MasukViktor POV The push and pull relationship between Alexei and Talia was reaching unsettling dimensions.In the last few days he’d spent more and more time with the girl and I wasn’t the only one who noticed.Aria tried to extract information from me every chance she got, thinking I knew what my brother had in mind, but for once Alexei kept his motives carefully hidden after finding out about Talia mother. I think Talia wants to move back to Houston after the attack because she's scared but Alexei isn't having it.I stepped into the kitchen, following the sound of clanking and humming, just as Aria put a baking tray into the oven.The kitchen smelled of lime and coriander, and something spicier. The sight of her ass in tight shorts was even more enticing.Walking up to her, I caught sight of what looked like tacos. I wrapped my arms around her from behind, kissing her neck. “That looks good. What is it?”“Chicken stew, I hope they aren’t too spicy.”I gripped her hips, turned her aroun
Aria POV On Alexei request early thenext day I went clothes shopping for Talia and Ethan. Viktor was busy visiting the government office in town to discuss something about some files or drive and Alexei hated shopping, which left Sergei with the task of playing babysitter.Sergei was munching on one of the muffins when he swung himself behind the wheel of his Ferrari. “If you’re bored, I wouldn’t mind if you bake again.”I smiled, happy that they all enjoyed my cooking when in the past I’d barely had the chance to try my hand at it. “What’s your favorite?”“Red velvet.”“Then I’ll make those next.”Sergei tore his eyes away from the traffic to give me a curious look but didn’t say anything.“You have to turn right there.”“I know new York by heart, don’t worry.”“Even boutiques?”“I like nice clothes.”I tilted my head in agreement. Sergei was always impeccably dressed and styled.He said, “Your new style works better for you, by the way.”I flushed, glancing down at myself. I’d chos
Alexei POV Viktor left after Sergei called him, disappearing without another word for almost two hours, giving me enough time to focus on the task at hand.Removing the bullet had been difficult, but not impossible. By the time Viktor returned, the bleeding had finally stopped, the wound was stitched, and Ivan had a decent chance of surviving.He walked into the room looking as unreadable as ever, a thick manila folder tucked beneath his arm and without saying a word, he crossed the office and slid it across the desk toward me."I found everything," he said simply.I frowned, pulling the folder closer before flipping it open.The first few pages were exactly what I expected, routine background reports, a copy of the birth certificate, medical records, vaccination history, school enrollment forms.The kind of information Lucas could have obtained in less than an hour with his hacking skills nothing about it looked unusual but then my eyes landed on a single line.The name and every ot
Alexei POV “Alexei.” Sergei opens the door to greet us, gesturing us inside with a solemn expression. This isn’t exactly the reunion either of us were expecting, but it is what it is.“Allow me to help.” He takes some of the burden off my shoulders as he slips his arm around Ivan right side, helping him through the entrance. “Viktor is upstairs.”I glance back at Talia, who is still in a daze but trying to hold it together for Ethan as she cradles him against her chest. More than anything, I want to take them both into my arms and make them forget everything that happened today but any comfort I might be able to provide will have to wait.The priority right now is ensuring their safety, and there isn’t much time.Aria enters the room, with Ivan wife, Aurora, not far behind, and they quickly take it upon themselves to assist in any way they can.“You’ve been through quite the ordeal, I’m told,” Aria says. “Let me show you to the bathroom where you can clean up, and then I’ll fix you s
Talia POV Blood splatters across my face, and I scream, turning my head away as I drop to my hands and knees again.I smell vomit, bullets, and blood, that sweet scent of marshmallow pancakes was long gone now.Another shot is fired, and I fall flat, my hand sliding in something wet and slippery.I scream, and when my scream ends and the sound of bullets is an echo, I roll onto my back, my head heavy, vision fading as I realize something. The thing that terrifies me more than anything else. Ethan has stopped screaming.The thought of why that could be twists my stomach, and I open my mouth to scream, but the sound that comes isn’t human. It’s ugly and hoarse and like that of a wounded animal. A dying one. “Talia?”I blink, seeing movement above me. Someone’s hands are on me, turning me. Instinct takes hold, and I fight. I fight him, but he’s too strong. He takes hold of my wrists and lays my arms at my sides.He mutters a curse. Another shadow passes over me and I’m lifted off the gr
Alexei POV “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I choke on the words. “Your whole life, you’ve wanted what’s mine and that’s why you did it, isn’t it?”“Did what?” Lucas asks distractedly as he traces the curve of Talia throat with his gun.“Killed Ethan Carter and Officer Damon.”Lucas eyes snaps up to mine, and a sinister gleam flashes between his lips as they curl into a sickening smile. “You know about that?”His confirmation should come as no surprise, but the admission still feels like a knife to the heart.“Not everything.” I force the words out. “But you may as well tell me because I can guarantee you this. Only one of us is leaving here alive today.”He seems to consider it, but I know he’s just toying with me. If there is one thing I’ve come to understand about Lucas, it’s that he loves to poke at this wound.For years, I thought I had helped another kid I saw dying on the streets just like Ivan and even though we were not close, I still made him an underboss and he had more th
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
Viktor POV Yuri eyes shifted between my brother and me, his breathing picking up and fear started to fill his veins and I knew the signs were obvious but this was only the beginning of his sorrow.I leaned down, my mouth curling. “You will admit to it your transgressions soon and you will apologiz
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 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







