ARIA AKA REDI stare at Wolf in complete shock as he makes his way to the door, yanking it open and my fingers twist into knots as my anxiety shoots through the ceiling. "Red.." He titters with his bare back still facing me, and his head slightly turned to his side. "We also had unprotected sex the night before you were seized, or did you forget about the passionate night we spent together?" He growls bitterly."No, of course, I haven't," I reply in a hushed tone.How can he think that I would forget about that passionate night shared between us?He made my body sing and I had never felt so wanted... beautiful, or alive, and even if I did want to forget it; my heart would never allow it. "Well then, if one of us was to get you pregnant, it would be me, and I'm not willing to let you go if you are carrying my child." He openly declares with an underlay of possessiveness as he leaves the room, and slams the door behind him.I slightly flinch, standing there looking into space. I'm fla
ARTEMIS AKA WOLFI step under the hot cascading water, watching as the crimson liquid eventually turns transparent. I allow the hot water to flow over my hair while resting my palm on the wall above my head and dipping my chin. So many thoughts are running through my mind, but one voice is screaming so aggressively that it drowns out the others.'You have lost her, she is pregnant, and she no longer wants to be with you.'Rolling my shoulders, I sway my neck underneath the shower head and grit my teeth. I'm not willing to let her go. I understand how inconsiderate I was by forcing her to stay and take a paternity test.If by some ill-fated chance, the baby is Aleksanders', I will have the results changed; forged with my name as the biological father. There are two types of people in the universe. Those who blame the world and accept defeat. And those who resist and win. I am not a man to accept a cheap spoon as my award and stare at it with the excuse that there was nothing I
ARIA AKA REDI stare out the window at the passing panorama of traffic, buildings, groups of people walking, and an infinite number of trees.I attempt to divert my attention away from the sickness that is slowly crawling up my oesophagus.I nip at the tips of my fingernails while contemplating my next move.If I do go through with the termination...Wolf is unlikely to accept that I miscarried, and what if the child is actually his?Doesn't he deserve a say too?"Tell me what you are thinking about, Ria. Now that I am here, you can share your burdens with me, you don't have to carry the full weight on your own." Ana interrupts my train of thought with her soft voice as if she is scared I will shatter like fragile glass."We are only going to the clinic to speak with someone, correct?""Ofcourse, nothing is set and stone until you make the decision. I just want you to know that you have options.""Great, that's reassuring..." I whisper with a heavy sigh that is full of turmoil and fru
ARTEMIS AKA WOLF I don't know what possessed me to do it, but the urge to silence her compelled me to crush my lips against hers. The look in her eyes, the scorching touch of her hand on my chest and her defiance drove me mad with lust. She struggles against me, placing her hands on my chest as she tries to push me away. But her efforts fail her as she slowly stops resisting me, and she starts to fist my top by pulling me in closer to her; deepening our kiss. A soft moan escapes her throat as I lick the seams of her lips, begging her to let me in. I slip my tongue into her mouth, pinning her arms behind her back, forcing her to arch her chest and press her body into mine. "I hate you," She whimpers against my lips, "I fucking hate everything that you stand for... the way you make my body sing..." She turns her head to the side, and I lick the lone tear that glides down her flushed cheek. "You have every right to hate me, moy angel [my angel], and I would be a little concerne
ARIA AKA RED TWO MONTHs LATER... True to his word, Wolf has slowly started to make some changes within his empire. He packed everything up and moved us into a penthouse. Ana included. Although I see her less frequently these days because she is spending time with an unnamed person. I won't push her for a name because I know she will eventually let it slip, and that day can not come sooner. I kind of get lonely and it's the loneliness that triggers the vile voices in my head. Wolf said that we must be in the city, surrounded by people, for him to detect the Elite Family if they make a move. In addition to the building being surrounded by his men, with two guards on each floor, he has also assigned Ivan as my private security guard. He had sat me down last week and we had a pleasant conversation about how our lives would change in the next years as he builds his business, and prepares to take his construction sector abroad in eight years. Things are still a little strained b
ARTEMIS AKA WOLFTWO WEEKS LATERThere comes a time in a man's life when he must do the unimaginable and eliminate the people who jeopardise his opportunity at genuine, unadulterated happiness for the rest of his life.He must delve deeply, bypassing everything ingrained in his mind about loyalty, respect, and honour.And... Tonight is one of those nights for me.The car comes to a standstill beneath the flickering streetlights in an abandoned location. As I get out of the car, gravel, broken glass and filth from the warehouse district crunch beneath my shoes with every step I take.It's a depressing area, but it's also quiet; perfect for my guests of honour and for the violence that will follow for the others tonight.It will serve its purpose well.I look back at Viktor who remains standing by the car, his hand resting on his gun at his hip. The door to one of the two warehouses we are parked in front of opens. Light illuminates the gloomy parking lot as Deniz steps out."How are t
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
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
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