ADRIKO ☦︎ One week after the explosion☦︎ The days that followed were a blur. With one day fading listlessly into the next. Gio was gone—declared dead on arrival. Serafina hadn't spoken much since, not beyond whispered thanks or soft refusals. Gio’s death had triggered a raging type of anger within me, knowing that Sera was the initial target had made me more paranoid. I’d been burying my rage beneath the weight of security briefings, investigations, and logistics. It was a gray morning. Ironically it was the type that whispered of rain and also smelt like grief. The cemetery was quiet, except for the wind, blowing through the branches overhead. I stood beside Serafina, her hand clutched tightly in mine, though she hadn't said a word since we stepped out of the car. She wore black, as did everyone here.Her eyes…which were red rimmed and far away, never left the casket. Next to her stood her best friend Diana and Irina as well. Giovanni Morelli. Her manager and frie
ZLATA’S POV My hands trembled with barely concealed rage as I fished my phone out of my clutch and placed a call through. “I’m coming over.” I spat.without waiting for a response, I hung up.“Take me to his apartment,” I instruct the driver as he sped downtown. That bitch. I thought to myself as I replayed Serafina’s words to me. She doesn't know him the way I do. She hadn't watched him lose it when the memories/nightmares hit. She hadn't comforted him when he spiraled after his mum's death. She hadn't waited in silence for years, letting him go and come as he pleased because deep down I thought he would choose me. I believed I was the only one who could handle all of him—his rage, his cruelty, and his rare softness. Adrik and I go way farther than New York. We had grown up together in Russia, our families closely knit, our father’s business partners. I had been hopelessly in love with him for years holding out hope that he would ask me to be his wife. But the only thing he had e
ADRIK There are a lot of principles I live by and one of them is to never hit/touch a woman. But as I stared at Zlata who was tied up to a chair in the club’s basement, I found myself dangerously close to crossing that line. “I called Dr Lebedev.” I said keeping my voice even “We’re going to be running a pregnancy and DNA test to confirm your claim.” Her eyes widened slightly. She wasn't expecting this. “If it turns out that you're lying.” I pause for a second to let the weight of the words sink in. “Well Let’s just hope you're not.” She squirmed in her seat. “You didn't have to tie me up like some criminal. This is humiliating.” “You came to my house.To make some bold accusations In front of my wife.” I reminded her coldly. “You humiliated yourself the moment you did that. Now we play by my rules.” She scoffed. “Is that what she is now? Your wife? Don't tell me you're actually catching feelings Adrik.” I didn't reply. My silence was enough answer. She lea
SERAFINA My eyes fluttered open to the empty space beside me, the sheets still warm from the heat of Adrik’s body. He hadn't been gone long. I glanced at the clock: 6:10am Where could he be? I shuffled out of bed and went into the bathroom, doing my business quickly before stepping into the hallway. A strange quietness pressed in as I padded down the corridor, peeking into each room along the way. When I reached the gym, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of me and I nudged it open— And froze. Adrik was inside, shirtless, wearing gym shorts, gloves, and workout shoes. My breath caught. He was on the abs machine, his side turned towards me, muscles flexing with every slow rep. Sweat clung to his skin in glistening trails, highlighting every carved line of his body and the beautifully detailed tattoos that ran down his arms and the expanse of his chest. I wonder what the inscriptions and symbols meant. His jaw was tight, his express
SERAFINA “Morning bro— oh oops, sorry.” Irina’s voice rang out as she stepped into the gym, smirking widely. Adrik sighed heavily, stepping in front of me and adjusting my shirt so that it covered my thighs properly. “Irina…” he gritted out, not even looking at her. “What do you want?” Over his shoulder, I caught her smirk deepening, mischief dancing in her eyes. “I noticed the door was slightly open and decided to stop for a chat,” she said sweetly, clearly enjoying herself. “I had no intention of interrupting your uhh….little session.” Her gaze flicked to me full of teasing. “And besides,” she added. “I have a date with your wife and Diana today.” “This isn't over Malyshka,” Adrik whispered into my ear as he bit my earlobe. I slid off the machine awkwardly, tugging the hem of my shirt down even as my cheeks burned. Adrik muttered something under his breath, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from his chest as he shot his sister a murderous look whi
ADRIK I glanced up from the file Mikhali had sent, slightly irritated by the soft buzz of my phone which faded when I saw Yuri’s name across the screen. I had instructed him not to call except it was urgent. “Speak,” I commanded. “We have a situation Pakhan.” I shot up abruptly. “Serafina?” “She’s safe.” he paused briefly “Someone planted a note in her bag. A threat. We are on our way back to the penthouse.” My blood turned cold as rage spread through me. “What did it say?” Yuri hesitated which wasn't a wise move on his part. “Yuri” I growled, my patience running thin. “You're not safe, he can't protect you.” My silence was ominous as I stared at the skyline outside my office window,the glass towers glittered as they were bathed in sunlight. But I felt none of the warmth, only the cold certainty that someone had breached a line and dared to touch what was mine. “I want the entire cafe locked down,” I said. “Surveillance retrieved. I want facial recog
SERAFINA He slid his hands out of my panties and gripped my thighs, spreading me open but paused for a heartbeat—just long enough for our eyes to lock. The hunger in his gaze as he got on his knees before me made my stomach clench. “I just want to bury my head between these lush thighs and worship you with my tongue…” he murmured as he peeled off my panties. He didn’t give me a chance to speak before he pulled me to the edge of the table and closed his mouth over my swollen clit. My breath hitched and I lost the ability to speak. His tongue wreaked havoc as he licked and sucked. Teasing me to the point of a release. “Yes, that's it, baby. Let go,” he murmured. I orgasmed on his tongue, shuddering violently as my pussy clenched around his fingers. He kept on licking me, working me through the aftershocks till the tremors subsided. When I was finally calm enough, I opened my eyes to find him watching me with an intense stormy gaze. “I love watching you cum Zolotse,” he
SERAFINAAdrik held me tighter, his hands wrapped around my waist like a shield. He kept stroking my hair, placing soft kisses on it and another against my temple. My heart fluttered in response. “I didn’t hurt you,did i?” his voice was low and uncertain ,with a kind of softness i hadn’t heard from him before. “No” I whispered, smiling faintly. “Just a little sore like I said earlier.” His fingers traced slow comforting circles on my back. “I’m sorry for that Zolotse. I tried to go slow.” “You did,” I assured him, looking up. “It was perfect.” Our eyes met and I could see something in his—something unguarded. I caught a glimpse of something deeper, something raw. “What?” I asked softly. Adrik exhaled through his nose. “I’ve never—“ he paused, shaking his head as if ashamed. “I never cuddle with a woman after sex. I’m usually in and out the door.” He meant it. This closeness. This intimacy, it unnerved him. “I’m glad you’re not walking out the door,” I said gently. “I don’t k
SERAFINAAdrik held me tighter, his hands wrapped around my waist like a shield. He kept stroking my hair, placing soft kisses on it and another against my temple. My heart fluttered in response. “I didn’t hurt you,did i?” his voice was low and uncertain ,with a kind of softness i hadn’t heard from him before. “No” I whispered, smiling faintly. “Just a little sore like I said earlier.” His fingers traced slow comforting circles on my back. “I’m sorry for that Zolotse. I tried to go slow.” “You did,” I assured him, looking up. “It was perfect.” Our eyes met and I could see something in his—something unguarded. I caught a glimpse of something deeper, something raw. “What?” I asked softly. Adrik exhaled through his nose. “I’ve never—“ he paused, shaking his head as if ashamed. “I never cuddle with a woman after sex. I’m usually in and out the door.” He meant it. This closeness. This intimacy, it unnerved him. “I’m glad you’re not walking out the door,” I said gently. “I don’t k
SERAFINA He slid his hands out of my panties and gripped my thighs, spreading me open but paused for a heartbeat—just long enough for our eyes to lock. The hunger in his gaze as he got on his knees before me made my stomach clench. “I just want to bury my head between these lush thighs and worship you with my tongue…” he murmured as he peeled off my panties. He didn’t give me a chance to speak before he pulled me to the edge of the table and closed his mouth over my swollen clit. My breath hitched and I lost the ability to speak. His tongue wreaked havoc as he licked and sucked. Teasing me to the point of a release. “Yes, that's it, baby. Let go,” he murmured. I orgasmed on his tongue, shuddering violently as my pussy clenched around his fingers. He kept on licking me, working me through the aftershocks till the tremors subsided. When I was finally calm enough, I opened my eyes to find him watching me with an intense stormy gaze. “I love watching you cum Zolotse,” he
ADRIK I glanced up from the file Mikhali had sent, slightly irritated by the soft buzz of my phone which faded when I saw Yuri’s name across the screen. I had instructed him not to call except it was urgent. “Speak,” I commanded. “We have a situation Pakhan.” I shot up abruptly. “Serafina?” “She’s safe.” he paused briefly “Someone planted a note in her bag. A threat. We are on our way back to the penthouse.” My blood turned cold as rage spread through me. “What did it say?” Yuri hesitated which wasn't a wise move on his part. “Yuri” I growled, my patience running thin. “You're not safe, he can't protect you.” My silence was ominous as I stared at the skyline outside my office window,the glass towers glittered as they were bathed in sunlight. But I felt none of the warmth, only the cold certainty that someone had breached a line and dared to touch what was mine. “I want the entire cafe locked down,” I said. “Surveillance retrieved. I want facial recog
SERAFINA “Morning bro— oh oops, sorry.” Irina’s voice rang out as she stepped into the gym, smirking widely. Adrik sighed heavily, stepping in front of me and adjusting my shirt so that it covered my thighs properly. “Irina…” he gritted out, not even looking at her. “What do you want?” Over his shoulder, I caught her smirk deepening, mischief dancing in her eyes. “I noticed the door was slightly open and decided to stop for a chat,” she said sweetly, clearly enjoying herself. “I had no intention of interrupting your uhh….little session.” Her gaze flicked to me full of teasing. “And besides,” she added. “I have a date with your wife and Diana today.” “This isn't over Malyshka,” Adrik whispered into my ear as he bit my earlobe. I slid off the machine awkwardly, tugging the hem of my shirt down even as my cheeks burned. Adrik muttered something under his breath, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from his chest as he shot his sister a murderous look whi
SERAFINA My eyes fluttered open to the empty space beside me, the sheets still warm from the heat of Adrik’s body. He hadn't been gone long. I glanced at the clock: 6:10am Where could he be? I shuffled out of bed and went into the bathroom, doing my business quickly before stepping into the hallway. A strange quietness pressed in as I padded down the corridor, peeking into each room along the way. When I reached the gym, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of me and I nudged it open— And froze. Adrik was inside, shirtless, wearing gym shorts, gloves, and workout shoes. My breath caught. He was on the abs machine, his side turned towards me, muscles flexing with every slow rep. Sweat clung to his skin in glistening trails, highlighting every carved line of his body and the beautifully detailed tattoos that ran down his arms and the expanse of his chest. I wonder what the inscriptions and symbols meant. His jaw was tight, his express
ADRIK There are a lot of principles I live by and one of them is to never hit/touch a woman. But as I stared at Zlata who was tied up to a chair in the club’s basement, I found myself dangerously close to crossing that line. “I called Dr Lebedev.” I said keeping my voice even “We’re going to be running a pregnancy and DNA test to confirm your claim.” Her eyes widened slightly. She wasn't expecting this. “If it turns out that you're lying.” I pause for a second to let the weight of the words sink in. “Well Let’s just hope you're not.” She squirmed in her seat. “You didn't have to tie me up like some criminal. This is humiliating.” “You came to my house.To make some bold accusations In front of my wife.” I reminded her coldly. “You humiliated yourself the moment you did that. Now we play by my rules.” She scoffed. “Is that what she is now? Your wife? Don't tell me you're actually catching feelings Adrik.” I didn't reply. My silence was enough answer. She lea
ZLATA’S POV My hands trembled with barely concealed rage as I fished my phone out of my clutch and placed a call through. “I’m coming over.” I spat.without waiting for a response, I hung up.“Take me to his apartment,” I instruct the driver as he sped downtown. That bitch. I thought to myself as I replayed Serafina’s words to me. She doesn't know him the way I do. She hadn't watched him lose it when the memories/nightmares hit. She hadn't comforted him when he spiraled after his mum's death. She hadn't waited in silence for years, letting him go and come as he pleased because deep down I thought he would choose me. I believed I was the only one who could handle all of him—his rage, his cruelty, and his rare softness. Adrik and I go way farther than New York. We had grown up together in Russia, our families closely knit, our father’s business partners. I had been hopelessly in love with him for years holding out hope that he would ask me to be his wife. But the only thing he had e
ADRIKO ☦︎ One week after the explosion☦︎ The days that followed were a blur. With one day fading listlessly into the next. Gio was gone—declared dead on arrival. Serafina hadn't spoken much since, not beyond whispered thanks or soft refusals. Gio’s death had triggered a raging type of anger within me, knowing that Sera was the initial target had made me more paranoid. I’d been burying my rage beneath the weight of security briefings, investigations, and logistics. It was a gray morning. Ironically it was the type that whispered of rain and also smelt like grief. The cemetery was quiet, except for the wind, blowing through the branches overhead. I stood beside Serafina, her hand clutched tightly in mine, though she hadn't said a word since we stepped out of the car. She wore black, as did everyone here.Her eyes…which were red rimmed and far away, never left the casket. Next to her stood her best friend Diana and Irina as well. Giovanni Morelli. Her manager and frie
ADRIKOThe opera was packed full. I hated crowds, the reason why I usually stayed away from most events. I sat in the private box with Irina to my right.she had been chatting my head off from the moment i got here. My hands drummed lightly against the armrest. I have to admit, I was a little bit anxious to watch her perform. The memory of her flushed skin as I fastened the necklace around her neck hadn't left my head.A hush falls over the crowd as an announcement comes from the PA system. A welcome to the audience and a reminder to silence all devices. The curtains rose. And there she stood centerstage, the gold lights bathing her skin. She glowed in the champagne silk dress, my gift sparkling at her throat but it wasn't the diamonds that stole my breath away. It was her. She commanded the stage and owned it. Every emotion in her grey eyes said i belong here, this is my turf but i could tell she was nervous from the tightness of her shoulders. Her lips parted and the first note