LOGINTalia POVI closed my eyes and, for the first time in five years, allowed myself to stop fighting for a moment.Tears slipped from the corner of my eye, traveling slowly across the bridge of my nose before falling onto the pillow beneath me but I didn't wipe them away because I was too tired.I let myself sink into the steady presence of Alexei's body pressed against my back.His arm rested around my waist and despite everything I knew about him, a small part of me felt safe and that terrified me because Alexei could never be part of Ethan's life no matter what feelings refused to die.Alexei belonged to a world built on violence and power, where danger lurked behind every corner and If he became part of Ethan's life, then Ethan became connected to that world too and that was something I could never allow.I didn't even know what Alexei wanted anymore.Whether he truly believed we could somehow become a family or whether he was simply acting on instinct, refusing to let us go after d
Alexei POV “It means we have a child together, and if you think for one second you’re taking him away from me now, you’re delusional.”“So, what then?” Her voice rises."What's your plan, exactly?" she demanded, glaring at me. "Keep me locked up, tell me what to do, and expect me to obey without question?"Despite the seriousness of the situation, a smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. Her fire never failed to get a reaction out of me."I don't see why that's such a terrible idea," I said lightly.Her eyes widened with disbelief."You're impossible." She shook her head angrily."This isn't some game, Alexei. I have a life and I have responsibilities. I have a job.""You don't need that job anymore."The words left my mouth calmly, but they only seemed to make her angrier. "What is that supposed to mean?""It means you don't have to worry about any of it. I'll take care of you."Her expression hardened. "I don't need you to take care of me.""Maybe not but I'm going to anyway." My
Alexei POV Talia shivers beneath my touch, and I can’t help myself. I know she’s afraid of me and she’s fucking terrified right now, but it’s been so long since I’ve tasted her.When I lean down and squeeze her jaw between my fingers to hold her in place, she freezes, and I drag my lips over hers.She bucks against me, and a choked sound escapes her before she starts pleading again. “Alexei.”The taste of her tears and the blood on my lip ignited a dark, possessive urge inside me, fueled by anger and the fear of losing her.“Don’t you know this belongs to me?” My thumb digs into the pulsing vein in her throat, the very life force of her being. I want her to know there’s no escaping me. In life or in death, I will follow her.“Alexei, please.” Her chest heaves as she shakes her head. “My son needs me.”“Our son,” I snarl. “He’s our fucking son, Talia. Will you deny it?”She bites her lip as more tears spill onto her cheeks. “He needs his mother.”“And what about his father?” I drag my
Talia POV I look up at Alexei and the rage was very obvious in hn his black eyes and his fisted hands even his muscles of his arms and wide shoulders displays his anger.I see the new tattoo snaking along his forearm, disappearing under the T-shirt.His hair is still wet, and I remember he said he’d taken a shower and he didn't appear to be in a hurry to leave all, rather he oddly looked relaxed.He wasn't even afraid of getting caught or of me escaping him now because I can’t. I know it. We both know it.He sets a knee on the bed, and I roll away.“Get away from me!” I scream when he catches me, rolls me back, and straddles me, keeping most of his weight on his knees as he takes my arms and drags them over my head to cuff me to my own headboard.Fuck, he brought handcuffs?If there is anything I hated, that must be expecting weakness and been helpless . “Let me go!”I shouted like a mad woman but he gets off the bed and goes to the mirror over the dresser.I watch him wipe a speck
Talia POVI climbed into the car and slid the key into the ignition, already cursing myself for putting off the repair for so long. The engine coughed once, then died. "Come on..."I turned the key again and this time it groaned before finally roaring to life.Cold air blasted through the vents, making me shiver instantly.I rubbed my hands together and drove out of the parking lot, pulling onto the empty road.The heater was struggling almost as much as the engine, and the chill seemed to seep through every layer of my clothes.My eyes kept drifting to the rearview mirror every few seconds and I knew it was pointless, but I couldn't stop.The image of Alexei standing outside the school kept replaying in my mind, he was definitely here.My grip tightened around the steering wheel.The little wooden house hidden among the trees had become more than just a place to live. It had become our sanctuary and the only place where I had allowed myself to believe Ethan and I might actually have
Alexei POV I expect her to get in her car and go home the same as she does every night ever since I started following her but tonight, she follows that man back to his house and then she goes inside.I park on the street, contemplating the various ways I might murder that fucker, if she touches my girl.Burning his face off with a blowtorch seems like a good idea but as I watch them through the window, eating cake and celebrating what appears to be a birthday, it occurs to me that her heart isn’t in it.The smile on her face is polite but forced and soon after the celebrations, she takes the opportunity to leave.It doesn’t relieve me as much as I’d hoped because even if she isn’t staying tonight, that doesn’t mean she never will.I shift the car into gear and drive around town for a while, trying to clear my head.Inevitably, I end up back at her place after dark.She’s already asleep when I slip in, and for the first time, I can finally smell her again.I drag in lungsful of that s
Viktor POVAlexei scowled as he grabbed another slice of pizza from the box, clearly irritated now.“Jesus Christ, Viktor,” he muttered darkly. “I’m getting sick of the constant flinching.”His sharp gaze slid toward Aria briefly before returning to me.“It’s fucking annoying,” he continued. “Espec
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
Aria POVI didn’t realize how openly I’d been staring at Viktor until his gray eyes lifted and locked onto mine and heat rushed instantly into my cheeks.I looked away so quickly my neck almost hurt, suddenly very aware of how obvious I must have been.There was something unnerving about him when h



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