ADRIKO’S POV
I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of my Manhattan penthouse, the city sprawling below in its chaotic rhythm. Horns blared, headlights blinked like fireflies in the endless traffic, and faceless figures hurried along the sidewalks. Manhattan never sleeps, and tonight, its energy matched my restless thoughts. I sipped my vodka and watched. The view never got old. It however lacked the allure of Moscow in summer,its golden evenings and soft, warm breezes. Still, Manhattan had its rugged charm, though it was a poor substitute for home. I pushed the thought aside. Nostalgia had no place in my life here. Not with this wedding tightening around my neck like a noose. Sergei’s voice pulled me out of my reprieve. He’s seated on the other side of my desk,tablet in hand, rattling off updates about shipments. I stride to my chair and sink in. “The shipment to the South Boston waterfront is set to leave at midnight,” he said, scrolling through the details.”The port authorities have been handled.” He looked up at me, as though to ensure I was listening. “The next batch for Utrecht ,seven containers marked as textile imports ships in four days. Our men are ready to receive it.” I set my glass down on the table beside me and looked him straight in the eyes. “And Cannes? Has Dinma confirmed the route? “ Sergei tapped the top of the tablet, holding my gaze while he nodded briskly. “All handled, no foul business this time” “Good”. I lean back and closed my eyes briefly.” I don’t want any surprises. We can’t afford another slip-up,not after what happened in Tokyo” Sergei smirked, “That was a one-time issue. I’m pretty sure Aoki and his pawns learned their lesson” I kept quiet. The Yakuza syndicate headed by Aoki was a ruthless bunch. Yes, they had learned but at the cost of the lives of four of my best trained men and a shipment filled with drugs and weaponry that cost me millions. I glanced at the city below and see a familiar figure step out of a blue Cadillac. My brow furrowed.I don’t remember setting a meeting for today. There’s a pause and I sensed a change in the tone of the conversation. Sergei’s tone is lighter now, more casual. “So he drawled, lowering the tablet and taking a sip from his glass. Have you met her yet?” I looked back at him “Met who?” “Your bride-to-be.The Italian girl.Serafina right? Don’t tell me you’re not a little curious to see if she’s as entrancing as they say?” he laughed with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I scoffed and shook my head leaning forward slightly. “What does it matter?” I asked,waving off his curiosity. “She could be beautiful or plain, clever or a half-wit.It changes nothing. This union isn’t about love or attraction. It's to broker peace and form new alliances.” Sergei chuckled, leaning back against his chair. “You always haven’t been one for romance boss” I smirked though there’s no humor associated with it. “Well forgive me if I’m not swooning over the thought of being shackled with some half-witted girl. I know what needs to be done to ensure my authority and the safety of my bratva isn't questioned” For a moment he doesn't say anything, his smile fading as he studied me.He’s trying to figure out if there’s more to it but there isn’t. At least, not that I’d admit. I had learned a long time ago to keep my cards to myself and not show all my moves even to my shadow. Finally, he shrugged. “I guess sending the ring to her father already took care of any curiosity that might arise”. Ah, the ring.Sergei had insisted we send one over but I honestly had not seen the point. I wondered briefly what type of ring he had gotten. Sergei noticed the contemplative look on my face but before he could question me on it, there was a knock at the door. We both glanced up as Nadia my housekeeper, stepped in, her hands clasped in front of her. She looked nervous as she always does when interrupting me. “What is it, Nadia”? I questioned, irritation evident in my tone. “Sorry to interrupt Mr. Ivanov,” she replied, her voice soft with the familiar Russian lilt “She is here”. I frowned. “she?” “Your guest” she clarified, lowering her gaze. “Ms.Zlata”. I huffed, barely suppressing a groan of annoyance. I knew that figure looked familiar. We weren’t supposed to meet today, I wonder why she was here. Sergei smirks “Ah, Zlata. Always punctual, isn’t she?” Ignoring him, I stood and adjusted my jacket. “Let her in”. Nadia nodded and disappeared. A moment later Zlata strides into the room like she owns it. Her black silk dress clings to her like a second skin, her platinum blonde hair was pulled back into a low bun, sleek and perfect. She always exuded the confidence of someone who knows she is desirable,and the cockiness of someone who thinks she is indispensable but unfortunately no one is. ”Adrik,” she drawls, giving me a sultry smile as she steps closer. “Zlata,” I responded with a curious stare “Wasn’t expecting you today”. She tilts her head, her blue eyes locked on mine “I was in the area so I decided to drop by and surprise you” she pouted as her tongue darted out and swiped across her lips. I lift an eyebrow, a clear sign of my displeasure. Zlata and I don’t do surprises. Noticing my displeasure, she smiles and bats her lashes “Would you rather I left?” I hesitated for a second. It’s been a long week, I could do with some distraction. “Fine,” I conceded gesturing for her to sit. Behind me, I hear Sergei clear his throat loudly, his grin evident even without me looking. “I’ll leave you two to… catch up,” Sergei smirked, as he straightened. “I’ll update you on the shipments tomorrow”. “Don’t keep me waiting” I warned without looking at him. When the door closed behind him, I pour Zlata a glass of Vodka and hand it to her. She takes it with a slight smile settling onto the couch. Her movements are practiced, timed and seductive. Everything about her is calculated, just like the arrangement between us. ”You seem distracted tonight,” She commented,watching me carefully as she sipped her drink. ”Trouble with business?” “No” I replied with a curt tone “nothing I can’t handle” She placed her glass down and makes her way towards me. Sitting beside me on the couch,she runs her fingers down my neck…She leaned closer, her breath brushing against my ear. “Would you like me to take your mind off it?” She whispered. Whatever distraction she planned would have to wait as the vibration of my phone on the table caught my attention. The screen flashed with a name I hadn’t seen in years. My blood turned cold.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