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A lot had happened in the last five years; a lot of significant changes and advancements had occurred in my life and business. For starters, I was half a decade older now, and with that came a shitload of pressure and marital concerns.

My advisers stated the obvious: that I wasn't getting any younger and that it was time to settle down and have my own family. Of course, I knew that. I just hadn't found the right person yet.

The woman that could have been the right one decided to flee from me like I was some kind of monster. Until today, I still thought about her, even though most times, I tried not to. She'd crept deep into my heart and occupied a vast majority of my mind, making it almost impossible to forget her.

However, she had made her choice. She'd run away from me. But how did she manage to pull that off in such a short period of time?

I knew she was smart, but I had never thought she was that smart. And to think she'd actually stayed hidden for five fucking years. Damn! I shouldn't have underestimated her. No one had ever pulled a stunt like that with me, yet she did it effortlessly, and she succeeded.

How? How did she do that?

This question had lingered on the fringes of my mind since that fateful night, and sadly, I hadn't been able to find the answer to that. Maybe she was in league with someone else, someone really good at making people disappear. That would make sense. It was the only logical explanation, anyway.

I was almost certain that as smart as she was, there was no way in hell that she would've escaped the house by herself. She had help from someone. Perhaps the delivery guy.

After she left the house, I had the best of my men searching for her, scouring the city day and night. However, she was nowhere to be found. It was as though she had just vanished without a trace.

I instructed Andrey to keep an eye on her family and find out what they knew. But it turned out that they, too, had no clue where their daughter was. Her mother had nearly lost her mind at the thought of her daughter going missing.

She left everything behind just to get away from me, including her family. Why? Why did she do that? What did I ever do to her to make her fear me so much?

It didn't make sense that she'd abandon her life and parents simply because she witnessed me taking a life. Was that enough reason for her to vanish without a trace?

For five years, the answers I was searching for had slipped through my fingers, and I loathed being in the dark. She disappeared and left me with a ton of questions that no one could provide the answers to. That was wicked.

Two things bothered me the most about this situation. One, how she was able to outsmart me from within the confines of her apartment. And two, the reason she left everything and everyone she ever cared about just to get away from me.

I was interested in her motive, in what drove her to take such a drastic decision. Ravyn fucking abandoned everything! Why? The driving force behind this course of action was beyond the fear for her own life. There was something more. But what was it?

As time went by, the zeal to search for her dwindled with each passing day. She clearly didn't want to be found, and I couldn't help but be impressed by her ability to stay hidden for so long. She had proven by her action that she was smarter than me, and that pricked my pride.

She'd broken the record by becoming the first person on the fucking planet that I couldn't find. However, as remarkable as that achievement was, it only fueled my rage.

It was useless putting so many resources into finding someone who did all that they could to elude me. So, instead of wasting my time on such an insignificant act, I decided to move on and take the Bratva more seriously than before.

The thing with that fucking traitor, Arseni, had cost the organization a lot in losses. But with my head back in the game, I was able to draw strategic plans to get us back in business.

Over the last two or three years, our organization regained all we'd lost—double-fold. I occupied my mind with productive thoughts, which proved quite helpful over time.

The Tarasov Bratva grew stronger than it had ever been. We carved our name deeper in the heart of the criminal underworld, intensifying the fear and respect our organization commanded.

Our numbers grew by the day as everyone wanted to be a part of something great. Our previous competitors were now insignificant, for we had climbed high up the ladder of success, power, wealth, and influence. In simple terms, we were way beyond their reach.

However, in this line of work, the more successful one got, the more enemies one made. New threats emerged every time we hit another threshold. But unfortunately for them, the Tarasov Bratva was next to invincible. Whatever posed a threat to us, we'd neutralize with immediate effect.

The Bratva had always been a force to be reckoned with. But recently, as we took a different approach in business our reputation had evolved. The fear that once commanded respect now inspired outright terror. Our name was whispered in dread, and our influence had tripled in strength.

All of these achievements were possible because I decided to think of something more productive than the woman who left me.

In readiness to settle down and start my own family, I got engaged to a woman. I could no longer endure the pressure from my advisers and family members, so I did what they wanted.

She wasn't Ravyn, but at least this union would strengthen both our families. This marriage would be nothing but a business strategy from which the two sides involved would benefit.

I sat in my chair at the head of the long, polished mahogany table, my piercing gaze sweeping across the serious-faced men before me. This was the fifth deal this week that the Bratva was closing with yet another powerful organization.

The grand conference room with high ceilings and walls was adorned with rich, dark wood paneling and plush carpet. The men, dressed in impeccably tailored suits, sat in their chairs, exuding an air of confidence as they discussed the content of the deal.

I reclined in my chair, eyes narrowing as I listened to the Irish mob's deliberations. These men were trying to be cunning, attempting to trick us into accepting their terms and conditions. Their leader, Seamus, seemed hell-bent on negotiating a better deal, but I could see the desperation behind those tricky green eyes of his.

As smart as that might appear to be, it was folly, considering that this partnership would benefit them more.

Fingers absently drumming against the armrest, I let him speak, knowing the upper hand was mine.

“…and we're willing to offer a 20% stake in our operations,” Seamus said, a hint of a brogue in his voice as he leaned back in his chair, anticipating my response.

“20%, you say?” My brows arched, my gaze piercing.

A glint of concern flashed in his eyes, and his brows subtly knitted together. “That's a fair deal, no?”

I scoffed, my lips curling up into a faint smirk. “You're trying to be clever, Seamus.” My eyes bore into his, my expression unreadable as I leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Let me make one thing clear,” I began, my voice deepening, dripping with seriousness. “This partnership will go exactly as the contract says. No renegotiations. No hidden clauses.”

His jaw tightened ever so slightly, faint creases lining his forehead, accentuating the displeasure etched on his face. But I couldn't care less.

“You'll get the benefits we've outlined, and we'll get the cooperation we need. Take it or leave it,” I concluded, my voice laced with finality, leaving no room for debate.

He went silent for a moment, a cautioned murmur rising amongst his entourage as they exchanged glances. Seamus hesitated, his gaze shifting across his associates before returning to me.

We locked eyes for a while, and for a second there, I thought he was going to walk away, but then his shoulder sagged slightly. “Alright. We'll take it.”

An almost undetectable smirk played on my lips as a sense of triumph waved over me. “Excellent,” I said. “I’ll have our lawyers draw up the final documents.”

Seamus rose to his feet, and so did his associates. His shoes clicked on the polished marble floor as he walked over to me, his expression stoic.

I pushed back and got out of my chair, accepting his extended hand. “Let's get the partnership started.”

We shook on it, and he said, a fiery glint flickering in his eyes, “I can't wait to see how this goes.”

I'd played this game long enough to know a threat when I heard one, no matter how subtle it may sound.

I flashed a glaring smirk, my firm grip tightening against his. “Likewise.”

Our gazes bore into one another, the air thick with tension and anticipation. I could sense his unease despite his feeble attempt at masking it. After I let go of his hand, he nodded and signaled his associates to leave with him.

Seamus wasn't pleased with the outcome of this meeting. He and his men knew they were getting the raw end of this deal, but they also knew that refusing my offer would mean missing out on a lucrative opportunity.

Soon, they left the conference room with my own associates following behind them. Andrey, seeing that we were alone, approached me with something that resembled a smile on his face. “Boss, there's something you should know—”

“Lev, darling!” Sophia interrupted, gliding into the room, her heels echoing off the high walls.

“Oh, God!” I grumbled under my breath, pinching the bridge of my nose as she drew closer.

With a gentle nod, Andrey withdrew and saw himself out, granting me the unwanted privacy that my fiancée's arrival had brought.

Sophia was an elegant woman from one of the most influential families in the city. She was practically every man's dream: beautiful, smoking hot, and fucking rich, not to mention obedient.

Her family's connection and power made her the perfect woman to wife up. At least, that was what my advisers believed. I, on the other hand, was just moving with the flow, willing to do anything so long as it benefitted the Bratva.

Sophia was blessed with a model's shape, tall and skinny but in a sexy way. She had an amazing smile, and her hazel-brown eyes sparkled like diamonds. Her wavy dark hair always fell loosely over her shoulders, adding a touch of elegance to her appearance.

Today, she wore a crisp white crop top that exposed her flat tummy over a pair of tight blue jeans. Black stilettos complemented her overall look, and her porcelain skin simmered in the lights.

As hot as she was, I’d never found her attractive, and this was a huge problem, considering she was the woman I'd tie the knot with.

Sophia halted in front of me, her arms wrapped around my neck as she kissed my lips. I couldn't kiss back; I hadn't been able to bring myself to do so yet. Her touch had always repulsed me, igniting a flicker of irritation within me. But as always, I'd manage to squeeze out a smile.

“You look tired,” she said, resting her forehead against mine, her breath brushing over my skin.

“Yeah…I had a long day,” I replied, my voice faint and my body subtly pulling away from this uncomfortable position she'd trapped me in.

“You should get some rest.” She kissed my cheek and took a step back, her gaze locked on me.

I nodded, rubbing my forehead.

Surely, Sophia could read between the lines. She could tell that I wasn't that into her, yet she wouldn't stop coming at me. Underneath that good girl vibe she had going on was a version of herself she hadn't shown me yet.

Sophia's energy seemed so unreal, almost like she was faking it so I'd take an interest in her.

She glanced at her watch. “Oh, shoot!” came the soft exclamation, as though she had just realized she was running late for an appointment. “I gotta run, honey.” She picked up her bag from the table and kissed me again before heading out. “Don't forget the gala tonight!” she added, her voice dripping with sweet obligation.

I let out a sigh, fingers massaging my eyeballs as she walked out of the conference room, shutting the door behind her.

I should like Sophia, regardless of whether she was fake or not. She had everything needed to entice me, but for some reason, I couldn't stop comparing her to Ravyn.

The sooner I understood that those were two completely different women, the better it would be for me. I should learn to appreciate Sophia's efforts instead of being cold toward her.

As much as I wished she was more like Ravyn, she simply was not. But at least she was here with me. Ravyn wasn't.

Later, in the cool evening, I stood by the window in my office, sipping from a glass of vodka. I stared out, the city skyline spreading before me like a canvas of twinkling lights, but my attention was drawn inward.

Thoughts of Ravyn wouldn't let me be. Images of her face flashed in my head; her laughter, her enchanting smile, and that one night we shared together wouldn't stop replaying in my mind.

As I sipped from my glass, my thoughts began to unravel, memories of Ravyn flooding my consciousness. The more I tried to push back the images of her face, the more they wove together into a tapestry of moments we shared.

“Boss.” Andrey's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I took another sip and turned to face him, his lips twitching at the corners. His eyes had the same look as back in the conference room. Andrey seemed a little bit thrilled about something, and he would’ve told me what it was before if Sophia hadn't interrupted.

Now, I was curious, my brows furrowing slightly. “Don't just stand there. Spill,” I instructed, my anticipation growing by the second.

“We've got a lead,” he declared, looking into my eyes.

My heart stopped for a moment because even as vague as his words were, a part of me knew what he was talking about. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine, my chest heaving slowly.

“One of our men spotted a woman matching Ravyn's exact description,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.

Hearing her name on his lips, and the possibility that I would finally have the answers to the questions that plagued me for years, stole my breath away.

He continued, “She's living a simple life in a small coastal town, and uh….” He paused, breaking eye contact with me. Andrey cleared his throat, as if bracing himself for my reaction. “It appears she has a…family.”

His words echoed in my head, striking a nerve as a jolt of anger surged through me. I tightened my jaw, my chest constricting from all that fury swelling within.

Family? I thought, a scowl settling on my face. The idea that she belonged to someone else fueled my rage, prompting my brows to furrow with deep creases between them.

Another's hands had touched her skin. She had sex with someone else and even had a family with them. My teeth gritted at this thought, eyes blazing with fury.

I tightened my hand around the glass until it cracked. My body trembled at this revelation, and I set the glass on the table before I ended up shattering it.

This whole time, she'd been with another man, building a family with him?

I jerked my head. “Confirm that it's her,” I ordered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, and as he was about to leave, I added, “Andrey.”

He stopped in his tracks.

“Get the jet ready,” I instructed, turning to look out the window. “I want to see for myself,” I muttered under my breath.

If, indeed, the woman they spotted was Ravyn, then she had a lot of explaining to do.

At last, I'd found her after all this time.

Ravyn had no idea what was about to hit her, and I found comfort in that. In my head, I pictured the look on her face when we'd finally meet again. Oh, how satisfying it would be to gaze upon the terror in her eyes.