Chapter 4

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• Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 140

  Reader's POVIvana sat quietly behind the full length mirror in her bedroom. The golden light which poured through the window wrapped her in a soft, ethereal glow. Her hands trembled slightly as she applied the final touches of lipstick. The shade was a muted rose that complemented her skin. The air smelled faintly of fresh roses and her mother’s signature vanilla perfume. Outside, just under her window, laughter echoed from the garden.The house was alive again and this time, not with chaos or pain but with hope.She stared at her reflection, trying to calm the pounding of her heart. Her wedding gown hugged her body perfectly. It was an off shoulder silhouette adorned with intricate lacework and beads that shimmered with every movement. The long train cascaded like a waterfall of satin behind her, soft and regal. Her eyes were lined, her lips curled in a gentle smile, but behind the surface, there was something deeper; peace.She wasn't hiding from Ruslan anymore and the kids were

• Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 139

  Reader's POV Trailing after her, Ivana made her way into the apartment, ignoring Lara who was trying to talk to her and Igor too who stood like a statue by the door. The tension that hung in the air was thick enough to choke on. Ruslan took one step forward, his fists clenched at his sides and eyes blazing with fury. "Where is he?" he growled. "Where is Benny?" Ivana didn't respond, her face was drawn as exhaustion set in, like she had aged years in a single day. The children had been taken to their room by Ivory, and now only the adults remained in the grand living room with men positioned at every entry point. Nico and Walter stood like statues, their eyes constantly scanning the perimeter from inside the house, fingers brushing against their concealed weapons in readiness to pull out in case there was a threat. The entire property had been turned into a fortress the second Ruslan set foot in New York but his anger wasn’t cooled by security. "I swear to God, if he’s

• Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 138

  Ivana’s POVThe hum of the plane engine was steady, soft and almost calming and for the first time in what felt like ages, I had Kiera and Kian tucked into my arms, safe and warm.They clung to me like they were afraid I would disappear again. That was exactly how I felt too so I tightened my grip around them, nuzzling against their soft skin. "Where were you?" Kiera asked, her tiny voice muffled against my shoulder."Why didn’t you come get us sooner?" Kian added, his eyes wide and sad.I swallowed the lump in my throat, flashing them the warmest smile I could, I said, "There were things I had to do first. But I never stopped thinking about you, not for one second."They nodded, but I could tell they were still confused and hurt but they were trying not to show it."The woman who took care of you," I brushed a strand of hair from Kiera’s face, "she was your caretaker. She helped me because I had so many things to do. Important and dangerous things that I had to finish before I could

• Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 137

  Ruslan’s POV"Sure.” I nodded, a sigh of relief spreading across my face. I believed that if my father spoke to Ivory, it was going to make a huge difference. I was still speaking with him when my phone vibrated in my pocket. The tone was Walter's emergency signal, short, hard, and relentless.“Please excuse me." I stepped away from Igor, already bracing myself as I answered, "Talk."Walter didn’t waste time, "It’s Benny and Ivana, they are gone. As we speak, Fabrizio is in critical condition, he was shot twice."My entire body stiffened at the piece of news, "Where the hell are they?" I gulped, trying to maintain a calm facade but my head was spinning nonstop."The last time I checked in, they were at the airport.” He mouthed. "One of the staff saw a woman matching Ivana’s description rush through Terminal B with two children, their flight took off ten minutes ago."Ten minutes ago. I could feel the heat rise behind my eyes, the fury swelling in my chest like a storm."Did they sa

• Craving Him, My Step-Brother     Chapter 136

  Ivana’s POVMy hands were shaking.The gun felt heavier now than it had seconds ago, like it knew what was about to happen and was trying to resist me.I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t pull the trigger. My fingers fumbled around the grip, slick with sweat and my breathing short and jagged.Fabrizio stood in front of me, unwavering as if it wasn’t going to hurt him."Do it now, Ivana," he said. "You’re running out of time.""I can’t," I whispered. "I can’t do this to you."Behind me, Benny was pacing like a caged animal. His face was pale and his eyes were wild."We don’t have time for this!" he snapped. "If she doesn’t shoot, we will lose the window.""The underground passage," Fabrizio suddenly said, turning to Benny. "Remember? Back when we were kids, when curfew was on and grandfather locked the gates?"Benny blinked then something clicked in his expression, "That tunnel, is it still open?"Fabrizio nodded, "You will go through the wine cellar. It still leads to the main square and fro

• Craving Him, My Step-Brother    Chapter 135

  Ivana’s POVI was lost and confused, I didn't know what to do. Benny had told me where the kids were, he didn't stop there, he made a call with his contact, connecting me with a video call with the kids but still I felt it was a set up. Benny on the other hand was staring out of the window since he clicked the lock of the door shut. His face was tense, I would have asked what the issue was but after his betrayal, I forced myself not to care. After a while, he walked up to me, slowly lowering himself on the spot next to me. He was going to touch my hand but he left his hand mid air and after so many contemplations, he placed his rough hand on mine.“I swear things aren't going south, you have to believe me.”"What if things do?” I snapped back at him. He flashed me a broad smile which earned him a glare from me. He quickly wiped off his face before saying, “If things go south, feel free to say the word and Ruslan will send a bullet to my head without a second thought." Yanking my