Romane von Diala Vicmartins

CHAPTER SIXELSA'S POVThe door slammed forcefully behind Mika, and for a second, I allowed myself the pleasure of letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I massaged my temple, my heart still racing, and stared at the door for a few seconds before looking down at the picture in my hand.Fuck!I couldn't believe Mika had invaded my privacy, gone through my belongings, and broken my things without a second thought. Who did she think she was?The glass was broken, but the picture was still intact. I was six in the photograph, standing close to a man I knew almost nothing about.I picked out a shard of broken glass and carefully placed it on my bedside table, making a mental note to call the maid later. Then I brushed my finger over the photograph, contemplating whether I should get rid of it.Honestly, I didn't know why I still had this picture after all these years. I had spent so long hiding it and keeping it safe. Maybe throwing it away wouldn't be such a bad idea.On se

CHAPTER FIVEMIKA'S POV"What are you talking about?"I stepped forward, my gaze moving between Dad and Kendrick.Kendrick glanced at Dad, looking reluctant to continue without his permission. Dad forced a smile, but it did little to hide the confusion that had spread across his face the moment Kendrick mentioned my mother's possible involvement.What I couldn't understand was why she would want me dead.I tilted my head, trying to make sense of it. Was I even the target, or had I simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time?"It's nothing serious, Mika. Just a hunch." Dad dismissed the matter, slipping his hands into his pockets as if he were completely unfazed.But I knew better.I had seen the look on his face. Whatever Kendrick had told him, it had shaken him, and he was doing a terrible job of pretending otherwise."Nothing serious?" I repeated, my voice rising. "Kendrick walked in here looking anxious and practically trembling. You're telling me there's nothing behind all th

CHAPTER FOURMIKA'S POV"Watch out!"Elsa's scream cut through the air just as the masked man who had shot her turned his gun toward me.My eyes widened.For a moment, I couldn't move. I could only stare at the weapon pointed at me, my mind struggling to accept what was happening.Then I squeezed my eyes shut and braced myself for the worst.Perfect. Now I'm going to die pathetically like a rat.Gunshots rang out.I flinched, waiting for the pain that never came.A second passed. Then another.When nothing happened, I cautiously opened my eyes.The masked man was lying on the floor, completely motionless. Blood spread beneath his body, staining the polished tiles.He was dead.I stared at him, unable to process what I was seeing.Someone had just saved my life.Again.Before I could catch my breath, four security men rushed toward us. I recognized them immediately. They worked for my father and were among the men assigned to his personal security.Two hurried to Elsa while the others

CHAPTER THREEMIKA'S POVFOUR DAYS LATER"Meet my daughter, Mika Vladimir."My father's arm tightened around my waist as he pulled me closer to him.I stiffened beside him, forcing a smile onto my face even though I wanted nothing more than to pull away."And Mika, meet Mr. Antonio."The moment the man heard my name, his eyes lit up with interest."Your daughter? I never knew she was this mature!"He took my hand before I could react and pressed a kiss to the back of it."She's just as beautiful as your ex-wife, Phave."My father let out an awkward laugh."Absolute nonsense. She's more beautiful than Phave could ever hope to be. My genes are strong."I rolled my eyes.Of course, he had to make it about himself.My father tilted his head, his smile fading slightly as he looked at Antonio."Can we not talk about her? I'm trying to enjoy my evening."He said it with a smirk, as though he were making a harmless joke, but I noticed the tension in his expression.The mention of Phave always

CHAPTER TWOMIKA'S POV“FIRE HER!”My father looked up from the documents on his desk, his expression unreadable.“I beg your pardon?”“You heard me!” I pointed at Elsa, who stood beside the door with her arms folded across her chest. “I want her fired. I want Dante back!”My father sighed and leaned back in his chair.“Dante no longer works for us, Mika. His incompetence nearly got you killed. I won't be bringing him back.”I clenched my fists.“So, you're just going to replace him with someone worse?”Elsa raised an eyebrow but said nothing.“Elsa is not a replacement,” my father said firmly. “She was personally recommended by people whose judgment I trust. You should be grateful to have her on your side instead of working against you.”“Grateful?” I repeated, letting out a bitter laugh. “You expect me to be grateful to a woman who treats me like I'm some annoying child?”“Perhaps you should stop behaving like one.”His words hit harder than I wanted to admit.I stared at him, waiti

CHAPTER ONEMIKA "Get down on the floor!"A hand grabbed the back of my shirt, forcing me to duck under a table just as a gunshot rang out.I crouched beneath the table in one of Moscow's Michelin-starred restaurants, my palms pressed against broken glass and spilled vodka. My heart pounded so hard that I could barely hear anything beyond the ringing in my ears. I stared at my trembling hands, trying to understand what was happening.Then I turned and found Dante beside me, reloading his gun. Of all my father's bodyguards, Dante was my least favorite. He was rude, impatient, and seemed to have a personal problem with my existence. Right now, however, he was the only person standing between me and whoever was shooting at me."What's happening?" I whispered, my chest rising and falling rapidly."Someone's shooting at you. That's what's happening. Now shut up and crawl."I stared at him.Was he seriously telling me to shut up?Another gunshot rang out before I could respond. The sound w