 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
Reckless 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
Reckless 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
Reckless 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
Reckless 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
Reckless 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
