تسجيل الدخولNinaI awake to soft sheets, and the morning light trickled in through the blinds. Shedding the remaining glimpses of a dream, I soak in the warmth of my covers. My arm reaches to the space next to me only to find Vladimir's not in bed. But his smell still lingers and I inhale and smile.Down the hall, there are pots banging and I'm sure the staff is preparing breakfast. Vladimir must've gone to work early, letting me sleep in. These days, I need my rest, even taking a couple of naps throughout the day. The baby is growing rapidly and my body drains of energy quicker than usual.But I'm hungry, so I hoist myself from my comfy place and throw on a robe before heading downstairs. The cool tile on my feet is soothing. But I'm not prepared for the scene before me. Out on the terrace is the most beautiful setup I've ever seen, better than the first dinner I ever had with Vladimir.Jasmine flowers line the terrace; nothing is more perfect to me. Five white petals with sunshine yellow in the
VladMonths have passed and everything has gotten better. Beck and Diana finally met Vladimir, and learned the truth about what happened. They weren't thrilled at first. In fact, they gave him major attitude for weeks. And I had to spend those weeks playing referee to keep the peace. Vladimir understood and dealt with their wrath. More so because my mother was in their corner as well.But everyone finally got past their emotions and moved forward for me and the baby. Well, not completely, as Diana and Beck then began arguing over which one of them would be the baby's godmother. I still haven't made that decision. How can I choose between my two best friends?"Did you get lost in there?"I giggle. "I'm fine. Hold your horses. I'll be out in a bit."Moving in with Vladimir is one of the best decisions I've made. Of course, the gigantic walk-in closet helped. Diana and Beck asked if they could move in, too, and then followed up by asking Vladimir if he had any brothers he'd like to intro
VladOne Week LaterI turn and look to the chair. Gino is strapped to it. His face is still bloodied and swollen. Every breath he takes rattles through the shattered bones of his nostrils.I run my hands through my hair three times in quick succession and fix Gino in a stare that could have frozen the Atlantic. What the hell to do? The Italian bastard threatened my family, my unborn child. He wanted to kill me, to end the Sokolov reign. So many of my men are dead.All because of him."Vladimir, this matter needs to be addressed," Eitan says and holds out a gun. He's still in a wheelchair, but he's recovered enough of his color and energy to be discharged from the hospital. This will be his last act before a well-deserved retirement.I grab the gun and growl. I stalk over to Gino and put the muzzle of the gun to his temple. The man deserves to die for all he's done. If I hadn't arrived when I did, he would've raped Nina. My arm shakes and my finger brushes the trigger. Gino deserves to
VladThe hospital is noisy. Patients whine, machines beep, a TV overhead mumbles staticky nonsense at an irresponsibly high volume. I'm in an uncomfortable chair outside of one of the rooms.Someone opens the door and emerges into the hallway. "Mr. Sokolov?" says a nurse with a clipboard. I stand immediately and then fall back in my seat. I've already been tended to and bandaged. The wound on my leg is going to keep me limping around for months, but it's better than most of the alternatives."Is Eitan okay?" I demand immediately.The nurse shakes her head. "Your friend is still recovering from surgery. We don't know anything yet. But your, uh ..."My heart stops. I push inside without waiting for her to finish.Nina is propped up on a hospital bed. She smiles at me nervously when I enter. "Are you okay?" I ask. My voice comes out in a whispered rasp.She bites her lower lip and dips her head. Her face is marked by furrowed brows and a clenched jaw. My heart stutters again and breathin
VladHaving Nina in my arms safe and sound is all that I wanted. I squeeze her tight, unwilling to let go. She buries her face in my shirt and cries softly. She was brave today. She saved my life. I fully expected her to run the first opportunity she got, but she didn't. And her face when I was shot told me all I needed to know. She cares about me."I'm so sorry I pushed you away," I say as I kiss the top of her head. "I don't know what I would've done if they'd hurt you. Or worse.""I'm okay," she mumbles, but squeezes me tighter."Are you sure you're okay?" I pull away slightly and push the hair from her eyes.She looks up at me and nods. Her expression softens as she looks over me to make sure I'm all right as well. How have I survived without her these past weeks?"Nina, I love you. And I know I'm an idiot for running away scared because of how I felt. But I swear I won't do that again." I place my hand under her chin and tilt it up so that she looks at me as I say my next words.
VladSuddenly, a bang rips through the air. The door swings wildly and crashes into the wall. And Vladimir stands in the doorway with his gun pointed at Gino."Nina, get down!"Augustin releases me as he fumbles for the gun at his hip. I scream, roll to one side, and drop to the ground just as the crack of gunfire cuts through the air. Gino is a couple of feet in front of me and pulls his own gun out, firing at Vladimir, who has tucked and rolled to the far side of the room. I crawl on my hands and knees to a desk at my right and duck behind it as I try to keep safe from the bullets screaming through the room."Missed you, boss!" Augustin shouts from the opposite corner of the room as a couple of more bullets crack through the air.Vladimir growls and says nothing. More bullets slam into the walls and ceiling.I have no idea who's firing anymore. I just lean against the desk, my knees to my chest, waiting for the gunfire to stop. I hear two more pops and then a pained groan.And then



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