Axel."Are you sure?" I questioned again, a faint layer of sweat forming on my brow. I needed to hear her say it."Yes," she breathed out, pulling me back by my nape. "I need you, Axel." The conviction in her voice shattered any of my lingering doubts.The sensation of the ripple of tiny bumps on her flesh sent a thrill through me as I navigated up her thighs, her skin searing beneath my fingertips as I found her slick lips and spread them."Fuck, you are so wet…Aria." I gave a raw groan as her hips bucked into my touch. I seized her mouth in a voracious kiss, the hunger unmistakable. Her grip tightened in my hair, her breath catching as the relentless rhythm I established drove her wild.Suddenly, she pushed me back a fraction. I frowned in confusion until her fingers fumbled with my belt, the metallic click resonating through the room. She reached for my pants, pushing them down. My cock sprang free, hard as a rock. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd been so turned on by som
Aria."Alright, Mila, if you have ten apples and I give you three more, how many do you have?" Miss Katya asked as she displayed the red apple-shaped blocks for Mila.I stifled a yawn, catching Mila's sparkling blue eyes as they intently focused on Miss Katya. Miss Katya was a vibrant young woman, her Russian accent lacing her words with a foreign charm as she animatedly explained simple addition and subtraction to Mila. Brightly colored blocks and plush toys served as teaching aids, making the concepts visually engaging for Mila."A lot of apples!" Mila giggled.Miss Katya laughed back. "Funny girl. But how many are there?""Fifteen," Mila chirped happily, her small fingers counting the apples one by one. Miss Katya praised her with a bright smile, encouraging her further.Mila's first class of the day was math. We sat in her "classroom," a small but well-equipped room tucked away in the expansive mansion. A whiteboard stood at the front, while colorful educational posters brightened
AriaI had to remind myself to keep my composure.Why did his voice affect me so much?"Is she free later today?" His tone was matter-of-fact, as if he hadn't just made my heart lurch in my chest.Swallowing the strange lump in my throat, I managed to keep my tone steady, "Well, Mila's got music lessons with Mr. Sergei at three and then art and crafts with Miss Olga at five."He nodded coolly. There was no hint of the warmth he had for Mila a moment ago, just polite acknowledgment. The absence stung sharper than I would have liked to admit.What exactly were you expecting, Aria?"Get changed and meet us in the lobby in fifteen minutes," he instructed, his tone final. His eyes didn't leave mine, but there was no warmth there, no softness – just a hard, distant formality that left me feeling empty."What? Where are we—?" I started to question, but he was already turning away from me, focusing his attention on Miss Katya."Don't keep us waiting," Axel cut me off again. His voice was void
Axel.Seeing her bolting down to the lobby shouldn't have twisted my insides, but fuck, it did. She was so insanely gorgeous, it was nearly unbelievable. I mean, who looked that good in a casual tee and skinny jeans? Her curves were displayed like a goddamn buffet, her face flushed with some unspoken urgency.I hadn't been expecting the vision that was her. A surprise, that's what she was. And let's be clear, I fucking despised surprises. Generally, when I was caught off guard, it was a preamble to violence. But now, now I was clued in. The next time she strode into my line of sight, I'd be ready. I wouldn't let that captivating face, those shapely legs, or those arresting eyes distract me from my mission. And damn, that hair. The thought of running my fingers through those thick dark waves, tugging her head back to expose that tender neck of hers…Fuck.Suddenly, the recklessness of last night hit me. I'd never fucked up like this before, always had my shit together, always used a fu
Axel"This…is so beautiful," she breathed out, soaking in the surroundings. Just then, a bolt of fur shot from the car as Mila's dog barreled out in search of a spot to pee. I didn't know if it was the air or the view, but I found myself laughing as the damn animal bounded around, falling over his own feet. Beside me, Aria's husky chuckle had me looking down at her, and for a moment, the tension eased just a bit."Shhh," I warned, casting a glance at Mila, who was still sleeping in the back seat. I reached for the car door, moving carefully to unbuckle her seat belt."Axel?" Half-awake, Mila blinked up at me, extending her arms. I scooped her up, holding her close to my chest."Let's head in," I said to Aria. She just nodded, falling into step behind me. "It's 2468," I instructed her, pointing to the panel next to the front door. Aria hesitated before complying, punching in the numbers carefully. There was a beep, and then the door swung open, revealing the inside of the house.Aria's
Aria.I found my way to the kitchen and scanned the room, but I wasn't registering anything in my head. My mind was still on the kiss I had shared with Axel. It had been soft, gentle, and tender. He had never kissed me like that before, and it made me feel things.It was also confusing me. That kiss had made me feel loved, and I didn't know if that was true. It was putting me in a pickle as I tried to figure out what it meant.There was no way I could cook when my mind was all over the place, so I went over to the fridge and opened it, scanning its contents for what was edible. But the only thing that registered in my head was bread and nothing else. I sighed and facepalmed myself.Come on, focus, Aria! What is wrong with you?I looked up again and tried to find something to eat, but then I was distracted by footsteps approaching. I closed the fridge and swiftly turned around to see the man standing in front of me, the man who couldn't leave my mind even if it was to prepare something
Axel.The phone crackled to life, and a familiar arrogant voice came down the line. "Phakan," Roman said from the other side of the call. I could tell he was smirking."Don't call me that, you know I'm not your boss!" I snorted as I took in the scene of my room. It hadn't changed much over the years. The same old photo frame sat on my mahogany desk, displaying the last happy memory I had with my family – my mother, my father, Mila cradled in my mother's arms, a tiny bundle of joy. It was a bittersweet image, a ghost of the past that still lingered."How's Vegas?" I leaned back in my chair."Oh, you know, the usual shit – glitz, glam, and grime," Roman replied in a tone that was half joking, half sarcastic. "It's practically oozing with my kind of charm.""You've got news?" My gaze shifted to the window, where the sun reflected off the tranquil surface of the lake. The serene sight helped ground me, a temporary balm for the anger that never really left me.There was a brief pause, and
I wasn't an idiot. My interest was stoked, but I filed away the curiosity for another time."You know, my ma used to make macaroni," I steered the conversation back to safer grounds. "It was a family thing." She exhaled and relaxed. I had no doubt she was pleased I'd changed the subject. "I guess I also learned from watching her." My mother's face flashed in my mind – her warm smile, her gentle hands. I felt a pang of longing, a yearning for simpler times.The look of surprise on her face was priceless. "Your mother?"I nodded, stirring the macaroni absentmindedly. "Da. She was an incredible woman. Tough, loving, and stubborn as hell."Aria was silent for a moment, and then she smiled. "Sounds like someone I know," she murmured."And who would that be?" I asked, daring her to say it.She gave me a pointed look, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You."I chuckled, shaking my head at her words. But inside, I felt a strange warmth spreading through me."My…Dad used to make French to
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