IVANA'S POV After that steamy night with Ruslan, I couldn't think of anything else. I wanted to spend every moment by his side and in his large arms which I had grown to love. Returning home was out of the question. A week with Ruslan wasn't a bad idea after all. It promises to be exciting and I was looking forward to it. “Get dressed, we should return home." Ruslan said, tugging my arm but I feigned to be asleep. He repeated his words two more times but still I didn't respond, instead, I nuzzled more deeply into my pillow. When he didn't say a word after a while, I allowed my eyes to flicker open only to lock eyes with him. “Fuck! What do you think you are doing?" I gasped, panting heavily while he looked on with amusement glinting in his eyes. Smacking his lips, he pulled himself to his feet, “Now tell me what's going through that head of yours." He mouthed as a bright smile spread across my lips. Fiddling with my fingers, I tilted my head to the side but didn't respond. R
CHP 66 IVANA'S POV Just like I wanted, Ruslan and I spent a whole week together. We have sex almost every time and when we weren't exploring our bodies, it was either we were sitting by the beach or taking a walk through the lush vegetation. Before now, my perspective about Ruslan was, he was tough and impermeable but he proved me otherwise. He showed me a side that I never thought existed. His cold hearted demeanour, he set it aside. Each time he has the chance, he doesn't hold back from showering me with love and affection; something I haven't gotten from him before. This got me thinking when I was alone. I wanted Ruslan all to myself but that wouldn't be possible. He was my step brother and so an open relationship with him was going to be tagged as a taboo.“Ugh!" I sighed, pushing my hand into my hair as I stared at the ceiling. With everything that had happened this week, I wondered how I was going to get by without Ruslan by my side.The thought of it made my heart break
IVANA’S POVIgor’s close friend was celebrating his seventy birthday, so the entire family was invited.That morning, despite having a lot of unused clothes stacked up in her wardrobe, Lara insisted we go shopping for the party. Lara was obsessed with bold and daring dresses. She took down several lace, silk, open back and high slits and was beaming with excitement while I looked on.Shoving a red gown towards me, she said, “It's going to suit you perfectly." My chest tightened at her words. The gown was beautiful but I couldn't risk it.“Lara.” I called, running my fingers against the soft fabric of the dress, “I can’t wear this.”“Why?” She asked with a deep frown. "It will accentuate your curve, giving you the look of a goddess.”“Ruslan wouldn't like it.” I muttered. "He doesn’t like seeing me wearing stuff like this. If I do, he is not only going to yell at me but you too.” “Ugh! He is such a pain in the ass." She scoffed. “I really wanted you to have this dress." She mumbled
RUSLAN’S POVThe silence was strange and unsettling.The Irish mafia clan had gone completely quiet. Too quiet that it seems like they were non-existent. For a month now, there had been no threats, no ambushes, no anonymous calls or strange deliveries.Nothing made my blood boil with anger and I hated it.I wanted action. A war breakout that would send bullets flying between both parties was all I yearned for, rather than sitting around and doing nothing.Holding my glass of whiskey against my lips, my gaze was out of the window as I wondered what they were plotting. Their silence was so deafening and it could only mean one thing.“Something’s off.” I muttered, pacing the length and breadth of my office, occasionally taking a sip from my glass. “Their silence is…” The moment the thought clicked, I made my way towards the mahogany table in my office and then picked up my phone. A few seconds later, my phone was against my ear. “Hey," His voice crackled on the other end while I s
IVANA'S POVFinally, it was breakfast time.Last night, I skipped dinner for reasons best known to me and this morning, I woke up feeling hollow.My stomach was empty and my worms which were restless were not helping matters. At the dining table, I was the first to arrive with Lara, followed by mother and Igor and then Ruslan who had his brows arched.Biting the side of my lips, I allowed my eyes to linger on him for a while before taking it off so no one would notice.But Lara did. Nudging my leg from under the table, she leaned in, “Why are you staring at Ruslan like you want to gobble him up?” She asked and immediately my heart stopped beating. Grabbing the edge of the table, I tried to keep still but Lara’s gaze on me was making me feel uncomfortable. It seems she already knew the illicit relationship between me and Ruslan. "Why bother yourself about someone who doesn't care even if the whole world is worried about him?” Lara said aloud, stabbing her pancake with her knife."
IVANA'S POVSaturday arrived faster than expected and since I had convinced Ruslan to join us for the picnic, he hadn't raised any objections.From the top of the staircase, I watched as mom and Lara went all over the place putting finishing touches to all we needed for the picnic since dawn.They packed and unpacked bags just to make sure everything was intact. They double checked the supplies they had ordered the previous day, tossing in more snacks than we would ever need. Mom and Lara were both excited like kids who were going on a field trip. If asked my opinion about all this fuss, I would have gladly traded the picnic for a quiet evening indoors but I couldn't.For the sake of mom and Lara, I had to act like I was interested but that was far from the truth. Ruslan felt the same way I did.He had only agreed to go on the picnic, not because of my promise but because I was going to keep bothering him until he gave in. On the other hand was poor Igor who looked like he had sig
RUSLAN'S POVThe Irish clan was still quiet despite the fact that words had gone round that I had tightened the security of my perimeter. In our world, silence wasn’t peace, it was a prelude to war. And when men like the Irish clan stopped barking, it meant they were getting ready for war. The thought of it made my skin crawl. They might have gone to re-enforce their attacks which were going to be fatal.Still, I kept my composure. To others, nothing was wrong since I went about my duties, my dealings, my responsibilities like I always did without a hitch but underneath, I was on edge. I was watching, listening and waiting for the Irish clan to attack. I wasn't going to relax and watch them swoon in on me when I least expect it.Swirling around in the swivel chair in my home office, my eyes were shut as I hummed a familiar rhyme. I was doing this to pass time.There was a meeting at the Devil's Priesthood which was scheduled for noon. I had an hour left so I decided to spend it m
IVANA’S POVI owe mom for bringing the idea of a picnic and Lara for pushing forward with it. All the while I thought the picnic was going to be boring but it turned out to be so much fun. My sexcapades with Ruslan were wild, intense and unforgettable. The memory was going to live with me for the rest of my life. Each time I thought of it, I found myself smiling but I was quick to wipe the smile off so I wouldn't be asked why.Instead of joining the rest for hiking, I stayed back at the tent claiming to be in pains so I was left alone with Ruslan who declared his disinterest even before he was asked That cool evening, Ruslan did not only make love to me. He claimed me over and over again and I let him. That night even when they returned, he took me like he owned me, pressing me against the tent wall, with one hand covering my mouth to muffle the sounds that threatened to give us away.It was brutal but passionate, a punishment I welcomed wholeheartedly. Each of his thrust hit
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