Chapter Nineteen

Aksana

I laid in bed, unable to find peace, tossing and turning restlessly until suddenly, a mysterious figure abruptly interrupted my sleep by covering my mouth with their hand, causing panic to surge through my veins and triggering a cacophony of warning bells in my mind. I jolted upright and my eyes quickly darted toward the crib next to my bed, only to realize that my daughter was not where I left her. I inhaled deeply and the overpowering scent of stale beer overwhelmed my senses. When I looked back, I found Vladmir, heavily intoxicated, leaning over me.

With narrowed eyes and slurred speech, he accused, “You’re a liar.”

With a sudden burst of strength, I pushed him away from me and swiftly moved away from his presence.

“Where is my daughter?”

With anger emanating from him, he sat on the bed, scoffed and fixed me with a piercing glare. “My daughter is with her sister.”

Shaking my head, I groaned. “You’re drunk, Vladmir. Go to bed.”

With a threatening air, he narrowed his eyes, intensifying the sense of danger.

He was scaring me.

“You know, when we first met, I thought it odd that you asked for me specifically. I had never met you before, didn’t even know about you, until Valhalla called me. Even after I met you, I could tell you were holding something back. You said, ‘I may have been born a girl. Inconsequential in the Russian world, but I have eyes and ears, Mr. Ivenok. I know all the players and what is really at stake here.’ I thought it was odd of you to word everything that way, but I overlooked it because of who you said you were. I should have known better.”

“What are you talking about?” My heart pounded in my chest when he got up and meticulously took off his suit jacket. Each movement filled with a sense of deliberate grace.

“You said there was another hiding in the shadows. Someone stronger, someone so patient they were willing to sit back and let everyone else fight to the death, and when the last man was standing, that’s when he would make his move. He was the real threat. You said that, remember?” he clearly asked, unbuckling his belt, before yanking it through the loops then letting it fall to the floor.

He unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt. I nodded my head in a deliberate, unhurried manner. With a sudden burst of strength, he seized the fabric and forcefully ripped it open, causing buttons to go flying in all directions. In a swift motion, he casually shrugged off the now-torn shirt, leaving it discarded on the floor.

My body became paralyzed with fear, rendering me motionless, and all I could manage was a timid whisper. “I remember.”

Moving with stealth and precision, he circled the bed, his eyes fixed on me like a predator. “I didn’t understand it all until Bane called me and told me who you really were, and then Scribe showed me a file. Your father is Devlin Scott. That I could look past because it doesn’t matter, but do you want to know what else Bane told me?”

“No.”

“Would you like to explain to me how I am Katiya’s biological father? Because I would really like to know how that fact is possible, since I only met you for the first time at the Nyght Nymphs.”

Panic shot through me when he advanced, his focused gaze fixated on me, leaving me with nowhere to escape.

I whispered, “What are you going to do to me?”

Vladmir smirked evilly. “What I do best. I’m going to extract all the information out of you by any means necessary.”

There was a mysterious flicker in his eyes when our gazes locked, hinting at something hidden beneath the surface. Their deep, dark blue hue was so rich that it almost seemed to merge with the black color. With each step he took closer to me, I could see the disappointment etched on his face, his eyes filled with rage, but above all, a burning look of pure hatred.

All remnants of his previous perception of me disappeared, leaving behind only a deep and unmitigated loathing.

His deliberate and lingering gaze made me feel self-conscious, causing my face to flush with embarrassment. My attire consisted solely of a tattered T-shirt and a simple pair of white panties. He had a clear and unobstructed view of my body from every angle. With a forceful grip, he tightly clutched onto my arm, causing immense pressure.

A mix of danger and another indescribable feeling, almost resembling excitement, sent a tingle through me.

“You’re a fucking liar, Aksana.”

The strength in his hands was so powerful that it took my breath away. As his grip tightened, his fingers ran along the inside of my arm, sending shivers down my spine. As he stood there, so incredibly close to me, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of arousal and an irrational impulse to lean in and kiss him. Amidst his display of anger, I perceived a hidden layer of hurt that he was concealing.

I didn’t move.

His eyes flickered with a range of emotions—anger, surprise, and finally settling into a speculative gaze when he locked eyes with me. With a firm grip on my other arm, he inched me closer, his actions cautious and deliberate, as if gauging my response. The force with which he held onto me was intense, verging on the brink of causing pain. The combination of his anger, which ignited a fiery sensation within me, and the underlying vulnerability that I perceived, effectively diminished any sense of fear.

In an attempt to feel closer to him, I took a small step forward, closing the distance between us by a fraction of an inch. Inhaling deeply, I knew he detected the fragrance of my perfume, as well as the unmistakable scent of my increasing arousal.

I closed my eyes, then a low, primal moan escaped from deep within me, resonating with raw intensity.

With a rough touch, his hand grasped my jaw and turned my face to meet his gaze.

“Look at me.” His voice was deep and gravelly.

It felt like he had placed me under a hypnotic spell, drawing me closer with each word.

I opened my eyes.

With a growl of frustration, he cursed, “God damn us both to hell,” before pulling me into a fiery, intoxicating kiss. As if a switch had been flipped within me, I instantly responded by parting my lips and inviting his tongue into my mouth. The desire for him burned within me. I wanted him. I could feel my nipples responding to his touch as he pulled me closer, his arms moving around me with a sense of urgency. His hands descended to my rear, tightening their grasp with intensity. With each forceful movement, his anger lingered on his lips, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. The touch of his tongue against mine sent shivers down my spine, and the pressure of his hard body against my breasts stirred a primal longing within me. The intensity of my kiss matched the pent-up turmoil I had been feeling all day as he crushed me in his embrace.

I claimed his arousal and he plundered mine. I gasped for breath while his hands explored every inch of my body, paying special attention to my buttocks, while his fingers traced the sensual curves of my waist that led up to my breasts. He exerted pressure and swiftly pinched my nipple through the fabric of my shirt.

I whimpered a little, fear taking over as I backed away.

He tugged me towards him, his lips crashing against mine in a heated kiss. The sensation of his hand sliding up my leg, inching closer and closer to the intimate space between my thighs, made my heart race with desire. As I tightly crossed my legs, he forcefully pushed forward, spreading them apart. His rough hand gripped my pussy. His fingers skillfully ventured beneath my panties, instantly finding the wetness waiting there. He expertly stimulated my clit with a flicking motion.

I moaned.

With purpose, he shoved me against the wall, creating a barricade around my body with his own, and forcefully held my hands high above my head, while his free hand delicately glided along my collarbone, intensifying the mix of pain and pleasure.

“Submit,” he whispered in my ear. “This will be so much better for you if you do.”

He kissed my mouth, then down my neck, onto the tops of my breasts.

Keeping a tight grip on my arms with one hand, he used his other hand to tear my shirt away, leaving my body exposed. Under the intense scrutiny of his gaze, I became acutely aware of the weight of my breasts. Their heaviness accentuated and laid bare. With a look of intense desire on his face, he briefly closed his eyes. Taking hold of both of my breasts, he applied pressure and tightly grasped them with his rugged, calloused hands. He roughly kneaded my breasts, teasing and playing with my nipples until they reached their peak.

I whimpered.

He leaned down to lick them.

I reached out to touch him, he responded with a menacing growl and forcefully grabbed both of my wrists, exerting a punishing grip that propelled me towards the bed.

“Please,” I implored, yielding to his intense desire.

“No,” he said darkly.

He pulled me against his chest. “What I’m about to do is not for you.”

I felt a sense of trepidation that caused me to instinctively step back, and as I retreated, my legs unexpectedly made contact with the edge of the bed, resulting in me falling backwards onto it. The moment I made a move to stand up, he pounced on me with incredible speed, subjecting me to a cruel nipple pinch.

I cried out.

He licked it. The pleasure I experienced was absolutely incredible, following the intense torture he inflicted. When he pinched the other, I couldn’t help but let out a little scream, especially when he ran his tongue over it as well. He thoroughly explored my chest, using his tongue to lick every inch, while also alternating between sucking on each of my nipples. While his hand slowly moved up my thigh, a shiver ran through my body, building up excitement as I eagerly anticipated his next touch.

“Please,” I said again, this time unsure whether I wanted him to stop or keep going.

In one swift motion, he took hold of my waist, effortlessly lifting me up and gently guiding me to rest on the plush pillows. In that moment, he swiftly descended, positioning himself between my thighs, forcibly parting my legs, all while violently removing my panties. Wasting no time, he took my torn panties and swiftly used them to gag me, effectively silencing me and making it impossible for me to utter another word.

Tightly secured, he glared. “You move and I’ll make you wish you never met me.”

A tremor of fear coursed through me as he rose from the bed. Fear seized my body, rendering me paralyzed and incapable of mustering the bravery to escape his grip. Then, he grabbed me, sat on the bed and positioned me over his thighs.

I lay over his legs, my face towards the floor and my ass in the air as he started to spank me.

I cried out, my voice muffled thanks to the panties stuffed in my mouth.

It wasn’t too hard, just little slaps and taps on my ass. Some of them gently touched my shaved pussy, which felt incredibly sensitive and tender. Initially, a hint of excitement started to build within me. He continued on while it became evident that his slaps were growing increasingly forceful, the resonating sound of flesh against flesh reverberating throughout the room.

In my struggle to break free from his overwhelming hold, I found myself constantly subjected to his increasingly forceful slaps on my rear, intensifying the already painful situation.

“You lied to me, Aksana,” he accused, his hand connecting with my ass again.

I shook my head in defiance. My cries filled the air, making it difficult to understand my choked words. I wanted desperately to confess that I hadn’t lied. I wanted to explain everything, but he was in no temperament to listen. It was clear that his anger had taken control, and I instinctively understood that any words or actions from me would only add fuel to the fire.

“I trusted you. I believed you,” he said, petting my sore ass now, soothing it, while he bent down and kissed it.

“But keeping my daughter from me?” He growled as his body stiffened. “That is something I will never forgive.”

Bracing myself, I felt a gentle breeze brush against my skin before his hand harshly struck my already sensitive backside. The pain that coursed through my body was so intense, I screamed past my panties, gasping for air as he robbed me of the very breath in my lungs. And when I could finally catch my breath, I found myself lying face down on the bed as he spread my ass cheeks wide.

“You have such a beautiful ass.”

Petrified, I remained motionless while his hands caressed my backside, his touch both exhilarating and unsettling. He leaned down and sensually kissed my tight, puckered hole.

I squirmed as he licked more purposefully. His grip tightened around me, and I glanced over my shoulder. I witnessed him sucking on his middle finger with his tongue before inserting it into my rear.

The intense violation left me breathless, my gasp of shock hanging in the air. With his other hand, he skillfully stimulated my moist pussy, sending waves of pleasure through my body. He shoved two fingers in my cunt and one in my ass. He pumped his fingers in and out of my cunt and I squirmed harder, panting as he used his thumb to rub my clit.

Moaning and struggling beneath him, I could feel his finger penetrating deeper into my ass, widening it when something unimaginable took place.

I screamed when I began to cum.

He growled.

I reached a powerful climax, my body convulsing on the bed, overwhelmed by the sensation of being penetrated in both places. I could feel the wetness from my excitement soaking into the sheets.

He deftly flipped me over, spread my thighs, and licked my pussy.

My emotions overwhelmed me and I found myself whimpering, shuddering, tears staining my cheeks. My sensitivity heightened from climaxing, yet he continued to pleasure me with his mouth, using a combination of teeth, lips and tongue.

I moaned again. He was driving me up past a point I’d never been. The impulse to push his head away surged within me, but fear of another punishment kept me from acting.

With each lick, he demonstrated his relentless, ravenous nature, inflicting a diabolical and vindictive torture. In a frenzy, I bucked wildly on the bed, my screams and cries filling the air as I reached climax once more. I had never experienced anything like it.

I lay back, panting, when I opened my eyes to look at him.

He positioned himself between my spread thighs. I could see the anger in his eyes resurface once more. The tip of his heavy and engorged cock teased my wet cunt, the tantalizing proximity sending shivers down my spine. Without warning, he suddenly shoved into me, hard.

I screamed.

It hurt, a lot.

His cock was so huge. I looked down, noticing it was only a little more than half of the way in. I was shaking. With calculated movements, he pressed his cock deeper, delivering a punishing sensation. It stung, but he showed no signs of stopping as he continued to thrust forcefully, spreading me apart. Despite being drenched, he towered over me with his impressive size. With a forceful motion, he withdrew and then plunged back in with intensity.

The sounds that escaped my mouth were unrecognizable—a haunting, mournful cry—as he ravaged my seemingly compliant form. He fucked me with an unprecedented force, the sound of our bodies colliding echoed in the room. With a powerful thrust, he pinned me to the bed, his triumphant roar filling the air. In a swift motion, he withdrew, gripping his cock and unleashing his milky white cum all over my exposed skin and face.

My body froze in shock as I lay there, seething with anger, while the last spurt of liquid splattered onto my thigh. Stepping back, he said absolutely fucking nothing when he bent down and pulled on his boxers. Watching him, the fury inside me grew exponentially as he dressed and headed for the door.

Opening it, he turned back to me and sighed. “What happens next is up to you.”

Scrambling to my feet, I grabbed my robe, hastily throwing it on, I ran after him, only to come to a complete stop upon seeing the President of the Golden Skulls and the Pakhan of the Russian Mob both sitting in the small living room.

“Get dressed, Aksana.” Maxim glared. “We need to talk.”

Sitting on the hard wooden chair, both men stared at me, neither saying a single word. I didn’t claim to know what was going on, and I knew not to ask until they were ready to talk. So, when Maxim leaned forward and sighed, I knew my life depended on what I said next.

“Did you know you were the biological daughter of Devlin Scott?”

Nodding, I clearly said, “Yes. I only found out about my real father when I was living in Destiny. I served beers and drinks at the Disturbed clubhouse. I was coming out of class one day when an old man approached me. I thought he was just lost and needed help until he said he’d been looking for me my whole life and that I was his daughter. When I asked him who he was and he told me his name, I knew of him immediately. That’s when he showed his true colors. He tried to grab me right then and there, but some other students ran over to help me. I got away. After picking up Katiya from the daycare, I headed home to find my house destroyed. I thought Steele and the Satan’s Angels had found me. I didn’t think. I ran to Disturbed, only to see the Soulless Sinners there. With no other choice, I fled. That’s the truth. I swear it on Katiya’s life. I’m sorry, Maxim. I should have told you right away, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know who to trust anymore.”

“And Katiya?” he questioned angrily.

Shaking my head, I said, “I didn’t know. I swear. I told you I knew Steele wasn’t her father. I told you I remembered waking up in the hospital and hearing Mr. Ess talking to a doctor.”

“DON’T LIE TO ME!” Maxim roared.

Trembling, tears rolled down my face. I quickly responded, “I swear to you, Pakhan. I swear, I don’t know how this is possible. Please believe me. I never met Vladmir until we met at the Nyght Nymphs. Had I known, I would have reached out to him immediately. I knew Katiya wasn’t Steele’s because he was sterile. I never imagined, never even thought for one second she could be Vladmir’s. I swear it on my life, Pakhan. I’m telling you the truth. I would never do that to Vladmir.”

“Kyle Kreuger,” Reaper spoke.

Turning to the man, I sniffed, wiping my eyes. “The Oracle. What about them?”

“Them?” Reaper looked at Maxim, who asked, “There is more than one?”

“Yes.” I quickly nodded. “Brothers.”

“How do you know them?”

“I don’t. I mean, I’ve never met them personally, but I know they both work for Mr. Ess. I heard Konstantin and George talking about them a few times. They hated the Oracle. They tried for years to find out where they were. They wanted them dead.”

“Why?” Maxim asked.

“Because the Oracle is all knowing, and with their skills on the dark web, there is nothing they can’t get access to,” I answered truthfully, looking at both men.

I hated myself for keeping all this from them, but mostly I hated myself for deceiving Vladmir. He had been nothing but honest with me from day one, and I kept things from him. Important things.

I knew he would never trust me again.

“Can you get Sypher on this? We need to find out who this Oracle is. Maybe he knows of them.”

“Already texted him,” Reaper confirmed, getting to his feet. He said nothing more, leaving me alone with the Pakhan.

“What are you going to do with me?” I whispered, unsure I wanted to hear the answer.

“Nothing.”

My head snapped to his. “What do you mean, nothing?”

“I only have one more question for you, Aksana,” the Pakhan clearly said. “And your answer will decide what happens next.”

Gulping, I muttered, “I understand.”

“Do you love Vladmir?”

Closing my eyes, images of the man filtered into my head. His smile, the tender way he held Katiya, the friendship he had with the Pakhan and his brothers. The man was everything I desired and more. From his gentle nature to his strong, protective arms. He was the embodiment of all that was good and decent in this world, and I hurt him deeply.

I tried to stem the volley of tears that threatened to stream down my face. I hurt him so badly. All I had to do was tell him the truth, and now that he knew everything I did, he couldn’t bear to be in the same room with me. He truly hated me now and it was all my fault.

Gentle hands rubbed my shoulders and when I opened my eyes, Maxim looked at me and sighed. “Loving a member of the Bratva isn’t easy, Aksana. I wish I could tell you that things will get easier, but you grew up in this life and know that easy is not in our cards. To love Bratva is a full-time commitment. Once you make that decision, there is no going back. So be sure about this because the only way out is death.”

“I betrayed him. He hates me now.”

“He doesn’t hate you. He’s not happy with you, but he doesn’t hate you. Give him time, Aksana. Vladmir is a proud man. He feels deeply but has a hard time showing it.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes.”

“Is my marriage to him legal? Like really legal?”

Maxim nodded. “Yes, Aksana. He insisted upon it when Dmitry learned your marriage to Steele was fake. He knew whoever was coming for you and Katiya, that you two needed to be protected, but truthfully, he married you because he loves you.”

I frowned. “He’s barely said anything to me.”

“Like I said. He’s not good with feelings.” Maxim smirked. “Now, if you don’t mind. I’m going to go collect my new goddaughter and spend some time getting to know her. In the meantime, I suggest you get some sleep. I fear these next few days will not be easy for you.”

And he was right.

They weren’t.