up with breakfast. As soon as Maddie saw me, she waved. "Good morning. Where's Ayla?" "She's still sleeping. I'm going to take our breakfast upstairs," I said, nodding toward the tray. "

k. "Nikolay is taking over," I said through gritted teeth. "Next time, I don't want a fvcking mistake on this." "Boss," Nikolay nodded, his face filled with conviction. "Viktor," I snapped toward him. "I've been keeping tabs on Alberto, and Mark called back with details," he started calmly and then paused. "Alberto is weak on his own, but if he had the other's alliance, then he is much stronger. He's in deep with the Mexican cartel. He wants to expand his empire. He knows the only way to weaken you is by getting the others on his side, business-wise." Sitting down, I rubbed a hand over my face, my body vibrating with rage and a thirst for my enemies' blood. Squeezing my hands in first, I closed my eyes. I thought about asking for support from the other Families. Even though I was the Pakhan, the Boss-the Russian Mafia consisted of four families in all. They would come to my help if asked...but I had to deal with this crap on my own. For now. When I heard the door, my eyes snapped open to see Phoenix coming in. "Boss," he greeted with a nod. "What the fvck happened to you?" Viktor asked, looking at Phoenix in astonishment. I was wondering the same thing. The right side of Phoenix's face was red, quickly turning purple and forming a bruise, and his nose was bleeding a little. "Maddie punched me," he stated calmly, his face expressionless. Artur's face turned stoic at the mention of Maddie's name, and he turned to Phoenix, moving into his face. "What did you do to her?" Phoenix stood up straighter, his shoulders bunching tensely. His eyes turned a shade darker as he replied, acting almost nonchalant. "Why don't you ask her?" Artur's expression was almost murderous, but Nikolay quickly stepped in. "Phoenix, what is the meaning of this?" Instead of answering, he turned to me and reported back. "There was a fight at one the clubs. Two were badly injured. The mess was cleaned up before the police came. Everything is clear." I nodded. "What about the underground rings?" "The underground rings are running perfectly. We got two more fighters. They're really good. The best, I would say," Phoenix replied. "They fight for blood." And that was exactly what the underground rings were about. Blood. Either death or win. We could make millions in one night. Easy fvcking money. Nodding, I closed my eyes and leaned back against my chair. I didn't have to say anything else. They knew the meeting was finished. I heard my men shuffling around and the door opening. "Viktor," I called out without opening my eyes. "Yeah?" "Call Lyov and Isaak." Maybe I needed their help. Viktor swore under his breath but didn't say anything else. The door closed and then silence. The silence was almost suffocating, and my skin prickled with tension. I clenched my hands in fists and then unclenched them again. Doing that for some time, I tried to control the monster inside of me. Ayla's face suddenly flashed behind my closed eyes. Just the thought of her calmed me, and I felt the rage slowly diminish. Angel. . Maddie💕 . My muscles ached as I quickly undressed. I needed sleep. Like now. But I knew Artur was supposed to visit me, so I waited. I was combing my hair when I saw the door open in the mirror's reflection. He closed the door behind him and walked toward me. "Hmm...that's what I like to see," he murmured, his lustful eyes raking over my naked body. Artur stood behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me to him. "Do you know how beautiful you are?" he asked, placing a kiss on my shoulder. "You tell me every day, but I'm not complaining. I wouldn't mind if you say it one more time," I replied, placing my hand over his arm. "You are so beautiful that you take my breath away. The sexiest woman I've ever seen," he muttered, his arms tightening around my waist in an almost bruising grip. "And all mine," he growled possessively. "Yours," I moaned. His hand wandered toward my already weeping pussy, and I felt myself clench in anticipation. But then he stopped. I moaned in protest, my head falling back against his shoulder. "Damn it. Artur, stop teasing me." My eyes opened, and I stared at our reflection in the mirror. I saw him frowning, his eyebrows pulled together thoughtfully. "I was wondering. Why did you punch Phoenix?" My eyes widened at his question, and I froze. How did he know that? "Wha-What?" I sputtered. "Phoenix's face was a mess this morning. And he said you punched him. What did he do? Is he being a problem?" he asked, placing his chin on my shoulder as he looked into my eyes through the reflection. My throat went dry at the question, my hands clenched in fist, my nails digging into my skin. My legs were wrapped around Artur's hips as he pressed me against the wall. His lips claimed mine in a bruising kiss. "Good morning," he muttered. "I like how you say good morning," I laughed against his lips. His fingers tightened on my hips, and I kissed him again. When I pulled back, I caught a glimpse of Phoenix standing behind Artur, his expression almost painful and murderous. "Artur, Boss is looking for you," he snapped. Artur pulled away from me and glanced behind his back at Phoenix. "Okay." Putting me down, he gave me a quick peck on the lips. "I'll see you tonight." "Okay," I replied, smiling up at him. He turned around and gave Phoenix a nod before going upstairs. Phoenix didn't move. He kept his eyes locked on mine. I saw his hands fisted at his sides. "What is your problem?" I asked almost angrily. "Every time you see me with Artur, you act like some type of caveman. This has gone on for too long now." He silently took a step forward, and I paused in my furious rant. Phoenix stalked toward me and stopped when our bodies were just inches apart and I was forced against the wall. Swallowing nervously at his close proximity, I took a deep breath and then glared up at him. "Move away, moron. Ever heard of personal space?" When he didn't, I placed my hands over his chest to push him away. "What the fvck is your problem?" I hissed, but he didn't move. Instead, he grabbed my hands and held them to his chest. Before I could blink or think, his other arm quickly snaked around my waist. He pulled me into his body, his hold unyielding. "What th-" I started to say, but he cut me off. "Shut up." And then he slammed his lips on mine. I gasped in shock, and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue in my mouth. I didn't move at first, but instinctively, I surrendered to his kiss. My lips moved over his, tentatively at first. He growled low in his chest and deepened the kiss. He pulled back and glared down at me. "This. This is my fvcking problem," he said, brushing his thumb over my sensitive lips. Gasping, I pushed him away and stumbled back into the wall. "You jerk," I whispered, wiping my lips with the back of my hand. "How dare you?" "You kissed me back. You want this." "I'm with Artur," I murmured in shock. "He doesn't matter," he replied, his face expressionless. "Fvck you!" I said through gritted teeth, my breathing harsh to my own ears. "That's what I'm saying." Moving forward in a flash, I reared back and punched him in the face. He swore loudly and held his nose. "Keep your hands off me. I swear to God, you come near me again, I will hurt you." I walked away, leaving him behind. But as I went, my eyes prickled with hot tears. Blinking them away, I refused to let them fall. How dare he? After everything...after so long...why now? The sound of my name brought me back to the prese