Aria.Holy shit. Holy shit. Fuck. What the hell did I just do?I couldn't believe I'd just had the most incredible, earth-shattering sex with a freaking stranger. A Bratva boss who could have killed me while he had me tied to his bed.God, he would have killed me if he knew why I was here.What on earth was I thinking? Right, I wasn't thinking.My body was a delicious mess of satisfaction and exhaustion, but it was time to set up these microchips and get the hell out of Dodge.I waited for a few moments, then cautiously crept away from him, trying not to jostle the bed too much. I couldn't help but take one last look at Axel's sleeping form – his chiseled chest rising and falling with each breath, his face relaxed in slumber.Convinced that he was truly out cold, I gingerly slipped away, wincing as the chilly air hit my exposed skin."Slow-ly," I whispered to myself, tiptoeing around the room, my bare feet barely making a sound against the luxurious carpet. My heart thumped in my chest
Aria. I had no time to hide. My body tensed, my eyes locked on the door as it creaked open. I was like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car, frozen in place, fear and adrenaline coursing through my veins.The door opened, and for a split second, I hoped against all odds that it wasn't Axel. But my hope was dashed. There he was. And even though I was scared witless, it was hard not to stare at him standing in the doorway.Holy shit!He was completely naked, his toned body covered in tattoos and scars, exuding raw sexuality.Why is he walking around naked?"What in the hell…?" Axel's voice was tinged with amusement and disbelief, his eyes flicking between me and the room around us. I remained rooted to the spot, my mouth dry and my heart racing a hundred miles an hour. I couldn't even muster up the courage to apologize or attempt an explanation.The silence stretched between us, punctuated only by the sound of our breathing. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the intens
Axel.Aria's moans and whimpers filled the room, fueling me to thrust harder and deeper as I held off my release until she climaxed. I followed shortly after, the sensation pure ecstasy. My heart pounded in my ribcage and my vision blurred slightly.The release left me a little breathless, but Aria was panting heavily, despite my having done most of the work."Tired, krasotka?" I asked, my voice hoarse and slightly shaky. The veins on my muscles throbbed, especially those on my most sensitive areas.She hummed in response, adjusted her clothing, and turned to face me. Her chest rose and fell in sync with mine as she caught her breath."Learned your lesson, naughty girl, or do you need more spanking?" I teased, my gaze fixed on her breasts. They were round and full, neither too large nor too small. They'd be a perfect fit for my large hands."I... uh..." she cleared her throat, struggling to speak. She shook her head and blinked several times, trying to clear her thoughts.While she ga
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
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