Chapter 15

Arianna

I f I'd known sex was going to be that mind-blowingly, toe-curlingly, incredible, I'd have escaped from my father sooner. After falling into a deep, dreamless sleep I wake feeling more refreshed than I have in a long time. The soreness between my legs is a welcome sensation, one that reminds me of how amazing last night was and that it really happened. Nikolai and I had sex. Several times.

I wonder if other men have stamina like Nikolai, if all sex is as incredible, I doubt it. Just thinking about last night has me getting wet and hungry for more.

Rolling over in bed, I flick the remote to open the blinds, wincing slightly as the bright sunshine floods the room. I notice the time with a start, it's almost eleven o'clock. I haven't slept in that late in a long time either, though I suppose we were up late wearing ourselves out. With a big grin on my face, I get up, shower, and get ready.

Downstairs, I bump into Kimiko sitting at the kitchen island drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. I hover in the doorway, feeling a little awkward and embarrassed after our initial meeting. What must she think of me, assuming she's with Nikolai, jealously storming off, and then loudly having sex with him all night?

Before I can slip away, she spots me and breaks into a genuine smile.

"Morning Arianna, how'd you sleep? Would you like a coffee?" she asks heading over to the machine.

"Morning, um… very well, thank you. Yes please, that's very kind of you," I reply shyly. "Listen… I'm sorry about yesterday…"

She glances back at me as she's making the coffee, tossing her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Don't sweat it, you're not the first person to assume we must be dating, it's not common for a woman to be part of the Bratva, let alone a Japanese one so people make assumptions. But trust me, there's never been anything between us. Nik's not my type."

I briefly wonder how Nikolai could not be anyone's type and then it dawns on me what she's saying. Nikolai isn't her type because she doesn't like men at all. I'm dying to ask her more about how she and Endo came to be part of the Bratva. I know Endo and Nikolai were childhood friends but there must be more to it. But we've only met and that kind of question feels far too intrusive. Instead, I opt for the age-old female bonding tactic of complimenting her outfit. She's dressed in a beautiful Japanese silk kimono that's loosely tied around her waist and is effortlessly chic. It reminds me of a lot of the items in my wardrobe here and makes me wonder if Kimiko was the one who stocked it.

"I love your kimono, were you the one who stocked the wardrobe in my room here?"

"Thanks, I got it on my recent trip to Japan. If I'd known you'd be here, I'd have gotten you another. And yes, Nikolai told me that he'd have a guest coming who'd need some things. Most of it's old stuff of mine I no longer wear, but I got in a few extra bits online too when he said you were a little smaller than me," she states casually, sitting back at the table opposite me and placing our coffees on the table.

It's at that moment I notice how quiet the house is. "Where is everyone?" I ask.

"Nikolai, Endo, and Dimitri had to go out on business. The rest of the guards are outside patrolling. So, it's just us girls today, I thought we could spend some time together and get to know each other," she says with a smile.

She's so genuine and friendly, just like Endo, it's hard not to warm with her. Now I'm looking at her more closely, her mannerisms and expressions, I can see the resemblance between the twins. It's so clear I can't believe I didn't notice it right away. We make small talk and chit-chat about films, books, and television, our generic likes and dislikes. The hours melt away as we enjoy each other's company. I can't believe how much I've missed having a friend, another woman to talk to. Kimiko tells me all about her travels and the many countries she's explored, and I listen in awe.

"Wow, that sounds incredible. I've never been anywhere," I say earnestly.

"Surely you've been to some places, at least in the US," she asks.

"Nope. I've been to a grand total of two places in my life. My father's compound in Chicago and here, wherever here is."

"You're shitting me," she says gob smacked. "How is that even possible? Like, I know your father kept you hidden away, but I thought you'd have at least been out a little, go to some holiday homes, shopping, something."

"Father would have everything I need brought to me, not that I had any say in what I'd like. My sister and I were homeschooled by the best teachers, who signed NDAs not to talk about us, the grounds had everything we could need, activities, a home movie theater, chefs to cater any kind of cuisine, and the best fashion boutiques would send their latest collections to us—though our father chose what we wore. When he went away on business, he'd up his security and leave us at home," I explain.

"Why? I mean, I get he might be paranoid about keeping you safe and all, but why didn't he want you to go out at all? Most Mafia don's love parading their daughters around."

"I think he'd originally planned to bring us out once we turned eighteen, but then I ran away. That changed things. My sister was married off and I was kept hidden away. I think Father liked the control he had over us, and the mystery surrounding us meant we were more desirable than if we were like every other Mafia princess. It also made us replaceable, and disposable," I add darkly, thinking how easily my father married off another woman to Lucchese in my place.

"Fuck. I knew he was a bastard but… wow," she says shaking her head. "No wonder you asked Niki to help you escape. What would you have done if he didn't come? Would you have married Lucchese?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. I think I would have rather died. The thought that he and Father are looking for me, that they might find me and make me be his still terrifies me," I confide.

A look of confusion crosses Kimiko's face. "Arianna, you don't need to worry about Lucchese anymore, he's dead. Nikolai killed him."

"Wait, what? He is? What happened? Why didn't Nikolai tell me?" I ask, feeling both confused and elated that I will never end up in Lucchese's grasp.

"Nikolai finds it… difficult to share things and open up to anyone, especially about business. Lucchese made a move against him, from what Endo tells me, he also made the mistake of threatening you which makes Nik… act rashly," Kimiko explains, choosing her words carefully.

Even though I hated him for it to start with, now the fact that Nikolai would—has—killed for me makes me feel strangely safe and protected.

"Oh," I reply. Unsure of what more to say, I change the subject. Nodding to her ring I ask, "Are you married?"

"No. Not yet anyway. The wedding is in a month," she says.

She looks less than thrilled about it, not like the giddy and excited bride you'd expect just weeks before her wedding day. I don't know how to ask her more without unintentionally upsetting or offending her. She must sense my curiosity as she goes on to explain.

"The Kuzmin Bratva needs to strengthen our overseas alliances. I have agreed to marry the third son of the Cartel boss. His older sons are all married with kids, but he still wants as many heirs as possible, the Cartel game is a dangerous one after all. Before he died and his empire became part of the Bratva, my father was the leader of the Tanaka Yakuza. So, thanks to that and my adopted position within the Kuzmin family, I can be the one to marry to seal the alliance. Eventually, the Yakuza and Russian Bratva will want Nikolai and Endo to marry too, but for now, this is enough."

My face drops in shock as I listen to her and she notices. "I'm sorry, you probably don't want to know that, with you and Nikolai being… whatever you are…"

While the thought of Nikolai having to get married is a horrid one, one that I don't want to think about how jealous and upset it makes me feel. I push that to the back of my mind, we made no promises and he made it clear he would never want more with me than sex.

The thing that has been reeling and shocked is the name, Tanaka. I can't tell Nikolai the truth now. I can't give him the information. It would crush his family. If Dimitri, Endo, Kimiko, and Nikolai knew the truth, they'd all want me dead.