LOGINNext to Aunt Alessia stands her daughter, Cristiana. Her face is adorned with an honest smile, but her eyes are giving away more than she wants them to reveal. I know what her problem is and that she’s hoping for me to solve that problem for her. And maybe I will. Even though I know it wouldn’t be a
Xavier might be self-sufficient to protect her, but I’m more ruthless. The fear of going against me has a stronger effect on people who hold a love for their lives and wives and children. And I wouldn’t hesitate to use that fear to keep my family out of danger. Xavier might be an asshole, but he’s s
“My world is a less scary place with you in it, baby. I will kiss you a thousand times every day if that’s what it takes to keep you in love with me for the rest of our days.” [VLADIMIR] "Do you take Vladimir Perazzo as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or
“Do you really?” I tease, although the insinuation makes my nerves tingle. I watch him take a sip before leaning on the railing and chuckling. “Enjoy this time as much as you can, because once we’re done with dinner, I’m not letting you out of my sight, out of my reach, and out of my bed,” moving c
I swallow. “What is it?” Breathlessly, I manage to ask. Grabbing me by my waist, Mir twirls me around and pushes my back against the rail. The cool breeze of the ocean bites my bare back even more. I shiver. But nothing matches the dance of butterflies in my belly. Or the way my bones tickle. When
[ZARINA] “Mir, this is...” I gasp. “Do you like it?” pressing those words into my ear, he grazes his teeth below my lobe. “...gorgeous. It’s gorgeous.” After our deep and long conversation, the previous night, Mir and I woke up with someone causing a ruckus at the door. It was only then it dawne
“I trusted you—how could you?” I yell at him. “Mir, I think it’s better for you to wait outside,” the older woman says in a calm and collected manner while I continue to accuse him despite the silence his betrayal has rendered us in. “Shut the fuck up, Isabella!” Vladimir roars at the woman but he
“Can you hear me?” Vladimir sounds worried. I blink again. “Take her to the chair,” the woman says, and someone collects me in their arms and makes me sit in a chair. A glass of water is brought and is sprayed on my face. Little do they know that I’m too lost, too tired to care. “Eliana, say some
“You got this!” I tell her, holding her gaze, and swipe the card through the installed card reader. Here fucking goes nothing! * * * [ZARINA] “You got this!” Vladimir says and I draw in a deep, deep breath, preparing myself for what comes next. I don’t know how he does it, hiding what he is fee
Especially when he is looking like that. “Are you coming or not?” It’s Joey shouting from somewhere I cannot see. “Unless you changed your mind.” Vladimir hears him alright and chuckles. “I’m right behind you, Joe. Go ahead, take your dip.” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and realize how







