She never ceased to amaze me.
Ayla stared at me for a few seconds, her expression changing from happy to uncertain. I saw her swallow hard, and then she leaned forward, quickly placing a kiss on my lips before moving back.
I felt an eyebrow arch in question, and she ducked her head timidly. I lifted her chin up and dipped my head, moving down until our lips were mere inches apart. Ayla’s eyes flared in surprise, and she leaned forward again until our lips were joined together.
The first touch of our lips felt electrifying, almost like the first time I kissed her. Every time I kissed her was like the first. Our kiss was light and exquisitely gentle. She sighed almost dreamily into my lips as we broke off the kiss.
Ayla made a little contented sound and snuggled deeper into my chest. She placed a kiss on my shoulder and rested her head there.
A sense of comfort filled my heart as I wrapped my arms around her. I never thought I would need this. Holding someone, just being like this. Silent but still connected. This wasn’t what I was looking for, but Ayla came crashing into my life and gave me something I didn’t even know I needed.
My father was right.
An angel is someone who is sweet, kind, caring, calm, and mellow. The most beautiful woman on the planet. Someone who is amazing in every way. She is the girl who makes your heart beat faster when she walks into the room. The girl you will need wherever you go. The girl who makes you want to be better. Angel is someone who is your rock.
I gave up hope of finding my Angel a long time ago. After I lost my mother, the only person who was my everything, I believed that Angels didn’t exist. I thought it was all a lie.
But Ayla…she truly was an Angel.
***
Walking into my office, I saw my men already waiting for me. Seeing them reminded me of who I actually was. For the past few days, I had been so lost in Ayla, only focusing on her. But now it was time to be Alessio Ivanshov. It wasn’t easy, leading almost a double life…an experienced and well-known businessman by day and a crime lord by night. But this was second nature for me. I was bred to do so since my first breath.
“Give me a brief summary of everything,” I demanded as I took a seat behind my table.
Nikolay leaned away from the wall and started. “I’ve done rounds through the clubs. Fifteen in all. Alberto has been quiet around them, and there has not been much activity from his men. The women are safe. As safe as they can be in a place like that.”
I nodded and looked at Artur. “What happened to the other women?”
He shook his head, dejection clear on his face. “We didn’t get there in time. There were kids with them too.”
Pounding a fist on the table, I stood up as fierce anger assaulted me. “How the fuck didn’t you get there in time? You knew about this for a week.”
“Boss, he knew we were spying. His men took a different route to deliver the women and the kids to the buyer.”
“Fuck!” I swore, raking my fingers through my hair in frustration. “How many?”
“About twenty women,” he said, looking down in defeat.
Alberto was part of a human trafficking ring. Because of his alliance with the Mexican cartel, it was too strong to stop.
I had just failed twenty women. Twenty women and kids I could have saved.
“You’re no longer in control of this job,” I growled at Artur. His head snapped up, and he stared at me in shock.
“Nikolay is taking over,” I said through gritted teeth. “Next time, I don’t want a fucking mistake on this.”
“Boss,” Nikolay nodded, his face filled with conviction.
“Viktor,” I snapped toward him.
“I’ve been keeping tabs on Alberto, and Mark called back with details,” he started calmly and then paused.
“Alberto is weak on his own, but if he had the other’s alliance, then he is much stronger. He’s in deep with the Mexican cartel. He wants to expand his empire. He knows the only way to weaken you is by getting the others on his side, business-wise.”
Sitting down, I rubbed a hand over my face, my body vibrating with rage and a thirst for my enemies’ blood. Squeezing my hands in first, I closed my eyes. I thought about asking for support from the other Families.
Even though I was the Pakhan, the Boss—the Russian Mafia consisted of four families in all. They would come to my help if asked…but I had to deal with this shit on my own. For now.
When I heard the door, my eyes snapped open to see Phoenix coming in. “Boss,” he greeted with a nod.