Sofia.-Hope that this would give you the justice that you deserve, too.A.H-Ripping the yellow envelope, I pulled a flashdrive, a stack of pictures and a note. I read the messy cursive writing on the folded piece of paper a second time. Unsure of what to feel..I was... relieved but confused. I obviously still didn't know who the stranger was nor did I know how he knew anything this personal about me.However, it didn't matter, now.All what mattered was the slight feel of satisfaction that coursed through my heart. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little happy that they got what they deserved. Honestly, It was long overdue. Revenge felt good. Not great.And it had me questioning everything. The thought itself of Adrian's death, his dark eyes staring into nothingness as his equally dark, sick and twisted soul left his body was... satisfactory but it was still missing something.Closure was something that people took for granted, thinking that that they can just move on
Sofia.Flashback..."Here!" A hand grasped onto a lilly, holding it to my face, blocking my vision of the sweet brown haired boy as he looked at my reaction. "This is for you, Sof!"Awestruck, I blushed, shakily grabbing the beautiful flower. Giving him a blinding smile, my eyes glistened in the warm sun energizing my gloomy self. "It's so pretty. Thanks!""It's no biggie," his lips stretched into a full blown grin, giggling as I caught his warm eyes. I felt myself turn beet red, fidgeting with my hands as he uttered, shyly. "Pretty people deserve getting pretty things!""Y-you think.. that I'm p-pretty?" I stuttered, rocking on my heels, back and forth. Not used to the adorable and effortless way he complimented me in. And in the state that I was in, I couldn't believe that he really thought that I was anything close to being... pretty.The word seemed so foreign.Because I was no match to the flower he had compared me with."Mhm, really cute too.""T-thanks," I stammered, turning my
Sofia.Accepting the call, I held my breath, not wishing to let it go as if it was my last. Waiting for him to commence and say something... anything. But only silence greeted me. Not a single word from his side, only shallow breathing and prolonged sighs.As if he was preparing himself.I was too, in a way."Do you know how many times I have waited for you to s-show up?" I willed myself to whisper, clutching my phone tighter. Emotions hogging my airway. "You promised me, you know. I thought that you-" I heaved a harsh breath, plopping to the cold marble floor."Bella.... Please," he started, "Listen to me for a second.""No, you listen to me, Sir." I whisper- shouted through with this hide and seek game that he was pulling me into. "You can't just disappear for years on end and then fucking show up. And you absolutely, cannot and will not ever approach my son or I swear to whatever that is holy..."I let my threat hang in the air as I brush my hair back. The simmering anger I felt ju
Sofia.My eyes began to water. My mouth felt too dry and my throat felt parched but not from emotion. But because of who was sitting right in front of me. Being him. Fucking Arsen.There was one great thing about me that I took pride in. My ability to remember every single person that I meet's name. Be it days, months or years, I always remember. It was a talent at this point. For me to not forget this man from six years ago.The same idiot that tried to slyly swerve his way into my life.Clenching my jaw, I plastered a smile on my face as I faced him, grinning at me without a care taking sips of his latte. "What the fuck is this?" I almost growled. "Couldn't bother telling me that I actually know you?""Oh, do you, now?" He looked smug.I rolled my eyes and asked. Genuinely curious. Slightly vindictive. Overly caffeinated. "What's your endgame?" I felt my fingers twitch as looked at me like a curious puppy. "What do you mean?" His confusion made it even worse for me to keep my comp
Sofia The coffee shop buzzed with faint chatter, the clinking of cups and soft murmurs weaving a comforting symphony around the chaos brewing in my chest. It was an ordinary day for everyone else. For me, it was the unraveling of truths that left my soul raw. Arsen’s words hung heavy in the air, a weight I wasn’t sure I could carry. He told me everything. Even the things I didn’t want to know. “You didn’t have a goddamn clue,” he said, his smirk sharp as a blade. “I controlled everything that had to do with you, Bella. I’ve had your back when you needed me most, and you thought I didn’t care, didn’t you?” I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off, again. His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction, reveling in his power over the moment. “Funny? I highly disagree with that, Bella Mia.” “Would you stop cutting me off!” My voice rose sharply, loud enough to turn a few heads. Heat flared in my cheeks, both from frustration and embarrassment. His laughter faded, but the smugness in
Sofia.I sat cross-legged on the soft carpet of the living room, Lorelai nestled between my legs. She giggled as I gently tied her tiny curls into uneven pigtails, her sweet voice bubbling with excitement. Jade, my six-year-old, lay sprawled beside us, humming a cheerful tune as he filled his princess coloring book with a kaleidoscope of colors that only made sense to him.For a brief moment, I felt grounded. This was my peace—the warmth of my children, their laughter filling the room, and the world outside fading into irrelevance.“Mama, do you think my dragon princess can breathe fire and sing?” Jade asked, holding up his masterpiece.I chuckled. “Of course she can, baby. She’s your creation, so she can do anything.”“Just like you, Mama,” he said, grinning. My heart melted at the simplicity of his love.Before I could respond, the tranquility was shattered by the unmistakable sound of heavy boots against marble. The sharp thud of the front door slamming shut sent a jolt through me,
SofiaThe aroma of fresh herbs and garlic filled the kitchen, mingling with the buttery warmth of dough being kneaded and the gentle bubbling of tomato sauce simmering on the stove. Laughter and light conversation wove through the air, blending seamlessly with the rhythmic sounds of chopping, stirring, and the occasional clatter of utensils.Jade sat on a stool beside me, carefully plucking fresh basil leaves from their stems, his small hands moving with focused determination. He had been given the important task of preparing the herbs—a duty he took very seriously. Every now and then, he’d pause to sniff the leaves before placing them in a neat pile.“Mama, do you think Papa Niko will like a lot of basil or just a little?” he asked, his brow furrowing as if the fate of the entire meal depended on the answer.I glanced at Nikolai, who was rolling out dough at the other end of the counter, his large hands working the flour-dusted surface with practiced ease. Lorelai sat securely on his
SofiaThe low murmur of conversation faded as I followed Nadei, Nikolai, and Nial into the study. The warmth of the living room was left behind, replaced by the quiet weight of the dimly lit space. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows along the walls lined with bookshelves.The tension was tangible, wrapping around us like a second skin. The laughter and ease from dinner had settled into a cautious silence, and for a moment, none of us spoke.Nadei was the first to break it.“We need to talk about earlier.” His voice was as steady as ever, but there was something different this time—less command, more restraint.I crossed my arms, leaning against the edge of the desk. “Alright. Then talk.”Nikolai exhaled through his nose, running a hand through his hair before pacing to the window. “Sofia, we weren’t trying to control you,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. “That was never the intention.”I arched a brow. “Then what was?”He hesitated, his gaze flicking towa
Sofia.The world blurred around me.The sound of my own breath—ragged, sharp—was the only thing keeping me tethered to reality as I clutched Lorelai in my arms.Aurelio is waking up.Vale’s words echoed in my skull, but my body had already moved before my mind could process them. I was rushing to get to the door.The air rushed past me as I made it to the front door, barefoot, heart hammering, pulse wild. Luca grabbed my arm before I could get into the car, his grip strong but careful. “Sofia, relax—”“I need to see him,” I snapped, shaking him off.“We’re coming with you,” Nikolai said from behind me.There was no room for argument. I didn’t care about security, the logistics, the doctors, or the tests.I just needed to see my brother._At the hospital.The room smelled sterile. Like antiseptic, bleach, and something too clean to be comforting. It made my senses twitch at the overly powerful smell.I stood in the doorway, my pulse thundering in my ears, my hands clenched into fists
Sofia.Mornings in our house were never quiet.And I wouldn’t have it any other way.The kitchen smelled like warm syrup, cinnamon, and something unmistakably homey. Sunlight streamed through the windows, golden and soft, casting a warm glow over the absolute war zone unfolding in front of me.Jade stood on his stool, spatula in hand, looking every bit like a tiny war general as he surveyed the griddle. “Mama, this is serious. We need maximum efficiency if we’re gonna get pancakes and whipped cream before Alexei does.”Gosh, he sounded like Schmidt from New Girl when he said that, I cackled internally. Alexei, sitting on the counter beside Arsen, scoffed. “You act like I can’t hear you.”Jade ignored him. Instead, he turned to Lorelai, who was standing beside me, her tiny hands clutching a measuring cup filled with flour."Lory, you’re on mixing duty."Lorelai nodded solemnly. “Mix.”Jade nodded back like this was a military operation. “Good. Uncle Renzo’s in charge of toppings.”Ren
Sofia.The jet ride home was quiet.Not peaceful.Just quiet.Nikolai sat beside me, his fingers curled around my thigh, warm and grounding. Nadei and Nial sat across from us, their gazes locked onto me in that quiet way they always did when they thought I was about to break.But I wasn’t breaking.I was exhausted.I leaned back against the leather seat, exhaling through my nose, my body thrumming with tension. The blood was gone from my skin, wiped clean before I ever stepped foot on the jet, but I still felt it.In my bones.Under my nails.Seeping into my fucking soul.I closed my eyes.For the first time in weeks, the war was over. Momentarily.But I didn’t know how to stop fighting.-We stepped inside, the weight of everything hit me. Not just the blood. Not just the ghosts but the home of it all. The scent of vanilla and citrus from the candles I always burned. The warmth of the dimmed hallway lights. The faintest sound of Jade’s giggles coming from the kids’ wing.I exhaled sh
Sofia.The world didn’t stop after a war.I learned that a long time ago.You spill blood, you carve your revenge into the bones of your enemies, you rip apart the men who dared to harm what was yours—and then? Then, the world moves on.Seemed easy enough, right? Well, it fucking wasn't.The city still breathed. People still laughed, drank, fucked. Unaware that, just hours ago, I had rewritten the rules of their underworld. That we have changed something that a lot have tried to but couldn't.Mikhailov was dead.Vaschenko was dead.Petrov was dead.Their corpses were nothing more than stains on the concrete, their names nothing more than whispered cautionary tales for the next generation of ambitious fools who thought they could touch an Alexeyev and walk away.And yet…The ache in my chest remained because Aurelio was still lying in that hospital bed.Still pale. Still silent.Still gone in all the ways that mattered.I exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of the sink, staring at my re
Sofia.There was no calm before the storm.No quiet anticipation.No room for hesitation.By the time we left Petrov’s lifeless body cooling in a puddle of his own blood, the only thing left was the pulse of war thudding through my veins.One more.Vladimir Mikhailov.I could already see his name carved into his gravestone, already hear his screams before we sent him to rot in the ground.The ride back to the safehouse was silent, thick with something heavy, something sharp. Luca drove again, his grip tight on the wheel, knuckles white. Nadei sat beside him, eyes fixed on the road ahead, his body coiled in quiet tension.Renzo was wiping his blade clean, slow and methodical, like he was already picturing the next throat he’d slit.Nikolai sat beside me, his arm slung lazily over my shoulder, his fingers trailing idly along my collarbone—a contrast to the bloodlust still simmering in his gaze.We weren’t done.Not yet.Mikhailov was the last one left.And when I found him, I wouldn’t j
Sofia.Vengeance had a taste.It was bitter, metallic, laced with the promise of death.I could feel it on my tongue as I sat in the back of the car, staring out at the city bleeding light into the darkness. Neon signs flickered against the glass, a kaleidoscope of color that felt too bright, too alive for what we had just done. I could still feel Vaschenko’s blood drying on my skin. Still feel the weight of the gun in my hand, the kick of the recoil, the way his body had spasmed before he stilled.Dead.And yet, it wasn’t enough.Because Aurelio was still in that hospital bed.Still fighting for his life.Still teetering on the edge of existence, caught between this world and whatever lay beyond.And as long as my brother lay there, trapped in that purgatory, the men responsible didn’t deserve to fucking breathe.I inhaled slowly, pressing my fingertips to my temples, grounding myself in the dull ache. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me—Nikolai’s steady, Luca’s knowing, Nad
Sofia.Vengeance had a taste.It was bitter, metallic, laced with the promise of death.I could feel it on my tongue as I stood in the safehouse’s war room, staring down at the map of the city, my fingers trailing over the names we had carved into our list.Petrov. Mikhailov. Vaschenko.Their days were numbered.And tonight?Tonight, the countdown began.Luca was the first to break the silence. "We start with Vaschenko," he muttered, tapping the red mark on the map where the bastard’s operations were stationed. "He’s the easiest to take out first. He thinks he’s untouchable in that casino of his, but we’ve already got men inside.""He’s a coward," Nikolai added, his voice sharp. "He runs his mouth, but he won’t fight. He hides behind security, behind money. He won’t see it coming."Good.I wanted him to be afraid.I wanted him to choke on it.Valentino leaned against the table, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "We make an example out of him."A slow, dark smile curled at my li
Sofia.The scent of death still clung to my skin.Even after we had left the warehouse, after we had burned the bodies, after I had washed my hands clean of the blood—I still felt it.Felt it under my nails.Felt it in my fucking bones.I sat in the back of the car, the engine humming beneath me, the city lights flickering past in a blur of gold and white. My reflection stared back at me in the window, eyes dark, empty.I barely recognized myself."Petrov. Mikhailov. Vaschenko."The names echoed in my head like a death sentence.They had tried to kill Aurelio.They had wanted me alive. They were unrelenting. The first attack. Sokolov. Their army. Every thing they have done led us to this moment. I curled my fingers into a fist, nails biting into my palm.No one moved in the car.Luca sat beside me, his jaw clenched so tightly I could hear his teeth grinding. Nadei was on my other side, his knuckles still bruised, still stained with a red that no amount of scrubbing would erase.Nik
Sofia.The night air was cold. Not the kind of cold that bit at your skin. Not the kind that sent shivers racing down your spine. This was something else.Something hollow.The kind of cold that crept into your bones, settled in your veins, and wrapped around your heart like an iron vice. I sat in the back of the car, staring out at the city lights blurring past, but I didn’t see them.All I could see was Aurelio.Pale. Motionless. His body hooked up to machines, his chest barely rising and falling.The last time I had seen him, really seen him, he had been full of life. Full of energy. Full of that fire that burned inside all of us.Now?Now, he was trapped between life and death, teetering on the edge.And I hadn’t been there.I had been tangled up in Arsen. Lost in him. Lost in us. Letting myself forget, even if just for a moment, that the world outside still existed.And while I had been pretending—My brother had been bleeding out.A sharp, stinging pain shot through my palm.I lo