MasukViktor POV Aria laughed, moved toward the pool and sank down on its edge, dipping her legs into the water.It was comfortably warm, even for someone with a higher sensitivity to cold like Aria, which was why I’d chosen it instead of the deeper, square pool.I swam over to her, unable to stop admiring her, then propped my hands up on the edge and pushed myself out of the water to steal a kiss from her. She responded with a soft gasp and opened her legs when I applied more pressure with my hips, allowing me to slide between them and press my erection against her pussy.After our conversation in the kitchen, I had dragged her to the pool because I know together would be very eventful.Aria pulled away, eyes wide as they searched our surroundings. “We shouldn’t do this here, someone might see us.”The neighbors were too far away to see us and my brothers would enjoy the show but I didn’t care if someone watched us.In the past I’d found it stimulating to have people watch me having sex,
Aria POVThe atmosphere inside the mansion had changed, but not in the way I'd expected.Aurora had been returned safely to her husband days ago, and I had foolishly believed that would put an end to the tension hanging over the house.Instead, it only seemed to make everything more tense. The smiles had become rarer, conversations shorter, and every man in the Kozlov family moved with a silent purpose that made my stomach twist.Viktor was the one who worried me the most.For almost a week, he had slipped into bed only after I was asleep and disappeared before I opened my eyes each morning.If I hadn't woken once or twice to the warmth of his body wrapping around mine in the middle of the night, I would have believed he wasn't sleeping at all and he never explained where he went.Ivan and his wife had also moved into the mansion without much explanation, and Sergei and Tristan hadn't stepped outside once all week.Something dangerous was about to happen. After my shower, I slipped in
Talia POV Alexei grins like he’s humoring me and here’s that tilt of the head again. I want to tell him to go fuck himself, but I remember how that turned out the last timr but he steps closer, and I’d back up, but the bed is behind me, so I end up dropping into a seat.Alexei grin widens, and he leans down, hands on either side of me on the bed so I have to lean uncomfortably backward as his eyes roam my face, then down to where the nightie lies open against my chest, down over my belly to my bare thighs.I look down too, see how high it’s ridden and swallow hard when his eyes, now darker, shift back to mine.My heart races because I recognize that look, and it’s the one that makes my belly flutter Alexei leans closer, makes a point of inhaling.“I smell you,” he says in a whisper, the fingers of one hand brushing my inner thigh.I make a sound as he leans closer, forcing me backward as his fingers rise higher and higher.“And I bet you’re wet now, Talia.”He does that thing again w
Talia POV It takes me a full minute to register that the sun is creeping brightly around the curtains of my bedroom, and I’m still in bed.I blink my eyes several times, rolling to my side and away from the sunlight that woke me. I hug the pillow as my mind works and I register the distinctly masculine scent on the bed. I bolt upright the moment I remember that Alexei was still here.He.crept into my bed late and I woke up for a second when he did, but I remember him gathering me into his arms and then nothing else but I slept better than I have in a long time.The bedroom door is closed, but I hear the sound of the TV. One of Ethan cartoons is on and I throw the blankets off then hurry out of bed, panic gripping me as that thought is back.What if he takes him? What if he leaves with Ethan?My heart is racing as I reach the door, but when I open it, I hear them. Alexei is saying something, and I think he’s trying to keep his voice quiet, but it’s so deep it’s almost a rumble when he
Alexei POV As I’m considering all the ways my life is currently imploding, my phone rings, and I’m surprised to see it’s Viktor calling. Particularly because it’s much later in New York and he definitely wouldn’t be calling at this hour if it wasn’t urgent.“Viktor.” I pull up the screen and meet his gaze.“Is everything alright?”“Yes.” He nods. “Everything is fine here but I have some more information I thought you might want.”“What is it?” I ask.“Our mutual friend called me this evening and he tells me that Frost has been sniffing around, asking several people to assist him with some research. The name he delivered was, of course, Talia.”“Christ.” My stomach churns with this new revelation. I knew Frost was moving faster, but I didn’t know he was going to be this quick and this left me with one question, Talia saw what must really trouble Frost to neglect his wife and keep hunting for her.“Do you know if he’s managed to find anything?” I ask.“No.” Viktor shrugs. “Unfortunatel
Talia POV It’s Alexei turn to swallow the freshly poured drink in his glass. “I won’t let anything happen to either of you, I already told you I'm hunting anyone that post as a threat. Now tell me why my son is named after another man.”I tilt my head to the side because is he for real?“Did you really think I’d name him after you? After what you did to my friends?” I feel my eyebrows creep up my forehead.“Not so much that, although it would have been nice, but specifically that you named him after another boyfriend.”“Ethan wasn’t a boyfriend. He was my foster brother and my friend. I told you that already a long time ago. Alexei, you actually.....” I stop, lower my voice, and glance toward the doorway. Ethan sometimes comes out for a glass of water. It’s usually when he’s scared.“After what happened, do you think I wanted to have anything to do with you?”“I told you, I didn’t hurt your friend and she wasn’t supposed to die.”“Whether you did or didn’t, back then, I know what I s
Aria POVThe second I fastened my seatbelt, Sergei pulled the Ferrari away from the curb with impatient force.The engine growled beneath us as he drove one-handed through the streets of New York balancing his coffee awkwardly between his legs because the car didn’t have cup holders.I glanced down
Aria POVSergei gave an easy shrug as he leaned against the kitchen counter, twirling his car keys around one finger.“It’s basically all my brothers ever talk about,” he said lazily.“Weapons, territory, fights, money and enemies. That’s daily life around here.” His lips curved slightly.“Well, ex
Viktor POV We both knew what that meant. I returned to Aria side. She was biting her lip, and her body was tense. “So did you find a pizza you want?”“I’m not very hungry,” she said softly. “Is it okay if I only order a salad with cheese and olives?”“You can eat whatever you like and if you’re st
Viktor POVAria kept stealing glances at me as we walked back into the gaming room.Every few seconds, I could feel her attention drift toward me before she quickly looked away again whenever I turned slightly in her direction. Aria studied me like she was trying to solve something impossible.The







