"Absolutely everything! I will ensure that you and your companions have a splendid feast!" His laughter was hearty, and his face flushed red due to the extra weight he carried. I had often been envious of his seemingly normal life. "That sounds delightful, my friend. I am eagerly looking forward to it. Where is your father?" "You work too much, my friend. You need a wife, someone who will keep you at home in the evenings, and a house filled with children." I chuckled and shook my head. "One day, Russo. One day." I patted him on the shoulder before making my way towards the back room. Luigi had always been accommodating, closing off the private area and keeping a watchful eye whenever I asked. Was I taking a significant risk? Perhaps, but Russo's establishment had always remained under the radar, never mentioned in any way. I had been handling the money collection ever since I was allowed into my father's world. Was the choice of location ironic? Maybe I wanted to test fate. Hell, m
Aleksei Petrov entered the room with an uncharacteristic air of levity, drawing attention from the rest of us. He began pulling out cigars, a rare smile gracing his face. "What's the occasion?" Miguel asked, eagerly accepting one of the cigars. "I have news," Aleksei replied, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. Dominick shook his head, offering me a knowing smile. "Does this mean you and your lovely bride are expecting?" "I found out about that at the wedding," Aleksei chuckled softly to himself as he made his way to the bar, preparing our usual drinks for our alliance meetings. "She gave birth a week ago." "Don't keep us in suspense," I interjected, trying to inject some light-heartedness into the conversation. It was hard to believe that eight months had passed since the Russian situation unfolded. We were the Sons of Darkness, heirs to our fathers' various mafia empires. Over the course of our eighteen months together, we had become friends, strengthening our powerful rea
The partnership we had forged over the past two years had proven successful. "I have another idea that I'd like to propose, something for everyone to consider," I carefully voiced my thoughts. Dominick raised an intrigued eyebrow, leaning in closer. "We're all ears. What's on your mind?" It was an unconventional approach, no doubt about it. But it held immense power, capable of securing our control over the entire country, including all the ports within the continental United States. The smaller cartels would never be able to challenge our authority again. Yet, with such significant change came inherent risks. We would become bigger targets, facing a new regime and a fresh generation of adversaries. The possibilities were boundless. And for the first time in years, I felt a spark of excitement for the future, but only if a certain vibrant and spirited woman remained by my side. Against all reason, she was the one I was already falling hard for. The hunt was underway. I had been
"And you're damn well aware that nobody in my organization had anything to do with that kid's death. It's not our style," he retorted, his voice filled with defiance. He hesitated, eyeing my open jacket with a glare. "As if you have a style. Christ. Did you come here to kill me? That's ballsy, even for a monster like you." I took a deep breath, considering my response carefully. "I suggest you allow me inside, David, unless you want your neighbors to overhear our conversation. Especially since I suspect you're a corrupt agent," I replied, a hint of amusement lacing my words. When he hesitated, I chuckled softly. "Fuck you. I'm not corrupt," he shot back. "Not what I've heard. And if I wanted you dead, Agent Fiennes, your body would already be in the morgue," I countered, my tone dripping with a cold and calculated confidence. Hissing, he reluctantly opened the door wider, granting me entry into his humble abode. His house was far from extravagant; the sparse furniture appeared worn
Death had been a constant presence in my life since I was a child. I witnessed my father's brutal enforcement of justice, executing one of his own men in cold blood. The nauseating feeling in my stomach that day was etched into my memory, a stark reminder of my father's power and influence. Loss had plagued my family, almost tearing my parents apart years ago. And now, faced with the possibility of Emily's death, I realized how unaccustomed I was to such emotions. I had built walls around my heart, refusing to let anyone in, keeping relationships distant. It was the way my family operated, maintaining control and isolation. Loneliness had become my companion. My father had drilled into me the importance of detachment. If I didn't care about anyone, I wouldn't experience the pain of loss. We were forbidden from having pets in our household, and laughter was a rare occurrence. Holidays were marked by my mother's tears, and my father's absence from our lives was a constant reminder of
"I... Of course, boss. Where are you heading?" Angelo inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Out of town. It should only take a day. Just ensure that the operations on the streets are running smoothly. Do you understand?" I spoke with a mix of determination and doubt, already questioning my decision regarding Victor. Heads would roll for his incompetence. I trusted Angelo to follow my orders, although I knew questions would arise in such a short amount of time. I had less than twenty-four hours before chaos erupted. All I could do now was embark on the nearly three-hour trip to Galena. I had purchased a secluded cabin there years ago, a hidden sanctuary where no one would suspect my presence. Not even my father knew its exact location. He had taught me the importance of having a getaway, and I had carefully chosen this cabin without physically visiting it. In the rare moments I had spent there, I had found a semblance of peace amidst the serenity. Safety was always a concern, a
EMILY Dread filled every fiber of my being, escalating with each passing moment. The presence of an unidentified and potentially dangerous entity outside had instilled a profound and all-encompassing fear within me. The arduous journey to the cabin, fraught with treacherous snow and ice, had been distressing, but at least Dante had proven himself to be kind and communicative. However, throughout the entire trip, I had been plagued by worry, unable to relax, particularly because Dante kept glancing into the rearview mirror as if we were being pursued by monsters. It felt as though our lives were in imminent danger. And now this. My stomach churned, and my heart raced with the weight of the tragedy that might have unfolded, as well as the knowledge that Rafael had come searching for us. It was difficult to believe that he genuinely cared, considering how little I knew about him now. Since being forcefully taken from his house, my thoughts had been consumed by the enigmatic and rugge
"There are far too many missing pieces," Rafael remarked, walking toward the window and peering outside. He turned to Dante. "Are you certain you weren't followed?" "Not a chance," Dante replied. "You know, we could use her supposed death to our advantage." "Yes, we could," Rafael agreed, releasing his grip on my arm and gently brushing hair out of my eyes. "I was sick when your father told me what he believed had happened. I had no way of knowing if you'd betrayed me." "You automatically assume I'm a traitor, Rafael? Do you have no one you can trust?" My words hung in the air, creating an uncomfortable silence. "I've survived by considering every aspect of a situation," he casually replied. It was clear that he had little trust in anyone. I took a closer look at Dante's wound, relieved to see that it was only a minor graze. "I wouldn't betray you, Rafael. I came to you for help because I trust you with my life. And my heart." The words slipped out unexpectedly. Ever since he had
I went for a drive to visit Stefan at the hospital before returning home. Upon entering the house, I immediately sensed its coldness and stillness. It seemed as though Emily had left, and although I would have been devastated, I couldn't bring myself to be angry. She deserved to have a happy life. With a heavy heart, I dropped my keys on the hallway table, finding it difficult to proceed further into my own lifeless dwelling. Without Emily, there was no love, no brightness. I made my way towards my office, and as I approached the open door, I froze. She had discovered the papers I had signed, another secret I had kept from her. Frustration welled up inside me. Then, a delightful aroma of vanilla and cinnamon caught my attention, emanating from the kitchen. Confused, I ventured closer, and my senses were greeted by additional scents that made my mouth water: garlic, tomatoes, onions, and the fragrance of fresh bread. Taking cautious steps, I continued towards the kitchen, and amidst
"Mmmm... And I love you," I replied, my heart filled with the weight of those words. We remained wrapped in each other's embrace for several minutes, and when he finally eased away, I felt an unexpected sense of emptiness, a subtle pang of loneliness. An irrational fear crept into my mind—that I would always worry about his return, that I would never feel completely safe. But as if he sensed my unease, he zipped up his jeans and gathered me into his arms, disregarding our disheveled state as he led me back to the living room. Tenderly, he settled me on the couch, pulling a blanket over my naked body. Then, he simply disappeared. Confusion and worry washed over me. Had I done something wrong? I waited anxiously for a few minutes, contemplating getting up from the couch, when he reappeared. In his hands, he held an open bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses. It was a moment of enchantment, especially coming from a man who claimed not to have a romantic bone in his body. He pour
I also came to understand that Rafael had his limits when it came to sharing details about his business and his involvement in certain matters. He had mentioned before that it was partly to protect me, although I couldn't be certain if it was solely due to a lack of trust. Regardless, I decided not to push the issue at that moment. Instead, I cherished the time we spent together, enjoying our dinners and the comfort of his embrace. Amidst the chaos of bullets and death, a realization nagged at me, refusing to be ignored. Sensing an opportunity to lighten the mood, I playfully said, "What if I promise that I'll never let that happen again?" Rafael pulled me up from the ground, a skeptical look on his face. "Do you honestly think I would fall for such a promise?" he replied. "Not at all. You're a wise old man," I teased, unable to suppress a grin. Despite his guarded nature, Rafael had shown me various facets of his personality, including his vulnerability. My love for him was profoun
EMILY Love. That single word had replaced the suffocating fear that had nearly drained me of the will to survive, even though thoughts of death still lingered. Despite being assured that the nightmare was over. From the moment that bastard had forcibly taken me from William's house, I had resigned myself to never seeing Rafael again. While the monster had not followed through on his threat, instead locking me away until he eventually dragged me to the club, I couldn't shake his cowardly face from my mind. But amidst the haunting images that I knew would fade with time, Rafael's heartfelt words echoed in my ears. The horror in his eyes when he laid eyes on me confirmed that he would move heaven and earth to find me, if need be. Curled up under a blanket on the couch, my legs tucked close to my chest, I gazed at the crackling fire he had built. The uncharacteristic cold snap had given him an excuse to pamper me with hot chocolate, the fire perpetually ablaze. I would never have exp
As I made my way towards the elevator, I noticed the attention I was receiving from those present in the club. Although some of my soldiers were discreetly positioned throughout the venue, it was much easier to identify the members of the Kadik gang with their leather jackets and dark jeans. I confidently approached a group of them, extending my arms. "I have an appointment with Konstantin." As I had expected, they conducted a search for weapons before allowing me to enter the empty elevator. The doors opened, and I could hear classical music playing from the speakers, an intriguing choice considering the nature of the individual I was about to meet. There he was, seated like a king, reclining in an opulent velour chair with one leg casually draped over the armrest. Dressed in a flowing white shirt and loose dark trousers, his appearance would have been almost comical if not for the underlying tension. "Konstantin Solntsevskaya," I greeted him, noting that Emily was nowhere to be s
He followed closely behind me, mirroring my confident stride. The time for this relentless war to reach its conclusion had arrived. And we were determined to emerge victorious. I inserted the drive into my computer, accessing the array of files it contained. "What are we up against?" Aleksei inquired, his customary vodka in hand. "Lists of names, supporters of our respective organizations," I replied. It was evident that someone had gone to great lengths, investing significant time and effort, to compile such an extensive and incriminating roster. "Blackmail," Miguel murmured, his voice barely audible. Indeed, it was a form of blackmail, but not the kind Armando had previously hinted at. "A weapon of sorts," Victor suggested. I glanced at him, acknowledging his insight. "You're correct. It targets those who work for us, placing them in impossible positions. They are left with no choice but to either yield or flee, eradicating crucial support from the police, city councils, atto
Despite the enjoyable moments we shared watching games and sharing drinks, we had neglected to engage in meaningful conversations. In all honesty, I found myself somewhat intimidated by him – his amiable nature, kindness, and passion for life, which was completely devoid of violence. Perhaps it was time to change that. "Hey there. I heard you're improving," I said, unsure if I expected him to open his eyes or not, but I sensed that he heard me. "Everything will be alright. Just know that I have my best men protecting you." All I heard in response were the various sounds of the machines. Frustrating. Swallowing hard, aware that I didn't have as much time as I would have liked, I held his hand tightly as a solitary tear rolled down my cheek. What had become of our family? "Anyway, I can't stay long, but I'll be back, alright?" There was no response, no acknowledgement of any kind. "Stefan, know that I love you, brother." I squeezed his hand once more, finally letting go. For some in
"Who? Who the hell took her?" Through a series of strained breaths, he managed to utter, "Ra..." Blood-tinged bubbles escaped his lips, followed by a violent cough that wracked his body. It was evident that time was running out for him. "Russian." A chill ran down my spine, and I bristled at the revelation. Axel could never be mistaken for a Russian. "Okay, just rest," I urged, despite the conflicting emotions within me. I realized that he might still hold valuable information. Refusing to release my arm, he tugged me down closer to him. "Desk. Look. Drive." I glanced towards his desk, trying to comprehend his words. "Take... it." "Alright." Rising to my feet, I walked over to his desk, methodically opening each drawer. Finally, I discovered a solitary jump drive. It had to be what he was referring to. Returning to his side, I held the drive in front of his face. "Is this what Lucas was going to give Emily?" "Ya... yes. A copy." He began coughing up more blood, his chest heaving
The others looked on silently, aware that the day had come when we would have to reveal our secret meetings. There was no avoiding it any longer. "Then we work together until this is resolved, regardless of the consequences," I declared. Each person in the room nodded in agreement. We had received assistance and information, but what we faced was unprecedented. The fact that sworn enemies had formed an alliance meant someone knew we were working together, and they saw it as a weakness. But we knew better. We were a formidable force, and we had much to lose if we failed, especially the safety of our loved ones. After ending the call with Dante, I walked away from the others, dialing the number again to relay the necessary information to my father. It was a futile gesture, as I knew he would never forgive his impulsive son. "Dante, things are getting intense. We need to organize the soldiers immediately," I said urgently. "Rafael, we have a problem," Dante replied, his voice laced w