IVANA'S POV While Lara was busy searching for new outfits for me, I sat on the sofa in the mall, watching her. She haven't sat down for the past an hour, going in and out, up and down, finding the best clothes, I mean, the best designer wears, the mall has to offer. A sigh escaped my lips as I leaned backwards on the sofa, a boba tea in my hand with the straw on my lips. Sipping it slowly, I was getting bored by the second. Felix and Mark, my bodyguards has gone out of the mall for a smoke, so I took the opportunity to leave the mall, and roam the street of Saratov. I haven't been out on the streets for over a month since my stay in Russia. Only to college and back to the Clan. Pushing the door of the mall wide open, the air from the streets hit my nostrils, making me suck in a deep breath. Unlike the streets of New York, Russia was nothing compared. Everyone go about their businesses, and no one cared about others, even if they were injured or at the verge of dying.
RUSLAN'S POV I don't joke with my family. They are one of the reasons why I am what I am today. The Irish mafia Clan made a grave mistake by touching my family. Knowing fully well that they would go after Lara and Ivana, I told Walter to hack the dashcam in the car they took to the mall. Like I predicted, those fuckers were lurking on the streets beside the mall. Watching every of their move through the rotating dashcam, I was calm because I knew Felix and Mark will protect the two women, even with their lives. But when Ivana pushed the mall’s door open, alone, my eyes twitched. “Boss, isn't this your step-sister? What is she doing all alone?” Walter asked, his fingers typing fastly against the keyboards of different computers in of him. “Stubborn.” I muttered under my breath, my eyes glued to the particular screen, watching as she crossed the road to a cafe. “There's nothing unusual, Bratva. You need to rest.” Nicko suggested but I sent him a glare. Why should I r
IVANA'S POV I was still shaking within me from the incident from earlier, but my jaw literally dropped to the ground when Ruslan warned about whipping my ass if I dared question his order again.From what I know and heard, one’s step-brother doesn't have the right to whip his step-sister, let alone on her ass.My brows arched and I swallowed. I could see it from his eyes that he was dead serious and surely, Ruslan would do just as he said.Without saying a word, I shut the door behind me, my hand on the door knob incase he wanted to carry out his plan on punishing me.Yes, I was at fault for leaving the mall without letting anyone know, but I didn't beg for such life.A life of insecurities. Being chased by some men in black suits with scary scars and almost knocked off from the surface of Earth, all because they were after my step-brother.“For how long will you continue to disobey me?” He asked, striding towards his wine cellar, grabbed a glass and filled it up with whiskey and ic
IVANA'S POV I miss Aria so much, but there was nothing I could do about it.Like my step-brother said, if I loved my head, which I do, I shouldn't leave the clan for any reason, and I think I would be obeying that one order of his as it involves my safety.I mean, who wouldn't?Not after the incident at the mall yesterday.It was my first time. My first time seeing a dead person live and direct and I swear to fuck, it felt like a movie.“How are you feeling, Ivana?” Mom’s soft voice snapped me out of my thoughts as she joined me on the sofa in the spacious sitting room.“I'm good.” I forced a smile, turning to look at her.Infact, that was another big ass lie. I wasn't in anywhere close to fine. I was a wrecking mess and deep within me, I'm broken to a fault.“I'm sorry you won't be having your therapy session for a while, but once your step-brother takes care of the matter at hand, you will continue.”It wasn't as if the therapy was helping matters, but just to satisfy Mom, I nodded
RUSLAN'S POV The thought of burning down the Irish mafia clan and spilling blood, sent thrills down my spine. The thrill was unlike anything I've ever experienced.They won't see it coming.I made my way towards the control room to have Walter take care of some minor hindrances which could stop me from accomplishing my desires. “Walter,” I called once I walked in, only to see him fucking a bitch inside the control room, with her ass up in the air and his dick driving into her asshole with full force.“Bratva!” His eyes widened and he immediately came out of the bitch’s hole, his pre cum dripping down his dick.My gaze hardened and my eyes darkened, “what is going on here?” “I'm sorry, Bratva.” He immediately tucked his semi-hard dick into his trousers before sending the bitch out, naked.“The next time something of such happens, I will cut off your fucking dick myself.” I warned sternly, my dark eyes searing into his and his face turned an ugly shade of reddish-purple.“Yes, Boss,”
IVANA'S POV Gracious!I could barely remember what I looked like before this make-up was applied on my face.Lara was really into it. She wanted to make Jeremy's cock stir in his pants upon setting his eyes on me.I mean, who wouldn't?“Just wait and watch, the eyes of all the men in the party would be on you.” Lara said, coming to hold my shoulders in her hands, staring at me through the dressing table mirror, her lips curling up into a smile. A satisfied smile. She was happy with what she had done with my face.“Stop, Lara. It's not appropriate for mafia princess like us to say such. What if your fiancé heard you?” I hit her playful with my shoulder while she threw her head backwards, laughing.“Mafia princess? Yes. Reverend sisters? No. After all me and my fiancé, Richard have had sex, so there's nothing new.” She shrugged, letting go of my shoulders and I stood up.It seemed the dress which I fitted just yesterday became even more hot and shorter tonight.The slit was reaching m
IVANA'S POV With our fingers entwined, Lara led me to where the celebrant, Jeremy, was. He was busy talking with other important guests of his and not until we walked closer, only then did he paused to take a look at us. His eyes dragged from Lara, who flashed him a smile to me. He didn't look away instead, his eyes zeroed on me, and my stomach churned. The look he threw my way was unlike any look I've gotten from anyone before. Raw intentions sparked in his eyes. He wanted me, not as a wife, I could tell from the way his gaze darkened, but a bitch to warm his bed and pleasure him. Upon realising what he wanted from me, I was instantly turned off, and my zeal to please him just like Ruslan wanted, died at once. I doubt that zeal would ever wake up, not after the look he threw my way. “Hi, Jeremy.” Lara raised her hand, waving at him just so she could ease me of his intensive stare. I was grateful for her help. “Hello, Lara,” he drawled, as if pissed off that sh
RUSLAN'S POV A smile tainted with a bit of insanity dominated my lips as I watched the Irish mafia clan burn into ashes before my eyes. Unfortunately, the residents in the clan, including Lorenzo had vacated from the building before it went up in flames and came down in ashes. Satisfied with my art work, I turned around, heading back to the mountain where my motorbike was sitting prettily in the dark. Mounting on it, my phone rang and I almost rolled my eyes upon seeing who the caller's ID was. Igor was calling me for the tenth time tonight like I had absconded without his knowledge. Swiping the call red, I threw the phone in my pocket and drove off. I got to the clan in less than ten minutes, took my bath and dressed up for the party at Devine Clan. With Nicko by my side, we reached the Clan in twenty more minutes. Upon getting into the hall where the party was taking place, my eyes searched frantically for a certain person. It was unusual and so not me, but my ey
Ivana’s POVPressing her lips into a thin line, Lara pushed her hand into her hair and before I could realize what was happening, she was kneeling right in front of me.Grabbing my hand, she cried, “Ivana, please… give us a chance to fix this.” “I would’ve told you sooner if I had known what it meant to you—” “You think that makes it better?” I snapped, cutting her off as I pulled my hand from her grip. Grabbing the metal rails, I allowed my fingers to clench tightly around it as we got to the end of the corridor. “You want a chance." I let out a bitter laugh, tilting my head to the side. “I swear, I didn’t know how to tell you. If only I knew things were going to turn out this way, I wouldn’t have held back at all. We have been a good family….”“No, we were not. You let me believe we were a family, while you all were covering up the murder of my father.”“I didn’t know….” She repeated, shaking her head sideways as she choked on the words.“I didn’t have a father growing up but
Ivana’s POVIt has been two weeks now. Two weeks since I regained consciousness only to be greeted with the most shocking news of my life, two weeks since I saw or heard from Ruslan, and two weeks since I started my rehab for proper healing. The excruciating pain was less intense now. It has been dulled by the medication and daily stretches that left my limbs trembling but stronger. A few days ago, my therapist said I was making fast progress, and I was grateful for that as I was sick and tired of being confined in the hospital.Day after day, I followed the same routine, wheelchair to walker, walker to staggered steps. Each time, I counted my steps like they would distract me from the revelation that had refused to leave my mind. It had been ten years since my father's death and I was almost forgetting about it, only for a shocking truth to be revealed. The family that had taken us in, the one man whom I loved wholeheartedly was behind it. That was what the files said and I be
Ivana’s POVIt was dull at first so I managed to keep still but when the sharp pain traveled from my spine straight to my brain, I jerked, snapping my eyes open only to shut it.The blinding light steaming from the open window hurted that I had to open my eyes slowly and cautiously to avoid a repeat of what happened earlier.Hospital? My heart beat doubled as my eyes fell on the iron rod next to me. A drip was connected to my hand and the more I stared at it, the more curious I became. The last time I checked, I was perfectly fine, how come I was in the hospital?I racked my head, thinking of an answer but I couldn't come up with any. It was frustrating and just before I could yell my lungs out, I saw her.That explains the familiar scent of lavender that has been messing with my brain.Mom was seated on the couch opposite me, a sheet covering her slightly as she slept. Her hair which was always styled neatly was tangled, her cheeks resting on her hand and the worried look on her fa
Ivana’s POVIt was dull at first so I managed to keep still but when the sharp pain traveled from my spine straight to my brain, I jerked, snapping my eyes open only to shut it.The blinding light steaming from the open window hurted that I had to open my eyes slowly and cautiously to avoid a repeat of what happened earlier.Hospital? My heart beat doubled as my eyes fell on the iron rod next to me. A drip was connected to my hand and the more I stared at it, the more curious I became. The last time I checked, I was perfectly fine, how come I was in the hospital?I racked my head, thinking of an answer but I couldn't come up with any. It was frustrating and just before I could yell my lungs out, I saw her.That explains the familiar scent of lavender that has been messing with my brain.Mom was seated on the couch opposite me, a sheet covering her slightly as she slept. Her hair which was always styled neatly was tangled, her cheeks resting on her hand and the worried look on her fa
Ruslan’s POVFinally, it was all over. Lorenzo and his ghost boss had been sent to the abyss and that was enough for me for now.Punching the last key on the door lock, I listened to the familiar sound of the door creaking open and with my hand tucked in my pockets, I made my way in, the door clicking shut behind me. Taking a deep breath, I looked around the large living room but no one was in sight. I was expecting to see Ivory waiting expectantly for my return. Rolling up the sleeves of my shirt, I made my way towards the couch and then plopped on it with a little sigh. Ivana. — I thought, the sight of blood gushing out of her wound making rounds in my head. Before coming here, I had made a stop at the hospital. She was barely alive but stable, and breathing.“You're back." Ivory said, and immediately, I shot my head upwards. She was making her way towards me, her face unreadable until she halted right in front of me.“How is Ivana?” She asked with a trembling lip. “She’s fine
RUSLAN'S POV Raising my head slowly with my lips slightly parted, I wanted to yell out in pain. I felt my whole body trembling, like I was going to pass out the next second. Ivana was nowhere to be found while Gideon remained in the same position, blood dripping from his hand. “I told you, I don’t want Ivana to see you suffer. It's going to make her miserable in the afterlife." Fuming with anger, I tried to get on my feet but two of his men held me from behind, pinning to the ground. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Nico, wielding his gun. I desperately wanted to ask if Ivana was fine but that means giving his position away. “Bring him here." Lorenzo commanded and immediately, I was pulled towards the old table I haven't seen up till now. Grabbing a pair of garden shears, Gideon twisted it to confirm if it was working well and when he did get it, he grabbed my fingers. “Each finger for each ten million dollars I lost.” He smacked his lips, positioning my fingers in such
Ruslan’s POVComforting someone was a skill I sucked at so seeing Ivory broken this way and being unable to offer her any word of comfort, drove me to the corner. Thanks to Lara’s timely intervention, she pulled Ivory away from me and then led her up the stairs while I kept staring until they disappeared into the hallway. “Make sure you bring her back." Igor said, eliciting a nod from me and with my hand tucked inside my pockets, I joined the others.Sitting at the owner's seat of the car while Nikolai drove, I found myself chewing my fingernails; a habit that only came to play when I was nervous. It was supposed to be the Irish clan I ought to be up against but the voice of the boss was different. How come I haven't crossed paths with this person yet and why does he have to come for Ivana instead of me, his foe. No matter how much I thought about it, it didn't add up. I was barely holding it together.Every second that went by in that car felt like a ticking bomb inside my chest
Ruslan’s POVJust when I wanted to disappear into the hallway, the sound of hurried footsteps made me turn around only to see Ivory running down the stairs with Igor and Lara. Raising my brow, I demanded an explanation without having to use my words.“What did I just hear?" Ivory asked, hurrying to my side, her face drained of all its colors and had been replaced with fright. Pressing my lips to a thin line, I facepalmed myself in anger. This was supposed to be a secret. They must have overhead me when I was speaking to Nicko.“Ivana had been kidnapped.” I forced the words through my teeth, my hands balled into my fist in anger. “What did you just say?” She gasped, her chest rising and falling in rhythm. Pushing my hand forward, I wanted to confront her but I had no idea how to go about that so I withdrew my hands.“Ivana has been kidnapped.” I repeated my earlier words. This time slower as I rubbed my temples.My head had begun to ache seeing Ivory all flustered. “How the fuck
Ruslan’s POVThe silence in my office was suffocating.Since last night, I haven't stepped out and no one has come in since Ivana left. At the moment, I was sitting behind my desk, pen in hand and papers in front of me but I couldn’t focus. My mind kept drifting back to Ivana.My guts keep telling me something doesn’t sit right. It wasn't about the fallout we had yesterday, this was different. Last night, I didn't intend to react that way but she was refusing to get the message I desperately wanted to pass on. A lot of things were going through my mind; the Irish clan silence and then Lorenzo’s chilling words. All I wanted was a little time for myself to wrap my head about what was bothering me but she wasn't having it. Falling back on my seat, I shut my eyes tightly as I began to swirl my chair around, trying to forget about her but it was to know avail. Leaning forward with my hands clasped in front of me, I shifted my gaze to my laptop. I had been watching the footage for a w