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 mo
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
Aria.This poor little kid was going to be caught in the sick game I'd been forced into.I felt like shit.Putting on a smile, I poked Mila gently, "It's alright, Mila. You've still got me and Max to share this pizza party with!" I gestured toward the puppy that was now curled up in a ball of fur, twitching in his sleep like he was chasing rabbits in dreamland.Mila sniffled, wiping at her eyes before giving me a watery smile. "That's okay, Aria," she said, her tone a strange mix of mature acceptance and childlike optimism. "Axel always says, 'Duty before dinner.' He'll eat later."Her acceptance tugged at my heartstrings, the mature sentiment delivered with such nonchalance leaving me stunned. She reminded me of a young version of myself, forced to be stronger than any child should be far too soon."I guess you're right, Mila," I replied, my voice choked up as I forced a cheerfulness I didn't really feel.Thinking quickly, I decided to try to distract her from the immediate disappoin
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
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.
"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
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
"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
Our gazes locked, and the intensity between us built. It felt like the room had shrunk, leaving only the two of us standing in this electric, charged space. We stood in silence, neither of us moving, as if we were caught in an invisible tug-of-war, neither willing to give in.How did he look so irresistible in broad daylight?"Ahem!" a voice broke in.I wrenched my gaze from the potent snare of Axel's eyes and redirected my focus to the head maid."What?" I asked, feeling a little disoriented."Over there," the woman barked at me, her eyes filled with disdain as she gestured to a spot at the back of the line of girls waiting for their interviews.She'd been such a colossal annoyance since she laid eyes on me.I did my best to avoid Axel's gaze, but it was like trying to resist the pull of gravity. I couldn't help but sneak a quick glimpse of him, and every time I did, I was sucked right back in.He caught my eye, his mouth curling into a knowing smirk. His eyes latched onto mine, the
Aria. Today was the day.I scrutinized my reflection. The woman in the mirror might have looked like me, but she was a stranger, an imposter. My outfit was chosen with surgical precision, aiming for inconspicuous yet competent – a simple black dress that grazed my knees, paired with practical flats. Hair yanked back into a no-nonsense bun, makeup barely there. I wanted to fade into the background, be invisible, but the sense of exposure, the vulnerability, was too palpable.I was smack-dab in the middle of a Russian Bratva war.My pulse raced as I geared up for this interview. An interview that might just toss me back into the treacherous world I'd been desperately trying to evade. The gig as a nanny at Axel-Yakov's mansion – the one man I hoped never to cross paths with again.Or did I really hope not to?"Get a move on." Viktor's voice behind me oozed malice, his final warning echoing in my ears. "Don't you dare screw this up, Aria. You'll get the job, and you'll be my eyes and ear
Aria.A door swung open onto a world drowned in black.I stepped in."Hello?" I called out.Darkness drenched the room, thick and cloying like tar. There was a smell – metallic, potent, the unmistakable stench of blood. A pair of bodies dangled in the heart of the pitch black, like grotesque puppets in a morbid show. They swayed lightly as though rocked by an undetectable, chilling breeze.I was drawn to them, step after quivering step. My legs were jelly under me, shaking like the aftershocks of an earthquake. Every instinct screamed at me to stop. Turn around. Get the hell out of that butcher's nightmare.Damn it, my body wouldn't listen. It was as though it had been hijacked, steered by a puppeteer with a twisted sense of humor. I was trapped in my own skin, a captive audience to the horror unfolding before me.I stumbled closer, my heart pounding a brutal rhythm against my ribs. Each beat sounded in my ears like a death knell, drowning out the desperate pleas echoing in my mind.S