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Scarlett

I hum softly as I stand in front of the mirror, brushing my hair into soft waves. My reflection stares back at me, a far cry from the restless, grieving woman I was just weeks ago. The mansion’s golden morning light pours through the grand windows, casting a warm glow across the luxurious room I now call my own—or rather, Viktor’s.

Life with Viktor has been ... different. In the past four weeks, we’ve found a rhythm, a fragile harmony amidst the chaos of our circumstances. His quiet protectiveness, the way he softens just for me, and his unspoken promises to keep me safe all play in my mind as I prepare for the day. There’s no denying that the walls between us are crumbling, brick by stubborn brick.

After getting dressed, I join Alina and Yelena for a Monopoly game in the lounge. The laughter between us is light and genuine. Despite their intimidating Bratva upbringing, the twins have a charm that’s impossible to resist. They may have been raised in mega wealth, but they sure do not know how to flaunt it.

“Yelena, are you sure you want to make that move?” I tease, my voice dripping with playful skepticism as she hovers over a property card.

Her eyes narrow at me, and she smirks. “Oh, don’t think I’ve forgotten how ruthless you are, Scarlett. You’re enjoying bankrupting me, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” I admit with a grin, leaning back in my chair.

“You know what’s interesting?” Alina chimes in, her tone laced with mischief. “How you said you’d never fall for our brother, and yet here you are, glowing like a woman in love. You may have to hug that porcupine.”

“Pregnancy hormones,” I counter quickly, waving them off. “That’s all this is.”

The twins exchange knowing glances, identical smirks playing on their lips. They’re not buying it, and honestly, neither am I.

In the middle of Yelena’s turn, my phone buzzes against the glass tabletop. I glance at the screen and instantly smile. Marina.

“Excuse me, ladies,” I say, grabbing my phone and stepping away. “My prodigal friend has returned.”

I swipe to answer. “Well, look who finally decided to call. Which part of the globe are you crawling out from now?”

Marina’s familiar laugh filters through the phone. “I’m back, Scarlett, and I went to your house. But your neighbor told me you hadn’t been seen for weeks. What’s going on?”

My chest tightens slightly at her words. I miss her, but I’m not ready to explain everything over the phone. Viktor’s world, my pregnancy, and the whirlwind of emotions swirling in my life aren’t simple topics.

“Let’s catch up in person,” I say, keeping my tone light. “Lunch at our usual spot?”

“Deal. Don’t keep me waiting, Scar.”

Determined to go out, I make my way through the sprawling mansion, my heels clicking against the polished floors. My heart feels lighter than it has in days as I stride toward Viktor’s office.

When I reach his door, it is slightly ajar. Viktor sits at his desk, the epitome of power and focus. His strong hands shuffle through a stack of documents, and his piercing eyes scan them with laser-sharp intensity. The tattoos on his arms shift with his movements, captivating me in a way I can’t explain.

Unable to resist the urge to shake him out of his focus, I shut the door and sashay towards him. Raising my dress slowly, I flash my black lace underpants. His reaction is immediate—a sharp intake of breath followed by a low growl of surprise.

“Scarlett,” he warns, his voice gravelly with a mix of amusement and arousal. His large hands grip my wrists firmly, pulling me onto his lap to straddle him.

Before I know it, Viktor’s lips are on mine, and the world around us fades away. His kiss is demanding, passionate, and all-consuming. I respond instinctively, my hands tangling in his hair as our breaths mingle. The fire between us is undeniable.

Without so much as a foreplay, he pulls his pants down, shifts my underpants, and plunges into me. I guess there is no need for foreplay; the sight of him has me dripping wet already. His rigid cock fills to the hilt, and I close my eyes and moan out in pleasure.

“Open your eyes krasivy,” he says in a hoarse voice. “I want you to see me fuck you.”

My eyes fly open and lock on him, and I see raw pleasure in his eyes. His muscles bunch from holding and guiding my waist. Everything about him screams power, and at this moment, I feel even more powerful knowing that I, Scarlett Wood, have Viktor Makarov craving for me. The feel of his cock sliding in and out of my wet pussy drives me to the edge, and before long, I topple over, taking Viktor along with me.

After we regain our breath, I try to pull away, but Viktor holds me down. He tugs my head to rest on his shoulder as he strokes my hair. I feel his cork stirring again, and I feel relief knowing I’m not the only one with an insatiable appetite. I pull away from his chest and look into his eyes. Viktor’s gaze is heavy, filled with desire and something deeper that I can’t quite name.

Without a word, I turn around and rest my hand on his table. Allowing him to slide back into my cum wet slit from behind. The slushing and slapping sound of us having sex drives me wild, and I wiggle my bum to match his thrusts. His hand snakes under my arm and cups my giggling breasts while his wet, hot lips drop feathery kisses on my spine. A shiver of undiluted pleasure travels from the root of my hair to the soles of my feet as a deep tremor follows my release.

I hear him groan out my name as he joins me.

“It’s a good thing you are already pregnant,” he huffs. “Otherwise, this would have ensured it.”

“Then I have to be careful after the twins are born.” Then, I add it as an afterthought to see his reaction. “That is if I’d still be here.”

“You will be here,” he says factually. “You are mine, Scarlett.”

I laugh gently as he pulls some tissue from a box on his desk. “Is this why you have them handy on your desk?”

“Things can always be repurposed for a more efficient use,” he says with a glint in his eyes.

After cleaning up and catching my breath, I turn back to him, red-cheeked. “I came here to ask you something.”

“I would have sworn you came to seduce me.”

“I got sidetracked.”

“Then feel free to be sidetracked anytime.”

I laughed while shaking my head at him. “I need to visit my house,” I say softly, resting my hand on his chest. “There are some personal things I need to get.”

Viktor’s expression hardens immediately. “No.”

His protective instincts are on full display, and I can see the battle waging within him as he considers my request. “It’s too dangerous,” he says firmly.

“Viktor,” I say, meeting his intense gaze, “I need this. I’ve already given up so much. I need a piece of my life back. A piece of normalcy.”

After a long silence, Viktor finally nods, albeit reluctantly. “Fine. But my men will follow you. No arguments.”

“Can they follow me from afar? I plead. “I’m not used to walking around with guards.”

“Fine.” He concedes reluctantly, and I squeal in delight.

As I leave Viktor’s office, I plant a quick kiss on his cheek, earning a rare smile from him. His concern lingers in his eyes as he watches me go, but I know he understands.

Arriving at my house, I’m struck by how normal everything looks. Viktor’s men have been meticulous in cleaning up the chaos left behind during my abduction. I quickly pick up some of my belongings, my thoughts racing. Just as I leave the house, Marina calls to inform me she is already at the restaurant.

Cucina di Rosa is a time capsule of our carefree past, its walls adorned with pictures of Italy and strings of garlic. We slide into our usual booth, and I feel the weight of my secret like a pebble in my shoe. Marina's eyes, sharp as ever, study me over the rim of her wine glass.

“Common Bunny, spill the beans already.”

I take a fortifying sip of water, set down the glass, and meet her stare. “I’m pregnant ... and in love with a Russian Mafia boss.” There, I’ve said it all in one breath.

Her jaw drops, and I brace myself for the torrent of questions. She blinks once, twice. " Pregnant? For who now?"

He's ..." Words catch in my throat as I grapple with the reality of my story and how much I want to divulge about Viktor. "His name is Viktor, and he is a leader in the Russian Mafia."

Marina scrambled backward in her seat, her hand flying to her mouth. “Where and how did you get yourself entangled with the Russian Mob, Scar?” She asks with a mix of fear and shock.

“You have your share of the blame.” I eyeball Marina jokingly. “Because I met him at the club, and you took me there.”

“To dance and earn money for your mom,” she whispers agitatedly. “Not get yourself entangled with danger.”

“I’ll be fine.” I smile.

“Love does truly make people blind. And stupid. And deaf too, because I’m sure nothing I say will bring you back to your senses.”

“No. Nothing. I’m a lost cause.”

Silence crashes down around us like a breaking wave. Marina's expression is full of worry as she eyes me.

"Are you ... Are you okay with this?" Her question cuts through the tension.

"More than okay. I've fallen for him, Marina. Hard." There, I’ve admitted it. It hangs between us, a truth too big to take back.

"Scarlett, this is—" She stops, shakes her head, and reaches across the table, her hand finding mine. "This is huge."

"I know," I whisper, feeling the edges of my new world sharpen into focus. "But it's where I'm supposed to be."

Her grip tightens, a lifeline thrown across the chasm of my decisions. "Then I'm here for you. No matter what."

"Thank you," I squeeze her hand back, gratitude flooding my chest.

“So, when do I get an invite to this Mafia mansion? Marina asks coyly. “I’ll need one of those handsome oak tree Russian men.”

“You have more than your fair share of men.”

“The more the merrier.”

We both burst out laughing and I shake my head. Knowing that Marina will never change. But I wouldn’t want her any other way.