Aria.I didn't feel well.My heart was pounding like a drum in my chest. The toy shop around me seemed to blur, the edges of my vision getting fuzzy.What's happening to me?This can't be happening now. Not here, not with Mila.Think, Aria, think. What's Viktor planning?My mind returned to Anya, her evil smirk, and her cold, deadly eyes.Should I come clean with Axel?No! He'll kill me. Bloody Viktor!He's left me in the dark. I have no idea if Nilo or Zara are alive.Oh God, breathe, just breathe."Look, Aria!" Mila's voice rang through the haze, and I turned to see her eyes shining with excitement. She was pointing at the dollhouses lined up on a shelf, each one more elaborate than the next. "See this one?" she chirped, pulling me closer. "It's got a little garden and a swing. And this one here's got tiny rooms, and you can even see the little dishes in the kitchen!""Yeah, Mila, they're beautiful," I managed to say, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears. I tried to focus o
Axel.A few hours before.I was standing with Patrick, but my eyes betrayed me, drifting over to Aria. Damn it all to hell, she looked off. Pale.Is she okay?"Aria!" Mila's shriek made me snap to attention. My head whipped around. Mila's face was a twisted mask of terror as she clung to Aria, but it was no use. Aria was falling, her face pale, and her eyes shut.I was moving before I knew it, muscles working on autopilot. My arms reached out, and I caught Aria just before she hit the ground. Mila was crying like her heart was breaking. Nikolai was there, picking her up."It's okay, Mila," I grunted, feeling something twist in my gut. "Aria's gonna be fine. I am going to take her to the doctor
Aria.Today was the day I'd die.With my baby.My baby!I still couldn't believe it...I was lying in a big, uncomfortable bed, not like the one I'd been in before... and the room smelled like medicine. A memory flashed before my eyes:A man in a white coat was talking to Nana, and he was using words I didn't understand."I'm sorry to inform you that Aria will not be able to conceive as the impact of the accident had caused significant damage to her fallopian tubes," he said. His voice was all serious and grown-up, and I couldn't make sense of what he was talking about. But it must have been something bad because Nana started crying really hard
Axel.We'd just checked out of the hospital.My black Lamborghini Urus was waiting where Grisha had dropped it off earlier, and I unlocked it, holding open the passenger door for Aria.I looked at her fumbling with the seatbelt, her fingers trembling. It gave me the excuse I needed."Need help there, krasotka?" I asked, leaning over. Her eyes locked onto mine, surprised. I couldn't resist; I kissed her, quick and demanding.She kissed me back, her hand reaching down, and everything inside me was on fire. She was teasing me, tracing the outline of my cock. It hardened instantly, and I groaned, lost in the sensation, the tantalizing promise of what could be. I pulled her close, her body warm and inviting, her touch driving me insane.
Axel.The cold took its grip on the evening, yet there I was, drenched in sweat beneath layers of Kevlar and tactical gear. One would think being a mafia boss prepped for an assault would mean luxury suits and polished shoes.But tonight? It was all about armor and readiness.Looking around, most of the guys were in position, ready to strike."You good?" I nodded.We were deep in Alek's warehouse, and the air was thick with the foul stench of his sins. Decay, piss, and a darker odor that spoke of forbidden acts and broken souls permeated the place. Nikolai's gaze was like a knife, slicing through the darkness, never settling, always searching.Roman... he looked like he was one wrong word away from sna
Axel.The basement reeked of fear, piss, and the coppery tang of blood. Shadows clung to the corners like cobwebs, thick and oppressive. In the center of the room, Sergey was strapped to a chair, his face a mess of bruises and cuts.I circled him slowly, the rage inside me a living, breathing thing. The poker in my hand glowed a dull orange, wisps of heat shimmering off the tip."I trusted you, Sergei," I said, my voice a low rasp. "And you betrayed me."Sergey made a noise halfway between a whimper and a groan. "Boss, please... I can explain—"I backhanded him across the face, splitting his lip. "Explain? What's there to fucking explain? You went behind my back, you piece of shit. Tried to sell me out to the highest bidder."His eyes widened, bulging slightly. Blood and spittle flew from his mouth as he shook his head frantically. "No, no, it wasn't like that! I swear, I never—""Don't fucking lie to me!" I roared. The poker hovered an inch from his face, and the stink of his fear ra
Aria.48 hours before the party.I groaned as the sack came off my face. My head was ringing, my eyes bleary. The world was a blur of indistinct shapes and colors.Dear God! My head felt like it had been split open.Memories came flooding back - leaving the coffee shop, bitter espresso on my tongue. Walking through the alleyway to my second job at the mall, it was quiet, too quiet. Suddenly, I felt the prickling sensation down my neck that told me I was being watched.I had turned around, the fear already starting to rise in my chest. And then everything had gone dark.My hands were tied, but not tight enough to be painful. I adjusted to a more comfortable position on the creaking chair. Realization suddenly dawned...Someone kidnapped me! Oh God, please!"I think you broke the doll," I heard a voice say. The sound startled me, and I jolted my head upright, my eyes scanning the room for the source.My captor emerged from the shadows, draining the color from my face. He was tall and me
Aria.12 hours before the party.The car door swung open, and I stumbled out, my ankles wobbling in the damn torture devices Viktor called shoes. Biting back a curse, I straightened up, ignoring the burn in my soles. The driver smirked, clearly enjoying my struggle. Asshole."Get moving," he snarled, his eyes trailing over me with disdain. "And don't forget, if you mess this up, you can kiss your dear brother goodbye. We won't think twice about making him vanish. For good."My fingers twitched, itching to claw that smug look off his face. But I couldn't. Not with Mikey's life on the line. I took a steadying breath, the cool night air a stark contrast to the fury simmering in my veins.Focus, Aria. One step at a time. Just like Viktor drilled into you.I squared my shoulders and started the painful trek toward the entrance. The grand building loomed before me, its lush gardens stretching out like a green carpet. Massive pillars reached skyward, supporting a balcony that wrapped around
Axel.The cold took its grip on the evening, yet there I was, drenched in sweat beneath layers of Kevlar and tactical gear. One would think being a mafia boss prepped for an assault would mean luxury suits and polished shoes.But tonight? It was all about armor and readiness.Looking around, most of the guys were in position, ready to strike."You good?" I nodded.We were deep in Alek's warehouse, and the air was thick with the foul stench of his sins. Decay, piss, and a darker odor that spoke of forbidden acts and broken souls permeated the place. Nikolai's gaze was like a knife, slicing through the darkness, never settling, always searching.Roman... he looked like he was one wrong word away from sna
Axel.We'd just checked out of the hospital.My black Lamborghini Urus was waiting where Grisha had dropped it off earlier, and I unlocked it, holding open the passenger door for Aria.I looked at her fumbling with the seatbelt, her fingers trembling. It gave me the excuse I needed."Need help there, krasotka?" I asked, leaning over. Her eyes locked onto mine, surprised. I couldn't resist; I kissed her, quick and demanding.She kissed me back, her hand reaching down, and everything inside me was on fire. She was teasing me, tracing the outline of my cock. It hardened instantly, and I groaned, lost in the sensation, the tantalizing promise of what could be. I pulled her close, her body warm and inviting, her touch driving me insane.
Aria.Today was the day I'd die.With my baby.My baby!I still couldn't believe it...I was lying in a big, uncomfortable bed, not like the one I'd been in before... and the room smelled like medicine. A memory flashed before my eyes:A man in a white coat was talking to Nana, and he was using words I didn't understand."I'm sorry to inform you that Aria will not be able to conceive as the impact of the accident had caused significant damage to her fallopian tubes," he said. His voice was all serious and grown-up, and I couldn't make sense of what he was talking about. But it must have been something bad because Nana started crying really hard
Axel.A few hours before.I was standing with Patrick, but my eyes betrayed me, drifting over to Aria. Damn it all to hell, she looked off. Pale.Is she okay?"Aria!" Mila's shriek made me snap to attention. My head whipped around. Mila's face was a twisted mask of terror as she clung to Aria, but it was no use. Aria was falling, her face pale, and her eyes shut.I was moving before I knew it, muscles working on autopilot. My arms reached out, and I caught Aria just before she hit the ground. Mila was crying like her heart was breaking. Nikolai was there, picking her up."It's okay, Mila," I grunted, feeling something twist in my gut. "Aria's gonna be fine. I am going to take her to the doctor
Aria.I didn't feel well.My heart was pounding like a drum in my chest. The toy shop around me seemed to blur, the edges of my vision getting fuzzy.What's happening to me?This can't be happening now. Not here, not with Mila.Think, Aria, think. What's Viktor planning?My mind returned to Anya, her evil smirk, and her cold, deadly eyes.Should I come clean with Axel?No! He'll kill me. Bloody Viktor!He's left me in the dark. I have no idea if Nilo or Zara are alive.Oh God, breathe, just breathe."Look, Aria!" Mila's voice rang through the haze, and I turned to see her eyes shining with excitement. She was pointing at the dollhouses lined up on a shelf, each one more elaborate than the next. "See this one?" she chirped, pulling me closer. "It's got a little garden and a swing. And this one here's got tiny rooms, and you can even see the little dishes in the kitchen!""Yeah, Mila, they're beautiful," I managed to say, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears. I tried to focus o
Axel.Emerging from the gym, my muscles hot and my mind still a jumble of fresh release and frustration, I barely noticed Svetlana reprimanding one of the maids. My focus was elsewhere. I needed to find Mila."Svetlana, where's Mila?"The maid scurried away, and Svetlana turned her steely gaze to me. "Miss Yakov is in the garden, sir.""Good. Spasibo." I was already moving, but Svetlana wasn't finished."Mr. Yakov, if I may, the arrangements for the party on Saturday need your attention. There are some decisions that require your approval."I stopped, glancing back at her, irritation flaring. "Can't it wait, Svetlana? I will go over it with you later."She nodded, her face betraying nothing. "Very well, sir. I will have everything ready for your review."I didn't bother with a reply, already striding toward the garden. My mind was filled with Mila, my little sister, all alone out there. The garden was filled with our muscle-bound soldiers, always on guard, but it didn't change the ach
Aria."I came here for Mila," I snapped, though my voice quivered, betraying the lie. "Not to...to..."Fuck you. God knows I was so horny right then.I had no business in Axel's private gym, I knew it, but I couldn't help myself. Word around the house was that he'd been cooped up here for days. Mila had been asking for her big brother, her face going all teary-eyed at night.Or maybe I was just trying to fool myself. Maybe it was me who couldn't stand his absence anymore.Yes, I fucking missed him.The truth was, I wanted him. I wanted all of him.And there he was. Fresh out of the shower, muscles rippling, water dripping down his goddamn perfect body. His
Axel.My towel hit the hamper, still heavy with sweat from my workout. My gym was the only place where I could get Aria out of my fucking head. I'd been pounding the punching bag for the last hour. Anything to keep my mind from spiraling.The desire was eating at me, gnawing away like a constant itch I couldn't scratch.Aria.Just the thought of her name made my cock twitch. I'd been avoiding her, burying myself in work, burying myself in anything to distract from the hunger. But it was there, always there, lurking just beneath the surface.Anyone could be a fucking rat for Viktor, even Aria.I scolded myself, my internal voice raw with warning.Shit, I needed to get a grip. But right then, it wasn't my head that was doing the thinking – it was my cock.I told myself I could stay away, that I could resist her. But who was I kidding? The need was too strong, too raw.Dammit, I wanted her. And I knew, deep down, that it was a craving I wouldn't be able to fight much longer.Coming out o
Aria.For a split second, an evil grin flickered across Anya's face, like a glimmer of moonlight on a dark pond. But it was gone as quickly as it came, leaving me wondering if I'd imagined it. Her eyes, though, were a different story – hard, cold, devoid of any semblance of warmth or humanity. It was like staring into the eyes of a shark.In a voice so low, it was practically a breath of wind, she muttered, "Viktor wants you to get ready."The name hit me like a sucker punch, knocking all the air out of me. "Anya... you're..." The rest of the words stuck in my throat as if my vocal cords had gone on strike.My heart skipped a beat. Viktor. She was on his side. Anya, the aloof maid, was also Viktor's spy."Quiet!" Anya hissed, making me snap my mouth shut faster than a mousetrap. That chilling smile she wore moments ago vanished as if it was never there, replaced by the usual wallflower act I'd expected from her.I watched, flabbergasted, as she receded back into the crowd, a chameNilo