ALEXEIThe night settled in a quiet hold as Zoey's breathing steadied in peaceful sleep. Gently, I tucked her in, my fingers tracing a soothing path through her hair. Leaving her side, my steps led me to the familiar boundaries of my office.Seated behind the polished mahogany desk, I replayed the events of the evening in my mind. Zoey's change in behavior after encountering Anastasia raised an invisible barrier, a puzzle I couldn't quite decipher. Something in the air shifted, and I couldn't ignore the tendrils of doubt that snaked into my thoughts.The soft glow of the desk lamp illuminated the room as I leaned back in my chair, fingers interlaced in contemplation. The shift in Zoey's demeanor didn't escape my notice. Her eyes, once a window to a world she guarded fiercely, now held a flicker of vulnerability. It was as if the encounter with Anastasia had stirred inactive echoes, unlocking a

ZOEY The drive back home from Anastasia's estate felt longer than usual. The revelation that Zoey was Mikhail Volkov's granddaughter reverberated in my mind, a discordant melody of disbelief and bitter understanding. Zoey, the woman I had grown to care for, was linked by blood to Mikhail Volkov—the very man who had planned the death of my brother. The city lights blurred in the distance as I navigated through the maze of my own conflicted emotions. Zoey, with her innocent charm and resilient spirit, had become a beacon of light in the shadows of my world. Now, those shadows threatened to engulf her, intertwining her fate with the legacy of a man consumed by vengeance. Yaz sensed the turmoil within me. His sharp gaze lingered, unspoken questions hanging in the air like an unyielding fog. Finally, he broke the silence. "What's going on in that head of yours, boss?" Yaz's words cut through the quiet, probing for answers I wasn't ready to give. I remained silent, the weight of the t

ZOEY My head throbbed with pain, a relentless ache that accompanied the incessant banging. As I gradually opened my eyes, the world swayed in a disorienting dance. I tried to make sense of my surroundings, but the dull ache in my head clouded my thoughts. Confused and disoriented, I forced my eyes open, squinting against the dim light. The surroundings slowly came into focus, revealing I was in a dimly lit building of unknown origin. Blinking away the haze, I realized I was confined to a chair, tightly bound as if I were a captive in some twisted game. Panic surged as I tested the restraints, the cold bite of fear settling in the pit of my stomach. Why was I here? Where was here? My mouth felt oddly restricted, and I attempted to call for help, but the realization hit me hard—my mouth was taped shut. Fear tightened its grip as I struggled against the restraints, the room closing in on me with each passing second. The sound of

ZOEYThree days. Three agonizing days in this dimly lit room that seemed to close in on me with every passing moment. Fear crept into the edges of my mind.For the first two days, Mikhail, the man claiming to be my grandfather, reveled in tormenting me. He circled like a predator, taunting and sneering. If these damn restraints weren't holding me back, I would have gladly kicked him where it hurt the most.In the midst of my fear, one thing dominated my thoughts—I missed Alexei. I longed for Alexei, missed him in a way I couldn't quite put into words. I longed to see him, to apologize for the pain Mikhail had inflicted upon him. It wasn't fair that he had to bear the brunt of this madness.I wanted to tell Alexei that I was sorry, that Mikhail's actions weren't a reflection of who I am. I wanted to apologize for the turmoil my presence had brought into his life. Mikhail's twisted games had scarred him, and it tore at my soul.I wanted to say sorry for any part of Mikhail's actions tha

ALEXEIMaria returned with a mischievous glint in her eyes, gesturing for Yaz and me to follow her. As we moved across the lively club, she led us to an modest door that, when opened, revealed a stairwell leading underground.The bass of the music above gradually faded as we descended into the underground realm. The dimly lit space opened up into an hidden safe place of technology. Computers lined the room, their screens casting a soft glow on the faces of those hunched over them.Maria gestured towards the array of machines. "Welcome to Dominic's playground."She excused herself with a sly smile, leaving Yaz and me alone in this underground techno haven. Soon, Dominic looked up from his station, his eyes lighting up as he recognized me."Alexei, my man!" Dominic greeted with a grin, extending a fist for a casual bump.I reciprocated the gesture. "Dominic, how's life in the digital frontier?""Same old chaos," he chuc