Aria.
I walked into the maid's quarters – a palace in its own right. It was larger than the house I grew up in, decorated with Russian luxury. Gold accents, ornate fixtures, the works. The room was abuzz with quiet whispers. Svetlana's meeting was about to start.
Holy hell. I eyed the horde of maids gathered in the room. Did the Yakovs employ the entire female population of Russia?
I kept my gaze low, avoiding the intensity of the curious stares boring into me. It felt like walking onto a stage in the middle of a performance – all spotlights and hushed anticipation. I kept my face blank, trying to exude a calm I didn't feel. My heart thudded in my chest, a wild drumbeat against the quiet whispers around me.
I headed toward a corner where the least number of gossipy hens were huddl
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.
Aria.I walked into the maid's quarters – a palace in its own right. It was larger than the house I grew up in, decorated with Russian luxury. Gold accents, ornate fixtures, the works. The room was abuzz with quiet whispers. Svetlana's meeting was about to start.Holy hell. I eyed the horde of maids gathered in the room. Did the Yakovs employ the entire female population of Russia?I kept my gaze low, avoiding the intensity of the curious stares boring into me. It felt like walking onto a stage in the middle of a performance – all spotlights and hushed anticipation. I kept my face blank, trying to exude a calm I didn't feel. My heart thudded in my chest, a wild drumbeat against the quiet whispers around me.I headed toward a corner where the least number of gossipy hens were huddl
Axel."Blyat," I cursed, holding the remains of the spyware we had found scattered throughout the house. "Fucking six of them."Nikolai snorted, tossing another piece onto the table. "Make it seven."Fucking rats."Spy shit in our house, Axel. Stabbed in the back in our own damn home."My hand tightened around the piece of spyware, the metal edges biting into my flesh. The pain was a welcome distraction from the blinding rage simmering beneath the surface. If I could get my hands on Viktor and his rats, I would tear them apart with my bare hands. No mercy."I don't fucking believe this," I snarled, grinding my teeth together so hard I could taste iron on my tongue.A guttural scream tore through the silence, coming from the depths of the compound. It barely made me flinch; I was too wrapped up in the fucking spyware that had invaded my home."They're not holding up well," Nikolai observed, a dark amusement dancing in his eyes as another scream ripped through the air. The sound, though
Aria.Two damn days.It was like Axel had fallen off the face of the Earth since that weird phone call at the lake house. That night, we had connected. There was something real between us. He was more than just a mob boss; he was a man. And I was falling for him... hard. But spilling my guts to him? Hell, that would have been like painting a target on my back.Shit, I was about to confess everything to him.I'm fucking insane!After the call, it was like someone had flipped a switch in him. The warmth, the openness... all gone. He was cold, distant. We packed up and left the lake house like we were running from a damn ghost.I chewed on my lower lip. But then I pasted on a bright smile.Gotta keep up the act for Mila."Miss Maria, is Ms. Yakov ready for her lesson?" called a man from the stables, his voice rich and deep.I spun around, coming face to face with a pair of smoky eyes set in a ruggedly handsome face. Dark hair. Dark eyes. A killer smile. Great, the horseback riding coach.
ZaraA glimmer of hope ignited within me as I eyed the old, rusting doorknob. I'd seen enough action movies to know a thing or two about breaking locks. All I needed was one good swing, one good fucking hit, and that damn knob would fly right off. Picture the cool rush of freedom, right?But then, fucking typical, I heard the murmur of voices outside. My heart plummeted, ice-cold dread pooling in my gut."Cock-blocking bastards," I grumbled, my gaze darting to the locked door. I shoved the pipe back under the old cloth, concealing it as best as I could. Couldn't risk those fuckers finding my ticket out of this shithole. Not when Nilo's life hung by a thread.Crossing the room, I knelt next to Nilo, his face as pale as a ghost's. Each breath he took was shaky and labored. He needed the drugs. Now.Then the door creaked open, revealing two of Viktor's goons, their smug faces setting my teeth on edge. I forced a false smile, my heart hammering an erratic tattoo in my chest."Hey, asshole
Zara."A fucking week in this fucking shithole," I snarled, feeling the cold seep into my bones from the damp floor.The rat-infested room was a desolate pit of despair, and the sounds of revelry from the floor above made the gnawing ache in my stomach more potent.Beside me, Nilo, poor bastard, was barely hanging on. He was shivering, sweat-soaked, his face deathly pale. They'd been denying him his fix, and the withdrawal was kicking his ass. He needed his fucking drugs, and I needed a goddamn miracle.Nilo heaved again, and the foul smell of vomit filled the small space. My heart clenched, but I kept my face hard. I wasn't going to let them see me break."Get a grip, Nilo," I said, but it was gentler than I intended. He couldn't help it; the withdrawal was a bitch. "Fuck this!" I stormed over to the heavy iron door, slamming my fists against it. "Hey! Assholes! You gonna let him die in here?"The footsteps thudded closer, sounding like a damn drumbeat in my skull. The door groaned o
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