Axel. "Ax-elll! Wake up, sleepyhead!" Mila's high-pitched voice pierced through my dreams, and I groaned. I didn't want to wake up, not after the night I had with Aria. The way her body had felt against mine, her wild moans echoing in my ears... Uh... fuck! I was roused from my memories of Aria as something wet assaulted my face. Opening my eyes, I found myself face-to-face with a pair of guileless eyes staring back at me. A fluffy puppy perched on my chest, its tongue dangling as it licked me enthusiastically. What the hell? When it barked in my face, it only added insult to injury. "Surprise, Axel! Meet Max!" Mila announced, her face alight with glee. "Nikolai got him for me as a present! Isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen?" The puppy cocked its head, eyeing me with a mixture of curiosity and bemusement. He was cute, no doubt of it. Not that I gave a fuck. Max batted at my chest with his tiny paws, wagging his tail as if demanding attention. Suppressing a frown, I add
Aria. Balancing a tray of steaming cups in one hand, I weaved through the busy cafe, feeling like a fraud in my waitress uniform. It was hard to believe that just last night, I had been tangled in Axel Yakov's arms, lost in a haze of pleasure I never thought possible."Here's your cappuccino, sir," I said, placing the cup in front of a middle-aged man engrossed in his newspaper. He didn't even glance up, just grunted his thanks. Sighing, I made my way back to the counter, where another cup of coffee awaited me – my third that morning.I downed the bitter liquid, hoping it would banish the memories of last night from my mind, but they refused to fade. Axel's touch still lingered on my skin, as if he had branded me with his possession."Hey, Aria, can you take these orders to table six?" my coworker, Emily, called out, snapping me out of my thoughts."Sure thing," I replied, forcing a smile and taking the plates from her.Delivering the food to the customers, my thoughts wandered back
AriaGreg smirked, taking pleasure in my discomfort. "Now, don't you think it's time you show me some gratitude for all the chances I've given you?The moment his grip tightened, something inside me snapped. A red-hot surge of anger welled up, and without thinking, my hand flew up, connecting with Greg's face in a sharp slap. We both stared at each other, shocked at my sudden outburst.My anger didn't subside, though; it festered and grew, feeding on my resentment of a life that had been nothing but a shitstorm. I was furious at my brother for falling into the pit of addiction, at my parents for leaving us too damn early, and at myself for being so damn helpless. The fury swelled within me as I thought about my own weakness – my inability to resist the magnetic pull of Axel and the fact that I had forgotten to press the fucking button on the device.The weight of it all became too much to bear, and hot tears of frustration and shame pricked at the corners of my eyes. My chest tightene
AxelThe air in the room was thick with tension, the stench of sweat and fear transporting me back to the first time I was exposed to the true meaning of Bratva business. I was just sixteen years old when my father led me down to his interrogation chamber for the first time."Son, this is your birthright," he'd said, his voice cold and steady as he secured the trembling man to a chair. "One day, you'll take over the business. Violence is an unavoidable part of our world."I watched, wide-eyed and silent, as the man's pleas for mercy filled the room. My father didn't waver; his face expressionless, his movements methodical. I couldn't tear my gaze away from the grisly scene unfolding before me."Dad, please," I remember whispering. "Isn't there another way?"My father had turned to me, his eyes glinting with a hardness I'd never seen before. "This is how we maintain order, son," he replied, his tone firm but not unkind. "This is how we protect our family and our business."Now, as I st
AxelRoman's rage seeped through as he worked in the chamber. Among us, he was the most unhinged and unpredictable, but that's why I trusted him. He let his actions do the talking when it came to dealing with enemies.As I stood outside the door, listening to the muffled sounds from within, I felt a sense of satisfaction. This was what happened when you crossed us. When you betrayed the trust we'd placed in you.You paid with your life."Boss," Maria, Mila's nanny, stood before me, her expression one of fear and concern as she took in the blood on my shirt. Her face was as white as a ghost."Boss... Mr. Yakov," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.I turned to face her, my eyes narrowing. Maria might have been Mila's nanny, but she was also a woman in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fact that she'd seen me in this state, covered in blood and with a killer's look in my eyes, was not something I took lightly.But as I looked at her closely, I saw fear not just towards me, bu
Aria"One more, please," I gulped down the burning alcohol, the sharp sting offering a momentary reprieve from my torment. As I scanned the room, I took in the dimly lit, seedy environment. Drunken men leer at the scantily clad dancers writhing on stage, their hands wandering over their own bodies, stroking their cocks in anticipation. Some licked their lips lasciviously, eyes filled with depravity as they fixated on the exposed flesh of the dancers. The room was suffocating, a den of lust and debauchery, and I hated that my best friend had to work in a place like this."You look like the weight of the world is crushing you," the bartender said softly. Zara was my best friend, and her concern was etched across her face. She was a bombshell, with her thick black hair cut into a bob, framing her delicate features. Her deep brown eyes were filled with warmth and understanding, and she carried herself with confidence and poise. Her outfit, though, was another story.Zara was clad in a ski
AriaA pair of men in black suits materialized, their towering presence casting an ominous shadow. Their icy, predatory gazes gave me cold shivers, and I caught the flicker of fear in Zara's eyes.Then, like a dark tide of sin and danger, more men emerged from the shadows, their very presence radiating an unsettling aura of trouble. A tense silence enveloped the strip club, broken only by the faint rustling of clothing and the clinking of glasses as the patrons and staff, without a word, slipped away like shadows into the night. It was as if they all understood an unspoken rule: when trouble comes knocking, it's best to make a swift exit and avoid its menacing grasp.My breath caught in my throat as a chilling laugh echoed through the room. Viktor, a sinister smile on his face, stepped forward, his presence casting a pall over the bar."Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice dripping with malice. "What a lovely little reunion we have here. How touching."Zara's face contorted with r
Axel"Fucking Viktor, that mudak, has the balls to open his trash heap right on our doorstep!"Nikolai's voice cut through the haze of smoke and low thrum of bass in the VIP lounge of our rooftop bar.The place was drenched in the scent of expensive cigars and the sweet perfume of hostesses weaving through tables. Neon lights bathed the area in a seductive glow, reflecting off the glassy surface of the central warm pool where shadows mingled and flirted.Roman leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "Let him try," Roman drawled, sipping on his vodka, ice-cold like his gaze. "This is our turf. He's just a desperate dog marking territory."I clenched my fist around my own glass, whiskey amber under the nightclub's pulsing lights. The music was a mix of deep house and techno, a throbbing heartbeat that mirrored my rising irritation."Viktor thinks he's making a statement," I spat out.Slamming the whiskey back, feeling it burn all the way down. The glass hit the table hard, a sharp cli
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