Novels by Brookedavi

Of course that is what she says because I won’t give her what she really wants. And letting her go isn’t an option. I don’t wait for her to be okay. I stride out, gesturing to two guards outside the door. “Make sure she stays in there.”“Yes, Zver,” they chorus. I don’t doubt them for a second. I expect compliance without question That’s the kind of brotherhood we built. So in what world did Niko think taking Claire away was okay?I head to Niko’s designated room. The doctor is just finishing with him, stitching and wrapping bruises that blooms across his face and torso. His small head lowers as I enter, then he slips past me without a word. My focus is fixed entirely on Niko.“My apologies, Zver,” Niko starts the moment the door closes. “I was wrong to take her out of the house.”“Yeah, that was some shit move. Especially for you.” I move to the window, watching him button a crisp white shirt over the purple bruises across his stomach. “We’re alm

She sits on the bed still crying, for fucking Niko. I pace the room, restless, wanting to comfort her but she already slapped me once. It didn’t sting the way she wanted, so she tried again, and I had to shove her down onto the mattress. Now she’s there, face buried in her hands, refusing to acknowledge my presence.“Why didn’t you wait for me?” I snap, though what I really want is to speak softly. I am too riled up, fueled by the image of Niko’s audacity, dragging Claire away like that. Insubordination like his usually ends with a bullet between the brows, but I didn’t pull a gun because it’s Niko. I can’t believe he did this.Niko and I have known each other since high school. He was vice commander of our gang, just as he is now my chief of security. I’ve done everything with him, raised this empire, fought battles, buried enemies. He’s my right hand, my left leg, and there isn’t anything I would deny him. Hell, I think of him as my brother.I knew he wa

Niko presses harder on the gas, then slams the brakes. My body snaps forward, but his arm shoots out, holding me firmly against the seat.“What happened?”my heart jolts with sudden fright.His smile twists, sardonic and almost proud. “I forgot how far ahead Zver thinks,” he says, eyes still looking ahead.“What are you talking about?” “Claire, we won’t be leaving today.”My frown deepens as I watch his face. “And why not?”“Look.” He jerks his chin at the road ahead.At first, I see nothing but streams of headlights. Then my stomach knots. Cars parked along the roadside, shadows of men inside, others pacing outside with deliberate demeanor that screamed armed men.”Zver already has his men stationed here to stop you from leaving," Niko explains calmly, not entirely bothered and even a little impressed. Which honestly doesn't do well for my nerves.My heart sticks to my throat, my fingers clenched on my

Niko doesn’t let me take anything from the room, he just drags me forward by the hand until we’re back at the car. He ignores Xavier calling after us, strides with grim determination to the passenger side, yanks the door open, and ushers me inside.“Niko, what are you doing?” I ask, apprehension making my stomach turn.No answer. He shuts the door with a hard snap and circles to the driver’s side. The engine growls to life, and we roll out of the Dragnov estate without anyone stopping us. Streetlights flicker awake one by one, and with each glow my anxiety swells. All I see of him is his side profile, sharp jaw, rigid mouth, eyes fixed straight ahead.“Where are we going?” I press when I can’t take the pressure building in my chest. “Niko.” Louder this time. His silence gnaws at me, discomfort making me shift.“I thought you wanted to leave Russia. Why are you asking me that?” He finally answers, too calm, like everything else he’s done tonight.

“And?” I demand when the silence stretches too long. He doesn’t even look at me, just stares out the front window as the car speeds toward Drognov estate.“That was smart,” he finally says, and I blink at him. A smirk curls at his lips. “Giving Niko the slip like that. No one’s ever done that before. Niko must be getting sloppy.” Now he’s grinning like this is a game.“This isn’t funny. I want a divorce, Aleksei.” I snap, no trace of humor in my face.He exhales, pulls out his phone, and starts typing. “I know what you want, little bunny. But that was reckless, running to the cops. Do you even realize how dangerous that was? I own most of the police here, but not all. You could’ve ended up in an entirely different vehicle right now.”I jut my chin out and glare at the blur of the city through the tinted windows. “If I go to New York, I’ll be safe. None of these people are after me, they’re after you.”Aleksei slams his phone onto the seat, the sound jolting me. His jaw tightens, eyes

My stomach drops at those words. “I’m sorry, what?” I rise slowly to my feet, eyes locked on his face.The man gives me a creepy smile before stepping aside. I watch as Aleksei enters the room, his presence filling every inch of space. My shoulders tense. I move backward, eyes fixed on him like he might spring forward and snatch me.“How–how are you here?” I stammer out despite trying hard not to show how rattled I am. How did he find me this fast? I haven’t even been gone for thirty minutes.“You don’t get to ask questions.” He says so calmly it seals my lips shut. “Let’s go.” He tilts his head as he slides away from the door.I’m still reeling, but I refuse to let him order me around. Clenching my fists at my sides, I press my lips together, lift my chin, and say, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”“Don’t test me, Zayka.” His tone doesn’t rise; it doesn’t need to. “I have other things I’d rather be doing than dealing with your drama. Don’t make me repeat myself. Let’s go.”I glance

“How long are you going to stand there?” I snap. “Talk so we can get out of here.”Dante glances at the pair at the other table. “Maybe we should just get that room,” he has the nerve to suggest.“Are you fucking kidding me?” I nearly shout.“I won’t touch you, Cici,” he says, then glances at them again. “It would be rude to tell those people to leave.”I make a sound of pure disgust as the two start kissing right in front of us. My body pricks with spite, and I grimace. “I don’t want to be in a room with you.”He places his hand on the table and leans forward. “What are you afraid of?” he asks. I don’t reply. I just turn my face away.“Then I’ll tell them to get a room,” he says, already moving toward the couple. It is kind of rude of them to be doing that right here in the open, where anyone can smell them. I cover my face with my hand so I won’t have to watch Dante play the alpha asshole and order them out.Being an alpha gives the most unfair advantage in this world. Thanks to h

I have no one. The thought stings my eyes. In this alpha society and all the others that exist, I have no one to turn to. The only place rogues are allowed to move freely is the wild. The night gets colder, and I start worrying about Mom, Lia, and Elvira. I know I have to go back for them and find a way to leave this relationship, but I just can’t bring myself to turn around.Dante is still following me, but now he is not saying anything. If I go back, he’ll think he’s won, that I really have no choice but to keep enduring his affair with Luciana. Am I being unreasonable? All I asked was for him to tell me if he wants her more, if he wants to be with her. Why did he have to go behind my back?I start crossing the road. The busy market street bustles with cars and people closing up shop and hurrying home. I couldn’t even find a shop to rent, they were all way beyond my budget. If I had, maybe I could have slept there tonight.“Cici,” Dante grabs my arm and yanks me back. “Watch wher

We can’t really avoid something like that, not here. I just never bothered to get one since I have no one to call outside my family. But those things take calls, messages…Dante got one, and rushed off. The way he reacted, he didn’t want me to realize it was a phone. And if Luciana hadn’t shown up tonight, I probably wouldn’t have thought this far into it.Dante…I roll on to my back so I'm staring at the ceiling, my eyes burning. You really are a terrible man. All I ever asked for was honesty, and he kept lying, right to the bitter end.I let myself breath deeply through the pain and focus on what matters. Getting us out of that house.I don’t have much money, but I could afford a small wooden place out in the wild. I could start a tiny business there, cooking for people. I don’t need to waste time figuring it out.Sure Lia is pregnant. She’ll need care. And they just got into school too...That thought wrecks me.There are no schools in the wild. If we leave, I’d have to pull Elvira

We walk to Salvatore’s place, it’s a lot closer than I expected. It’s one of the smaller houses with low roofs, the kind of place I always imagined he’d live in since he’s so adamant about not starting another family or settling down.“Here we go.” He flips on the light, revealing an almost empty living room, just a beige colored couch from his old place and a 32 inch TV hanging from the wall. “I haven’t finished furnishing yet.”In reality, this is how our new house should’ve been. But Dante furnished it so fast, with money I didn’t even know he had.I drop onto the couch, only to spot what looks like a bra strap tucked between the cushions. I pull it out and hold it up. “You’ve been enjoying yourself,” I say with a light smirk.He drops his groceries and lunges for it like a drowning man. I let him take it easily, laughing.“It’s not what you think,” he says, blushing as he tosses the bra into the bedroom.“Oh? So you’re into bras now?”He sighs and drops onto the couch beside me. “

“Is that so?” she sneers. “Then tell me why Dante chose a house right next to mine.”The hope I’ve been holding onto shatters into nothing. I keep my face blank, like it didn’t hit me at all, like a part of me that has been growing heavy since I saw her didnt just explode.“You live next to us?” I ask evenly. Right now, I need to focus on gathering the truth that Dante has been hiding. “How close?”“Right next door.” She points behind her. She is referring to the only building behind us, the one with the second-floor window that directly faces ours, the room I share with Dante. “I was trying to spare your feelings, but Cici, you’re so full of yourself. I actually wanted to be nice to you. Maybe let Dante keep you as a mistress. But what? I’m the one who’s not chosen?” She laughs. “That’s ridiculous. Do you even understand what a fated mate is?”“So let me get this straight,” I say calmly, even as she bares her teeth at me. “You live next door, and Dante knows. He comes to see you eve

Dante left Annette with me, so I didn't have to go back home before heading straight to the supermarket. I also take the chance to look around for a new shop, something small and well located but not too central. I don’t know how much Dante plans to give me, or if I should even take it, considering we’re not married yet, but I shop like I have more money than I actually do.Everything in town is twice the size of anything in the rural areas, and the prices are just as ridiculous. One of the landlords told me, “You’ll have to go further out toward the rural areas to find the kind of store you’re looking for.” His nose was practically in the air. “That’s the only place you’ll find people willing to buy food from a dirty rogue.”Another thing that bothers me about opening a restaurant here is how people don’t hide what they think. The ones who like you say it. The ones who don’t? They don’t hold back. Even a pair of kids walking by shout, “Look, it’s a filthy rogue!”Then they laugh an

“Yes, Elena. I can’t believe it.” I let it all go, the shock, the ache, the confusion, and just feel. The joy of holding my sister again. The sound of her laugh, light and real in my ear.I am happy. God, I am. A weight lifts off my shoulders as I squeeze her tighter. Whatever I think of what Mom did, the truth is simple: My sister is alive.We pull apart, and Elena immediately tugs me onto the couch, scooting close, just like she used to when she had gossip to share.“So, tell me everything. Mom told me you’ve been living with Noah and William.”My heart jerks. My throat goes tight.Guilt slides down my spine like ice. “It’s true,” I say stiffly. “I’m living with them.”“Come on,” she laughs, shaking my arm. “Tell me what’s been happening. I’ve been trapped in this house for almost three months. Mom doesn’t want the neighbors to see me. I’m going insane, Ray. I need details.”Details.Noah kissing me in the hallway. Noah holding me in the kitchen, whispering against my neck. Noah car

It’s like staring into a mirror. If she hadn’t moved, if that wide smile didn’t stretch across her face, if she hadn’t rushed forward and thrown her arms around me, I would’ve thought I was hallucinating. Just a trick of light and memory.“Ray!” she cries, wrapping me in a tight, familiar hold. That warmth. That voice. That grip, like she never left. It shakes me to my core. I shove her out of my arms, out of reach.“Elena?” I whisper, my voice trembling, fragile. Just in case I’m wrong. Just in case this is some illusion made of fear and longing.“Yes, it’s me,” she says, nodding with a soft, trembly smile. Her eyes shimmer, the first sign of tears blooming there.“No,” I say, stepping back. “You died. You’re dead. How are you, ” My chest rises, a gasp chokes out. “Did I... die? Did I get into an accident and die so fast I didn’t even know?”She laughs. Light and ringing, like bells in a church. That’s her laugh. That’s my sister’s laugh.“No, silly,” she says, brushing a hand throug

It’s not me. It’s Elena. The woman in the photo, her smile’s too wide, too open. Her body too loose, too at ease. Her hair whips in the wind, longer than it should be.But I cut my hair. I cut it short. So when did it grow out? Why does she look so much like Elena? Why don’t I recognize my own face?My chest tightens. My breathing turns shallow. My vision tunnels. Am I… Ray?Or have I slipped so far into Elena’s life that I can’t tell the difference anymore?I’m sleeping with her husband. I’m cooking in her kitchen. Cleaning her floors. Her son called me Mommy last night without thinking.What if Noah knows, and he’s just going along with it? What if he’s pretending I’m Ray, just to avoid breaking the illusion?Maybe I’m not Ray at all. Maybe I’ve become her.“Breathe, Ray.”I’m bent over, hands on my knees, gasping. Noah’s hand rubs slow circles on my back, grounding me.“What did you just call me?” I lift my head, squinting up at him. The sun blinds me, and it casts his face into sh

I feel so happy. I don't want to admit it, but maybe I’ve become a slut for Noah. I never meant to lose my mind like that, but last night? I completely gave in. Gave up every ounce of sense I had. And now, I feel amazing. He didn’t use protection, but thank God I’m already on the pill.Oh my God, I can’t stop smiling.“You’re in a good mood,” Milly says, eyeing me as she pours herself a cup of coffee. The scent of roasted beans wafts through the teachers’ lounge. It’s warm, quiet, the buzz of the vending machine humming in the background.She’s my best friend from high school, well, used to be. We reconnected when I applied for a job here. She already worked at the school. We’re not as close as we were before I left for New Orleans five years ago, but we’re… good. Familiar.“You’re glowing,” she says, joining me at the small round table where I’m eating lunch.“It’s nothing,” I say, grinning into my sandwich.“Peter must be treating you right.”My smile fades. I duck my head, suddenly

She nods. I rise, grab her hand, and together we head up the stairs. We stop in front of William’s door. As I pull out the key, she stares at me, frowning. “You weren’t kidding.”“I kid about a lot of things,” I whisper, sliding the key into the lock. “But not about this. Also, his lamp? Works just fine. That kid lied last night just to come ruin our moment.”She snorts, trying not to laugh. “Stop it, Noah. You can’t get territorial with a child.”“Who says?” I open the door slowly. William’s curled in bed, completely fine. Lights on. Breathing steady.I quietly close the door and twist the key again.“Don’t lock it,” she scolds, swatting my hand.I grab her by the waist. “All clear,” I whisper, pulling her close. “Now, where were we?”She lets out a laugh, but I cut it off with a searing kiss.Her arms wrap around my shoulders, fingers slipping into my hair. I groan into her mouth, losing control fast. The kiss

She’s staring at me. “Noah…” she shifts her weight on the couch, eyes narrowed. “Are you serious?”I want to say yes, right away, no hesitation. But I know Ray. She doesn’t want some offhand reply. This isn’t just about telling our parents we’re together. It’s about everything that could come after, rejection, judgment, maybe even hate. I don’t think my parents would turn on me for this, but they might not look kindly on Ray. And that matters to me.I reach for her hand and squeeze it gently.“Yes, Ray. I’m serious. We’re not doing anything wrong, nothing that needs to be hidden. We love each other. This isn’t impulsive. It’s real. It’s the truth. So why not let them know? I hate the way I have to hold myself back around my parents when you’re near.” I shift forward and hold her gaze with every sense of sincerity.“ I don’t want to keep us a secret. I want everyone to know.”She doesn’t smile. Her gaze doesn’t even settle on me. Her eyes are f