Chapter 2

Mature content ahead!

Roman

I didn't plan on staying long tonight. The club was just a distraction, a brief escape from the demands of my world.

I poured myself a drink, letting the burn of the whiskey settle the storm inside me. For years, my life had been a carefully orchestrated game—money, power, control. I had rules, boundaries. Women were a part of it, sure, but they came and went like smoke. None of them mattered. None of them stayed.

People who didn't want to be seen always had something to hide.

The club pulsed around me, the music a dull thud in my ears as I leaned back against the leather booth. My fingers tightened around the glass as I replayed the moment I had a few minutes ago before branching out to one of my clubs. I have almost five clubs under my watch. The incoming and outgoing movement of every branch passes through me.

I like how no delays are made during payouts. For they know not to mess with Roman Volkov. Messing with me is like getting trapped in a fire. I burn whoever tries to step on me.

I don't follow rules. I am the rules. I was born and shaped into the man I am today. Half American, half Italian. The son of the late Thomas Volkov. The leader of the once-powerful mafia family in Chicago.

The cruel image of the night still lingered in my brain like it happened just a few minutes ago. How my father was killed with a bullet stretched on his forehead and a bullet in my mother's heart.

They were both killed on the same day. Same night. While having dinner. The killer left evidence. I know who he was. He knows who I am. I just need to play my cards well to take him down completely.

I have no fear, just anger. And vengeance.

I was still seated, mulling over my drink when Leo returned from the errand I sent him on, his face unreadable as always. He handed me a slip of paper, no words, no explanations. That was his style. Efficient. Direct.

I unfolded it, my eyes scanning the address. Midtown. Not the kind of place that screamed wealth, but not a total dive either. Just enough to blend in, to stay invisible.

I folded the paper and slipped it into my pocket. I wouldn't go tonight—he needed to think he'd gotten away. Let his guard down, then we strike.

"When are we striking?" Leo asked, crashing down beside me. Leo is my trusted man in everything. I don't normally render my trust to just anyone. But he had won me over in that aspect. Leo is not just someone I order around. He was like a brother to me. I still remember the day I found him beaten and bruised by his foster father. Leo was still a young teenage boy who had nothing.

I took him in, sheltered him, and made him into the strong young man he is now. Leo is the only one who knows the deepest pains of mine.

The vengeance I carry every day and night.

"Let him relax first. He needs to know who he's messing with. What about Palermo?"

The music changed to a soft tone, and the voice of Max, one of the long-term staff, echoed through the speaker. "Palermo hasn't said anything since our last operation. He's been quiet recently," Leo answered.

Palermo Giulio, our Don. Yet, my biggest opponent. I stooped as low as to work for him just to get close. I've learned a lot under his wings. I just needed a little bit of time to take control over everything.

Time is valuable in everything.

"He might be cooking up something. I guess he's still shaken from the last operation. Gazzo really dealt with our items."

My gaze shifted to the stage where a new stripper was announced. And then I saw her. For a brief second, the background faded as the petite woman moved on stage.

"Gazzo might have what Palermo needs, but you and I know he won't hesitate to put him in his place," Leo's words were void to my ears.

All my eyes could see was the woman dancing on stage. She looked like it was her first time strip-dancing. As if she was scared of the blinding lights. The way she swayed her hips got something in me twitching. It got my finger moving around the glass cup. Imagining my hand roaming all around her body.

Fuck! Her bare legs are so smooth and bright. She doesn't look like someone who has seen blood in her life before. She looks like a daddy's girl.

As soon as the music slowed down to its end, I gulped down the remains of my drink and spoke to Leo without taking my eyes off her. "I want her in my office."

Without questioning my request, Leo was up on his feet. The crowd cheered to the dance while my eyes remained on her. Same goes for hers, which were filled with confusion, nervousness, and something like curiosity.

While Leo approached her, I flew to my office and awaited her arrival. There was no way I would leave the club empty-handed. She is the perfect water to quench my thirst.

**

The girl had fire.

I hadn't expected that. Most women who crossed my path either cowered in fear or did everything they could to earn my favor. But not her.

From the moment I saw her on stage, awkwardly moving to the beat, it was clear she didn't belong. Her movements weren't polished, her confidence clearly shaken, but it wasn't the dance that caught my attention. It was her eyes—dark with something beyond nervousness. Desperation. Determination.

That kind of desperation could make someone reckless. Or dangerous.

When I called her up here, I expected hesitation, maybe fear. What I didn't expect was the sharp snap of her words. The irritation in her voice. No one talked to me like that, and I couldn't decide if it amused me or pissed me off.

She didn't know who I was—or maybe she didn't care.

Her lips had been soft, hesitant. That small tremor as I leaned in told me she wasn't used to being in someone's orbit like mine. And yet, she didn't run. The way her breath hitched when I kissed her—it wasn't just surprise. It was curiosity. Hunger.

I hadn't planned to kiss her. Hell, I hadn't planned to pull her into my world at all. But now, with the faint taste of her lingering on my lips, something inside me shifted.

She thought after tonight, she could disappear into the city and escape whatever hell brought her here.

She was wrong.

Maya was a puzzle I hadn't expected, and I hated puzzles. But there was something about her—a fire, a spark I couldn't ignore. Women like her didn't just stumble into my club by accident.

No, she had a story. And now I was going to uncover every detail.

It wasn't just about having her in my bed. It wasn't just about the way her body had reacted to mine, even though I'd barely touched her.

This was something else.

Something dangerous.

She didn't realize it yet, but Maya had already stepped into my world. And in my world, once you're in, there's no getting out.

I glanced at my side briefly. Her palms were resting on her lap. I hated how the dress was revealing most of her thigh. I hated how horny men looked at her as she danced on stage. But it won't happen again. Whatever brought her to the club won't bring her back again. If money is what she needs, she will get it. Her bank account will be dripping with money.

I was never the type that takes a woman to my house. All my sexual affairs with different women happen at the hotel. The rules are always set by me. I don't sleep with the same woman.

But for Maya, I want to have her over and over again, even without tasting her yet. Adrenaline pumped into me when I finally arrived at my house. I put off the engine and unlocked the door. She didn't need me to tell her what to do. She pushed open the door and stepped out.

"Like what you see?" We hadn't said a single word since the first kiss. Well, it wasn't the first for me. I wonder which lucky man kissed those tempting lips of hers.

I could swear I saw her roll her eyes. I shook my head with a light smile. I unlocked my door, and we got in. "Let's get this over with," she said as soon as she was inside.

"I don't rush. You will need me to be slow. Trust me."

She took bold steps towards me. My cock immediately hardened when she pulled down the strap of her dress. "I'm sorry, but I like it fast."

Damn! If only she knew the effect her response had done to my body. I didn't waste time; I swept her off her feet and began walking upstairs. "You asked for it," I hoarsely said, spanking her ass.

I kicked the door to my bedroom with one foot, set her on her feet, and yanked her dress down to have a full glimpse of her perfect, bright skin. My eyes darkened when they landed on her round breasts.

Fuck! There was no way I would stop myself from feasting on every inch of her body. My reflexes were fast. Maya gasped when she found herself on the bed within a few seconds. I stripped out of my clothes, threw them on the other side of the bed, and gave my full focus to the half-naked woman lying on my bed.

The bed I share with no one. Maya got the privilege. A privilege no one had ever gotten from me. I held the waistband of my boxers but didn't pull them down yet. "You might not be able to handle the size," I said, seeing the way she gripped the bedsheets.

"Are you a virgin?"

"I've had sex before, if that answers your question," she replied. An amused smile curved up my lips. "It wouldn't change the fact that you'll be a bit nervous when you see how big I am," and then I pulled it down.

Her eyes widened and her mouth parted. I knew it. Women always get shocked when they see how long and big my cock is. Yet, it satisfies them beyond words. "Don't worry, you will beg me to go in deeper," I mused, hovering over her body. I discarded her dress, revealing her inviting legs. She was already wet, waiting for an entrance.

It boosted my ego even more. Knowing I was the reason behind it. "Looks like you're so ready for me, Mi Amor." I am never someone who gives nicknames to women I fuck. I like to keep it strictly business. Without knowing the name of the woman I fuck.

But everything about this new girl is messing with my head. I lowered my head down and parted her legs. I slipped her panties off her legs, making sure I took my time in doing so. To arouse her more. A soft moan erupted from her when my finger brushed her naked pussy. I cast a look at her. Her eyes were nothing but filled with desire. The same desire in mine. She bit her bottom lip to suppress herself from moaning.

"Don't stop yourself because I already know how much your body is craving me. You can scream my name all you want."

"Just touch me already," her voice was raw and got me excited. I know how strong my touch affects women. Pulling her body to the edge of the bed, I positioned myself in between her legs and entered her in one go, emitting a gasp out of her mouth. Tonight was going to be a long one.