LOGINOf course that is what she says because I won’t give her what she really wants. And letting her go isn’t an option. I don’t wait for her to be okay. I stride out, gesturing to two guards outside the door. “Make sure she stays in there.”“Yes, Zver,” they chorus. I don’t doubt them for a second. I expect compliance without question That’s the kind of brotherhood we built. So in what world did Niko think taking Claire away was okay?I head to Niko’s designated room. The doctor is just finishing with him, stitching and wrapping bruises that blooms across his face and torso. His small head lowers as I enter, then he slips past me without a word. My focus is fixed entirely on Niko.“My apologies, Zver,” Niko starts the moment the door closes. “I was wrong to take her out of the house.”“Yeah, that was some shit move. Especially for you.” I move to the window, watching him button a crisp white shirt over the purple bruises across his stomach. “We’re alm
She sits on the bed still crying, for fucking Niko. I pace the room, restless, wanting to comfort her but she already slapped me once. It didn’t sting the way she wanted, so she tried again, and I had to shove her down onto the mattress. Now she’s there, face buried in her hands, refusing to acknowledge my presence.“Why didn’t you wait for me?” I snap, though what I really want is to speak softly. I am too riled up, fueled by the image of Niko’s audacity, dragging Claire away like that. Insubordination like his usually ends with a bullet between the brows, but I didn’t pull a gun because it’s Niko. I can’t believe he did this.Niko and I have known each other since high school. He was vice commander of our gang, just as he is now my chief of security. I’ve done everything with him, raised this empire, fought battles, buried enemies. He’s my right hand, my left leg, and there isn’t anything I would deny him. Hell, I think of him as my brother.I knew he wa
Niko presses harder on the gas, then slams the brakes. My body snaps forward, but his arm shoots out, holding me firmly against the seat.“What happened?”my heart jolts with sudden fright.His smile twists, sardonic and almost proud. “I forgot how far ahead Zver thinks,” he says, eyes still looking ahead.“What are you talking about?” “Claire, we won’t be leaving today.”My frown deepens as I watch his face. “And why not?”“Look.” He jerks his chin at the road ahead.At first, I see nothing but streams of headlights. Then my stomach knots. Cars parked along the roadside, shadows of men inside, others pacing outside with deliberate demeanor that screamed armed men.”Zver already has his men stationed here to stop you from leaving," Niko explains calmly, not entirely bothered and even a little impressed. Which honestly doesn't do well for my nerves.My heart sticks to my throat, my fingers clenched on my
Niko doesn’t let me take anything from the room, he just drags me forward by the hand until we’re back at the car. He ignores Xavier calling after us, strides with grim determination to the passenger side, yanks the door open, and ushers me inside.“Niko, what are you doing?” I ask, apprehension making my stomach turn.No answer. He shuts the door with a hard snap and circles to the driver’s side. The engine growls to life, and we roll out of the Dragnov estate without anyone stopping us. Streetlights flicker awake one by one, and with each glow my anxiety swells. All I see of him is his side profile, sharp jaw, rigid mouth, eyes fixed straight ahead.“Where are we going?” I press when I can’t take the pressure building in my chest. “Niko.” Louder this time. His silence gnaws at me, discomfort making me shift.“I thought you wanted to leave Russia. Why are you asking me that?” He finally answers, too calm, like everything else he’s done tonight.
“And?” I demand when the silence stretches too long. He doesn’t even look at me, just stares out the front window as the car speeds toward Drognov estate.“That was smart,” he finally says, and I blink at him. A smirk curls at his lips. “Giving Niko the slip like that. No one’s ever done that before. Niko must be getting sloppy.” Now he’s grinning like this is a game.“This isn’t funny. I want a divorce, Aleksei.” I snap, no trace of humor in my face.He exhales, pulls out his phone, and starts typing. “I know what you want, little bunny. But that was reckless, running to the cops. Do you even realize how dangerous that was? I own most of the police here, but not all. You could’ve ended up in an entirely different vehicle right now.”I jut my chin out and glare at the blur of the city through the tinted windows. “If I go to New York, I’ll be safe. None of these people are after me, they’re after you.”Aleksei slams his phone onto the seat, the sound jolting me. His jaw tightens, eyes
My stomach drops at those words. “I’m sorry, what?” I rise slowly to my feet, eyes locked on his face.The man gives me a creepy smile before stepping aside. I watch as Aleksei enters the room, his presence filling every inch of space. My shoulders tense. I move backward, eyes fixed on him like he might spring forward and snatch me.“How–how are you here?” I stammer out despite trying hard not to show how rattled I am. How did he find me this fast? I haven’t even been gone for thirty minutes.“You don’t get to ask questions.” He says so calmly it seals my lips shut. “Let’s go.” He tilts his head as he slides away from the door.I’m still reeling, but I refuse to let him order me around. Clenching my fists at my sides, I press my lips together, lift my chin, and say, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”“Don’t test me, Zayka.” His tone doesn’t rise; it doesn’t need to. “I have other things I’d rather be doing than dealing with your drama. Don’t make me repeat myself. Let’s go.”I glance
My breath snags. He touches my chin gently and lifts my gaze to his.“Does it make it better if I tell you I killed them before they could kill me, Zayka?”His eyes bore into mine. I don’t answer. Because I know it doesn’t mean they had a gun to his head. Maybe they were just thinking about it. Bu
We’re walking. Actually walking. Like a couple. Not just having sex. We are holding hands down a quiet Moscow street.I’m trying not to squeal, but I can’t help it. I want to. Every time I glance at Aleksei, he’s already watching me. Oh my God. Is he in love with me or something?“What are you thin
He bathes me. After sucking him off, all I want is to curl into his scent and sleep, but Aleksei doesn’t let me. He carries me like a baby into the massive bathroom, lowers us into the steaming tub, and begins washing us both at an unhurried pace. I must be more drunk than I thought, because I can’
I was expecting fucking Aleksei to come grovel at my door the second he got home. But no, he doesn’t come to talk to me.I give him an hour of rest. One hour. Then I storm out of my room, marching toward the lift that leads to the fourth floor. It dings open, and Katya steps out.Drenched in gold a







