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
Axel."Boss, Grisha," came the deep voice from outside."Da. Come in," I responded, my words cutting through Nikolai's aborted sentence.With a grating creak, the door swung open, and there stood Grisha, our resident mountain of a bodyguard, his icy gaze scanning the room.He was balancing an ornate tray – an odd elegance to his otherwise brutish facade – holding glasses and a dusty bottle of whisky. The bottle was old, its label barely readable. My father's choice – a relic from his reign, just like this shithole.The amber liquid gleamed in the dim light as Grisha poured, its scent permeating the room – a nostalgic remembrance of countless previous councils. It was a reminder of the legacy we carried, the battles fought, and the battles to come."Na zdorovie," Nikolai said, raising his glass. It was a simple toast, yet it held the weight of our collective determination. He downed his drink in one smooth gulp, the grimace on his face belying the burn.A vicious growl built in my ches
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
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
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. 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
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
"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
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
Axel."BLURP!"The gurgling noise was loud enough to be heard around the room. And it was a sound that came from Mila's belly. I watched as she successfully annihilated her second bowl of macaroni. Finally, she sat back, licking her lips and patting her full stomach.Aria couldn't hide the grin tugging at her lips. "Your sister's got quite the appetite, Axel."I laughed back, nodding at the observation. "You've no idea."Mila was now trying to sneak a portion to the dog."Malyška," I said, giving her a pretend stern look, "Don't turn Max into a macaroni junkie."Mila raised her eyebrows, her expression one of pure innocence. "What's wrong with that?""Nothing, if Max were a human like us," I retorted. "But dogs... they don't digest pasta the same way."She squinted in thought. "Max likes it.""No doubt," I agreed, nodding at the puppy. "But we should stick to dog-friendly stuff next time, yes?"Max yapped as if throwing in his two cents. Mila exploded into giggles, and even Aria joine
"Alright, Mila. Ready to chow down on that macaroni?" I asked, swiftly changing my focus.In one fluid motion, Axel strolled over and hoisted Mila into his arms, placing a smacking kiss on her rosy cheek. A sound that could only be described as pure, unadulterated glee exploded from Mila, lighting up the room in a way no chandelier ever could.The scene felt unreal, like I'd somehow crash-landed in the middle of a family sitcom. But this wasn't television, and there were no commercial breaks coming to relieve the tension building within me. The jovial brother, the innocent child – their joyous laughter at odds with the spiraling thoughts in my mind."Did I tell you, Aria?" Mila suddenly piped up, turning her bright, expectant gaze on me. "Next week, it's my birthday!" She practically bounced with excitement.Next week? Hell. I didn't even know if I'd be around in the next hour.I felt like a fraud, smiling and nodding at this little girl, knowing what I had in store. I could barely st
Aria."Aria."The sound of my name jerked me from my thoughts, making me drop the damning burner phone onto the bed. I spun around to find Mila peeking through the slightly ajar door. Her big blue eyes, disoriented from a deep nap, squinted at me."Mila," I said, trying to regulate my heartbeat. "You scared me." Gathering myself, I quickly tucked the phone back into my purse and forced a reassuring smile on my face."Sorry," she mumbled, her little fingers gripping the door. She ambled into the room, still dazed from sleep, blonde curls framing her sweet face. "I just woke up," she said, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "And I'm hungry."A pang of affection softened my features. "Hungry?" I echoed, rising from the bed. Her innocence in this whirlwind of danger was so at odds with what was at stake. "Well, we can't have that. I smelled something good wafting from downstairs. Want to go down there?"Her face brightened immediately, any remnants of sleep chased away. "Really? What is it?""Com
Keep it together, Aria.I scanned the room. It was a modest space, void of personal touches. Sparse. Functional. An austere bed in the center, a sturdy oak wardrobe standing in one corner, and an unpretentious desk in the other. The bathroom, though small, was clean and well-lit.Exhaustion gnawed at my bones, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.What the hell have I gotten myself into?These feelings I have for Axel... I have to stop it.Slowly, I shuffled toward the small white bathroom. The mirror confronted me with a reflection of a woman on the brink – eyes too wide, skin too pale. I turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face, hoping to douse the anxiety simmering beneath my skin.Lugging my tired self to the bedside table, I rummaged through my purse, retrieving the burner phone. The device was cold against my sweaty palms, a notification on the screen making my heart pound. I tapped open the message app, a message from an unmarked number glaring back at me. The s
Aria.I tried so hard not to reveal anything personal to him. But right then, I was failing miserably.I found myself surrounded by the pristine, chromed perfection of this kitchen. The place was welcoming, warm, yet every shiny appliance screamed money. It was such a far cry from what I was used to, it was dizzying.In this space, Axel was a different kind of intimidating. He was big and broad, looming over the stove, stirring the pot with a weird concentration. I liked how serious he was about it. Like an artist painting his masterpiece, a maestro conducting a symphony, or maybe a god concocting a recipe for perfection.The air was heavy with the tantalizing aroma of garlic and spices, pulling me in, making my stomach rumble in appreciation. His transformation from cold mafia boss to this domestic figure was astonishingly alluring. He was like a character who had jumped straight from a novel into my reality.It was hard not to stare, to watch the play of muscles under his shirt as h