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.The party was in full swing, and I found myself struggling to maintain my composure in those godforsaken heels. It felt like an eternity as I wobbled and teetered, drawing the ire of my fellow servers. One particularly mean-spirited woman smirked as she watched me falter."Careful, darling," she taunted, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Wouldn't want to spill anything on these expensive carpets."I gritted my teeth, refusing to let her mockery derail me. I had a mission to complete, and I couldn't afford any distractions. With renewed determination, I straightened my back, held my head high, and continued dealing with the challenges before me.As I carried a tray of champagne glasses, I wound through the sea of elegantly dressed partygoers. Men in tailored suits and women in luxurious gowns mingled, their laughter and conversation filling the air. In the dimly lit corners of the room, I caught glimpses of couples exchanging passionate kisses and embraces, seemingly obli
Aria.My heart was still racing from the close call with Nikolai. I'd managed to retrieve the microchips, but I was no closer to figuring out where to plant them. As I wound my way through the crowded ballroom, I tried to keep my cool while internally freaking out. I mean, seriously, who would've thought I'd end up playing spy and planting devices in a mafia boss's mansion? I was definitely no James Bond.Holding the tray awkwardly in one hand, I quickly secured the bobby pins back into my hair, each one hiding a tiny spy device. One step closer to planting the damn things, yet I had no clue where the hell Axel's room was. It was like searching for a needle in a haystack the size of Texas.Struggling to maintain my balance, I felt a pang of envy as I watched the other women in the room glide effortlessly in heels even taller than my own. The contrast between their grace and my own clumsy movements only added to the mounting pressure I felt.How do they do it?I wobbled slightly, stead
Aria.With my tray finally empty, I set it down and mustered up the courage to sneak away from the bustling activity. I headed down one of the hallways, my heart pounding with every step. The server's uniform turned out to be a blessing in disguise. No one batted an eye as I passed more bodyguards standing sentinel outside various doors.As I went, I made up ridiculous scenarios in my head for what could be hidden behind each one. It was a stupid game, but right then, I needed something to distract me from completely freaking out.By door number five, I was getting good at it. "Oh, that must be the room where Axel keeps his collection of exotic stuffed animals," I muttered under my breath, stifling a nervous giggle as I strode past yet another imposing door.I'd been discreetly exploring the hallways and peeking into rooms for what felt like hours, but so far, I'd been unable to determine which rooms belonged to Axel. Time was running out, and my frustration grew with each passing mom
Axel. What really caught my attention was the way she moved. Clumsy, uncoordinated, like a fawn taking her first steps. And yet, there was a certain grace to her movements, a raw sensuality that couldn't be denied. She was wearing a tight black dress that hugged every curve of her body, accentuating her generous assets and slender waist. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail that swung between her shoulder blades in a cascading fall.I watched her as she made her way around the room, her tray of drinks shaking in her hands. She didn't seem to have much skill as a waitress, but there was something about her that I couldn't take my eyes off. Maybe it was the way she was trying so hard to do her job, even though she was clearly nervous. When she disappeared from sight for several minutes, I scanned the room, trying to pick her out of the crowd. I didn't catch sight of her again until she was practically on top of me."Hey there," she said, her voice soft and sultry. My coc
Aria.As I stood there, battling to keep my composure, I grappled with the devastating realization that had slammed into me mere minutes ago. This man wasn't just any Axel. He was Axel Yakov, the infamous Bratva boss I'd been assigned to bug. The very same Axel Yakov who wouldn't think twice about ending my life if he uncovered my mission. My heart hammered wildly against my ribcage, threatening to burst as fear and adrenaline coursed through my veins.Pull yourself together, Aria!I couldn't let him see my terror. But how could I not be petrified? This man was a walking threat, and I was caught in a high-stakes, perilous game."Aria," Axel's voice rumbled like distant thunder, the deep timbre making my core clench with need. People around us stared, but he seemed oblivious, his fingers gripping my chin while his other hand encircled my throat. I struggled to maintain my composure, unwilling to show him my rising panic.The moment he spoke my name, I found myself sucking in a breath.
Axel.I watched as Aria trotted away with Mila, my sister urgently whispering something about needing to pee. It left me alone with Ekaterina. There was a pause as we watched them disappear into the house."You do good with Mila," Ekaterina finally broke the silence, and I was sure I heard pride in the words.Switching to our native Russian, I confessed to Ekaterina, "Mila's an easy kid. She's really warmed up to Aria, too. She thinks... well, she thinks Aria is like Belle from Beauty and the Beast." I shrugged. What did I know about kids' fairy tales?Ekaterina chuckled at that, a sound that took me back to simpler times. Then she looked at me warmly. "You seem happy, Axel," she remarked. "Truly happy. It's good to see you like this."I could feel the truth of her words, the lightness in my heart, the calmness that wasn't there before. She was right. I was happy.Her gaze moved to where Aria had just disappeared with my sister. "I like that one. Keep her. She might be young," she beg
Aria"Hungy time," Mila announced, slapping her tiny belly. The seriousness on her face, the sheer gravity of her statement, yanked a surprised laugh from both Axel and me."Again?" Axel looked surprised. She nodded, then giggled as her belly rumbled."Wait, that's not a thunderclap?" I mocked, a feeble attempt to wash away the red searing my cheeks. "Here I was, thinking we're due for a storm, but it's just Mila's stomach playing tricks!""No, silly!" Mila giggled, her laughter a soothing balm to the tension knotting in my chest.I sneaked a peek at Axel, catching him mid-stare. Our eyes met, and there it was – a gentle smile playing on his lips. Melting my heart.Oh God, please don't do that."See that?" He gestured toward the vast, open sky, hues of pinks and oranges bleeding into each other. The sunset. Gorgeous, yet an unwanted reminder of time flying.A swift check of my wristwatch confirmed it – we'd been there for hours, tangled in our problems, our fears. My fears."Let's hea
Aria.The name crashed into my mind, a vicious reminder of the web I was tangled in.Viktor.The man who had my brother.The man who had my best friend.The man who sent me into the lion's den to spy.The man who murdered his own brother-in-law, Axel's father.My stomach churned at the revelation, and for a moment, I feared I might lose my lunch right there, on top of that serene hill, in front of those majestic tombstones.The same fear snaked up my spine, coiling tightly around my heart.What was I to do now?The air felt heavy around me, pressing down on my chest.I needed to breathe. I needed to think.I needed to run!But right then, all I could do was freeze, my hand still resting on Axel's shoulder. His hand came up, gently clasping mine. The warmth, the spark that leaped at the contact... it was undeniable.He slowly stood up and turned to face me.Just when I thought things couldn't get more complicated, the universe proved me wrong. And for the first time since stepping into
Axel."I- I didn't know. I'm sorry," Aria stammered, her gaze lingering on the distant gravestones.Suddenly Mila rushed past, breaking the moment. I was grateful for the distraction. "Axel, Max is being silly!""Slowly, Mila!" Aria called, but her eyes stayed locked with mine. They were wide pools, sucking me in. There was more of that goddamned silence, and now I was really regretting bringing her here. Too many questions. Too much to explain.Mila returned, tugging on my sleeve. "Look at what I picked, Axel!"I crouched down to her level and took a moment to admire the bunch of flowers she thrust in my direction. "Mama would have loved these, Mila. She loved wildflowers.""Did she?" Mila looked at me, her innocent eyes wide with curiosity. "I was too small when she went to heaven.""Da, you were just a baby, malyška," I confirmed, scooping her up and hoisting her onto my shoulders. From her perch atop my six-foot-three frame, she must have felt like she was on top of the world."Le
Axel."BLURP!"The gurgling noise was loud enough to be heard around the room. And it was a sound that came from Mila's belly. I watched as she successfully annihilated her second bowl of macaroni. Finally, she sat back, licking her lips and patting her full stomach.Aria couldn't hide the grin tugging at her lips. "Your sister's got quite the appetite, Axel."I laughed back, nodding at the observation. "You've no idea."Mila was now trying to sneak a portion to the dog."Malyška," I said, giving her a pretend stern look, "Don't turn Max into a macaroni junkie."Mila raised her eyebrows, her expression one of pure innocence. "What's wrong with that?""Nothing, if Max were a human like us," I retorted. "But dogs... they don't digest pasta the same way."She squinted in thought. "Max likes it.""No doubt," I agreed, nodding at the puppy. "But we should stick to dog-friendly stuff next time, yes?"Max yapped as if throwing in his two cents. Mila exploded into giggles, and even Aria joine
"Alright, Mila. Ready to chow down on that macaroni?" I asked, swiftly changing my focus.In one fluid motion, Axel strolled over and hoisted Mila into his arms, placing a smacking kiss on her rosy cheek. A sound that could only be described as pure, unadulterated glee exploded from Mila, lighting up the room in a way no chandelier ever could.The scene felt unreal, like I'd somehow crash-landed in the middle of a family sitcom. But this wasn't television, and there were no commercial breaks coming to relieve the tension building within me. The jovial brother, the innocent child – their joyous laughter at odds with the spiraling thoughts in my mind."Did I tell you, Aria?" Mila suddenly piped up, turning her bright, expectant gaze on me. "Next week, it's my birthday!" She practically bounced with excitement.Next week? Hell. I didn't even know if I'd be around in the next hour.I felt like a fraud, smiling and nodding at this little girl, knowing what I had in store. I could barely st
Aria."Aria."The sound of my name jerked me from my thoughts, making me drop the damning burner phone onto the bed. I spun around to find Mila peeking through the slightly ajar door. Her big blue eyes, disoriented from a deep nap, squinted at me."Mila," I said, trying to regulate my heartbeat. "You scared me." Gathering myself, I quickly tucked the phone back into my purse and forced a reassuring smile on my face."Sorry," she mumbled, her little fingers gripping the door. She ambled into the room, still dazed from sleep, blonde curls framing her sweet face. "I just woke up," she said, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "And I'm hungry."A pang of affection softened my features. "Hungry?" I echoed, rising from the bed. Her innocence in this whirlwind of danger was so at odds with what was at stake. "Well, we can't have that. I smelled something good wafting from downstairs. Want to go down there?"Her face brightened immediately, any remnants of sleep chased away. "Really? What is it?""Com
Keep it together, Aria.I scanned the room. It was a modest space, void of personal touches. Sparse. Functional. An austere bed in the center, a sturdy oak wardrobe standing in one corner, and an unpretentious desk in the other. The bathroom, though small, was clean and well-lit.Exhaustion gnawed at my bones, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.What the hell have I gotten myself into?These feelings I have for Axel... I have to stop it.Slowly, I shuffled toward the small white bathroom. The mirror confronted me with a reflection of a woman on the brink – eyes too wide, skin too pale. I turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face, hoping to douse the anxiety simmering beneath my skin.Lugging my tired self to the bedside table, I rummaged through my purse, retrieving the burner phone. The device was cold against my sweaty palms, a notification on the screen making my heart pound. I tapped open the message app, a message from an unmarked number glaring back at me. The s
Aria.I tried so hard not to reveal anything personal to him. But right then, I was failing miserably.I found myself surrounded by the pristine, chromed perfection of this kitchen. The place was welcoming, warm, yet every shiny appliance screamed money. It was such a far cry from what I was used to, it was dizzying.In this space, Axel was a different kind of intimidating. He was big and broad, looming over the stove, stirring the pot with a weird concentration. I liked how serious he was about it. Like an artist painting his masterpiece, a maestro conducting a symphony, or maybe a god concocting a recipe for perfection.The air was heavy with the tantalizing aroma of garlic and spices, pulling me in, making my stomach rumble in appreciation. His transformation from cold mafia boss to this domestic figure was astonishingly alluring. He was like a character who had jumped straight from a novel into my reality.It was hard not to stare, to watch the play of muscles under his shirt as h