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
Just as I was about to succumb to the inevitable, a pair of hands reached into the water, strong and steady. They scooped me up, dragging me up and out, hauling me against a hard chest. I gasped, lungs heaving as I sucked in a greedy breath, coughing and spluttering as the world slowly came back into focus."Take it easy," I heard a deep voice.Gasping for breath, I felt a rush of cold air against my skin as I stood in front of Axel. Completely disoriented, naked, and dripping wet, I reached instinctively for something to cover myself. There was nothing.Oh, fuck.My cheeks burned with embarrassment. Axel looked at me briefly, a spark of something – amusement or annoyance, I couldn't tell – shifting his stoic expression."Th-thank you," I stuttered out. The chill in his voice had done nothing to alleviate my flustered state. "I was…I was having a nightmare."A storm brewed in Axel's eyes, his words a knife-edge of frosty sarcasm. "Seems like you're struggling with the basics, krasotka
Aria."I…I don't know," I whispered, but his suffocating grip on my throat and the intensity of his gaze made it clear he didn't believe me."So, Aria," he growled, his fingers unyielding against my throat. "Or should I say Sonia? You thought you could fool me?""I'm…I'm not fooling you, Axel," I choked out, squirming in his grip."Why the fucking lies?" He glared at me, a storm of fury and lust swirling in his gaze."I…I…" My voice failed me. His question stung more than the harsh grip on my throat."Lies…deception…betrayal," he spat out, his free hand sliding down my back to my ass, his touch electrifying and threatening at once.His words hung in the air, punctuated by the dangerous slide of his hand over my curves. He dug into my flesh, claiming possession with a primal intensity that sent shivers down my spine."Did you think you could fool me?" he sneered, his voice a deadly warning. His hand slid between my thighs, exploring my arousal, a damning testament to the effect he had
AriaHe tilted his head as he digested this information. "And why would you do that?" he growled, suspicion lacing his every word. But his touch didn't falter; he kept the rhythm with ruthless precision, keeping me teetering on the edge."Oh, God," I moaned as he continued to play my body expertly. I could feel myself drawing closer, each deliberate stroke sending jolts through me. It was becoming increasingly difficult to form coherent thoughts, much less respond to his probing questions."I…I…I'm…going to…cum," I gasped out, the words a pitiful plea as my body writhed in anticipation of an orgasm. The delicious promise of relief was threatening to spiral me into depths of ecstasy I'd never known.A vicious grin spread across Axel's face, a cruel glimmer lighting up his eyes as he took in my desperation. "Oh, you want release, do you?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You – a lying, deceitful temptress – want satisfaction?"The harsh words stung more than any blow, cutting th
Axel."Mudak! What the fuck was I doing?"I shook my head, anger at myself heating my cheeks. Guilt gnawed at me, hot and relentless."Shit, Axel!"She was a goddamn wreck because of me. All because I couldn't control my fucking temper. Sitting there on the floor, trembling, crying her eyes out. It was all on me.A part of me wanted to rage, to shout and break something. I had arrived here in a mood. Viktor's betrayal was gnawing at my gut, a bitter reminder of my own failure.How the fuck did I not see it? Was I too blind? Too trusting?Trust. The word tasted like bile in my mouth. Could I ever trust anyone again after what Viktor did?Fuck, could Aria ever trust me after what I had just done? The questions hammered at me, relentless and cruel.But damn her, she was still breathtaking. Teary, flushed, all soft and shaken. Taking a deep breath, I sank to my knees in front of her.Axel Yakov on his knees. Who would've thought?But right then, none of the usual macho bullshit mattered."
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
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