SERAFINA’S POV
Sunlight seeped into the room, casting a luminous glow across the furniture as though it was trying to chase the shadows that lurked within. My stomach churned with nausea and I do my best to ignore it. The makeup artist wraps up quickly as she smoothes a brush over my lips. I stared at myself in the full-length mirror and can not recognize the woman looking back at me. I look beautiful. Too beautiful. The dress is a delicate off-the-shoulder white lace, long-sleeved mermaid dress, with thousands of beadings running across the bodice. The neckline plunges a bit, hinting at my voluptuous breasts. My fiery mane of auburn hair is tamed and wrapped intricately with a simple diamond tiara. ”You look so stunning, Fina” Diana gushed, her voice tinged with emotions as she moved to stand behind me, adjusting my tiara. She meets my eyes in the mirror and gives me a reassuring smile. I manage a small smile back, feeling grateful for the gift of Diana’s friendship and support. We grew up together, attending the same schools, we were inseparable. She’s like a sister I never had. “I feel sick,” I admit softly, letting out a shaky breath. “You know I am always here if you need anything right. We can even hatch out an escape plan” She leaned in to whisper to me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. I chuckled softly appreciating her attempt at humor even though we both knew any move at escape was a wasted effort. An ache of helplessness settled in my chest. I wished my brother Lorenzo was here. Asides from Diana and Tessa, he was the only other ally I had. But then Lorenzo hasn't been around for anything since…… A sharp knock at the door interrupted my train of thought and I glanced over at it.. Diana opens it to reveal my father. He paused briefly at the doorway and regarded me with an expression akin to pride. “Serafina. Sei bellissima figlia” (you look, beautiful daughter). Stiffening at the statement, I looked away from him. I haven’t been able to look him in the eye since the night he delivered the news that broke me. “Are you ready?” His tone left no doubt that the moment of weakness was gone. “I’m ready” I lie, though my voice cracked. He steps further into the room, regarding me with caution. He extended his right arm to me and I took it, entwining mine with his. *********** The wedding is being held at the Grand Oheka Castle. Perfect for a fairytale wedding but it felt like my funeral. I stood at the arched entrance to the garden path, that opened towards rows of perfectly trimmed hedges stretching endlessly. The strategically placed ponds shimmered in the sunlight with the occasional ripple of koi fish breaking to the surface. The soft strains of the wedding match drew me to the present and in unison, the guests turn their heads to stare at me in awe. I clutch the calla lilies to my bosom and look away from their scrutinizing stares. Taking an unsteady step forward, my gaze drifted to Adriko, standing beneath a grand floral arch waiting for me. He was wearing a well-tailored custom tuxedo that hugged his broad shoulders and taut biceps. Traces of intricately drawn tattoos peeped out from the cuffs of his sleeves. The visible part of his neck is adorned with an array of striking ink that commands attention. A black and gray rose blooms on the side of his neck, its petals sharp. The stem curves gracefully down towards his collarbone, entwined with a Cyrillic lettering that I can't translate. I lift my gaze upwards and his piercing blue eyes lock on mine. I come to a halt in front of him, a ripple of awareness coursing through me. Focus Sera i mutter to myself. The priest gives us a curt nod and begins speaking. “Dearly Beloved, we are here today to….” I tune out the voice of the priest, focusing my attention on Adriko, his blue eyes pulled me in. I noticed the clenching of his jaw and wondered briefly what he might be thinking. The voice of the priest filters back into my ears “Marriage is not merely a union of two people” he commented in a steady and reverent voice.” It is a binding declaration of love, trust, and shared purpose”. Trust and love. My throat tightened at the irony of those words. Adriko’s expression was closed off. I wondered what was going through his head. Looking away from his intense gaze,my eyes drift over the sea of faces who were staring at me, some in curiosity, others in judgment. I caught the gazes of a few women who stared at Adriko with barely concealed lust. The voice of the priest brings my attention back. “Do you Serafina Vitale, take this man Adriko Ivanov to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?” My heart rate picked up as I struggled to speak. “I…” The word caught in my throat, barely audible Adriko’s hand brushed against mine, a slight touch that jolted me to my core but succeeded in pulling me back to the moment. His eyes burned into mine an unspoken command present in their depths. “I do,” I said, my voice trembling slightly but clear enough to carry. “Can we have the rings? “ The priest asked. A man whom I hadn't noticed initially, stepped out from beside Adriko and handed him a box. I took the ring from the priest and proceeded to slip the silver band onto Adriko’s ring finger. Adriko repeated the same vows and as he looked down to slip the wedding band Onto my ring finger, he noticed the absence of the engagement ring. His hold tightened on my fingers and he looked up at me with a glare,a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes. “Where is your engagement ring?” he questioned sharply. His voice is deep and striking, his Russian accent impossible to hide. “I misplaced it,” I replied in a clipped tone. His brows furrowed as his jaws clenched in unmistakable signs of anger but he masked it quickly and his face returned to its initial aloof expression. “I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs Ivanov. You may now kiss the bride” The priest declared. My eyes darted quickly to Adriko’s in panic, wondering if he was going to kiss me. He leaned forward, maneuvering me expertly in a classic dip that to onlookers, appeared like we were in a lip lock. He stared deeply into my eyes and smirked. “Mrs Ivanova, he murmured, his voice mocking, were you expecting a kiss?” My eyes widened a fraction as the reality of being called Mrs Ivanova registers within me and I push lightly on his chest, which make him straighten with a final cutting remark whispered into my ear. “Smile”, he teased “The people are watching.” We turned and faced the guests. Cheers and applause broke out across the fields. I fixed a tight smile on my face as guests began to troop forward offering their congratulations. Diana and Tessa rushed towards me, taking turns to hug me and plant kisses on my cheeks. As we moved towards the entrance to the indoor reception, the sound of a clear feminine voice rang out from behind us. “Adrik!” the voice called out. I turned towards the source, my eyes landing on a strikingly beautiful woman making her way towards us. She was quite tall and moved gracefully, her brunette mane falling down her back in loose waves and a sharp jawline that bore a striking resemblance to Adriko's frames her face. Her lips curved into a sly smile as she approached us, her emerald green dress, shimmering with every step she took. “Irina” Adriko greeted in surprise “Didn't think you were going to make it” “I was able to get a last-minute flight,” she explained while throwing her arms around him, pressing a kiss to each cheek before stepping back “It's been too long brother.” Adriko's expression softened slightly, the first glimpse of warmth I have seen all day. He looked towards me, his hand tightening slightly on my waist “Serafina, this is my sister Irina Ivanova” Irina’s gaze swept over me, assessing me with interest. She extends a well-manicured hand, her practiced smile polite “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Serafina. My brother has spoken—very little about you” “Likewise” I replied, my tone guarded. I took her hand, taking note of her firm grip. “ Excellent” Her smile widened though it didn’t quite reach her eyes “We would have to fix that as soon as possible. There’s so much I would love to learn about my sister-in-law”. Before I could respond, Adriko stiffened beside me staring straight ahead at a man, dressed in black standing near the entrance to the main doors. “What is he doing here?” he questioned in an icy tone of voice that sent shivers down my spine.Sera (A week later)The sky was still a deep gray when I slipped out of bed, my heart pounding like a warning bell in my chest.Adrik’s arm was draped over my waist, his breathing even and steady beside me. Safe. Solid. Warm. And yet the guilt that gnawed at my insides didn’t care about warmth or comfort. It chewed through everything, relentless and cold. It had been a little over a week since I spoke to Diana and with each passing day, I felt like I was digging myself into a hole I might not be able to crawl out from.I tiptoed out of bed and padded toward the kitchen, wrapping my robe tighter around myself. The penthouse was silent—except for the soft hum of the espresso machine as I prepared his coffee, the way he liked it. Strong, no sugar, splash of cream.My fingers trembled as I carried the mug back upstairs. He was still lying on his side, bare chest half-buried beneath the comforter, his dark hair tousled from sleep.He looked peaceful.I hated that I was about to ruin t
ADRIKThe scent of toasted brioche and cinnamon wafted through the air as I stepped into the kitchen, fastening the last button on my cuffs.She stood by the stove in nothing but one of my shirts, sleeves rolled up, bare legs brushing the cool tiles. The morning light spilled across her highlighting her Auburn hair.I leaned against the doorway, my arms crossed. “You’re really trying to keep me home, aren’t you?”She glanced back with a smirk. “You think this is enough to keep you from the Bratva world?”I walked up behind her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and nuzzled the side of her neck.“No,” I said against her skin. “But it makes me wish I could leave it behind.”She stilled for a second. Then she flipped the egg in the pan and exhaled. “Then come back in one piece. That’s all I ask.”I kissed her shoulder, letting my lips linger on her waist. “Always.”And in that moment I felt peace. The kind only she could give me. The kind that felt like home.
Viktor Morocco was such a beautiful country, the locals were warm and friendly, the food was a bit too spicy for me, and the women? They had the best bodies and warmest pussies I had ever fucked. I had been laying low in Morocco for about three months and honestly I didn't feel the need to go back to New York yet. My burner phone buzzed on the stool beside the pool. I answered on the first ring. “Talk.” Matteo’s voice floated into my ears. Low and cautious. “Diana called me.” That made me sit forward. “And?” “She asked me to dig into Vincenzo’s inner circle. She showed me old letters that her friend Sera found. Apparently, Emilia and Yelena were friends. Emilia mentioned someone in one of the letters, a man she couldn't trust.” I paused. My fingers tightening around the neck of the woman that was currently riding my cock. “Does she suspect anything?” Matteo exhaled. “No, she trusts me. She thinks I’m trying to help her.” “Good,” I murmured. “Keep her close. Feed her b
Sera The café was tucked away in Little Italy, off a quiet side street, all dark wood and soft lights and cinnamon in the air. I sat near the back, a scarf wrapped tightly around my shoulders, even though it wasn’t that cold. My nerves were doing enough of a job freezing me from the inside out. I hadn’t slept much. The letters were all I could think about. Diana arrived ten minutes later, hair piled into a messy bun, sunglasses perched on her head, and a curious frown on her lips. “Okay, you’re officially freaking me out,” she said as she slid into the seat across from me. “What’s going on?” I looked down into my untouched espresso, then back up at her. “I went to see my father.” Her brows lifted. “Seriously?” I nodded. “He called while I was still in Russia and I promised I'd visit once I returned.” Diana leaned in. “And?” “The dinner was awkward. He tried to play nice. Apologized, even.” I shrugged. “I didn’t buy it. But that’s not the problem.” “The
Adrik I got to Ivanov Holdings bright and early. Sergei had sent a text at dawn, saying he had information on Yegor Petrov. Some shipments were also due today, and I needed to be on the ground when they docked. Sergei stepped into my office a little after 10am, tossing a file on my desk. “You were right to be suspicious,” he said. “There’s more to Yegor Petrov than we thought.” I flipped open the folder—and froze. Matteo Greco. I looked up slowly. “What the hell is this?” Sergei folded his arms. “Petrov was an alias. A damn good one. His real name was Matteo Greco. Ex-Camorra enforcer, went off the radar years ago after a job went sideways in Naples.” My jaw clenched. “So he faked his identity?” Sergei nodded. “And someone helped him do it. The name ‘Petrov’ only started appearing in official records two months before your mother was killed. Before that? Nothing. No immigration records, no work history. Just… air.” “And you’re telling me no one noticed thi
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