Breathless Defiance

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• A Bride For A Truce   Secrets tied in ribbons

  SeraAfter practice with Adrik, I decided to go visit my father.He had texted me the previous evening and asked that I please stop by for dinner.The family estate still looked the same as the last time I'd been here and I haven’t been here in almost six months. Not since my wedding.On arriving at the estate, I stepped out of Adrik’s Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and made my way up the staircase.The guards stationed around the estate caught sight of me and smiles of recognition graced their faces. Carlo, the longtime family butler, opened the door with a warm smile and led me inside. “Hello signoria. So good to see you strong on your feet.” My lips curved into a warm smile as I patted his arm “Thank you, Carlo.”“Is he in his study?” I asked.“No, Signor Vitale said to join him in the garden.”I blinked. “The garden?”He nodded. “Yes, Signora. He’s waiting with dinner.”Color me surprised.As I made my way to the garden, I heard someone call out my name. “Sera? Cara mia I’m so happ

• A Bride For A Truce   A Cover Up

  SeraThe gym in the penthouse was quiet except for the rhythmic sound of my sneakers hitting the padded floor.Adrik stood across from me, his arms folded. He looked far too amused for someone about to teach his wife how to break a person’s face. “Okay,” he said, tossing me a pair of leather gloves. Rule number one—don’t aim for the face unless you want to send a message. Rule number two—don’t hesitate.”I pulled the gloves on, tugging the straps tight. “I’m not trying to send a message. I just don’t want to die next time someone points a gun at me.”His smirk faded, replaced by something sharper.“Good. Let’s keep it that way.”He stepped closer and lifted my arms into a basic stance. His touch was gentle but firm, fingers adjusting my elbow, my wrist, my footwork.“Feet shoulder-width apart. Chin down. Eyes forward.”“Like this?” I asked, attempting to copy him.He circled me slowly. “You look like you’re posing for a fight. Not actually in one.”I jabbed out weakly.He caught my w

• A Bride For A Truce   So warm…So wet 🔞

  I slid off his lap and stood. My legs were unsteady, not from fear—but from want. My fingers reached for his, interlacing them together as I pulled him to his feet. His body towered over mine, hard muscle and barely contained power, but tonight—tonight I wanted to flip the script. I wanted him undone for me. Without a word, I led him out of the theater room, through the dim hallway. The lights casting shadows along the walls. The silence between us pulsed with electricity, his hand tightening slightly around mine, as if resisting the urge to take control. But he didn’t. He let me lead. Inside our bedroom, I turned to face him. “Take off your clothes,” I whispered. His lips quirked into a smirk. “Yes, ma’am.” He peeled off his shirt, the fabric falling to the floor in a whisper. My eyes drank him in—broad chest, tattoos that I would never get tired of staring at, scars that told stories, a body that had fought wars and won. He stood there, powerful and unashamed,

• A Bride For A Truce   How to fight

  Sera New York smelled different. Not as calming as Moscow. But something more chaotic. The private jet landed just after dawn, and by the time we stepped onto the tarmac, the city skyline had begun to stretch itself awake. Everything felt different now. I felt different. Gone was the injured, unconscious woman who left weeks ago. In her place stood someone healing but still breathing. Still standing. Adrik’s hand was warm over mine in the back of the SUV as the skyline emerged through the glass. The familiar pulse of the city stirred something tight and uncomfortable in my chest. It was just Adrik and I heading home. Irina had driven with Yuri and Vladimir to go drop off Diana. The house was quiet when we arrived.Nadia had done a good job while we were away. The penthouse felt lived in, clean, and warm. I stood in the middle of our bedroom, slowly peeling off my coat, unsure what to do with the rush of feelings. Being back in the city made everything feel mo

• A Bride For A Truce   Happy New Year 🎊

  Adrik 3…2..1… Happy New Year!!! The rooftop roared with shouts, glasses filled with champagne clinking. Fireworks cracked open the Moscow sky, white and gold and furious. Snow flurried around us in a frenzy of cold light. And all I saw was her. Sera turned toward me, cheeks pink from the cold, lips parted in a surprised smile. Mistletoe hung overhead—something Diana had insisted on. I didn’t believe in superstitions. I believed in claiming what was mine. So I kissed her. Hard, slow, and greedy. Her laugh got caught in my mouth. Her arms looped around my neck. When I pulled away, her eyes were dazed. Breathless. Beautiful. I touched her cheek. “Happy New Year, Zolotse.” She tilted her head. “Happy New Year Baby. Do you think you can stay alive for me this year?” I smirked. “No doubt. I’m too damn stubborn to die.” She rolled her eyes, but I caught the way her fingers tightened on my coat. She wasn’t asking about survival. Not really. She was asking abou

• A Bride For A Truce   A bucket list moment

  Sera You know that feeling when you realize that your drunk mind is playing tricks on you? You become embarrassed and wish that the floor would open up and swallow you. That was Diana when we all got outside and realized that what had made her scream bloody murder was a snowman whom she had mistaken for a man standing in the shadows. We all laughed and went inside after which everyone took turns to unwrap their gifts. I got a designer coat from Irina, a leather journal with my name embossed in gold from Diana. A joint gift of lingerie and bedroom toys from Diana and Irina which earned them smacks on their heads from me. Designer perfumes and a YSL bag from Zoya. A watch from Sergei and a set of engraved knives from Mikhail. From Adrik, a custom locket with my mother’s photo, which made me shed a tear and also a framed photo of us during our wedding reception which had “You are my home.” engraved behind it. And also more diamonds with the engraving “Moya Zhena” (my wif