Chapter 41

Chapter

Forty-One

"The only way to find true happiness is to risk being completely cut open."

― Chuck Palahniuk

Volk

"Tomorrow's her big night," Alexsei's voice crackled through the phone.

I strolled into my office, phone glued to my ear, deep in my weekly call with Alexsei.

I knew it was messed up, amplifying my agony by having him trail her every move, but it was more about ensuring her safety, a way for me to have the reassurance she was truly safe.

"She'll probably even meet the love of her life," he con tinued.

My voice rumbled low. "Keep pushing your luck, and the next time I see you, a bullet's finding its way between your eyes."

"I heard Lucas Montblanc will be there," he continued, brushing aside my threat like it was nothing. "Maybe she'll succumb to his charms too. Every girl fancies a French lover at some point."

Rage was building up inside me, a fiery torrent that could easily shred the last remnants of my almost nonexistent self-control.

It was digging into me, a bothersome itch I couldn't scratch away.

This fucker knew me too well.

"Enough," I snapped, eager to change the subject. "I've got news of my own. Found Marina."

Alexsei's tone shifted, his surprise evident. "Where?"

"In a whorehouse near Volgograd. "

After watching Sofiya walk away from me, I immersed myself in running Igor's business, now my own. Hunting down Marina became my sole purpose, the perfect outlet for the revenge Sofiya deserved. The memories of her nearly freezing in that icy lake—lips blue, body trembling with cold—ignited a fiery rage every time they crossed my mind.

I knew the moment I laid eyes on Marina, her hours were numbered.

Chasing her was a real pain. I had a gut feeling she'd orchestrated her escape perfectly, knowing exactly where to run and vanish.

But they don't call me Volk for no reason. Like a wolf defending its pack, sometimes the teeth have to come out and leave a mark.

After weeks of searching, I finally found her.

She was waiting for me, stationed in a room that countless client s had passed through, standing there as vulnerable as the day she entered this world.

But what she clearly didn't see coming was my firm grip, dragging her to the closest lake, clamping handcuffs around her wrists, and sending her plummeting into the water to meet her long-overdue end.

Talk about a grand performance.

"Fancy. Where's she now?"

My lips curled into an evil smile.

Silence stretched on the other end of the line before Alexsei finally sputtered, "What did you do?"

"Drowned her."

Alexsei let out an incredulous laugh. "Volk, you never cease to amaze me."

"Save your amusement. And keep an eye on Sofiya. I want updates."

I settled into my chair behind the desk and glanced over a collage of pictures.

Among them were snapshots of her younger self and a recent photo taken the night before she left.

In that picture, she lay stretched out on her stomach, hugging a pillow with a sheet cascading over her backside.

Her hair framed her form and the bed, with a serene smile on her lips.

Knowing I needed to let her go, I took that photo as a keepsake—a memory of the angel who once shared my bed, if only briefly.

I was grateful that Vlad had hidden all of Sofiya's childhood pictures in Tanya's house. In a strange twist of fate, it allowed me to glimpse memories of her life without being there to witness them in real time.

I paid little heed to Alexsei's impatience with updates about Sofiya .

Without them, I'd be left at her doorstep, like a beggar seeking forgiveness.

"If you don't step up and claim your girl, I'm pretty damn certain she'll stumble upon someone who's actually willing to fight for her," Alexsei said. "And let me tell you, I've got a fucking good idea who that guy could be."

Jealousy burned in my throat. "Shut the fuck up, Alexsei."

He chuckled. "Hurry up, Mikha?l. Claim her or -"

I flung my phone across the room in a burst of anger, my eyes seething with hostility as I witnessed it collide with the wall, abruptly silencing his words and scattering them into the air.

Fuck, now I needed a new phone.

?

I fucked up.

For the first time, I failed to keep a promise I made to myself.

I swore I'd let her go, give her space to live without me.

I even planned to erase our fucking memories so she could find peace away from my world.

But now? I couldn't give a shit.

I don't care about looking weak anymore.

All I fucking crave is to be with the woman my mind won't fucking forget, the one my body longs for, whose absence feels like my heart has fucking stopped.

So here I was now, after an 11-hour flight, in this gritty, rat-infested city, watching her from a distance like a crazy stalker .

The lights flickered on her face, her dress clung to her curves perfectly, and her hair was pulled up in a sleek bun that exposed the elegant curve of her neck—the place where I once felt whole, where I ached to bury my face.

Fuck, it was too much.

My heart swelled with pride as I watched her shine.

Her exhibition project was a roaring success, and people showered her and Angelo with praise.

I kept a low profile, lurking in the shadows, not just to avoid scaring her off or ruining her night.

But I knew it was a lie.

The truth is, I was fucking terrified.

Fuckin' hell.

I feel like a teenager all over again.

Alexsei shot me a cocky nod, raising his champagne in my direction, while Sofiya pecked a shorter guy on both cheeks before darting off.

As my eyes tracked her departure, a voice sliced through the air like a blade.

A woman with short blonde hair, piercing green eyes, and draped in a long, tight light blue dress sidled up next to me.

In an instant, I recognized her—Lily Daniels, daughter of Owen Daniels, the big shot CEO of Greems, a major player in the organic food industry.

"Looking for your next prey?" she said, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips.

I turned my gaze towards her. "Already found it."

"What a shame," she whispered, her hand trailing sensually down my arm.

Then, she slid her business card into view and tucked it into my pocket .

"Let me know when you're ready for your next hunt," she winked.

I scoffed. If she only knew.

My one and only prey had just strutted out of the room moments ago, and she's the only one I want, the only one I fucking need.

"A bit desperate, aren't you?"

"Can you blame me?" she chuckled softly. "With a guy as fine as you, I bet women are dropping their clothes before you even look their way."

Damn right.

I've never had trouble getting women into bed, in every position you can imagine—legs spread, on their knees, ass up, you name it.

But nothing—and I mean absolutely nothing—comes close to being with Sofiya.

Making love to her is on a whole different level, a realm of its own that nothing else can touch.

I took a step away from this woman, but before I could go any further, she reached out and grabbed my arm.

"Let me show you just how damn generous I can be," she whispered.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't fuck desperate women."

"What about an experienced one?"

I let out an annoyed sigh. "My wife is waiting for me."

" Your wife? " Her surprise was evident, though it faded swiftly. "Tell her to come along then."

"Who's supposed to come along?" Alexsei chimed in.

I hadn't even noticed the bastard approaching with that infuriatingly stupid smirk plastered across his face.

I had no desire to linger another damn second in their presence .

Sofiya was likely getting ready to leave the party, and now was the opportune moment to make my move.

"His wife."

" His wife ?" Alexsei said, his brow shooting up.

I finished off my drink, wiped my lips, and handed the empty glass to Alexsei, a wry smile on my own lips.

"Da, my wife who's probably wondering where the fuck I am. If you'll excuse me." Leaving them behind, I headed for the elevator, doubt creeping in. Months had gone by, and I couldn't shake the thought that she might hate me for barging back into her life.

Did she miss me like I missed her?

Did she ache for me like I did for her?

Each step brought me closer to the possibility of seeing her again, of finally being in the same space. The party noise faded as I focused on just one thing—being next to her.

All I could do was hope she'd mend my shattered heart, and not turn it to dust.