MIKHAIL.
I shut my laptop with a sigh and blinked hard at the stabbing ache the screen's glare had left behind my eyes.
I'd been working on securing a deal with the Albanians for almost a year. A whole fucking year. I'd been thrilled initially but all I seemed to think about lately was my wife. My wife. That always sent the same possessive thrill through my chest.
A glance at my phone proved she wasn't as fixated on me as I seemed to be on her. I have no idea why her not texting me pissed me off so much.
Aria Belladonna Moretti and I first met over two decades ago. I was eight and I was her father's prisoner. Don Salvador Moretti had kidnapped me and lured my parents out of their safehouse.
He'd tortured me. The sick bastard was so pleased to see me cry and beg. I clenched my fists at the memory of his sinister smile. He kept telling me how he'd kill my father and rape my mother before killing her.
He laughed about how he'd make me watch and I knew I would have given anything to kill Salvador Moretti at that moment. Then, I met his daughter. And even then Aria was the most stunning girl I'd ever met.
Quick knocks sounded at the door interrupting my thoughts and with a sigh I mumbled, "Come in."
Felix entered and gave a respectful bow before handing me a file. A slow smile spread across my face. It seemed like my new wife was feistier than I thought. To kill a Capo was crazy, especially with how unstable the Italians already were. I had to see her.
"What do you think of my new wife, Felix?" I reached for my suit behind my chair. Felix cleared his throat as if planning how to soften his words.
"Miss Moretti is an impressive woma—"
"Mrs. Volkov. Do not make that mistake again." My furious reaction obviously startled Felix. He didn't realize I was that serious about Aria. Neither did I, to be honest, but I never wanted to hear her being called a Moretti again. From the moment she signed that certificate, she became Aria Volkov.
"Keep going," I say as I strut through the office, Felix on my tail.
"Mrs.Volkov, is an impressive woman. She spent her earlier years being homeschooled by elite professors. She's fluent in eight languages. Studied in Massachusetts on a full ride scholarship to Harvard where she studied Law as well as Business Administration, graduated Summa Cum Laude among roughly 275,000 stude—"
"Stop!" I barked. "I asked you to tell me what you think about her not her life history. I already know all that shit. I'm frankly not even surprised you do as well."
Felix darts infront of me and grabs the door open, then circles the car and slips into the driver's seat. "I imagine we're heading to hangar for the jet?" he asks, powering the car engine.
"Mmm-hmm," I hum in agreement. I probably seemed mad. Why the hell was I flying to Italy to see Aria?
"You know what Felix? Let's head—"
"Mrs. Volkov is a lovely woman. She's intelligent and focused. She's also immaculately beautiful, if I do say so myself. I think it'd be good if you keep her, Pakhan." Felix was like a brother to me in many ways. It isn't easy to find loyalty in the mafia world, and he knew that. I was glad he approved of Aria.
I only offer a small smile and remain silent.
The moment the jet landed, I had to battle my annoyance at the scorning sun that only Southern Europe could endure. That explained the constant tan Aria had.
I have to say though, their little Cosa Nostra estate wasn't half bad. It was perched on a hill with really long columns. Gorgeous cypress trees that lined the long driveway. Everything was either white or golden honestly, which directly contrasted with my dark estate.
I'm sure Aria noticed. 'Another reason we don't fit.' I thought as I got out of the car. I could hear the incessant barking of untrained dogs by the side that reminded me of Drogo, my dog that I'd sent on a covert mission with the rest of the guard dogs over a month ago.
The fleet of servants scrambled as they saw me. An aging woman, whom I could only assume was the head approached me. Her face was a mask of cold detachment but her trembling fingers betrayed her internal panic.
"I'm here for Aria." I was already bored. I'd spent hours on the road, and I needed to see her now.
"The Principessa is in a meeting at the moment. I could —"
I didn't bother to hear the nonsense she was spouting as I walked out, Felix followed in silence. I made my way through the estate, reigning back the memories that tried to claw their way to my mind.
A young maid blocked me from opening the office door with her head bowed. My eyebrows rose too my forehead. Well, it seems some people in this household do have guts.
"Pakhan, I don't mean any offense but please let me inform the principessa before you step in," she rushed in apology. Taking no offense, I took a step back and she turned to knock on the door quickly.
"Who is it?" I heard in a low honeyed voice that could only be Aria's. It brought a smile to my face.
"Principessa, t–t... the Pakhan requests to see you immediately. He's waiting outside." The maid stammered. I could hear gasps at that and pushed the maid aside to see the woman I'd flown at four o'clock to see.
My stunning Principessa.
"Hello, wife," I greeted with a sly smile.
*****
Aria didn't return my smile. I barely glanced at the Capos who watched me approach Aria in dread.
"What are you doing here?" Aria hissed in my hair. I simply smiled, "I missed you, malyshka." I brushed her cheek to place back her hair, she couldn't help but shiver at the contact. She was always so receptive to my touch.
My cock hardened like granite, straining against my zipper. I didn't care about the Capos watching, but apparently Aria did. She pushed me away and asked them to leave, "Signori, sarebbe meglio rimandare temporaneamente questa riunione."
They began to fall out, but a Capo I knew was Matteo Romano remained, a determined set to his jaw and fury in his gaze. I merely grinned.
"Is there a problem?" I asked. He wanted to respond to me but he glanced at Aria and thought better of it before storming the room in anger.
A grin tugged at my lips at Aria's obvious annoyance. "Why the hell did you come here, Mikhail?" she hissed through gritted teeth. For a second, I'm taken aback by how beautiful she is up close, it's like she gets prettier every time.
"Like I said, I missed you, malyshka." She just stared at me. It always felt like she could actually see me. Others saw a monster, someone dangerous. Aria saw…me.
"I'm going to give you three seconds to move away," I whispered, leaning closer to her. My intentions were obvious enough.
One. Two. Three.
"Fuck, baby," I growl and slam my mouth to hers. I attack her mouth with such ferocity that I'm certain she can't breathe. She wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing with all her might as she kisses me like it's the end of the fucking world. I pull her lower lip between my teeth and then place a final chaste kiss on her lips before stepping back.
"You kiss so well, baby," I groan by her ear. A soft pink blooms across her cheeks. Is she pink in…other places too? I kiss her forehead, "I have to go, baby."
She doesn't say anything. "You have to move to Russia," Maybe that'll get a reaction out of her.
Her eyes widen. "I don't have to move anywhere," she yells.
"If you want the Bravta to approve this union, you will," I say calmly. I refrain from stroking her cheek, she wouldn't like that right now. Her eyes narrow to slits.
"Goodbye for now, malyshka," I whisper and turn to leave. As I open the door I hear her mutter, "Stop calling me that."