Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

"Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do."

― Voltaire

Volk

I took another drag from my cigarette, letting the smoke drift out as I slouched on the velvety sofa as the crackling flames of the fireplace warmed my face.

I enjoyed the smoke swirling in my lungs before letting it out in lazy circles.

Satisfaction surged through me—I was on the brink of capturing Vlad and handing his head over to Igor, finally.

I was determined to live up to my name, like a wolf ready to take down anyone who crossed my path—just like the one who trained me to survive in this ruthless world. I owed Igor everything. He saved my life and gave me everything I'd ever wanted: money, power, and women. Now, nothing seemed out of reach.

Feeling like a king surveying his kingdom, I got up from the sofa, searching the room for the missing piece to complete the puzzle. But despite my success, a nagging emptiness lingered.

Today, guilt crept up on me. It was a weird, unfamiliar feeling, coursing through me and knotting in my throat, making my head spin.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake it off.

My palms grew sweaty, and I muttered curses as I threw my cigarette into the fire.

Guilt? No fucking way.

I didn't owe her shit. I was just doing my job, and I did it well.

What annoyed me was that Igor had only shown me the tip of the iceberg.

I hated carrying secrets—how they could ruin lives, reputations, and dreams. I hated how they revealed who people really are. They say we should keep our deepest secrets to ourselves, and I totally agree.

Learning about Igor's secrets pissed me off.

For the first time in years, I found myself questioning his ultimate goal and what his next move would be. I hadn't mentioned my visit to Tanya or her confessions— who Helena really was, what went down between Vlad and Tanya, and why Sofiya held the missing pieces.

It had only been ten days since she arrived, and she's already messed up my whole fucking life. And I hated her for it.

The attraction between us grew stronger with every breath she took near me, every glance she threw my way, and every word she said with those full, rosy lips I couldn't stop fantasizing about. The thought of them on me again had been tormenting me for days.

Sometimes, when I looked at her from a distance, I'd see her wandering the garden, humming sad tunes. She'd spend hours reading in that room, leaving her lingering scent even after she was gone.

Occasionally, I'd catch snippets of her complaints to Dasha about needing more clothes, food, shampoo, or fewer chores.

But every night, when she thought everyone was asleep, I'd hear her cries echoing through the silent night. On multiple occasions, I had to fight the urge to go check on her.

With a sigh, I got up and headed to my room, leaving the library behind. I tossed my jacket and shirt on the floor and noticed that the wound on my side was bleeding again through the bandage. Frustration bubbled up as I cursed Tanya for shooting me.

Longing for a hot shower, I quickly stripped off my pants and boxers and made my way to the bathroom.

In the dim moonlight filtering through the windows, I turned the faucet to the coldest setting. The icy water poured over me, numbing my skin and easing my tension. Each drop seemed to fight the darkness in my mind. The memory of Sofiya's eyes, wide with fear and sadness, came rushing back, forming a lump in my throat. Those eyes sliced through me like a knife, the pain and sorrow cutting deep into my soul.

When she saw her mama, her shoulders sank like the weight of the world had settled on her, and I felt a desperate urge to protect her from the pain.

But you're the reason she's in pain, asshole.

A frustrated grunt escaped me as I adjusted the faucet to warm, watching the unsettling mix of blood and water swirl together .

My mind couldn't escape the thought of how she'd react to the truth.

Would she be crushed? I knew she wasn't ready, but would she ever be?

What would she say once she finds out that–

Click.

The sound of the door opening jolted me out of my thoughts.

I quickly stepped out of the shower, leaving the water running.

Who the fuck's coming in here? No one ever does.

I grabbed the nearest towel, wrapped it around my waist, and hurried toward the noise, water dripping from my body. My pulse quickened as I reached for the knife hidden behind the curtains. The cold steel felt solid in my hand as I prepared to face the intruder.

The sound of the shower masked my footsteps as I slowly opened the door.

The dim room was shrouded in darkness.

Towel still around my hips, I approached the figure from behind, moving swiftly and silently, following their rapid breaths. Without hesitation, I lunged forward, grabbed them, and pressed the knife against their throat.

The room was silent except for the running water and our shallow breaths.

Then, two small hands grasped my arm, nails digging in.

A faint whisper filled the room. "V-Volk, it's me."

As the adrenaline rush faded, reality set back in.

My eyes adjusted to dark, and familiar details emerged—the scent of almonds, her soft hair tickling my cheek, her delicate touch on my arm.

I let go of the knife, letting it clatter to the floor.

I flicked on the light switch, revealing the room .

There stood Sofiya, eyes wide with fear. She wore white silky pajamas and a loose beige cardigan slipping off one shoulder. Trembling, tears welled in her eyes as she rubbed her reddened throat.

Suddenly, she collapsed to the floor.

I swore under my breath and quickly dropped to my knees in front of her.

"Fuck, Sofiya!" I gripped her shoulders, trying to steady her trembling body. "You need to breathe! Focus on your breath!" I locked eyes with her and took a slow, deep breath in and out, hoping she'd follow my lead. "Breathe in, baby, come on," I urged, my voice steady but filled with concern. "Feel the air filling your lungs. Now, slowly exhale. Let go of the tension."

Her eyes darted around, wide with fear, but gradually, her breathing started to even out. The panic faded, replaced by a cautious calm.

"That's it, just keep breathing," I said softly, gently pushing her hair back and drawing her closer to me. "Take your time. You're safe now."

She nodded, a faint sob escaping her lips as she clung to my waist, burying her face in my chest.

We stayed like that until I felt her start to calm down. Her grip on my waist loosened, and her breathing steadied but I still held her tightly, not wanting to let go.

But then, a mix of relief and anger surged through me.

I released her slowly, stood up, and tightened the towel around me. "What the hell were you thinking, Sofiya?" I snapped. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night? I almost slit your throat!"

She looked up at me, eyes filled with confusion.

"I… I couldn't sleep. I needed to talk to someone, and I thought…" Her words trailed off, leaving a heavy silence .

I took a deep breath, fighting to calm my mounting anger, but the frustration was hard to keep in check. The image of her lifeless body on the floor, drenched in blood with my blade buried in her throat, haunted me. I clenched my fists, feeling sick to my stomach.

"So, you thought coming to my room in the middle of the night was a good idea?" I retorted; disbelief sharp in my voice. "I almost fucking killed you!" Guilt swept across her face, mixed with horror and tears. It was clear she didn't fully grasp the danger she'd put herself in. "Is that what you want, huh?" I asked sharply, my brow furrowing. "To fucking die? For me to slit your throat open?"

She flinched, her eyes filled with remorse.

Suddenly, the gravity of it all hit me, and I regretted the sharpness of my words.

With a sigh, I shook my head and wiped my mouth, trying to calm myself down.

"I… I wasn't thinking," she stuttered, her voice barely audible. "I just… I need answers."

Her words hung there, heavy and raw. She mustered the strength to lift her trembling chin and met my eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and strands of hair clung to her tear-streaked face.

Fuck, she's so beautiful it hurts to look at her.

I reached out to gently brush a stray strand of hair from her face. My touch was hesitant, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into it, her trembling starting to ease. When she placed her hand over mine, a jolt ran through me, leaving me stunned.

"I… I couldn't sleep," she whispered. "I need to know, Volk. Why am I here? What did you do to my mama?"

My throat tightened.

I might be a killer, a monster, but I wasn't that heartless .

Not with her, I just… couldn't be for some reason.

The pain in her eyes was way too fucking familiar and it took me back to my own twisted past.

Despite the chaos that brought us together, I couldn't ignore the bond forming between us. It didn't make any fucking sense, but it was there.

Slowly, I pulled my hand away and turned.

I dropped the towel around my waist and walked naked to the drawer, grabbing a pair of fresh white Calvin Klein boxers. Slipping them on, I took a deep breath, trying to ease my tense shoulders. This wasn't the time for distractions. I had to fucking focus.

With my back to her, I gripped the edge of the furniture, letting my head hang low. Wet hair dripped onto my chest where her face had been moments ago. Every part of me wanted to turn around and make her mine.

I want her so fucking badly.

Dark, forbidden images flooded my mind, but I fought to keep control

"Answer me, please, Volk. I'll even beg if y-you want."

I turned around, leaning back against the furniture, arms crossed, tilting my head to the side. My eyes traced over her, devouring every curve and contour, a sly smile playing on my lips.

Arching a brow, I silently dared her to do so.

Taking the hint, she wiped her face with the back of her hand and let her cardigan drop. Her white nightgown clung to her, almost transparent, revealing the silhouette of her breasts and hardened nipples.

I cursed under my breath.

It felt like any second now, I'd be the one on the ground, begging her to let me…

Stop .

With a determined look in her eyes, she took a deep breath and padded towards me with her arms hanging at her sides, her eyes locked with mine.

When she was just inches away, she dropped to her knees, head bowed, her hair falling like curtains to hide her face.

I tried to stay indifferent, keeping a blank expression as I crossed my arms to steady my restless hands and clicked my tongue against my teeth. She raised her chin, and her face suddenly went pale, as if she was just realizing what she'd done.

I looked down at her, unable to ignore the scene, especially after having imagined her in this position for so fucking long.

"Please, Volk," she pleaded softly, her fingernails gently tracing the back of my calves. "I'll do anything."

I huffed, scratching my beard absentmindedly. " Anything , huh?"

She ran her hand up my thigh. Just as her hand neared my groin, I stopped her.

My grip tightened around her wrist, and I knew if I didn't let go now, I'd leave a mark.

A dark part of me even wanted to mark her so that everyone would know she belonged to me.

Fuck!

No. She isn't mine.

I released my grip on her.

Without missing a beat, she stood up and closed the distance between us, her body pressing against mine. Her hand rested on my chest, feeling its strength, and she let out a soft hum.

I let my arms drop to my sides, giving her more room.

She pressed her chest against my abs, tilting her face up to meet my gaze. Her hands found their way to my shoulders, her nails lightly digging in for balance.

Up close, I noticed the faint purple veins under her eyes, signs of sleepless nights, and the beauty marks on her cheekbones, particularly the one on her upper lip that always captivated me.

Her scent enveloped me, intoxicating and irresistible.

I couldn't help myself; I wrapped my arms around her hips, pulling her closer until there was no space between us.

I let out a sigh, letting my hands roam over her body until they settled on her ass, cupping it firmly.

Damn, she had the nicest ass ever.

I buried my head in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath. Her chest heaved quickly, and my erection pressed insistently against her stomach.

She leaned into my shoulder, lifting herself onto her tiptoes and brushing her lips against my ear, her breath sending shivers down my spine.

Frustration took hold, and I swore quietly as I cupped the backs of her legs and lifted her effortlessly.

In one smooth motion, I turned and set her down on the furniture behind me. She let out a startled yelp, and for a moment, hesitation flickered in her eyes. Ignoring my own doubts, I grabbed her legs and pulled her closer, closing any remaining distance between us. My face nestled into the curve of her neck as I placed kisses along her skin, trailing up to her ear, where I playfully nibbled her earlobe.

Gripping her hips, I lined up my boner between her legs, grinding against her wetness.

Fuck, she's just as turned on as I am.

Her head fell back, her hair spilling onto the furniture as she whispered my name, her nails digging into my scalp. I kept kissing and sucking her neck, rolling my hips faster. Her moans filled the air, lingering around us like an intoxicating melody.

Fuck, dry humping her like a fucking teenager in heat was getting me so worked up I could cum right now just from the moans leaving her mouth.

"Volk, I want to–" her voice softened as another low moan escaped her lips. "I need to…"

"What do you need, dorogaya ?" I asked, my voice laced with lust. I trailed my lips from her neck to her cheek, where I placed soft kisses until my lips brushed her. "You wanna cum?"

I gently brushed her hair away from her face and placed a kiss on her ear.

"You're driving me crazy," I said as I lightly brushed my nose against hers.

Her hands kept moving up and down my back until she suddenly dropped them and gripped the furniture tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"I need to know, Volk," she breathed out.

Confusion swept over me as I locked eyes with her, raising an eyebrow in question. But as the lust faded and reality set in, my body tensed as if plunged into icy waters.

She's not into you; she's just using you to get what she wants.

Her touch felt like poison when she placed a shaky hand on my chest.

I pushed her away, hating myself for falling into her trap.

Turning away, I hurried to the walk-in closet and grabbed a pair of black pants and a white shirt. Once dressed, I returned to the bedroom.

She remained seated on the dark furniture, her face hidden by her hair, and her legs dangling in the air. The sight was a gut punch.

"Volk— "

"Don't fucking say my name."

"I have a right to know," she insisted.

Her words only fueled my anger. I approached her, closing the distance until we were inches apart.

Fear flashed across her face.

"Get out. Now."

"No," she whispered, shaking her head.

No?

Fucking, no?

No one ever tells me no.

I gritted my teeth, fighting a chaotic mix of emotions. I was torn between wanting to grab her by the throat, the urge to fuck her so intensely she'd lose consciousness, or just walking out of the room altogether.

She wasn't backing down. She stepped off the furniture and faced me head-on, standing tall with her fists clenched and chin up. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"I'm not going anywhere, Volk," she said, her voice trembling as she brushed away a single tear. "Tell me everything, now ."