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.
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
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
Aria."And they lived happily ever after," I sighed out the end of Beauty and the Beast for the second time that night. My eyelids were drooping, and I was relieved to see Mila's were finally fluttering closed. Max was already snoozing, a puddle of warmth against my thigh.I reached out, tucking a stray curl behind Mila's ear. She looked so peaceful in sleep, a sharp contrast to the turmoil I knew was stirring within her. The same turmoil I remembered all too well from my own childhood after losing my parents.Once I was sure they were both deep in dreamland, I rose, my gaze lingering on their innocent faces a moment longer before I silently treaded my way out of her room, a wave of fatigue washing over me.But as I passed by Axel's door, my heart thumped wildly in my chest. The door was closed, and the room behind it was silent, but I couldn't help the sudden flash of memories. His hot touch, his rough kisses, the way he took me in his bed… It was imprinted in my memory. My cheeks fl
Axel."Roman's on his way to Vegas." I snapped my phone shut and tucked it into my pocket. Grisha had managed to drop Roman at the airport, our private jet waiting for him.I slipped into my leather jacket, feeling the familiar weight settle on my shoulders.Thank goodness for Viktor. Our pilot was a seasoned vet in the game and the real MVP tonight. Old man never slept, always ready to fly whenever we needed him. I owed him a bottle of the finest Russian vodka when I saw him next."He's scheduled a 'friendly chat' with The Serpents by first light tomorrow."Nikolai grunted in acknowledgment, a staccato beat played out on the table with his fingers. I heaved myself out of my chair, with Nikolai mirroring my actions like we were part of some synchronized routine. Outside, midnight had cast a cloak over the city, the remaining night lights putting up a vain fight against the impending darkness. We piled into my Jag, the hum of its engine slicing through the silence, echoing the undercur