"I'm in need of someone who can handle the responsibility of caring for my Mila," Axel continued, the possessiveness in his tone sparking an unexpected pang of jealousy within me. My Mila? I wondered who this Mila was and why her name elicited a feeling of envy in me. A Bratva lord, loving someone? It seemed impossible."The person I choose will need to assist Mila with her homework, manage her daily schedule, ensure her safety, and provide emotional support," Axel said, his eyes locked on mine as if daring me to prove my worth. "You will be required to be available 24/7 and live with her at our residence."His conditions hung in the air like a challenge, and I steeled myself, determined to meet his expectations and secure this job. The atmosphere in the room crackled with tension, a tangible mix of curiosity and trepidation. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, and then, from the back of the room, a timid voice piped up."Um, excuse me, sir? How much would we be paid for t
Axel.20 mins earlier."What the hell? Is she for real?" I muttered as my gaze locked onto her. "She wasn't included in this morning's candidates, was she?"My eyes glued to Aria before darting to Svetlana standing rigidly at my side. She solemnly shook her head, her stern expression colored with an unusual hint of curiosity."No, sir. A late addition. One of the janitorial staff vouched for her."I'd burned through those profiles this morning, all eleven, each potential candidate picked apart. But she wasn't among them.The sheaf of resumés in my hand buckled, crumpling in my tense grip. She'd crashed the party, an unexpected twist in my otherwise meticulous process. A surprise but not necessarily an unwelcome one.Now, here she was, in my sight again. Aria. Like a mirage that wouldn't go away. She was back. There were a lot of questions I should have been asking right then, and top of the list should have been "Why?"What was her reason for coming back here?What were the chances of
"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 enjoyed gam
I pulled away, fighting the pull that was drawing me back to her. I hovered there, close enough to feel her uneven breath, to see the alarm flare in her eyes."What comes next, krasotka," I rumbled, my voice dropping into a threatening purr, "is that you become mine. My employee, my rules. You step into my world, you follow my orders. No arguments." My words hung heavy between us, a stark threat. She reeled back as if slapped. She retreated, her body forming a fortress, arms crossed defensively."Don't call me kraso-…whatever it is," she bit out. Her voice bristled with rebellion. Her cheeks were flushed red, her breathing shallow."My house, my rules," I repeated, my voice steady, firm."Should I also remind you, sir…" she retorted, her tone cutting through the air like a frosty dagger."Sir." Fuck! The word ignited a spark that traveled all the way down to my groin. In this intense environment, it seemed out of place, yet it struck a chord within me that I didn't even know existed.
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
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
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 mou
"Miss Blackwood, it's time to freshen up and see you to your room," Svetlana commanded, her tone brooking no argument. She looked over at Mila, her voice growing respectful but still firm. "Miss Yakov, Miss Aria will be preparing for the pizza-making. She'll join you shortly."Aria shifted uncomfortably under the stern scrutiny of Svetlana. She turned to Mila, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, Mila, we're going to make the yummiest pizza when I get back.""Okay." Mila pouted. Disappointed, but not enough to kick up a fuss.The elevator dinged, and Roman stepped out. I glanced at him, my jaw tightening with the understanding of what his arrival meant. The faint traces of ruthlessness in his eyes, the steely resolve now melting into casual indifference – all telltale signs of a job just finished in the basement.His gaze swept across the scene, landing on Aria, who was still standing awkwardly on the stairs. A brow lifted in amusement, his lips twitching at the corners."What's the big fus
Axel.I gave Natalya a soft peck on her forehead then placed her gently into her cradle as I hummed softly.She moved, which made my heart race, thinking she woke up again, but she only scratched her eye and continued sleeping peacefully. I sighed in relief then went out to shoo Mila to her bed as well.She complained about how she was now old enough to stay up late, but she yawned after that, her body betrayed her, and she went to sleep after that.I excitedly went to my room with my dear Aria who was waiting for me on our king-size bed. She grinned once I came into her view and she motioned for me to go join her. I did so without thinking twice."So what was it you said back on the beach?" she asked teasingly as she stared at me with her deep green eyes. She was so beautiful under the moonlight coming from the glass window."I see you still have no patience," I teased back as I pulled her close to me. She giggled as she leaned closer to me and placed a kiss on my chest."Hungry for
Aria."Malyška!" A deep voice rang out from nearby. I instinctively rose to my feet, glancing toward the source. Axel soon stood beside me, towering protectively. His arm wrapped around my waist while he cradled little Natalya securely in his other arm.Mila's eyes lit up with recognition and excitement. "Dima! Roman!" she exclaimed, hurrying over to them.Roman, ever the jovial one, engulfed Mila in a big bear hug while Dima, holding a festively wrapped package, offered a warm smile."Spasibo, Dima!" Mila said, accepting her gift with a grin.Nikolai, with a warm chuckle, murmured, "S dnyom rozhdeniya," before leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on Mila's cheek as he wished her a heartfelt "Happy Birthday." "Though I must admit, Roman chose the wrapping paper."Roman defended his choice, "Come on! Who doesn't love neon flamingos?""Neon flamingos are my favorite!" Mila exclaimed, dotting a kiss on Roman's cheek. Dressed in yet another of his impeccable suits, he looked every bit the ru
Aria.Two years later.The tropical scent of plumerias surrounded me as I lounged beneath a shady palm, baby Natalya nestled next to me. She cooed, her tiny hands playing with a colorful lei draped over her lap. The vibrant flowers contrasted beautifully against her white sundress. Her striking blue eyes, the same hue as Axel's, were filled with wonder as they darted from one fascinating object to the next.Absentmindedly, I touched my barely visible baby bump, and a tingling sense of excitement mixed with a dash of nervousness surged through me. It was still early days, but there was a gut feeling, or maybe it was a maternal instinct, that it might be a boy this time. Just thinking about how Axel's eyes shone when he first held Natalya did something to my heart."Ma-ma-ma," she mumbled, reaching out to hand me a plumeria blossom she'd plucked from her lei. Every day, her speech became clearer, though Axel had the pleasure of hearing her first clear "dada." A memory that still had him
Axel.The sun was dropping low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. From up there, the lake house below looked like some damn postcard. But none of that mattered; my eyes were scanning the distance, waiting for the first glimpse of Aria.Nikolai was standing next to the towering tombstone of my parents that dominated the hill, intricately carved depictions of their glamorous selves captured forever in pristine marble that refused to dull, no matter the years it had endured. Simple lines, regal designs, and elegant inscriptions were a testament to their legacy and style. Ostentation was never their thing. They always preferred intimacy, a close circle. Just like that night – it was just us, family.Nikolai's face was more serious than the occasion called for. "You sure about this? Marriage is a life sentence, you know.""Fuck off, D," I growled, not in the mood for his philosophical shit right then. "You think I'd be here if I wasn't sure?"And then I saw her.
Aria."You look like a princess, Aria." Little Mila's voice was filled with awe, her eyes wide as saucers as she stared at me in my wedding gown.I looked back at the mirror, my reflection transformed by the elegance of the gown and the artful touch of make-up. For a fleeting moment, I did feel like a princess. Like someone who had stepped out of a fairy tale and into a beautiful reality.But this wasn't a fairy tale, and I knew it.This was real life.My life, and today was the first day of a new chapter. A chapter I'd be sharing with Axel, the complex, intriguing man who had brought so much joy, change, and even a bit of turmoil into my life."Thank you, Mila," I said, kneeling down to her level. "You make a pretty fantastic flower girl, you know? Almost like a little fairy.""Really? A fairy?" Mila's eyes sparkled as she took in the compliment. She clutched Max's leash a little tighter; the dog was also dressed up for the occasion, looking rather dashing in his miniature tuxedo.Ma
Aria.Three months laterI was cocooned in warmth, draped in a sensation that felt both novel and intimate. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft beams across the room. As my eyes fluttered open, I remembered – this was what waking up with Axel felt like.Safe and secure.I was not used to it yet, not really.The past three months had been a whirlwind. We had moved out of the mansion and into this secluded lake house right after that day.That day was meant to be a celebration of Mila's birthday, a day of pure happiness. But instead, that day, Axel had severed his uncle's head from its body.And now he had remained silent about it.But I had overheard Nikolai and Roman discussing matters. The Bratva businesses had been shifted to their control, slowly winding down Axel's direct involvement. I knew they were cleaning up, trying to make things right in their own way.I pressed my naked body even closer to Axel's, savoring the touch of his skin against mine.Axel 2.0 seeme
Axel."Malyška… Aria…"Fuck.Fuck! This was all my fault.My voice barely escaped my lips, a hoarse whisper shredded by fear. The kind of fear that grabbed your guts and twisted, the sort that came when you realized you might lose the only goddamn people you loved in this world, the only ones who meant a fucking thing to you.Love.I fucking loved them.I loved Aria.My heart twisted into a lump.Ollie's voice crashed back into my ear. "S-sorry, guys, the frequency got messed up. We're back on. Viktor… Uh, he's on the run. He knows about the trap."But I wasn't listening. Couldn't care less about Viktor right then. I strode into the center of the barn, eyes on the body on the ground.It was Katerina.Thank fuck!Her eyes were wide open, a horrific stare fixed on nothing. Blood oozed out of a bullet hole between her eyes, as clean and precise as a surgeon's cut. A mess beneath the back of her head told me it was probably blown out. She wouldn't be missing it, I was sure.I looked up. A
Aria.Everyone was already out of the room, heading to get ice cream. A brief moment of privacy."Breathe in, breathe out, it's simple. Just keep telling yourself: We can handle this." Axel's arms wrapped around me, drawing me close to his solid, reassuring chest. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, as he leaned down to kiss my forehead."Everything's fine," I said to myself, wanting to believe it. But the tremble in my voice gave away the fear I was trying so hard to hide."We got this, krasotka," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. "Trust me."I wanted to believe him. I wanted to feel safe and protected. But I couldn't shake the nagging doubt, the gnawing fear that something was off."Why do you think she wants me to bring Mila to the barn at eight?" I asked. "I'm scared, Axel," I confessed, looking up into his eyes. "Anya, or whatever her name is… She seemed…evil."I saw a flicker of something in his eyes, a tightening of his jaw. But then he was pulling me cl
Axel.The three of us stood, looking every bit the elite of the underworld. Nikolai obsessed over his cuffs, ensuring every detail was just right. Roman lounged on the armrest of a chair, his dark suit making him look like he was straight out of a GQ shoot. But his gaze was distant, his mind clearly elsewhere. I recognized that look; he was running through every nuance of that night's plan, mentally rehearsing each step. His fingers absentmindedly played with a Swiss blade, twirling it, dancing it over his knuckles, and teasing the blade close to his thumb. It looked like he might slice it clean off."Five cars, then?" Nikolai asked, breaking the silence. He was referring to the convoy we had prepared for that night's operation. The cars, filled with our chosen men, would be our main force in the attack against Viktor."Enough firepower to do the job, not enough to raise alarms," I assured him. The balance was crucial. Too few, and we risked failure; too many, and we tipped our hand t