***WARNING: AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER THERE IS A BIT OF A CURVEBALL THAT RESULTS IN RAPE. PLEASE READ AT YOUR DISCRETION. THANK YOU*** --- ARIA AKA RED Wolf slows the SUV down as he lets the vehicle roll through the gates of a run-down mansion that has seen better days. I turn my head to look at him as he kills the engine. "This is the special place you wanted to take me?" I giggle, looking down at myself, and I shake my head. "I could have worn jeans and sneakers." Removing the keys from the ignition, he leans over the centre console and rubs his fingers on the tips of my hair that sits in waves on my shoulders. "You look stunning, Red. just like the colour of your hair." He says as he lifts my hair to his nose and breathes it in. "Your conditioner reminds me of a strawberry farm I use to play in when I was a young boy." He mutters with his eyes piercing mine as he shares one of his childhood memories. "I hope it was a good memory you shared with your brothers," I whisper, le
ARTEMIS AKA WOLF =A Few Hours Before= I lean forward in the leather armchair, and toss the scrunched up piece of paper onto the glass tabletop of Igors' desk, "That," I hiss while pointing at it. "Was waiting for me when I exited the barn." He leans forward and picks it up with his eyes trained on mine. His brows pinch together as he focuses on reading the poetic note that has my balls shrivelling up with its last assertion. ~Will a king fall, or will his fiery-haired queen fall first.~ "It says, twins. You are not a twin. Are you?" He asks as he places the piece of paper on the glass tabletop and looks at me with suspicion. "Last time I checked, there was only one of me," I reply dryly. "But whoever this person is, they know that my Aria has red hair, and I fear she may be in danger again if we dont find out who this person is," Fear wriggles its way into the depths of my dark heart as I snarl, my hands curled into tight fists and resting atop my thighs. "Do you think this is t
ARTEMIS AKA WOLF The moment the hood of my sedan aligns with the stairs of the mansion, I slam my foot down on the brakes. I jump out of my car as I bolt up those very stairs that lead to the entrance of the mansion. The idling of the engine follows me, along with the sound of the music playing inside my sedan. I didn't bother to kill the engine or slam the door shut behind me. The second I noticed that there was no car patrolling the first gate, I had a bad feeling wash over me. I swallowed that feeling which felt like a hairball and put it down to my being paranoid. But when I rolled up to the large iron gates, they were open and unguarded. That's when I knew, shit had hit the fan and my Queen had possibly been seized. I push the front door open, using my upper body, and the entry lobby is empty too. Not a body insight. "Red!" I yell at the top of my lungs. "Red!!" I yell again as I reach the bottom of the staircase that leads to the top floor Again. I am met with the dau
*** WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATURE SEXUAL CONTENT. PLEASE READ AT YOUR DISCRETION. THANK YOU.*** --- ARIA AKA RED I stare back at myself in the reflection of the dirty old mirror as Roar combs my wet hair. My body involuntarily shudders with every stroke of the comb, with every word he utters, and with the slightest creak of the floorboards. "You are beautiful, moy angel [my angel] and the truth is, Artemis doesn't deserve you." A cold chill runs up my spine every time he calls me moy angel. An endearment I grew accustomed to from Wolf, is now an endearment I despise with every ounce of blood that flows through my searing veins. "You deserve so much more, and I can give you the world if you allow me to." He stops combing my hair, sets the comb on top of the dressing table in front of me, and places his hands on the balls of my shoulders. He meets my gaze in the mirror, "We can be a family and take over the Volkov empire for ourselves. Every King needs a strong and be
ARIA AKA RED After Roar had left the room, I remained seated on the chair for what seemed like an eternity. I had no motivation to get up, cover myself up or bother to scold myself for the way I easily came undone for him. But then I got to thinking, and I remembered that someone once said to me that the life of a mobster's wife is hard. I should learn from her mistakes and don't fall head over heels in love with a cruel bastard who lacks empathy. I am young, get what I need out of the marriage and leave. What I thought I wanted from Artemis in our marriage, no longer applies to what I now need from him. I need him to come and save me, then I need him to back off and give me a divorce. I tell myself that it is for my safety, but deep down, I know that it is also for his too. Most people know that souls are crafted in pairs. They come in twos, placed across the globe with a high chance of finding one another. The love they will share will be explosive, passionate and forever
ARTEMIS AKA WOLF Back in my office, the door slams behind me. Viktor is gone now, and he has left behind the USB of his findings. I'm alone and I throb all over. I feel like I'm about to combust; explode. I pick up the USB and I look at it with a sigh departing between my lips. I plug the little black device into the side of my laptop and I bring up the footage; enlarging it. Leaning in close I carefully study it, I dont want to miss anything, even the smallest of details can help pinpoint their location. My hands curl into fists when I see him. He arrived fifteen minutes after I initially left on my way to the barn. His SUV appeared to be identical to mine on the outside, but when he opened the door, his interior was white, whereas mine is a walnut colour. My whole fleet of SUVs is a limited edition. He exits the vehicle and converses with one of the guards while concealing his right hand in the pocket of his slacks and his left hand over his throat. I take note that he
ALEKSANDER AKA ROAR I will collect the debts owed to me by sinners deserving their misfortunes; my bloodline, my twin brother, and his stunning wife. But like a fickle bitch that Karma is, she isn't willing to make things easy for me. By no means am I claiming to be a saint, that would be me making a mockery of the innocent- I am a far cry from being accepted through the gates of Heaven. For once, I wish Karma would do me a solid and stop taunting me with her brutal misery, or let some ill-fated accident end Artemis's god-forsaken life. I growl... Pulling myself out of my bubble of self-pity and I pull my pants up over my waist, chuckling. I can't believe I allowed myself to fall for her bullshit. I should have known better, I should have just told her to get ready so she can join me downstairs for a meal. The thought of killing her has crossed my mind. I've toyed with the idea of strangling her, the moment she comes, clenching my dick like a fucking vice as I record the light
ARIA AKA RED I swallow the panic that coaxes the back of my throat. Fear forbids my body from moving, imprisoning me in all its glory; its stillness. I stare down at the ground, wishing it would open up and swallow us both. This can't be happening. I keep telling myself that I am stuck in a horrible dream and I will eventually wake up with each chapter of my story. But I don't, and it's finally dawning on me that my story is finally coming to an end. A white van pulls up in front of the stairs, Roar puts me down, and he waits for me to find my footing before he starts to drag me down the stairs with him. As we reach the last step, I begin to struggle; fight, battle against him. "Ugh, I don't have time for this shit, Red!" He yells with annoyance. "My name is Aria." I hiss back, trying to pull my hands out of his grasp. "You call me Aria!" He loosens his grip, and just when I think I have an opening to make a run for it, he yanks me right back against him. "You are a sucker
ZEYNEP My eyes grow wide as fear forbids me to move. With fear-stricken eyes, I watch as Dmitri rushes to the bedroom window, pulling a ribbed black top over his shoulders. He stands in the shadows where the sun doesn't kiss the room, and he gazes out the window. Whatever is happening on the other side of the window, causes his hands to curl into tight balls of fury at his sides. The instant he looks back at me, I know it's bad. I immediately turn around, attempting to unlock the door so I can rush down the stairs and find my parents. "Net... [No...]" Dmitri growls in a hushed tone, yanking me away from the door, and he pulls me to the far corner of the room. "Get down, and don't let anyone see you through the window." He states sternly, leaving no room for me to disregard his orders. He moves along the wall, opens the closet door, and pulls out his duffle bag. He extracts two guns, twists the silencers on the barrels, and removes two clips; stuffing the clips into the back
ZEYNEPTWENTY-ONE YEARS LATER.I stare at my reflection in the mirror, admiring the strong young woman who stares back at me. Today is my twenty-first birthday, and my parents have decided they want to celebrate it with all their corporate friends and close confidants. I usually feel like an outcast at large gatherings or in crowded places. I am the awkward girl in the corner of the room who has been sipping the same drink for three hours while watching everyone else enjoy themselves.I turn to the side, drinking in my reflection as I take note of how well the gown fits my body.It savagely clings to every generous curve the Gods have blessed me with. The silver gown that sparkles under the light heightens the sapphire blue irises in my eyes. I have my mother's red hair and my father's eyes, but somehow I have inherited my Aunt Ana's spitfire tongue.FOR ONCE, my mother has picked something for me that doesn't make me feel like I am too overly dressed; something that will draw too
ARIA AKA REDIn a state of panic, I yank Wolf's gun out of the holster in the back of his jeans.I step around him, point the gun at the crazy lady who keeps calling him Aleksander with her gun directed at his face, and I pull the trigger. The thunderous sound of the gun discharging rockets through the atmosphere. As soon as I realise what I have done, I drop the weapon and watch as it strikes the ground.Wolf lunges forward, he rips the crying child out of his mother's embrace before she collapses to the ground.With my eyes growing larger than saucers, I lift my arms, covering my mouth with my hands. What have I done? I just murdered a woman...A mother in cold blood while her child clung to her...Regret slowly slivers up my spine, dispersing across my trembling flesh like a plague as guilt consumes me entirely. "Red... Red, are you okay?" Wolfs' thick and firm voice crashes into me like tidal waves upon the seashore, and I stagger back from the cruel impact it has upon my bod
ARTEMIS AKA WOLFTWO MONTHS LATERWalking through the slums of Russia, I grip Red's hand tighter and draw her flush against my side.I am truly grateful that my ancestors were able to get us out of the country. As I envision the life I would have had here, I am filled with dread due to the pure evil that would have landed me in prison."I still can not believe that this is where your family originated from. You wreak of money, power and sophistication. Wolf, it is absolutely remarkable how a person's lifelong ambitions may pave the way for the prosperity of their entire family tree." She hums as she takes in the scenery surrounding us.I smile at the excitement she helplessly displays. This is her first trip abroad. If I had known sooner, I would have postponed this trip and taken her somewhere more romantic and deserving."Do you think Zeynep would want to visit Russia when she gets older?" She adds, picking an apple off a tree we walk past.I snatch the apple out of her grasp, rub
ARIA AKA RED It's been a week since I returned home from the hospital with Zeynep. I guess everyone forgets to tell you how sleep-deprived you will become. Not because Zeynep doesn't sleep or the fact that I need to wake up every three hours at night to change her diaper, feed her, and burp her. No, that isn't the case at all because we have mastered our routine. I cannot stop glancing at her and thinking, 'Wow, I made her... she came out of me'. It is so bizarre, but also the greatest experience ever. I genuinely believed I would have difficulty coping and fall into a pit of depression, but I have not. I suppose it is because I have the best support group imaginable. What's even more out of it, is that every time I see Wolf changing Zeyneps diaper, or falling asleep on the rocking chair with her little body pressed against his chest. It makes me want to jump his bones. Seeing him in father mode seriously does something crazy to my libido, and I can not wait till I am
ARTEMIS AKA WOLFI continuously swallow the lump that has embedded itself in the column of my throat, as I lean against the doorjamb watching Red breastfeed our daughter. A sense of pride licks my feverish skin, I feel like my life is now complete, and I try to think back as to how I got here. I sigh, shaking my head with a grin on my face as I pinch the bridge of my nose. I seriously don't know how I'm going to cope trying to keep them both safe without driving myself entirely insane. For once, I feel like my life has a purpose like I have accomplished the impossible where my heart is concerned. If only my father could see me now, blyad [fuck], I truly do hope he is rolling in the fucking grotty soil he was laid to rest in.A heavy hand lands on my shoulder, jerking me back to the present and I snap my head to the side to see a very chump-looking Deniz standing beside me."Congratulations on the birth of your daughter, my friend." He sighs with a dip of his head.I push off the do
ARIA AKA RED Icy needles of cold water attack my searing flesh, and the sting claws at the clinging shadows of my nightmares as they continue to haunt me. Closing my eyes, I step further into the spray, willing the lingering fear and nauseousness to circle the drain around my swelling feet. A shiver consumes me, and my thoughts drift to my unborn baby and husband. The guilt, repulsion, and terror still cling to my body like a second layer of skin. I hate that Roar still bombards my conscience. "Goddamn it!" I place my open palms flat against the cool tiles and absorb the coolness of the punishing surge into my bones; my core. Every time I am ripped from reality and thrown into my night terrors, I can still feel, hear and sense Roar's presence as if he is still somehow clinging to me. A metallic taste coats my tongue, and it causes me to shudder. I won't give in to the facade of him still tormenting me when he is six feet under. I touch my belly. I won't let him ruin th
ARTEMIS AKA WOLF As soon as I see Red enter the cafe, I stand, move to the opposite side of the table, and pull her chair. "Moy angel. [My angel.]" I hum, pressing a gentle kiss on her lips as she reaches my side. She smiles, inhaling deeply, "You smell so good, Wolf." She coos as she uncomfortably settles into her chair, although her swelling bump makes it rather difficult. I raise my hand before resuming my seat and requesting service. A young female with blonde hair and blue tips approaches our table."Hello, my name is Cammy, welcome to the Break-Away cafe. Are you ready to order?" She says in a polite, inviting tone as she presses the ball tip of her pen to her notebook. "I'll have a black coffee with a salmon and cream cheese bagel," I reply, ordering something simple as I need to get back to the office. "Just a chocolate thick shake for me with extra syrup please." Red orders, rubbing her belly with an uncomfortable expression smeared across her glowing face. A low grow
ARIA AKA RED"Will we be taking the elevator today, Mrs Volkov?" Ivan asks me as he holds the door to the penthouse wide open.I give him a serious look as I rub my swelling belly, "You know I don't do elevators." I sigh, sliding my handbag over my shoulder. "Da [yes], my apologies." He utters with a frown on his face, "I just thought that since you are now heavily pregnant you might want to use the elevator."As I step through the door, "I am claustrophobic, me getting stuck inside an elevator is my worse dream come true." I reply while we walk to the staircase entrance."Understood," He holds the door open to the staircase. "Mr Volkov has also confirmed that he will meet you for lunch at the Break-Away cafe at one, after his meeting.""That's fine. Have you seen Ana this week?" I enquire as I begin to descend the steps utilising the handrails as my saviour.The last thing I need is to miss a damn step and plummet to the bottom of the stairs; causing me to go into labour early.It's