Chapter 58

Chapter

Fifty-Eight

"Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart."

― Charles Dickens

Alexsei

"How many cameras are scattered around?"

Angelo swung his computer screen towards me, revealing a detailed surveillance map. "Fifty cameras across the museum, offices, and the rooftop."

I scanned the layout, making sure every camera fit into my twisted plan. The strategy was simple: lure her in and trap her like the rat she was. Each camera was a key piece of this sick puzzle.

Satisfied, I nodded and stood up. " Perfect."

Angelo, still lounging in his chair, took a sip of his coffee. "Where the hell are you rushing off to?"

"Home. Volk and Sofiya are coming for dinner, and I need to make sure everything's ready." I had the cook whipping up a proper Russian feast—borscht, beef stroganoff, and blini. Even snagged the best Russian vodka in NYC. It's been ages since I last saw Volk, so this reunion was a big deal.

Of course, I checked with Caia first, since she was living with me now. She was all in, eager to meet the woman who somehow managed to snag Volk's heart—something she never thought possible.

Angelo raised an eyebrow and set down his coffee. "Why wasn't I invited?"

"Because we don't like your Italian ass."

He smirked. "No worries. Couldn't come anyway. I've got plans."

"Plans? With who? Georgino?" I shot back, knowing he spent way too much time with that dog.

He narrowed his eyes. "Leave my dog out of this. No, I actually have a date."

Now that caught me off guard. Angelo admitting to a date? Unheard of.

"Who's the poor girl?"

He got up and gestured for me to leave his office. "None of your business. I'll see you tomorrow night. I'll text you the security codes. Say hi to Volk and Sofiya for me."

A dark chuckle left my lips as I left, still reeling from the idea of Angelo actually dating. It was like spotting a unicorn in Central Park.

Back home, the kitchen was a whirlwind. My cook was a machine, whipping up our Russian feast. The borscht simmered, beef stroganoff sizzled, and blini batter was being whipped to perfection .

I glanced at the clock—still had time before Volk and Sofiya showed up.

I decided to check on Caia. I found her in the living room, arranging flowers.

She wore a silky white shirt that hugged her curves just right, and her chestnut hair fell like a waterfall down her shoulders. But her emerald eyes were slightly red, like she'd been crying. Still, she looked absolutely stunning—so beautiful it made my chest ache.

She looked up and smiled as I walked in.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah," she replied, finishing up with the last flower. "I can't wait to meet Sofiya. Who would've thought Volk would actually be smitten one day?"

"I know, right?" I grinned. "Guess love works in mysterious ways. Just like you and me."

Her hands froze, and she turned away, staring out the window.

My words hung heavy in the air, and I suddenly realized I'd crossed a line. Talking about my relentless love for her was risky; the memories were still too fucking raw.

Her silence was deafening. She stood there, framed by the soft light, and I could feel her battling her own demons.

Finally, after what felt like forever, she whispered, "It's hard, you know? Remembering what we had and knowing it can't be the same."

I stepped closer. "Caia, I?—"

She raised a hand to stop me. "Please, don't. It's too much."

I nodded, feeling her pain all too well. The past and present collided around us, and I stood helpless, watching her wrestle with memories that haunted us both.

"If Volk had told me, I would've jumped at the chance to have you as our wedding photographer! Maybe next time."

Volk nearly choked on his vodka. "Next time? You planning to marry someone else, dorogaya ?"

We were gathered around the table, stuffing our faces with delicious food and diving into conversation. Caia sat beside me, while Volk and Sofiya were across from us. They still had a bit of a tan from their anniversary trip to Italy and had brought us some tacky souvenirs. I was pretty sure Sofiya had actually made Volk think about us for once—he usually only had eyes for her.

Honestly, being his best friend felt like being the awkward third wheel at a two-person parade.

Caia was fully in the zone, a playful smile lingering on her lips. She shot me occasional glances, only to look away when our eyes locked.

Sofiya laughed. "No, I meant if another chance comes up, I'll definitely book Caia. Maybe for a birthday surprise or something."

Volk took her hand, planting a kiss on it. "Just making sure— but just know that even in death, I'd find a way to remind you that you're still mine."

I shook my head. "So even the afterlife doesn't free you from being a control freak."

His eyes narrowed. "Nyet, it won't free you from my fist in your face either."

I laughed, raising my glass to my lips.

The meal kept getting better, and the conversation flowed as smoothly as the wine. Volk and Sofiya shared stories from their trip, each one more entertaining than the last. It was clear they had a blast.

"So, Sofiya, how did you two meet?" Caia asked, suddenly curious.

Sofiya's cheeks flushed bright red, and she grabbed her glass, taking a quick gulp. Volk, noticing her discomfort, jumped in before I could say anything.

"I kidnapped her," he said casually.

Caia's eyes widened. " What? "

I crossed my arms, amused, ready to see how Volk would spin this to my wife.

Volk sighed. "It's a wild story. Igor, may he rest in peace, asked me to kidnap her because he thought she was his daughter. Turns out, Victoria—Igor's late wife—and Vlad, may he rot in hell, had an affair, and Victoria got knocked up with Sofiya. Then Helena, Sofiya's adoptive mother, swooped in, took the baby, and?—"

Sofiya cut him off, gripping his hand with a pleading look.

Caia, sensing the tension, said softly, "I'm sorry, Sofiya. I didn't mean to bring up anything upsetting."

"Don't worry," Sofiya replied with a forced smile. "Our story is complicated, but thanks to Volk, I finally uncovered the truth about my family and… myself. I never planned on falling in love, but sometimes love works in mysterious ways."

I thought back to those early days with Caia, how we first met under such fucked-up circumstances. Her father had made it clear: she was supposed to seduce me to gain leverage over the Silas. For weeks, we played a twisted game, a dance of seduction and manipulation.

I was determined to hold my ground, to not fall for her charm, but the harder I tried to resist, the deeper I fell.

Caia whispered, "It really does. "

Just as Sofiya opened her mouth to say something else, my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen and saw it was LeRoy.

"Excuse me for a sec," I said, getting up from the table.

Caia gave me a curious look, and I mouthed, "LeRoy," as I stepped away.

I made my way to my office, closing the door behind me to muffle the lively chatter from the dining room. With a sigh, I answered the call. "LeRoy, what's up?"

LeRoy's voice crackled on the other end. "Sorry to interrupt your little soirée, sir. Just wanted to update you on a situation with Scarlett. She's been rehearsing all day, and just as we were about to leave, an old acquaintance of hers named Brandon Jones showed up. He looked like shit and was acting aggressive, begging her for cash. Things escalated when he grabbed her, but I stepped in and had him detained. The cops are dealing with it now. Turns out he's her former dealer, and she still owes him money."

Fuckin' hell.

The only silver lining in this mess was that Miss Satanic was back rehearsing.

I clenched my jaw and ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "Thanks for handling it, LeRoy. Make sure Scarlett doesn't do anything stupid tonight, like bailing him out. I'll take care of the rest."

LeRoy's voice was steady. "Will do, sir."

I ended the call and rubbed my temples, the evening's vibe now clouded by this new complication. The fact that Scarlett was still tangled up with someone like Brandon Jones—someone who could cause serious trouble—was infuriating.

But for now, I had bigger shit to deal with.

"Need a hand with that?"

I turned to look at her. She'd swapped into a long Nirvana T-shirt that barely covered her ass, paired with some airy linen shorts and her favorite fluffy slippers.

"No, just kick back and chill," I replied, tackling the mountain of dishes. "I'm almost done here." I'd already sent the cook home; she'd worked hard enough and deserved a break.

Mikhail and Sofiya took off an hour ago after we devoured chocolate soufflé and homemade caramel beurre salé ice cream. They'd said their goodbyes, promising to catch up tomorrow at Angelo's exhibition.

It was great seeing Sofiya and Caia hit it off; they spent the night yapping and laughing, finding out they had a ton in common. By the end, they'd swapped numbers and were plotting another hangout before heading back to Moscow.

"Steven dropped by today," Caia said as she hopped onto the countertop next to me, her leg brushing against my bare arm. "He seemed bummed you weren't here. I think he's got a crush on you."

I laughed, rinsing off the last plate. "Oh really? Can't blame him. I am quite the catch."

Caia nudged me playfully with her foot. "Don't get too full of yourself."

I dried my hands and leaned in closer, my arms caging her in against the counter. Our noses almost touched. Her cheeks flushed, those emerald eyes of hers flashing with uncertainty as her hands rested in her lap.

I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, my lips grazing her skin. "I hope your friend knows I'm already crushing on someone else," I whispered .

Her breath hitched.

"Is that so?" she murmured, barely above a whisper.

"Absolutely," I replied, letting my lips brush the edge of her ear. "I'm completely smitten."

Her hands moved from her lap, creeping up to my chest where I knew she could feel my heart racing through my shirt.

"And who might that be?" she asked, a teasing smile creeping onto her lips.

I tilted my head, brushing my nose against hers. "I think you know."

I leaned in, teasing her lips with mine, the soft touch igniting something wild inside me. Her lips parted slightly, and I took the chance to deepen the kiss, letting everything else fade into the background.

It was slow and charged, hitting me like a shot of adrenaline after two fucking years of feeling a ghost. Her lips pulled me back to life, making me feel like I was finally waking up from a long, dark sleep.

Her hands gripped my shoulders, pulling me closer, like she wanted to drown in me. I wrapped an arm around her waist, crushing her against me, the heat radiating off her body.

I tangled my fingers in her hair, those silky strands slipping through my grip as I tilted her head back, plunging deeper into the kiss. She responded with a soft, breathless sigh. When we finally broke apart, our foreheads resting together, we were both panting.

"Yeah," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I think I do."

"Of course you do. You know me inside and out, moya solnyshka . You're the only one I've ever let truly own a piece of my heart."

Her hand brushed my cheek as she pulled me closer, planting a soft kiss on my lips. "Only a piece? "

I stared deep into her eyes. "You've got half, and Lukyan's got the other half. He's a part of me, just like you are. So, you both share my heart completely, until the day I die … and even beyond that."