Chapter 7: Vivian

"Watch it, punk!" Tyler barked at the cyclist, who almost scratched his car as he drove steadily on the busy road.

Now ahead of him, the helmeted cyclist raised a hand and gave Tyler the middle finger.

"What a dick," he mumbled.

I laughed from the passenger seat.

"Easy there, tiger," I teased.

"People in this city are crazy, I'm telling you," he said to me, eyes fixed on the road.

I scoffed and rested my head against the window, allowing my mind to drift back to Daniil Wolkov. Unfortunately, this man had been on my mind all day, and I couldn't seem to find a way to get him out.

The last time we'd met, things got a little too heated, and I knew he enjoyed my reaction to his touch. I still couldn't believe that he'd made me wet within seconds.

He's so sexy!

Asher probably spilled the beans about my workplace, and he decided to track me down. Whatever the case, it didn't matter; he'd found me and placed some sort of spell on me. I'd sworn to myself that I'd have nothing to do with him. But judging by the way things were shaping up, it would be a whole lot harder than I'd anticipated.

This was because, despite my reservations, I was inexplicably drawn to him, particularly the mysterious and darker aspects of his personality.

I knew that the name ‘Wolkov' sounded very familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I had heard it from until I did a bit of research.

It was then that I made the startling connection: Daniil was the brother of my friend Ashley's husband, Nikolai Wolkov.

My heart skipped a beat as the realization hit me.

I knew that Ashley was married to a powerful Russian mafia boss, and I was well aware of the dangerous and ruthless reputation that came with it.

Of course, the internet didn't mention the dark truth about this man, that he was a cruel and ruthless individual with no qualms about taking lives without hesitation.

But when I called Ashley, she told me I should probably stay away from him. According to her, he was known even in the Bratva for his cruelty.

The Bratva: a formidable criminal organization comprising highly connected and equally dangerous individuals who wielded significant power and resources. They were notorious for their ruthlessness and cruelty, with the Wolkov brothers holding prominent positions as bosses.

Given that Ashley had married into the Bratva, her warning came from a place of personal experience, leading to a sense of gravity and urgency.

"Stay away from Daniil Wolkov, cuz. He's bad news."

Ashley's voice resounded in my head.

"But you married an equally dangerous man," I said to her.

"Yes, I did. But trust me, Daniil is worse than Nik. He's the most feared man in the Bratva, known for his ruthless tactics and unrelenting brutality. Daniil loves leaving a trail of blood and terror in his wake. His very name sends shivers down the spines of even the most hardened criminals, a whispered warning of impending doom. He is the embodiment of fear, the one they call... Krovavyy ."

" Krovavyy ?" I asked. "What does it mean?"

She was quiet over the phone for a moment before replying.

"It means ‘Bloody'."

I felt my heart sink into my stomach and swallowed hard.

"Please, cuz. That man is dangerous, and he has a history of always getting what he wants. Anything at all. Be careful."

I snapped back to reality at the sound of Tyler calling my name, his voice piercing my thoughts and forcing me back to the present moment.

"Earth to Kennedy," he said, looking in my direction. "You okay?"

"Yeah." I sighed. "Yeah, I'm good." I forced a smile.

This was a day to remember; I was about to embark on a luxurious two-day boat cruise with some of Solenoir's most stunning models. And to top it off, Tyler was chauffeuring me to the dock in style. I shouldn't be thinking about anything dangerous or something like that.

"So, this boat cruise," he began, stealing a glance at me. "How'd that come about anyway?"

"Asher, the guy who hired me for the show, called me and asked if I wanted to be a part of a two-day boat cruise." From the sound of my voice, he could tell that I was elated by it.

"You're excited about this—I like that," he said and smiled. "I told you that modeling is your thing. Look how far you've come after just one runway show."

I grinned and looked out the window again.

"Who else is gonna be on the boat cruise?" he asked.

"Well, there's going to be some of the people that I met during the show and at the after party—basically models and stylists, et cetera," I replied. "I'm really looking forward to spending more time with them and getting to know them better."

"Hmm." He chuckled. "You know, for someone who doesn't want anything to do with a modeling career, you sure are showing a lot of interest in the business," he teased.

"Come on, Ty. It's just a boat cruise." I laughed. "It'll be fun."

"I bet it will," he replied. "So, what's the itinerary looking like? Are you guys going to be doing any special activities or just relaxing?"

I cast a disbelieving look at him. "Okay, what's with the questions?"

"Nothing, I'm just looking out for you, that's all," he replied defensively. "I won't be there to protect you if anything goes wrong, so let me ask my questions."

"Aww. That's sweet," I said to him, playfully punching his shoulder. "But you don't have to worry about me, Ty. It's just a boat cruise. What could possibly go wrong?" I shrugged.

He turned to me. "Uh…excuse me, have you heard of the Titanic?"

I chuckled.

"I'm sure someone on the boat said the same thing right before it all went downhill. And let's be real, in movies and books, that statement is basically a curse!"

Noticing his hesitation, I continued, "Come on, you're just being overly dramatic. And it's a good thing that this isn't a movie." I laughed. "Thanks for the concern, Ty. But I'll be fine, I promise."

He stared at me for a moment.

"Hey, eyes on the road, chauffeur. Let's make it to the dock in one piece, shall we?" I teased.

He did.

"I trust that you're going to be okay."

"Thank you." I sketched a bow. "And to answer your question, from what I understand, we'll have some free time to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities. Maybe we'll do some group activities and excursions—I don't know. I'm not entirely sure what's planned, but I know it'll be great."

He nodded affirmatively and asked, "Do you plan to continue on this path? You know, this modeling path?"

I sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I'm still thinking about it, though. But if I keep getting invited to parties like this, I just might."

"That's what I like to hear," he replied with a smile.

As Tyler's car pulled up to the harbor, I could see the sleek white cruise ship docked in the distance, its sails and rigging gleaming in the sunlight. The sound of seagulls filled the air, mingling with the hum of activity from the dockworkers and passengers milling about.

Tyler brought the car to a halt alongside a sign that read ‘Luxury Cruises' and turned to face me with a smile.

"Well, this is it!" he said.

"Thanks for the ride, Ty. I appreciate it."

"Hey, that's what friends are for—don't make a big deal out of it."

I smiled, giving him a small nod.

"Alright. You have a fantastic time, okay? You deserve it." He helped me out of the car and handed me a small bag, wishing me a safe and enjoyable journey before driving off.

As I made my way toward the ship, I was greeted by the friendly face of Sienna Summers, who was waiting by the gangway. She was a friend I had met at the after-party and got so comfortable around. She was beautiful, sweet, and vibrant. We got along so well, and I was glad to meet her again.

Sienna's long, curly hair cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall, and her sharp green eyes sparkled with warmth. She was dressed in a stylish white sundress, her slightly tanned skin glowing in the natural light.

"Vivian! So great to see you again!" Sienna exclaimed, embracing me in a warm hug.

"Hi, Sienna," I replied with a smile. "I'm so glad that we're on this adventure together!"

"You know, when Asher reached out to me, I asked him if you would be here, as well, but he said he hadn't called you yet. I was really hoping you would come around, and here you are."

"Yep. Here I am." I chuckled.

Seeing Sienna was like a breath of fresh air, which made me feel an instant sense of comfort and connection with her, just as I had at the after-party. Despite not knowing much about each other, I trusted my instincts and was excited to spend more time with this kindred spirit and the others I would meet inside.

A couple of familiar faces walked past us, and we exchanged pleasantries; it seemed like this was going to be fun, and I couldn't stop smiling.

"Come on, let's get you settled in, shall we?" Sienna helped me with my bag, and we headed into the ship.

Once inside, I was immediately struck by the elegant decor and warm atmosphere. It was beautiful, and I fed my eyes, taking in the polished wood paneling, sparkling chandeliers, and plush carpets.

Sienna's phone rang, and she stared at the lit screen for a moment.

"Please, excuse me. I have to take this," she said to me.

A crew member passed by at that instant, and she turned to him.

"Hey, can you show my friend to her room? Her name is Vivian Kennedy. Thank you. Hello?" She said this last statement after answering the phone and starting to walk away.

"Welcome aboard, Ms. Kennedy," he greeted with a smile, glancing at his iPad. "Your room is on Deck 5, Cabin 512."

"You say it like I'm supposed to know where that is."

"Apologies, ma'am. The elevators are just down the hallway to your left." He gestured, pointing in the direction, and handed me an electronic key card. "Trust me, it shouldn't be hard for you to find."

I accepted the key card and exhaled sharply as he politely excused himself and left to attend to other guests.

I walked to the elevator, thinking how amazing this boat was and all the fun things I would engage in. Stepping inside, I pressed the button for Deck 5, feeling a slight thrill of excitement as the doors closed and the elevator whisked me upward.

After a while, the doors dinged and opened, revealing a quiet corridor enveloped only by the soft hum of the ship's engine and the gentle sway of the vessel.

I heaved a sigh and stepped out, following the signs to Cabin 512. Finally, I located it and stepped inside without considering that it was open and I didn't have to use the key card.

As I stepped inside, I was enveloped by the cozy and luxurious atmosphere of the cabin—so bright and so beautiful. I tossed my bag on a sofa and sat on the plush bed, glancing toward the private balcony and stunning ocean views.

I was tempted to scream out for joy, but I reeled the desire in and grabbed one of the comfy pillows, cuddling it as I lay on my back. The room was so comfortable and sexy that my mind wandered back to Daniil Wolkov.

Why? Why can't I think without him invading my thoughts?

That stunt he pulled back at the store wasn't cool at all, getting me wet on purpose…. Who did he think he was?

I was still livid about what he did and how he'd embarrassed me like that. But I had to admit, he did a good job getting under my skin, and despite my better judgment, I couldn't help but feel a twisted attraction to him.

Ashely had warned me to stay away from Daniil, and I thought I could do that. But with the intensity of the sexual flame that was threatening to consume me, I wasn't so sure anymore.

My thoughts immediately took a sensual turn as I found myself imagining him close, his intense gaze on me and his strong body hovering over me.

Fuck!

I thought about how it would feel having him on top of me, with his lips against me and his skin brushing mine, and eventually, I wondered how he would taste. My heart started racing, and my breathing became impossible to control. I was feeling hot inside, and my body was craving this dangerous man.

I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress that voice telling me not to do what my body needed.

Don't you do it…. Don't you fucking do it!

I ignored the voice, shut my eyes, and slid my hand under my dress, my fingers heading toward my wet pussy. The closer I got to it, the more I panted, biting my lower lip.

What the fuck?

Alarmed by the sound of rushing water from the bathroom, I immediately composed myself, clearing my throat as someone stepped out.

You have got to be kidding me!

"Daniil?" I couldn't hold back my shock.

He smirked at me, his hair wet from the shower and water droplets on his muscular build. He was naked, save for the white towel around his waist. His body was incredibly well-built.

My God, he's gorgeous!

"What…what are you doing here—I mean, in my cabin?" I stuttered, confused by his sexy body and by the fact that he was in the same space with me.

" Your cabin?" He raised his brows. "Oh, milaya , you're in my room. Yours is next door," he explained.

I glanced at my key card. "But this is cabin 512."

"No, it's cabin 513. Like I said, next door."

Shit!

"Hold on, you sounded so confident that I was in the room next door, even when I didn't tell you my cabin number." I cast a suspicious stare at him. "How did you know that?"

Daniil just stood there, smirking. "I have my ways."

This was obviously a setup. It was planned, and I was almost positive that Asher was behind this.

Was this why he'd convinced me to come on board? Maybe they had a deal or something.

Fuck you, Daniil Wolkov .

"Might I ask what you were doing before I stepped out of the bathroom?" He stepped closer with that annoying grin on his face. "Because it sure looked to me like you were trying to—"

"Stop, just stop already," I cut him off, stepping away before that heat could start again.

"You can't keep running away from me, you know," he said as I picked up my bag.

"Watch me," I answered and headed out the door, acutely aware of his eyes pinned on my back, their weight heavy.