Axel."Ni-nice to meet you too, Roman." Aria looked completely out of her depth."And you know what? She's Bella, and Axel is the Beast!" Mila sang, her face shining with the innocence that only a child could have."Oh, is that so?" Roman burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the large room. "Nice to meet you, Bella. Watch out for our beast here." He threw a pointed look at me before turning to Aria. He winked at her again.Fucker!In the background, Nikolai snorted, disappearing into the kitchen with a shake of his head."Svoloch," the word slipped out, a low grumble. Roman, that damn tease, always knew how to get under my skin. But even as I seethed, there was a strange warmth that unfurled within me. I was... content.Aria's eyes caught mine, a hint of something I couldn't quite place flickering there. It was as if she was seeing me in a new light as she took in the strange camaraderie that existed in our little family. I smirked at her, enjoying her bewilderment.Life in our w
Aria.My heart hammered against my ribcage as I shadowed Svetlana through the labyrinthine corridors of the Yakov mansion. Each grandiose room we passed reeked of power and grandeur, a glaring reminder of the perilous world I'd been thrust into – a wolf's lair."This is your room," Svetlana ground to a halt in front of an imposing door, brandishing a golden key as if it were a weapon. I barely caught myself before slamming into her broad back.Shit!Someone should stick a "sudden stop" sign on her.Mental note: Don't tailgate Svetlana.The woman had the stopping power of a brick wall. My mental meandering came to a halt as I paid attention to what she was doing.The door creaked open, unfolding a realm that was more fairy tale than reality. Forget the typical nanny's quarters – this suite was nothing short of a princess's private sanctuary.Delicately patterned silk wallpaper cloaked the walls, looking more like an artist's loving masterpiece. Commanding the room's attention was a kin
Aria.The delicious aroma of melting cheese and baking dough wafted out from the kitchen, a call to my empty stomach.God, I hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday.Between the whirlwind of events and my gnawing nerves, food had been the last thing on my mind. Things were just crazy since last week. The events at the "Velvet Room," the notorious strip joint where my best friend Zara worked, still lingered fresh in my mind.The image of her bloody, bruised face was seared into my brain.The ugly truth slammed into me with the subtlety of a freight train – Zara was in this shitstorm, all thanks to yours truly. The raw bite of guilt chewed me up from the inside out, an unrelenting reminder that I crafted this hellhole we were in. Zara was caught in the crossfire, and my big bro was collateral damage. It was my mess, my responsibility to shovel our way out.Oh, Zara. I am so sorry!Suddenly, I was yanked back, now standing in the kitchen doorway; the irresistible salty aroma was a freakin
Aria.Axel's lips twitched, and I swore there was a twinkle in his eye."Hungry?" he asked casually, as if I wasn't just dying here."No—" I attempted to bluff, but who was I kidding? My stomach decided to pull a Judas again and grumbled loud enough to register on the Richter scale.In one smooth move, he fished out a slice of the piping hot pizza from the oven, the cheese still bubbling like molten lava, and thrust it at me."Sit. Eat." His gaze locked onto mine.The slice of pizza he was brandishing looked sinfully delicious, a decadent sight of melting cheese and glistening toppings that had my mouth watering like a malfunctioning sprinkler system.I swallowed my saliva. Hard.Putting on my best poker face, but I knew I failed terribly. I might as well have been a starved mutt eyeing a juicy steak. I was sure my eyes were practically bulging out of my head, my tongue lolling out of my mouth.Damn it.Before I could respond, Svetlana interjected. "She's a—"Her protest was cut off by
Aria.I took a moment to absorb the strange little situation I'd found myself in. To all intents and purposes, this kitchen scene could be plucked straight out of a family sitcom – not a mafia household. It was surreal.Satisfied with the amount of ingredients and cheese she'd added to her pizza, Mila triumphantly marched her cheese-smothered star creation over to Nikolai."Dima, look!" She thrust it toward Nikolai like a trophy won in battle. I couldn't help but grin at the earnestness in her voice.Mafia princess by day, pizza chef by night. Why the hell not?Nikolai, built like a damn Spartan, and looking like he just stepped off a Men's magazine cover, was manning the pizza oven with sweat glistening off his muscles. I felt my face flush at the sight of him.Or was it the memory that had me trying to hide in a hole? It was almost hard to believe that the man standing there, cradling Mila's star-studded pizza with a tenderness that didn't fit his Herculean build, was the same man w
Axel.The basement reeked of fear, piss, and the coppery tang of blood. Shadows clung to the corners like cobwebs, thick and oppressive. In the center of the room, Sergey was strapped to a chair, his face a mess of bruises and cuts.I circled him slowly, the rage inside me a living, breathing thing. The poker in my hand glowed a dull orange, wisps of heat shimmering off the tip."I trusted you, Sergei," I said, my voice a low rasp. "And you betrayed me."Sergey made a noise halfway between a whimper and a groan. "Boss, please... I can explain—"I backhanded him across the face, splitting his lip. "Explain? What's there to fucking explain? You went behind my back, you piece of shit. Tried to sell me out to the highest bidder."His eyes widened, bulging slightly. Blood and spittle flew from his mouth as he shook his head frantically. "No, no, it wasn't like that! I swear, I never—""Don't fucking lie to me!" I roared. The poker hovered an inch from his face, and the stink of his fear ra
Aria.48 hours before the party.I groaned as the sack came off my face. My head was ringing, my eyes bleary. The world was a blur of indistinct shapes and colors.Dear God! My head felt like it had been split open.Memories came flooding back - leaving the coffee shop, bitter espresso on my tongue. Walking through the alleyway to my second job at the mall, it was quiet, too quiet. Suddenly, I felt the prickling sensation down my neck that told me I was being watched.I had turned around, the fear already starting to rise in my chest. And then everything had gone dark.My hands were tied, but not tight enough to be painful. I adjusted to a more comfortable position on the creaking chair. Realization suddenly dawned...Someone kidnapped me! Oh God, please!"I think you broke the doll," I heard a voice say. The sound startled me, and I jolted my head upright, my eyes scanning the room for the source.My captor emerged from the shadows, draining the color from my face. He was tall and me
Aria.12 hours before the party.The car door swung open, and I stumbled out, my ankles wobbling in the damn torture devices Viktor called shoes. Biting back a curse, I straightened up, ignoring the burn in my soles. The driver smirked, clearly enjoying my struggle. Asshole."Get moving," he snarled, his eyes trailing over me with disdain. "And don't forget, if you mess this up, you can kiss your dear brother goodbye. We won't think twice about making him vanish. For good."My fingers twitched, itching to claw that smug look off his face. But I couldn't. Not with Mikey's life on the line. I took a steadying breath, the cool night air a stark contrast to the fury simmering in my veins.Focus, Aria. One step at a time. Just like Viktor drilled into you.I squared my shoulders and started the painful trek toward the entrance. The grand building loomed before me, its lush gardens stretching out like a green carpet. Massive pillars reached skyward, supporting a balcony that wrapped around
Aria.I took a moment to absorb the strange little situation I'd found myself in. To all intents and purposes, this kitchen scene could be plucked straight out of a family sitcom – not a mafia household. It was surreal.Satisfied with the amount of ingredients and cheese she'd added to her pizza, Mila triumphantly marched her cheese-smothered star creation over to Nikolai."Dima, look!" She thrust it toward Nikolai like a trophy won in battle. I couldn't help but grin at the earnestness in her voice.Mafia princess by day, pizza chef by night. Why the hell not?Nikolai, built like a damn Spartan, and looking like he just stepped off a Men's magazine cover, was manning the pizza oven with sweat glistening off his muscles. I felt my face flush at the sight of him.Or was it the memory that had me trying to hide in a hole? It was almost hard to believe that the man standing there, cradling Mila's star-studded pizza with a tenderness that didn't fit his Herculean build, was the same man w
Aria.Axel's lips twitched, and I swore there was a twinkle in his eye."Hungry?" he asked casually, as if I wasn't just dying here."No—" I attempted to bluff, but who was I kidding? My stomach decided to pull a Judas again and grumbled loud enough to register on the Richter scale.In one smooth move, he fished out a slice of the piping hot pizza from the oven, the cheese still bubbling like molten lava, and thrust it at me."Sit. Eat." His gaze locked onto mine.The slice of pizza he was brandishing looked sinfully delicious, a decadent sight of melting cheese and glistening toppings that had my mouth watering like a malfunctioning sprinkler system.I swallowed my saliva. Hard.Putting on my best poker face, but I knew I failed terribly. I might as well have been a starved mutt eyeing a juicy steak. I was sure my eyes were practically bulging out of my head, my tongue lolling out of my mouth.Damn it.Before I could respond, Svetlana interjected. "She's a—"Her protest was cut off by
Aria.The delicious aroma of melting cheese and baking dough wafted out from the kitchen, a call to my empty stomach.God, I hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday.Between the whirlwind of events and my gnawing nerves, food had been the last thing on my mind. Things were just crazy since last week. The events at the "Velvet Room," the notorious strip joint where my best friend Zara worked, still lingered fresh in my mind.The image of her bloody, bruised face was seared into my brain.The ugly truth slammed into me with the subtlety of a freight train – Zara was in this shitstorm, all thanks to yours truly. The raw bite of guilt chewed me up from the inside out, an unrelenting reminder that I crafted this hellhole we were in. Zara was caught in the crossfire, and my big bro was collateral damage. It was my mess, my responsibility to shovel our way out.Oh, Zara. I am so sorry!Suddenly, I was yanked back, now standing in the kitchen doorway; the irresistible salty aroma was a freakin
Aria.My heart hammered against my ribcage as I shadowed Svetlana through the labyrinthine corridors of the Yakov mansion. Each grandiose room we passed reeked of power and grandeur, a glaring reminder of the perilous world I'd been thrust into – a wolf's lair."This is your room," Svetlana ground to a halt in front of an imposing door, brandishing a golden key as if it were a weapon. I barely caught myself before slamming into her broad back.Shit!Someone should stick a "sudden stop" sign on her.Mental note: Don't tailgate Svetlana.The woman had the stopping power of a brick wall. My mental meandering came to a halt as I paid attention to what she was doing.The door creaked open, unfolding a realm that was more fairy tale than reality. Forget the typical nanny's quarters – this suite was nothing short of a princess's private sanctuary.Delicately patterned silk wallpaper cloaked the walls, looking more like an artist's loving masterpiece. Commanding the room's attention was a kin
Axel."Ni-nice to meet you too, Roman." Aria looked completely out of her depth."And you know what? She's Bella, and Axel is the Beast!" Mila sang, her face shining with the innocence that only a child could have."Oh, is that so?" Roman burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the large room. "Nice to meet you, Bella. Watch out for our beast here." He threw a pointed look at me before turning to Aria. He winked at her again.Fucker!In the background, Nikolai snorted, disappearing into the kitchen with a shake of his head."Svoloch," the word slipped out, a low grumble. Roman, that damn tease, always knew how to get under my skin. But even as I seethed, there was a strange warmth that unfurled within me. I was... content.Aria's eyes caught mine, a hint of something I couldn't quite place flickering there. It was as if she was seeing me in a new light as she took in the strange camaraderie that existed in our little family. I smirked at her, enjoying her bewilderment.Life in our w
Axel."Déjà vu," I grunted to myself, a smirk curling my lips as I recalled that day when Aria had managed to douse me in vodka. What a picture she was, eyes as round as dinner plates, her lips parting in stunned silence, while the icy liquid made a mockery of my shirt.Now she stood before me, her hands resting on my chest, and I felt my cock harden as I took in her appearance up close. Her eyes, wide with surprise and vulnerability, locked onto mine. Her lashes were thick and dark, framing those huge eyes in a way that was... captivating. And as for her lips... I could still remember how sweet they tasted. I tightened my grip on her waist, pulling her body even closer.God, I want her so fucking bad."Thank- thank you!" Aria tried to push me away, but I didn't release her just yet, enjoying the heat of her body and the flustered look on her face.Blyat! Feeling Aria's plump breasts pressed against my hard chest sent a jolt of desire straight to my groin. I wanted those soft, full mo
Aria.I swallowed hard, the reality of my new life settling in. Fifteen grand a month? Maybe I should have accidentally stumbled into this lifestyle sooner.Don't be stupid, Soph.I shook my head mentally, reminding myself that this wasn't some kind of fairy tale. I'd have to live and breathe this world, walking the tightrope between the role of a nanny and a spy, all while making sure I didn't get caught."Generous, isn't it?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "But don't forget, you'll be earning every penny of it.""Uh-huh," I murmured, trying to swallow the knot of anxiety in my throat. I managed a small, uncomfortable smile, feeling the weight of his words. It was a heavy price for a hefty paycheck. Swallowing my nerves, I continued scanning the contract, trying to process the information.I caught a line, and I couldn't help but blurt it out."Wait, what? 'Employee shall not engage in any romantic or sexual relationships with any member of the Yakov household or their associates?'"He
Aria."What the fuck just happened?" I muttered, standing alone in the meeting room. My hands shook, my mind a whirl of confusion.Everything had happened so fast it left me spinning. One minute, I was being paraded in front of Axel like some prize, and the next, he picked me and stormed off like he'd caught fire. He left me in his wake, gasping for air and trying to make sense of the chaos.My heart pounded like a drum, and my body hummed with a wild mix of fear and excitement. Axel... he was something else. Commanding and intimidating, like a Greek god with a mafia pedigree.Wait a minute, did I just score the job?I blinked hard, even slapped my cheek to feel the sting of reality. Sucking in a breath, my chest tightened. Then it hit me like a slap of cold air. Axel's introduction of Mila...So, Mila was his sister, not his kid.Relief flooded me, and I found myself wanting to do a happy dance.Why did I even care? It wasn't like I was planning to date the guy... Not that he'd want
Axel."What—?" she gasped, her face a mask of shock and confusion. Wondering why I picked her, no doubt. A smirk twitched at the corner of my mouth. It was pure entertainment, seeing her so rattled, so lost."You look confused, krasotka," I said, indifference coloring my voice. My smirk deepened as she cringed beneath my attention.I loved it, watching her squirm like this."I- I am not," she stuttered."Not what?" I interrupted, my impatience seeping into my tone. "Second-guessing?" I leaned in, close enough for my lips to brush her ear. "This is not a game, Aria."The slight shudder in her breath didn't escape me. The silence stretched out. I let it hang between us for a while, knowing that it was unnerving her."Screw up," I continued, my voice dropping to a predatory growl, "and you won't just be saying goodbye to Chicago."In the quiet that followed, tension snaked around us. And then her chin lifted, and her eyes flashed. I loved it. Her defiance fueled me. I was a man who enjoy