로그인Nikolai's POV I grip the steering wheel tighter as I pull the car into the driveway of the Bravta's compound—it's what I now call home, but really, it's more like a fortress.It's not warm or as full of love as my penthouse had been with Aiden and Lily.The gates swing open automatically, and I glance over at Viktor by my side. I don't even want to know what he's doing on his phone, he's been glued to it since we left the office.The engine purrs to a stop in the garage, and I kill it, leaning back in the seat for a second before unbuckling."Aiden's coming to Russia," I say, the words tumbling out because I've been wanting to tell him for a while. I know he won't be comfortable with it, particularly because I already told him why I didn't want Aiden here, but I have to tell him. Viktor looks up slowly, his expression unchanging, but I know that look. It's the one he gives when he thinks I'm doing something stupid.“And everything you said about not wanting Aiden to be part of this
Aiden's POVThe sterile hum of the operating room faded behind me as I pushed through the double doors, my scrubs still damp with sweat from the intensity of the procedure.I'd just extracted my first major tumor. My hands still ached from the work, but the joy of a perfect outcome made my exhaustion worth it.I headed to the scrub sink, turning on the faucet with my elbow when Dr. Ellison, my mentor, shuffled out behind me, his white coat hanging loose on his frail frame.At seventy-two, he still refused to retire from the hospital, but I understood his reluctance to leave."That was fine work in there, Aiden," his voice was filled with pride. "You remind me of myself thirty years ago."I glanced over with a genuine smile. "Coming from you, that's high praise, Dr. Ellison."He chuckled. "Well, it seems like you're ready to fly solo on these. I should probably call it a night. These old bones need rest. See you tomorrow, kid.""Get some sleep," I replied, watching him amble toward the
Nikolai’s POVMy office is dim, the only real light coming from the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over Saint Petersburg's busy roads. I’m behind my desk, my mind lost in thoughts of a certain dark-haired boy.It feels unreal that he's coming to Moscow. I'd already called my pilot to get the plane ready so I can head over as soon as possible. God, I've missed his face. I made Luka secretly take pictures for years and send them to me but it's not the same. I can't wait to actually see him. Touch him. My celibate dick is infact very excited by the idea.Viktor’s sprawled in the leather chair opposite me, swirling a glass of vodka he poured without asking.I lean back, rubbing my thumb along the rim of my own glass. “Silas called yesterday.”Viktor freezes mid-sip and slowly lowers the glass. “You’re shitting me.”“I’m not.”“Didn’t you block his number?”I give a short, humorless laugh. “Apparently he got a new one.”Viktor’s eyes narrow. “And you answered?”“I thought it was a
Irina's POV I lay on the bed in my bedroom, staring at the ornate ceiling as if it held the answers to all my frustrations. My mind swirled like a storm.How many had he rejected now? Five? Six? Each one was more beautiful and suitable than the last, and yet he dismissed them like yesterday's news. I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of anger rise in my chest. He was the Don, for God's sake. He needed an heir.The door creaked open, and Ivan came in, his broad shoulders filling the frame.He looked at me with concerned eyes. "Dorogaya," he said softly, closing the door behind him. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"I just turned my head slightly to glare at him. "Everything, Ivan." I muttered, my voice heavy with exasperation."Everything. Nikolai—he keeps rejecting them. All those women I brought for him. He doesn't want any. Ya znala, chto u nego chto-to s tem mal'chikom, Aidenom... I knew he had something with that boy, Aiden, but I still assumed he'd want women."Ivan sighed, cros
Aiden’s POVI’m standing at the kitchen island, pouring coffee into my favorite mug and I can’t wipe the stupid grin off my face.My cheeks actually hurt a little. It’s ridiculous. I feel like a teenager who just got asked to prom by his crush. Except my crush is a Russian Don.The dark coffee steams up when I sip. I'm not even bothered when it burns my tongue. Footsteps thump down the stairs and Lily appears in the doorway with her hair in a loose ponytail, still in the same oversized hoodie from yesterday. Her phone is glued to her hand like it’s surgically attached. That phone is honestly a serious issue.She stops and squints at me.“Why do you look so happy?” she asks, her voice suspicious.I lean back against the counter, trying to school my expression to look normal.“Am I not allowed to look happy?”She shrugs, and turns back to her screen, thumb flicking. “It’s weird. You usually look sad.”“Wow. Thanks.”“Anytime.” She glances up again and gives me a side-eye. “Aren’t you
Nikolai’s POVThe bass thumps around the vibrant room, loud enough to drown out most people's thoughts but not mine apparently. I’m in the VIP section of Club Nocturne, girls circling around me. I don’t look at them. Despite my constant desire for release lately, I haven’t looked at anyone that way in years.There's only one person I want.I swirl the amber liquid in my glass, watching the club lights. Another sip burns clean down my throat. The leather seat dips as someone takes their seat beside me. I don’t have to look to know who it is.“Viktor,” I say without turning my head.“Boss.” He slides in, his long legs stretching out as he reaches for a bottle on the table. “You look like shit.”“I appreciate the compliment,” I chuckle.He pours himself a generous glass, knocks half of it back, then leans back and studies me as if to ask me what's wrong.“My mother was here earlier,” I say with a sigh. “Parading around with another woman.”“Was she beautiful at least?” Viktor question