Accueil / Mafia / Craving Him, My Step-Brother / Chapitre 121 - Chapitre 130

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Chapter 120

Ruslan’s POVNodding slowly, Nico pushed his hands into his pockets as he turned around to leave. He was already halfway through the doorway, his boots silent against the marble floor, when my voice stopped him mid step.“Nico.” I called He turned, arching a brow, “Yes, Boss?”I remained seated behind my desk, one arm resting on the armrest while the fingers of my other hand drummed against the polished wood surface.“What has Atina been up to lately?”The question dropped like a weight in the air, heavy and unexpected.“Atina?”“Yes.” My tone was sharp, controlled, but edged with something deeper; suspicion.Nico scratched the back of his head, parting his lips, he said, “Honestly? I haven’t seen her around. She’s been quiet for the past few days.”“That’s exactly why I’m asking,” I replied darkly. “Atina doesn’t stay quiet unless she’s planning something.”“I’ll look into it, discreetly. I’ll get back to you before sunset.”I gave a nod, my mind already spiraling through every en

Chapter 121

Ivana’s POVThe moment I stepped out of the gallery building, exhaustion settled in my bones like a second skin. My whole body was aching like I had done some tedious work but the reverse was the case, still, the day had been emotionally draining, overwhelming even. After reconnecting with Aria and being introduced to other artists with curious eyes and eager compliments, I had barely been able to keep my composure.Now that it was finally all over, all I wanted was the comfort of silence but with the kids, it sounded almost impossible. Shutting my eyes tightly, I wanted to let out a little wince. Only if I was back in New York, I had nothing to worry about as mom was going to help me handle them. Pulling my feet towards the ride I had ordered, I slid in and immediately my head connected with the headrest, I fell asleep. “We have arrived." I kept hearing this in my sleep until the chauffeur tugged my arm, causing me to snap my eyes open in fright. Flashing an apologetic smile, I

Chapter 122

Ivana’s POV“Mom." I said into the phone, sounding like I was having a good time so she would have nothing to worry about. "It seems you are having a good time over there.” She replied, matching my energy."Yeah, I will call you back.” I said and then hung up. My breath was still caught in my throat as I ended the call. I hated that I had to lie. I hated the fact that I had reassured her that everything was fine when every cell in my body was screaming otherwise. I wasn't fine, nothing about this situation was fine.The rest of the ride was silent, tense and heavy. I sat stiffly in the backseat of the SUV, my hands folded tightly on my thigh. Felix and Nico didn’t say a word, and I didn’t care to ask them anything either. My heart was in my mouth, and my thoughts kept circling back to Kian and Kiera. Were they okay? Had they eaten? Had Benny kept them calm? Did they miss me?Pressing my lips into a thin line, I swallowed hard, forcing myself to count to ten in my head but nothi

Chapter 123

Ruslan’s POVAtina’s sudden return from Italy was suspicious but I didn't dwell on that long enough for it to make me start snooping around and now that is my top most regret. I should have known she couldn’t be trusted and so I should be walking on nails around her but it was too late now.She had gotten so bold that despite my confrontation, she still went ahead to do what she wanted. Well, it was a fatal mistake on her end as I’m not going to let it slide. With Nico and Felix looking after Ivana in the National Gallery, my focus was on Benny and the kids who were safe to the best of my knowledge. The moment Walter confirmed Atina’s movements, times, locations and encrypted messages, I knew I was up with a familiar enemy. Since last night, we had been trying to track her down but we only got a breakthrough this morning after Walter was able to find a loophole.Lara was furious when she discovered it but my emotion remained the same. Betrayal wasn’t new to me as it just had to c

Chapter 124

Ivana’s POVDespite all Lara's effort to comfort me, I couldn’t stop crying. My kids were in danger and the mere thought of it made cold chills run through my spine.Fortunately, the response to the alarm was swift. I didn't care about anyone putting their lives on the line to get my kids, I just wanted to see them again, to hold them in my hands. That was all I wanted.At the moment, I sat curled up on the cold marble floor of the guest wing, hugging my knees with both hands and rocking slightly like that would make the world stop spinning. My chest ached from how hard I had been sobbing. My throat felt raw and my eyes burned as tears gathered on the edge.What have I done?Why the hell did I come back?Coming to Russia was supposed to be about the art exhibition, that was what Fabrizio said, that was still what Benny said. “You’ll be protected there. You and the kids.” That’s what they told me and like the fool I was, I bought it.I should’ve known better. I should have trusted m

Chapter 125

Ruslan’s POVI was fuming.Five hours had passed since Atina made her move, five agonizing and infuriating hours but still, there was nothing.There was not a single trace of her, not even a goddamn footprint that could be used to track her down. It was as if she had vanished into thin air with the children, and the mere thought of it made my blood boil.I had every resource at my disposal combing through the streets of Moscow and the countryside beyond. Drones, local informants, even our private satellite feeds were all over the country, yet nothing.Fist pumping the air in anger, I let out a loud agonizing scream that sent all my organs on fire. “Walter sent in the report." Nico said, halting several meters away. “The kids, where are they?" I asked, staring hard at the ground, hoping it wouldn't be the same response I had been hearing for the past five hours. “Nothing." I was going to yell out my lungs but something inside of me made me swallow my words as I turned around slowl

Chapter 126

Reader’s POVThe plan was, intercept Benny who had Ruslan's kids, take the kids from him and make Ruslan crumble until he gets what he wanted. But that was far-fetched now. With his hands tucked inside his pockets, Slade was pacing the dimly lit room like a madman, fury etched across his face and with every step he took. His boots thudded heavily against the wooden floor, each stride filled with the frustration of a plan that hadn’t unfolded as he imagined.He had waited patiently for this moment, for the perfect time to strike. His informant Atina, who had managed to blend in with Ruslan’s life since her return, had confirmed that Ivana and the kids were in town. The following day, it was confirmed that the kids were with Benny and since his phone had been intercepted they knew he was going to take the kids to Ruslan. That single piece of information had ignited a wildfire in him and so they all swung into action. The moment he received the signal that Benny was set to move, h

Chapter 127

Ivana’s POV“Benny told you the kids are safe." Ruslan said, causing me to halt at the foot of the stairs.Biting the inside of my cheek, I turned around to face him, my eyes glimmering with anger as my head processed a million and one thoughts at the same time. Shifting my gaze away from him, I let out a low sigh. “That is what he said before he went code blue." I said through my teeth. I didn't want to talk to him but he was forcing me to.It was a miracle that I didn't snap at him as that was what I intended to do. “And you believed him?" He sounded like I was a fool for holding onto Benny's last words. “If you have nothing else to say to me, go find my kids and bring them back to me. You are the one who caused this mess so you should clean it up." I snapped, storming up the stairs only to halt.Snapping my head to face him again, I said, “God save you if I don't get my kids back in a piece." I said with an air of finality. "You can't trust a damn word that bastard said!" Rusla

Chapter 128

Ruslan’s POVMy office felt like a goddamn prison cell and was too small to contain me.Since I left the living room, I had been pacing about like a beast trapped in a cage. I clenched and unclenched my fists by my sides, over and over again like I could squeeze the truth out of thin air if I just held on tight enough.The ticking of the clock was driving me mad. Every second that passed was another reminder that my children whom I was yet to see were missing.Slamming my fists against the table, I was going to let out a loud groan when a sharp knock came at the door, then Nico entered. His face was pale and his eyes were rimmed with the kind of exhaustion that told me he had been chasing ghosts since sunrise.“Report,” I barked.“We found out how he did it.”I stopped pacing and with my gaze fixated on him, I plopped on the couch, “Go on.” I coaxed him.“The kids were never in the car.” He said, causing me to send my teeth into my lower lips. My guts were always right. Earlier, I h

Chapter 129

Ivana’s POVWith Ruslan gone, I raised my head slowly, trying to process all what he had said but it all sounded like a drunk man talking. But looking at it from another direction, Ruslan was his brother so he knew exactly how he thinks.Benny was capable of what he has accused him of but I was hoping it was all a lie. Shifting my gaze back to the bed, my eyes landed on Benny. He was lying motionless on the bed staring at me but he said nothing. Each move I took, he followed it and now I was starting to form another theory in my head. The doctor said it was trauma, Ruslan thought it was manipulation. Me? I don’t know anymore.At some point, Benny acted like it was indeed trauma and at another point, it all looked like pretense.But right now, none of that mattered. All I knew was that I needed him to open his damn mouth and tell me where my babies were.He had said they were safe, he had whispered it but I heard it clearly as he clutched my wrist with his blood slicked fingers, lo

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