Sofia.
At breakfast, I conversed with my mother deciding to spend the day together to which practically every one of the men agreed. The exception was Lio that was insisting on rewatching a bunch of nineties' movies and playing board games.I was tempted to agree but thought that spending quality time with Mama was what I truly needed.Iva nor Cami were around to have another girls' night, Gods, I really missed them. it would have been great to have them here so that we'd go to a spa with my mom and have some fun of our own since the men had their own business to deal with.Adding in how the testosterone levels in the room were making my head spin and my stomach roll as I tried to keep up with how energetic and lively my siblings were.It was a great but handful start of a day, to say the least."I'm starting to think that you're adopted. Papà, Mama are you sure he's your child?" The blue eyed, dark haired male, Renzo, tittered.Sofia.It had been almost a week since we talked. A whole goddamn week of not talking to them made me feel like I was going crazy. Scratch that, I was on the brink of mania at this point.Restlessness and grimness stuck to me like an ugly dark shadow constantly hovering over and deflecting every happy thought I had into a million broken ones.The trio and I weren't on good terms. And with what you might ask? Well, I was going home. Temporarily, of course, but according to Nikolai and Nadei that wasn't happening because it was too dangerous. Nial didn't even bat an eye and left the second I agreed to go which hurt more than it should've and hasn't talked to me since.And when I said home, I meant Italy. Milan to be specific. My parents and brothers asked me to spend a few weeks with them to introduce me to the family and I was no idiot to refuse.My family meant everything to me, now.I wanted to learn more about them and as far as I could tell, they did too, want to get to know me a
Sofia.Lio, immediately, stood reaching a hand out for me to take. His eyes gleamed mischievously. "So, Dress up? It's a pretty fancy club and your SpongeBob PJs are probably- no. Definitely are against the dress code."Well, I thought that my pajamas were iconic because what the hell could ever go wrong with a classic long-sleeved, silky shirt with a yellow sponge that brought my inner child out. And let's not forget my amazing matching pants that were absolutely slaying.I eyed my pajama set with a frown. "What's wrong with what I have on? It's not like we're staying longer than we'll need to and a dress code? How fancy we talkin'?" my brows knitted in surprise. Nik and Vale sure went all in but to be honest I didn't expect any less from them. Valentino and Nikolai were the loudest, most extroverted duo I had ever seen.It was cute but so damn stressful when they acted like toddlers high on sugar."Mega fancy. So, Whaddya say?" Jazz hands in check with his killer smile, Aurelio twi
Author's POV.Her eyes landed on him. And Sofia, instantly, felt like absolute and utter shit. Guilt made her heart sink and tightened its clutches over her making her wish that the ground would swallow her whole and never let go. What a damn relief it would be. She thought to herself.Brown eyes looked like a mess. He felt like it too, a total mess. His chin in an unruly scruff, his eyes empty and tired. Mouth uplifted in a drunken smile as he saw her. Nial was the definition of a hollow shell in that exact moment.He downed the whole content of the glass in one gulp feeling the after burn of said alcoholic beverage trickle down his throat, not daring to break the eye contact as he clenched his teeth. "What the hell is she doing here?"Cerulean eyes met his angry jade ones and softened despite his harshly thrown question."Nikolai, please." Sofia kissed the blond haired man's cheek making his heart flutter but tighten his corded strong arms around her. "Just hear me out. All of you.
Author's POV."P-please," Sofia repeated, again and again. She hated how weak and overly sensitive she felt during the week before her menstrual cycle started again. Her hormones were over the roof making it difficult to not lash out or cry over any insignificant thing that remotely upset her.Nadei sighed in frustration. He fucked up and needed to make things right, starting with reciprocating her touch. Sofia deserved the world and he was letting himself get drawn into the dark, horrid abyss he called a past and letting his demons overtake his mind and ruin his future. His forever.So, he unclasped her arms from his waist hearing her sniffles intenstify. Don't cry, Moya lyubov', I'm not mad at you. I never was. He wanted to confess to her but felt his tongue twist in his mouth.Emotions tightened their grip around his heart and clogged his throat with their intensity. He couldn't even remember the last time he cried, sobbed and fell victim of the weight on his back. He was so tired
Sofia."Let me," Nadei pulled the zipper of awful akin to nothing of a dress I had on. Tingles of electric shockwaves drummed across my gooseflesh like skin, desperately clinging to his warmth. Tourmaline unexpectedly, backed away leaving me bare to their hungry eyes as I thought he'd touch me.Mumbling a 'thank you', I held in my breath and watched them undress, my eyes tracked the movement of their corded muscles as they flexed. Heat pooled in my core making me shiver with anticipation at the show they were putting on for me.Hard planes of muscles tightening as they moved, tawny but scarred skin shimmered under the dim lighting compelled me to lick my lips in hope of holding back the urge to hump the hard surface I sat on.Gods, shit, damn fuck. Closing my eyes momentarily. A forlorn sigh fell from my lips just as I felt a caress from a rough hand skate over my cheek. "It's okay, love. Relax," Nikolai cooed, "You'll like it.""Okay," I gulped, my parched throat coarser than sandp
Sofia.Nikolai set my arms free from the rope that withheld me. Sliding off the bed to plop on the leather couch and keep his distance away from Nial that had his still hard cock in hand, pumping himself lazily. The material of the studded choker slinked around my throat like it was fit to be there. A long leash is attached to it. "Krasivaya," Nikolai and Nial both sighed in unison. An almost permanent blush covered my cheeks at their words. (Beautiful)My attention averted to Nadei as he pulled me to my feet, his hand tightening on the leash and tugging me to the ground. "Kneel, now," his eyes seemed bottomless. Dark and enchantingly haunting, mesmerized me to my core.I dropped to my knees on his command, the effect of his powerful stature and voice doing things to me. To my racing mind and trembling body."Bend over for us, Angel." Nial coaxed. The two men hummed with satisfaction as I did as told, simultaneously bucking in their seats. Tourmaline guided me towards them. A loud s
Sofia."You know they can take care of themselves, right?" The gruff voice to my side stated as my eyes turned to his side, my aimless staring into the white wall of our living room coming to a halt. "I've known them since they were kids. They're more than capable of taking care of themselves and the ones around them."He read right through me. Shit, I was so damn transparent, so readable. Holding back a wince at my emotionally and mentally deteriorating state of mind, I slumped my head back in defeat knowing that my limited words spoke volumes of truth that I couldn't vocalize.The tightness of my chest made it all worse, "I know but still.""They.." I shook my head, my hand tucking the two loose strands behind my ear and removed the earbuds I had tried to distract myself with loud music. My keen attention on my father's figure sitting across from me. "I wish they just...came with.."I tried to limit speaking to them knowing that they a lot to do, so that I didn't distract them from t
Sofia. He picked up on the first ring and that itself made a grin appear on my face as he answered in his business tone, rigidness, and professionalism joined in one. "Hello?""Hi!" I answered back, my voice sounding squeaky and high-pitched. Hearing his long relieved sigh on the other side of the line couldn't be more than a normal reaction to some but to me, it was more as his voice softened to address me. Warmth spread throughout my body in the most comforting way as he uttered the nickname he has for me with utmost love. "Moya Lyubov..""Bello. How are you? I...I missed you." I instantly asked, clearing my throat as I struggled to keep my emotions at bay seeing as these last few weeks, I had been crying a little more than usual and felt the need to be around someone at all times.I thought that I may have just felt....homesick."I'm doing just... great. We just got home from work and I was about to call you." he chuckled, the sound sounding a little forced as he sighed again and
Arsen.She was pacing again.The damn woman wouldn’t sit still, despite nearly toppling over twice already. Stubborn as hell, jaw clenched tight, the way her hands balled into fists every few minutes—it was like watching a storm build, waiting for the inevitable thunder. I let out a slow exhale, flexing my fingers against the dull ache in my side. The pain had settled into something manageable, but the bullet wound still throbbed every time I moved too much. Not that I’d admit it. ''You need to eat.''Sofia finally stopped near the small window, arms crossed as she glared into the distance. “I’m not hungry,” she muttered, refusing to look at me.I narrowed my eyes. “Yeah, and I’m a fucking priest.”She shot me a glare, but it lacked real fire. Her exhaustion clung to her, evident in the slight unsteadiness of her stance.I pushed off the couch, biting back a grimace as my side protested. “You haven’t eaten since you woke up, Sofia. You need to.”She let out a humorless laugh. “Why d
Sofia.Silence stretched tight in the room, thick with unspoken arguments and barely restrained fury. I could feel the weight of their gazes pressing down on me, but I refused to bend. Not this time. Not ever.Nikolai exhaled through his nose, his jaw locked tight. "Sofia, you have to trust us.""Trust?" I barked out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. "Trust goes both ways, Nikolai. And right now, it sure as hell doesn't feel like you trust me."He didn’t flinch at my words, but something flickered in his eyes—something almost guilty. But before I could call him on it, Nadei moved. Fast.Too fast.A sharp prick at my neck sent a chill down my spine, my hand flying up instinctively. My fingers met Nadei’s, his grip gentle but unyielding as he pressed the syringe into my skin. No. Fuck."You son of a wh—"The room tilted. My vision blurred, the edges growing hazy and dark. I staggered, reaching for something&
Sofia.The weight of Nikolai’s words settled in my bones. We move at dawn.No hesitation. No second-guessing. We were past that now.I turned to face him, meeting his unreadable gaze. The soft glow of the garden lights cast long shadows across his face, making the sharp angles even more pronounced. He looked terrefiyingly beautiful. I knew that look—controlled fury barely restrained. This wasn’t just about revenge. It was about sending a message.Someone had the audacity to come after me. After us. And they had failed. But failure meant nothing to men like the one who was after me. It only meant they would try again. Harder. Smarter. With more firepower."We should get some rest," Nikolai said, his voice rough from exhaustion, but firm.I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "And leave the battle planning to you?"A smirk almost ghosted across his lips, but it never fully formed. Instead, he stepped closer, his hand brushing against my wrist in a fleeting touch. "Sofia. I need you to be
Sofia.The safe house was buried deep in the outskirts of the city, a fortress disguised as a forgotten estate. High walls, reinforced doors, bulletproof windows—it screamed security. Yet, as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of cigars and espresso made it feel almost homey.For a moment, I let myself believe we were safe.Until Luca locked the door behind us, and the tension in the room snapped tight like a wire about to break."We need answers." Lorenzo’s voice was ice, sharp and cutting.Clearing his throat, "Agreed." Nadei said as he leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his green eyes dark with exhaustion. "We were ambushed, but someone had to tip them off.""Someone on the inside," Nial added, wiping dried blood from his knuckles. "Someone close enough to know our movements."My stomach twisted. He wasn’t wrong. This wasn’t just a random attack. This was precision. A well-planned execution. And yet, we were still standing.Thankfully."Who do you think it was?" I asked,
Sofia.I feel someone's intense gaze on me.The night was a cacophony of chaos, but all I could hear was the drum of my own heartbeat, the fire in my lungs as I fought, as I survived. The air was thick with the scent of gasoline, wreckage and blood, the crack of bullets whizzing past my ears a deadly symphony.Nikolai was at my back, covering me with precision, his bullets finding their marks like it was second nature. Nadei was a storm, his movements ruthless, his rage palpable as he carved through our attackers with a kind of brutality that made my chest ache. Nial fought with a quiet efficiency, his blade flashing in the dim light, while Arsen, bleeding and furious, held the line with the stubbornness of a man who refused to fall.And still, they kept coming.More men poured into the alley, their silhouettes dark and faceless, their weapons raised, ready to finish what they started."We need a fucking miracle," Nial panted, reloading with grim determination."We don’t break," I gro
Nadei.The world erupted in fire.The blast threw me off my feet, a wall of heat and force slamming into my back as the explosion consumed the alleyway. Debris rained down like fucking bullets, and the scent of burning asphalt filled my lungs. My ears rang, my vision blurred—but I didn’t stop moving. I couldn’t afford to. I. Had.To. Keep. Moving.“SOFIA!”My voice was lost in the chaos, but I caught sight of her through the smoke. My heart squeezed at the sight. Arsen had tackled her to the ground, shielding her with his body as the fire roared behind them. He was bleeding. So was she. But they were alive.Nikolai was on his feet, gun raised, scanning the destruction. Nial had taken cover behind what was left of a dumpster, his face set in a snarl, blood dripping down the side of his head. But the bastard we’d been questioning? Gone.Of course he was.''Fucking hell.'' I spat out a curse, my grip tightening around my gun as I forced my body into motion. We needed to move. Whoever sen
Arsen.The moment of peace I shared with Sofia is quickly shattered. The first explosion rocked the walls, sending a tremor through the floor. The windows rattled violently before one of them burst, spraying shards of glass into the air. In the same breath, the lights flickered and cut out, plunging us into chaos.Fuck! They had where they wanted us. We didn't expect them to strike this fast. And that was our first mistake.“DOWN!” Nikolai roared, tackling Sofia to the ground as a second blast ripped through the room, deafening and blinding. The table flipped, and I hit the ground hard, the taste of dust and gunpowder sharp in my mouth.Gunfire erupted outside, sharp, controlled bursts—whoever was out there wasn’t just trying to scare us. They were here to finish the job.Nadei was the first to move, rolling into cover behind the overturned couch, his gun already in hand. “We’re under attack.”“No shit!” Nial growled, already pulling his own weapon. His face was twisted in fury, but h
Arsen.I had always known my past would come back for me. But I never thought it would come like this—like a blade pressing against my throat, like a storm tearing apart everything in its wake. Like my heart was going to be ripped away from my ribbcage.Sitting in that dimly lit room, my jaw still aching from the blond dickhead's punch, I could feel the weight of my next words before they even left my mouth. I had their attention now. The three men who owned Sofia’s heart. The men who would kill me without hesitation if they thought I was a danger to her.And maybe I was.I exhaled sharply, pushing down the bitterness that always threatened to surface when I thought about what could have been. What should have been. I wasn’t here for that. I was here because I had answers. And they needed them."The people after Sofia? They aren’t just old enemies," I began, my voice even, controlled, despite the storm raging inside me. "They’re the remnants of something much worse. Something that nev
Author's POV.The moment Sofia and her husbands left- fuck, he hated that word. Husbands. It left a bitter taste in his mouth, and it wasn't fair to him. He wanted to be the man for her. He desereved that title, but she chose them, not him, he reminded himself - silence settled over the room like a thick fog, suffocating and heavy. Arsen exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before gripping the edge of the table. The tension in his shoulders had coiled so tight he thought he might snap.He should have expected this. From the second he locked eyes with those five men in the café, he knew this moment would come. The past had never been the kind to stay buried, not for people like them. Not for men who lived in the shadows of power and blood.Sofia was different now. He had seen it in the steel of her gaze, the way she held herself—not just as a mother, not just as the girl he used to know, but as something else entirely. A woman carved by war and loss, by survival. The Bratva’s