LOGINTalia POV Alexei shrugs and moves to help Ethan with his shoes while I gather everything we’ll need. I grab our coats, the bag with the swim things, and my purse, making sure I haven’t forgotten anything else.We’re almost out the door when Alexei suddenly stops as we walk into the hallway.He pauses, as if he’s remembered something, then doubles back without saying a word.A moment later, he returns with the envelope in his hands and I notice it immediately, but I don’t say anything. There’s no time to question it now.Soon, we’re heading down in the elevator, the three of us standing together beneath the bright lights while our reflections stare back at us from the mirrored walls.For a brief moment, we look like a normal family and there’s something almost comforting about seeing the three of us standing there together like this.Alexei beside me, Ethan between us, all of us dressed to spend the day together. I quickly look away from our reflections before I allow myself to think
Talia POV After I helped Ethan get dressed the following morning, I lifted him into a chair at the table and settled him in front of his breakfast. He had waffles with fruit, absolutely drenched in syrup.I stared at the plate for a second, trying not to judge the amount of syrup.At least there’s fruit, I told myself and that had to count for something.Once we got home, I was definitely getting him back on a healthier diet. The kid had a serious sweet tooth, and if I let him have his way, he’d probably live on syrup, sweets, and anything else with an unreasonable amount of sugar in it.I glanced at the time again, unable to stop myself. I had been nervously checking the clock while Alexei showered, wondering how soon Dante would arrive. He was picking us up soon for the “family day,” and the thought still felt strange enough that I wasn’t sure what to make of it.He hadn’t told us what he had planned, which only made me more curious. I knew we were going to his house, though becaus
Talia POV I quell the hope that creeps up at his words. It’s too early to say yes, so I didn't say anything.Instead, I lie on my back and turn to him. From the light coming in through the opened curtains, I can see his face. I brush back his unruly hair and run my palm along his scruffy chin.He leans down, and I meet him halfway to kiss him. It’s a long, soft kiss, and it makes me think we have time that time is maybe finally on our side.When he draws back, he lies on his side and looks at me, he fingers a lock of my hair. “Can you wash the black out?”“Does that mean it’s safe?”He gives the tiniest tilt of his head as he considers, and I think I have my answer. No ,not yet.“What did Dante want with you?” I ask.He shifts so he’s lying on his back, and it’s like he shutters himself off. He’s done this before, in the very beginning that morning at his house.“Just some business and nothing you need to worry about.”I get up on one elbow and rest my head in my hand. I touch his ch
Talia POV I woke to a faint tickle against my neck, still half-asleep, I lifted a hand and lazily scratched the spot before settling back into the warmth of the bed, hoping whatever it was would go away but only a moment later, I felt it again.My eyelids fluttered open, just enough for me to take in the soft light peeking through the gaps around the closed curtains.The brightness made me squint, and I instinctively closed my eyes again, not quite ready to wake up. I rolled onto my back, shifting beneath the blanket.As I moved, it slipped slightly from my body, and I reached out to pull it back over me but my hand met resistance.I frowned sleepily, assuming the blanket had somehow caught on something or slipped onto the floor. I opened my eyes properly this time, and the sight in front of me immediately made the sleepiness begin to fade and I saw him.“Alexei,” I murmured sleepily, his name leaving my lips before I could fully process what I was seeing.I move to sit up, but he be
Alexei POV “I have something I want to show you.” Dante gestures for me to follow him out back. It’s late, past midnight, and I don’t like leaving Talia alone at the hotel, but at least Damon is in the lobby, keeping an eye out for me.I just hope he stays sober enough to recognize any problems that might pop up. “Don’t worry so much.” Dante waves off my concerns. “I got a couple of my guys parked outside of the hotel. If they see anything, I’ll be the first to know.”It shouldn’t surprise me that he’s already figured out where we’re staying. California is Dante turf, and he’s got eyes and ears everywhere. Still, they are guys I don’t know.“You should have spoken to me first,” I tell him.Dante stops, meeting my gaze in challenge. “Are you telling me I need to ask permission from you to protect my own daughter? My grandson?”I consider my words carefully but refuse to back down on this. “She might be your daughter, but she’s my future wife and I look out for both of them, I don’t kno
Talia POV Dante nods to dismiss the man who disappears then reappears a moment later with a bottle of vodka.I have never heard of this brand, but I gather from the decorative bottle it’s a fairly exclusive one. Dante pours for Alexei and me without asking if we want it, but honestly, I could use it.We sit in awkward silence while Dante watches me, drinking three times the vodka I manage to.When the chicken nuggets come, Alexei takes Ethan to sit on his lap, and Ethan starts to eat.Dante watches him for a long minute. “He’s yours?” he asks Alexei.“Yes.”Dante nods, then turns to me.“She named you after my sister,” he finally says. “They were good friends.”“They were?” I suddenly feel so sad because I know nothing about my mother not even one thing“She died young too, cancer. One year before your mother…was forced to leave.” His voice hardens at the end, and he pours himself another vodka, his grip hard on the bottle.“I don’t know anything about her because I don’t remember an
Viktor POVWhen Alexei first told me about a marriage with the Crown Syndicate, I thought he was pulling my legs as usual but when Nikolai sent me the picture I was surprised, marriage was the last thing on my mind right now and an orphan, I didn't know what to say about that. I should have known s
Aria POVI immediately looked away from him and fighting the weak tears at the corner of my eye.I saw him remove his boxers, and then he climbed on the bed naked. I trembled because couldn’t stop myself no matter how had I tried. His hand touched my waist then slid up slowly, the touch was light b
Aria POV“Who is it I am going to marry?” I forced the words out, but they sounded strangled.That was the first question I asked my uncle when he came into my room and informed me I was getting married. I was an orphan so finding a notable member of the Crown Syndicate is almost impossible.“Vikto
Aria POV I flinched every time my uncle’s stifled cries rang out as Alexei and Viktor broke each of his fingers. My eyes weren’t on my uncle, though, but instead on my husband’s face. His expression was unreadable as he watched my uncle like he was conducting some sort of experiment.Soon, they b







