My father caught my eye. I saw a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead and upper lip. Why was he so nervous?“Alexi?” Nico asked again. His hand on my thigh stiffened and I felt the tension going all the way up his arm.“I… Maybe we should consider it? He has influence in parliament.” Daddy’s voice faltered. “And how do you know this, Alexi?” Nico’s eyes narrowed as he stared my father down.He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief he rummaged out of his jacket pocket. “The word on the street is that this man, Petrov, I believe is his name, is extremely dangerous. He has an army of men too, Nico. I don’t want my daughter caught up in all of this. We could all die!” he stood up to approach the table. “You want a war, I didn’t sign up for this, Nico.”“So, what are you actually saying, Alexi? Huh? You want out of my organization? Is that it?” Nico chuckled, shaking his head. “Alexi, you should know no one leaves the Romanesco alive.”He threatened my father! I gasped, trying to get off

DARINAI cried until I had no more tears left. The way my father fell down on his knees in front of Nico… I couldn’t get that image out of my head. I’ve always thought of my father as a strong man, but Nico reduced him to a weak, blubbering mess. Now more than ever I was determined to get my revenge on him, if not for my father, then for myself.But I was angry and disappointed in my father for getting my family into this violent situation. What the hell was he thinking? How long had he been working for the Romanesco Mafia? I blamed myself for letting my parents keep me in the dark to what dangerous game they were playing at. The moment I got suspicious I should have confronted them, but no, I was so wrapped up in my studies and my own life I let it slide. And just look what it got me.In the bathroom I washed my face, my eyes were bloodshot and puffy. Removing my makeup, revealing the purplish hickeys he left on my neck, I turned away from the mirror ashamed to look at myself. It was

NICO She hates me. That is what she tells herself. But I know her body says different. There was no denying the mate bond. The wolf still sulked at the back of my mind, angry that I haven’t claimed her yet. I tried telling him to be patient, but he wasn’t listening.I will claim her when I am satisfied that she accepts who I am. If she were a she-wolf it would have been so much different. Also, I needed to find out if I do claim her and she changes, how dangerous will it be for her.The meeting with Dr. Anthony Miller had been an interesting one. He was not what I expected at all.Two days ago.The elderly lady at the reception took me along the bustling hallways to the office of Dr. Miller, the supernatural anthropologist. We passed groups of students, some of them openly staring at me. I knew I looked handsome in my grey Lardini suit. I winked at a group of girls hearing them whisper and giggle as their gazes followed me.Dr. Miller was expecting me.“Mr. Lupei, so good to meet you

“Darina!” Nico’s voice lashed out and had me freeze in my steps. I was on my way to my room and halfway up the steps.“Come here.” He beckoned to me to follow him to the lounge. The way he looked at me like I was something despicable at the sole of his shoe, it made me cringe, made me feel small.“What game are you playing, Darina? Huh? Do you think I’m stupid?” He paced around me like an angry lion, circling his prey.“I wasn’t…”“Shut up!”The words hit me like a physical slap, and I stumbled forward, hugging my arms to my waist, keeping my shoulders hunched. I closed my eyes against the tears that threatened to spill from them. No use and trying to explain myself to him, he wouldn’t listen.He walked away, leaving me standing staring at the Persian rug at my feet. I heard him calling Katherina to bring him a drink.“Come here, Darina.” He was seated on one of his leather chairs, looking like a cold and angry king the way he sat there, arms on the armrests and his legs planted firml

NICOI liked the way her face and ears turned pink when she blushed. Her body was so responsive to mine, no matter how she tried to deny it, to fight it. She was my mate, she belonged to me body and soul. I just had to get her mind to accept it, and when she does, I will mark her.My wolf purred with satisfaction at that thought, he was smitten with Darina. Yeah, love… I was careful to call what I felt for her love. Desire, lust, passion, possessiveness, and obsession, all of those. Love was dangerous. Love got you tangled up and broke you, made you weak. My mother was the perfect example of what love got her. A disgrace – me – and a mate that abused her, trampled her to the ground. No, love was out of the question.Vasile and his men were done with his installation and waited for me in my office. I held Darina’s hand, not wanting to let her out of my sight. Fuck, she was gorgeous! I couldn’t get enough of her, her scent, the feel of her skin under my hands, the way she sucked in her