Page 13

Sarah

I sit across from Ivan in his study, the room dimly lit by the warm glow of the desk lamp. My laptop is open in front of me, the screen casting a faint blue light on my face as I wait for Sophia’s response. The tension in the room is thick, palpable, and I’m all too aware of the other people present—Maxim, leaning against the wall with a calculated expression, and an IT expert seated nearby, monitoring the connection as we prepare to make our move.

It’s Ivan who has my attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch him watching me, a smirk playing on his lips. The memory of last night flashes through my mind, unbidden and overwhelming. I can still feel the way his hands moved over my body, the way he claimed me so completely. It wasn’t just the physical act—it was the way he made me forget everything else, every pain, every sorrow, until all that existed was him.

A blush rises to my cheeks, and I quickly look away, focusing on the laptop in front of me. It’s wrong, I remind myself. So wrong to be thinking about him this way, to be obsessing over his touch when I know exactly who he is—what he is. Ivan Sharov is Mafia, through and through, a man who thrives in this world of violence and power. I, on the other hand, want nothing more than to escape this hell. Yet, here I am, my thoughts consumed by him.

The screen flickers, and a notification pops up. My breath catches as I see Sophia’s name. She’s responded. My heart beats faster, and I can feel the tension in the room spike as everyone becomes acutely aware of what’s happening.

“She’s calling,” I say, my voice steady, though my heart is pounding in my chest. I hit accept, and Sophia’s voice comes through the speakers, a mix of relief and worry.

“Sarah? Oh my God, are you okay?” Sophia’s voice is filled with concern, the worry in her tone cutting through the tension in the room. I’m suddenly hit with a wave of guilt. Sophia doesn’t know she’s being used as a pawn in this deadly game. She’s just a friend trying to help.

“I’m… managing,” I reply, keeping my voice calm and neutral. My fingers move swiftly across the keyboard as I initiate the hack, the software quickly gaining access to her device. The IT expert beside me watches closely, nodding slightly as everything runs smoothly.

“I’m so sorry, Sarah,” Sophia continues, her voice trembling slightly. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t… if I had just been more careful, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

I feel a pang of guilt at her words. She’s blaming herself for something that’s entirely out of her control, and it makes this all the more difficult. “Sophia, it’s not your fault,” I say, keeping my voice steady, though my heart is heavy. “You couldn’t have known.”

As we talk, the hack completes, and I’m in. The IT expert gives me a nod, confirming that we now have full access to Sophia’s phone. My fingers hover over the keys, hesitation creeping in for just a moment. There’s no going back now. I’ve made my choice, and I have to see it through.

“I have to go,” I say, cutting the conversation short. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Wait, Sarah—” Sophia’s voice is cut off as I end the call, the line going dead. The room falls into a tense silence, everyone waiting for the next move.

I close my laptop, leaning back in the chair, trying to steady my breath. The weight of what I’ve just done settles heavily on my shoulders. I’ve betrayed my best friend, used her for my own survival. The reality of it stings, but I force myself to push the guilt aside. This is the world I’m in now, and there’s no room for weakness.

Ivan’s smirk hasn’t faded, and he watches me with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. He knows what this means—we’re one step closer to getting what he wants. He knows that I’m fully aware of the cost.

“You did well,” Ivan says, his voice smooth and calm, as if what just transpired was nothing more than a routine business deal. He leans forward slightly, his gaze locked on mine, and I can feel the intensity in his stare. It’s unsettling, the way he looks at me, as if he can see right through the mask I’m trying to wear.

“Thanks,” I reply, my voice quieter now, the confidence I’d mustered earlier beginning to fade. I can still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin, the way he made me forget everything but him. The memory is a distraction I can’t afford, but it lingers, pulling at the edges of my mind.

Maxim pushes off the wall, crossing the room to stand beside Ivan. “What’s next?” he asks, his tone all business.

“We wait,” Ivan replies, his gaze never leaving mine. “Sarah’s done her part. Now, it’s up to us.”

I focus intently on the screen in front of me, my fingers flying over the keys as I dig deeper into Sophia’s account. Every instinct I have tells me that Kace would have transferred the money to her—hidden in plain sight, where no one would think to look. As the data begins to filter through, I feel a surge of satisfaction when I see it—clear as day. The money has been transferred to Sophia’s account, just as I suspected.

A smirk tugs at the corners of my mouth as I quickly initiate the transfer, rerouting the funds back into the Bratva’s account. It’s all so simple, really. Kace thought he could outsmart me, thought he could hide his dirty money under the guise of his innocent daughter’s accounts. But he underestimated me. He always has.

The confirmation of the successful transfer appears on the screen, and I sit back, a wave of relief washing over me. It’s done. I’ve done exactly what Ivan needed, and now the Bratva has their money back—and then some.

Ivan steps closer, leaning over to get a glimpse of the screen. His gaze flickers to me, and I can see the approval in his eyes. “You have skill, Sarah,” he admits, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. “You’re more useful than I initially gave you credit for.”

The others in the room nod in agreement, murmuring their approval as they gather their things and prepare to leave. One by one, they filter out, leaving Ivan and me alone in the study. The tension that lingers between us is palpable, and I can feel the weight of his gaze on me as I close my laptop.

Once the door clicks shut behind the last person, Ivan turns to me, his expression serious. “Work for me, Sarah,” he says, his voice soft but commanding. “You’ve proven yourself more than capable. I can offer you protection, power—anything you need.”

I shake my head, the thought of continuing this life making my chest tighten. “I can’t, Ivan. I can’t stay in this world. I need a way out—a safe escape. This isn’t the life I want.”

He steps closer, his presence overwhelming, and I can see the conflict in his eyes. I know what I’m asking isn’t simple. I know that leaving this world behind is almost impossible, but it’s the only thing I’ve wanted for so long. I’ve been trapped in this life, surrounded by violence, betrayal, and fear. I need to get out before it consumes me entirely.

“You hate it that much?” he asks, his voice dropping to a low rumble, and I nod, feeling the tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

“I hate what it’s turned me into,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “I hate what I’ve had to do to survive. I don’t want to be this person anymore.”

Ivan’s gaze softens, and for a moment, the hard exterior he usually wears seems to crack. “Sarah…,” he begins, but his voice trails off, as if he’s unsure of what to say next.

Before I can fully process what’s happening, Ivan steps forward, closing the distance between us. His hand reaches out, fingers brushing against my cheek, and I feel a shiver run through me. The intensity in his eyes is undeniable, and the air between us crackles with unspoken tension.

“I want you,” he confesses, his voice rough with emotion. The words hang in the air, heavy and charged, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

Before I can respond, Ivan’s lips crash against mine, and I melt into his touch. The kiss is hungry, desperate, as if he’s been holding back for too long, and now that the floodgates have opened, there’s no going back. His hands move to my waist, pulling me closer, and I respond with equal fervor, my fingers tangling in his hair as I give in to the overwhelming desire coursing through me.

It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, and yet I can’t stop. The taste of him, the feel of his hands on my skin—it’s intoxicating, drowning out every rational thought. All that matters in this moment is him, and the way he makes me feel.

The sound of the door suddenly swinging open pulls us both back to reality. We break apart just as Maxim steps into the room, his eyes widening in shock at the scene before him. For a split second, the room is filled with stunned silence, then Maxim lets out a low whistle, his expression shifting to one of amusement.

“Well, well, well,” Maxim drawls, crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk. “I leave you two alone for five minutes, and this is what I come back to? Should I start knocking before entering the boss’s study?”

Ivan straightens up, clearing his throat as he takes a step back from me, though I can still feel the heat of his body lingering in the space between us. “Maxim,” he says, his tone steady, but I can see the flash of annoyance in his eyes. “Do you ever mind your own business?”

Maxim grins, clearly enjoying the moment. “Oh, I mind my business just fine, but this—this is newsworthy.”

Ivan shoots him a glare, and for a moment, I wonder if Maxim is pushing his luck a little too far. Then Ivan sighs, shaking his head as if to brush off the interruption. “We’re done here,” he says, turning back to me, his voice gentler. “Think about what I said, Sarah.”

I nod, still a little breathless from the kiss, my mind spinning with everything that’s happened. Maxim steps aside, still grinning like a cat who caught the canary, as Ivan leads me toward the door.

“Next time, try not to surprise us,” Ivan mutters to Maxim as he passes, but there’s a hint of humor in his tone that wasn’t there before.

“No promises,” Maxim replies with a chuckle, giving me a knowing wink as I walk past him.

As we step out into the hallway, the reality of what just happened starts to sink in. The weight of Ivan’s confession, the intensity of his kiss, and the look in his eyes—all of it leaves me reeling. I’m not sure what any of it means, or where it’s going to lead, but one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same.