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
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
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."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
"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
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
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