Chapter 16: Vlad

I leaned back in my swivel chair, unable to focus on the task at hand. There were issues that I needed to address, businesses to preside over, and files on my laptop to go through. Yet, I couldn't concentrate; it seemed impossible to do so.

Damn it! I thought to myself, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Fingers drumming over the surface of my table, I tipped my head toward the ceiling with a sigh, as though the air held the answers I was searching for.

My mind was crowded with thoughts of Sienna and our last conversation, which revealed the pain and hurt that she'd been bottling up inside her.

I shut my eyes and drifted to the events of that evening.

Fyodor had told me about a charity gala happening that evening and that my presence there would be a means for further networking since the elite members of society were going to be there.

I didn't think it was so important to attend this gala, considering how many gatherings I'd attended since I landed in New York. But I knew it would be good for my mental state, so I agreed to go.

When I walked into the grand ballroom, I looked around, taking in the A-list attendees, from Hollywood stars to philanthropists to those who claim to be humanitarians but were actually wolves in sheep's clothing. A lot of business moguls were present, conversing in small groups with smiles on their faces like they truly gave a shit about charity. Most of those money-driven sickos were there for their selfish interests, under the guise of charity.

I recognized some politicians, and, of course, the elections were around the corner. This, to them, was just a show to gain the votes of the masses at the appointed time. Greedy bastards.

"Vladimir Wolkov," a man called from behind me.

I turned, recognizing the one-eyed black-suited man with a bear's broad stance and blond hair: Maximiliano Quintero, aka, Mad Max, a ruthless boss of a Mexican cartel.

Three years ago, we had a bitter feud that led to a brutal confrontation between our two organizations, a blood bath, if you may. Our battle was so intense that Maksim and Miguel, Max's boss, had to step in to prevent further damage. Their intervention was the only reason he was still breathing. Since then, the tension between us had been palpable, and we were never in the same room at the same time, never seeing eye to eye.

"I didn't think you'd be here," he said, his voice laced with resentment. "Last I heard, you were back in St. Petersburg."

"Last I heard, you were back in Mexico," I replied with the same resentment in my tone.

For a minute there, we glared at each other, but despite his madness, Max still knew better than to try anything stupid here and now.

"Everything alright?" Simon walked up to us, sensing the tension. His hand was reaching for the gun tucked away in his pants.

Fyodor soon joined us, frowning and ready for however Max wanted this to end tonight.

Max laughed lightly, looking around at the innocent people chattering and smiling, unaware of the impending danger that loomed over the hall. "I see you still hide amidst your bodyguards," he said to me.

"And I see you still have one eye…thanks to him," Simon said, nodding at the patch over his left eye.

Max's fists clenched, and his brows furrowed at the reminder that I was the one who'd taken out his left eye with one clean shot.

"I'll have my revenge, Vlad," he said through gritted teeth.

"Looks like I struck a nerve," Simon teased with a smirk that only infuriated Max all the more.

His men had noticed his discomfort and headed toward us, their hands subtly reaching for their weapons, waiting for his command.

I found solace in the idea that Max hated me so much but could do nothing about it, not a goddamn thing.

"Do you really want to do this, here and now?" I asked him, bringing to his notice how stupid that would be.

He was fuming profusely, and I was staring with an annoying grin.

He discreetly signaled his men to stand down, and they did. "This isn't over, Vlad."

I inhaled softly, toying with my cufflinks. "Our feud ended three years ago, Max. Get over it." I walked away, leaving him to his rage.

Fyodor and Simon followed behind me, their eyes roaming the hall for anything out of place.

I stopped by a fountain and helped myself to a glass of champagne from a waiter's tray. Simon joined me. "I'm safe, Simon. Max might be crazy, but he's not crazy enough to attack me here."

"I know," he replied and looked away, still not leaving my side.

About two minutes later, I heard him say, "My God, she's beautiful." I was looking elsewhere, but his words prompted me to trace his gaze.

There she was: Sienna Summers. She was with her parents, and they seemed engaged in a conversation with some people.

My attention was fixed on her.

Fuck! She was a damsel, a goddess whose spell had me mesmerized. I was glued to her and couldn't tear my gaze away.

Her smile seemed to shine brighter than the chandeliers above, and her green eyes sparkled like diamonds. Her skin was glowing, and her face was radiating like the sun.

My hand flew to my chin, stroking it absentmindedly as I focused on her.

I wanted so badly to talk to her, but she was with her family. Paul was my friend, and that was the perfect excuse to approach them.

She had turned around, back in my direction, and was helping herself to a glass of champagne from a waiter's tray.

I gulped mine, handed the glass to Simon, and then headed over to the Summers family.

After Paul and I greeted each other, and she turned to face me, my heart paused for a second, especially because I couldn't understand the expression she wore. So, when she left us and headed out, I knew this was a lot worse than I'd thought. I needed to talk to her, but I had to play it cool around her parents and not let them see that I was desperate to be around their daughter.

It took a while, but I was able to leave the Summers without raising suspicion. Simon nodded toward the garden after he noticed that I was looking around for her.

Sienna's outburst in the garden under the cold and distant stars was the confirmation of her pain and hurt. I hadn't realized how much she was hurting until she snapped at me.

I was speechless, and although she was wrong in some of her assumptions, I couldn't help but feel a wave of guilt wash over me. Sienna was in pain because of my behavior.

Watching her tear up was a hard thing to do; it was a sight I couldn't stand, but what broke my heart was how she pulled away from me. It was as if my touch repulsed her.

I rubbed my eyes, drifting back to the present moment in my office, where I was staring at the ceiling, thinking how I shouldn't have let her go.

She was all I could see each time I closed my eyes, and, in my heart, there was an emptiness, a void that only she could fill.

I guess it's true what they say: You only know you love her when you let her go .

Sienna had captured my mind, heart, spirit, soul, and body. Was this some sort of witchcraft? If it was, then I loved being enchanted, but not when it was one-sided. Why couldn't I get her out of my mind?

I'd never been this scared of losing someone before—never. I was used to being on my own, taking only my business with much seriousness. Then, she'd waltzed into my life with her glimmer of hope and shining light.

The reason for my fear was because I hadn't thought she was the kind to get so emotional. She always managed her feelings and had a way of keeping them in when she wanted to. But the fact that she'd had an outburst was really scary, and now I couldn't stop myself from wondering if she hated me. I wouldn't blame her if she did. I might have overdone it, and by doing so, I'd pushed her away, the one good thing in my life.

But was I going to give up on her, on what we shared? No. There was something in her eyes that I saw that night in the garden. It was faint, but it was definitely there: a hint that she still cared. But there was something else, like she was hiding something.

Sienna had taught me to find the light even in the deepest darkness, and that was my plan. I knew what I saw in her eyes even though it was clouded by pain.

My thoughts were interrupted by the knock on my door.

I sighed softly. "It's open."

Simon walked in and quietly shut the door behind him. I adjusted in my seat as he approached me, his expression exuding a mix of emotions.

"I've got news, Boss, updates on Sienna," he said.

I had asked him to keep an eye on her for me, telling him to get the best of my men and have them covertly trail her every move. I needed to know what she was doing at any point in time, where she was going, and who she was spending her time with.

Maybe this would help me understand her behavior and help me find out if she was seeing someone else. I frowned at the thought of her with another man. I was a jealous man who didn't like to share. But also, a part of me was worried about her safety, and with my men keeping tabs on her, she'd be protected.

"Why the long face?" I asked, squinting as I wondered what was on his mind.

"Because I'm afraid it's no good news," he replied.

I gritted my teeth, feeling my blood boil as I assumed he'd seen her with another man. Jealousy kicked me, and I balled both hands into fists.

So, this was the reason she'd walked away from me, the reason she'd not been replying to my messages. I knew that I'd hurt her, but moving on so fast with another man? That was cold of her.

In my head, this man—whoever he was—was as good as dead because he'd messed with the wrong person. I would have him butchered and keep his heart as a trophy if he decided to keep seeing her.

"Who is he?" I asked, my brows furrowing to accentuate the frown on my face.

"Who is who?" Simon asked, puzzled.

"The man she's seeing. Who the fuck is he?" I snapped, boiling with rage as I sprang to my feet, glaring at him as though he was the man seeing Sienna. I was so pissed that I was tempted to slam a fist into my table and put a hole in it. "Tell me everything you know about him, and don't fucking leave out any detail."

"Boss, there is no man," he said calmly.

"What?" My voice was low, mixed with relief.

"She's not seeing anyone."

I scoffed at my overreaction, sitting back down. "Why, then, did you say it isn't good news?" I asked, now with an open mind.

"I've been watching her for days now, as you instructed, and I realized that she's always visiting a particular clinic," he replied.

Instantly, I started thinking the worst, and my mind flooded with worry. "Clinic? Is she okay? Is she hurt? Did anything bad happen to her?" I realized now just how much I deeply cared for her.

"I guess she's okay," he said.

"You guess ? Simon, I'm not paying you to guess," I snapped, getting impatient.

"Yes, she's been going to a clinic, but it's an obstetric clinic," he said.

My breath ceased for a moment, knowing the meaning of what he was saying.

"She's pregnant, Boss," he further clarified.

She's pregnant?

The world and everything around me seemed to be at a standstill as I took some time to process this news. This was a game-changer. A baby was involved, meaning things were about to get more complicated now.