Chapter 83
Ariel
I sat up with all traces of sleep disappearing from my eyes. “You’re leaving for Russia?” My voice was raspy as I was completely bewildered.
“That’s the only way to solve this. I won’t sit back and allow someone to take away what I’ve worked hard for years. I was given this position because I merited it, not because I was my late father’s favorite. Even Vladimir understands this,” He replied blankly.
Filled with despair, I latched onto his hands desperately. “Then why don’t you speak with Nikolai? There must be something he wants from you,”
He withdrew his hand slowly from mine and shook his head. “I’m not going to do that, Princess. It will only cause more harm than good,”
“Can’t you put your pride aside and think about your family for once? Liora was so worried when you didn’t return and we are just beginning to bond as a family. Does being Capo mean more than us?” I threw the questions without thinking, peering at his stoic expression that he used as a facade to keep his true emotions hidden.
He stretched and turned off the bed lamp. “Let’s go to bed, Ariel. I have a long day tomorrow,” He replied coldly and covered himself with the duvet.
My eyes brimmed with hot tears as I gazed at his huge, unmoving figure. Once again I was hurt and he didn’t look like he was ready to apologize.
Just when I thought that we had crossed this stage, his nonchalant attitude had to whisk me away from my reverie.
Maybe he’d never change, and maybe I just had to stop sulking up to him, but before I gave up, I had to find a solution to this mess.
I glanced at him once more and hopped out of the bed. A few minutes ago, I’d anticipated sleeping peacefully with his arms wrapped around me, but now I didn’t want to be anywhere close to him.
Unable to search for another nightwear, I tossed on a robe and waltzed to my old room.
~~~
The first rays of sunlight poured into my room, jolting me away from restless sleep. Another day had dawned, bringing back to my memory the reminder of my problems that never seemed to end.
My fingers subconsciously brushed the other side of my bed and the harsh reality hit me hard in the face. My eyes flashed open and then I remembered how I’d angrily stormed out of our bedroom to sleep here.
Slowly, I crept out of the bed and stretched, fighting back a yawn. Mentally, I’d made a list of things I was to achieve today and sleeping throughout the day wasn’t a part of it.
My stomach grumbled, subtly reminding me of its emptiness. I hadn’t eaten much because I was deeply worried about his whereabouts and when he returned, he sapped me of the remaining food I managed to conserve.
Quickly, I took a shower and headed to the kitchen in a pair of blue baggy jeans and a bright pink tank top that accentuated my pale complexion.
Surprisingly, Dmitri was at the table, his eyes glued to the tablet’s screen. I ignored him and hugged Liora who was munching her pancake happily.
“Good morning, mom. Did you enjoy your sleep?” She questioned innocently.
My cheeks reddened immediately as I glanced at Dmitri who took his eyes off the tablet and regarded me with a knowing look, a faint smile pulling at his mouth.
My gaze lingered on those well-shaped lips that worshipped my body last night and I shuddered, shaking off the thought. I was supposed to be mad at him, not reminiscing our very passionate moment from last night.
The memories from last night flooded my mind and I fanned myself with my hands even though the air conditioner blew cold air.
“Sure… I had a very long night,” I played with the strands of my hair and settled onto a chair.
Dmitri chose that moment to stand up and cross over to Liora. He ruffled her hair and planted a kiss on her cheeks. “Daddy is going out now. Make sure you enjoy your day, okay?”
“Yes, Daddy,” She chirped.
He turned away, marching toward the door when Liora stopped him.
“Aren’t you going to kiss Mummy?” She batted her lashes sweetly.
My gaze swept from Dmitri to her. “Liora!” I called in embarrassment.
“I’m so sorry, honey. I’ll kiss her now,” He apologized and approached me in sure, cocky strides.
My heart thudded faster as I anticipated his lips on mine. His lips grazed mine, lingering for a moment and then he squeezed my arm gently and stowed away.
I drew in a deep breath and focused on my breakfast.
It didn’t take long for me to finish up and then I went to the garage where Fedor was waiting to drive me out. Fortunately, he didn’t ask where I was going because I wasn’t ready to tell him that.
We stopped at a penthouse and then I got out of the car just like he did.
“What are we doing here?” He was visibly puzzled.
“You already know whose house we’re in,” I replied and grabbed his arm when he reached for his phone. “Don’t call him. I’ll be fine, just wait for me here,” I stopped him.
Reluctantly, he returned the phone to his pocket and I waltzed off. Even though Vladimir and I weren’t on good terms, he wouldn’t dare do anything to hurt me because of the respect he had for his brother.
I pressed the doorbell and I took in deep breaths to prepare myself for whatever I might be faced with.
The door swung open and our eyes met with his brows furrowed. “Good morning,” I tried to sound excited though I felt like ripping his heart out of his chest for hurting my friend the way he did.
“What are you doing here?” He folded his thickly muscled arms and leaned against the doorframe.
“Good morning to you too,” I retorted and walked past him into the living room.
My eyes did a quick scan around the house which was surprisingly clean and quiet. Maybe his senses had returned.
“Again, I ask, what are you doing in my house? Does your husband know that you are here?” His tone sounded irritated, but I didn’t care.
I quit scrutinizing the room and met his gaze squarely. “I’ll tell you why I’m here after you get seated,”
He ran his fingers through his hair and plopped down on the couch, stretching his arm over the crest rail. “I’m seated. Fire on,”
“I know that I shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t sit back and watch Dmitri make a wrong decision,”
A snort cracked through his lips. “I know my brother and one thing I’m sure of is that he doesn’t make hasty decisions. That’s how he has been able to successfully lead this gang since our father died,”
“Maybe you should tell him that because he has forgotten,”
“What are you talking about?”
“He wants to leave for Russia,” I dropped the bombshell and his eyes widened.
“You must be joking. He never mentioned that to me even though we were together for a while yesterday,”
A slice of excitement ran through me upon hearing that I was the first person he had informed about his plans.
“Well, that’s what he said and I’m strongly against it. I know that the drug trade is being sabotaged and his position is under threat, but shouldn’t he stay back and fish out the rats?” I asked.
“It’s not that easy…”
He was interrupted by a firm pounding emanating from the front door. Swiftly, he dashed to the door, mumbling inaudible words to himself.
He opened the door and froze, piquing my curiosity. I joined him at the door and stared at the man who had the spitting image of both Dmitri and Vladimir combined.
Only one man came to my mind.
“Nikolai,” I muttered audibly and he smirked at me.
“Good to see you, Ariel. Never knew that I would get to see you in person so soon,” His smirk twisted into a vicious smile that had me questioning my reasons for coming here.