The gentle light from the lamp on my desk cast a warm ambiance, illuminating the papers and documents.
The Romanov brothers secretary had just delivered the funding I requested, along with a detailed file on the Winter Ball. As I scanned the documents, I noticed the level of detail. The brothers were leaving nothing to chance, but my attention was soon diverted to more pressing matters. My private assistant had revealed a shocking truth about the brothers trip to London 6 months ago. It seemed they hadn't been there for a meeting, as they had claimed. Instead, they had been sponsoring a scholarship for a girl named Emily at Imperial College London. How was this even possible?
My mind reeled as I tried to process this information. Who was Emily, and why were the Romano brothers involved in her life? I felt a surge of anger and curiosity, wondering why I hadn't been informed about this. A surge of shock coursed through me as I read the words on the page. "Sponsoring a scholarship for a girl named Emily at Imperial College London?" My eyes scanned the document again, as if the words might change if I looked hard enough. But they didn't. The Romanov brothers were involved with someone else, someone I didn't know. My grip on the paper tightened, my fingers crumpling the edge. Who was this Emily, and why were they investing in her?
I felt a burning sensation in my chest, a mix of anger and curiosity. How could this be kept from me? What else were they hiding? My mind was a whirlwind of questions, each one fueling my determination to uncover the truth. I tossed the document aside, the papers fluttering to the desk. My eyes narrowed, a plan forming in my mind. I would find out everything about Emily, and I would make sure she didn't become a problem. The Romanov brothers thought they could play me, but they were wrong. I would show them what it means to cross me, my eyes still fixed on the document. The game had changed, and I was ready to play. I would uncover the truth about Emily, and I would use it to my advantage. The Romanov brothers might think they're in control, but I'm the one who will come out on top.
As I read the file further , I discovered that Emily was a brilliant student, but there was something about her that didn't add up. She seemed to be shrouded in mystery, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the story behind Emily, these were the boss and underboss of the Russian mafia, what would they want with a smart student? Why were they interested in sponsoring her? What is her link to them?
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was my assistant, with a look of concern on her face. My assistant stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes fixed on me with a look of fear . She took a deep breath before stepping forward, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Ma'am, I need to tell you something," she said, her words hesitant.
I looked up from the documents on my desk, my gaze piercing. "What is it?" I asked, my assistant swallowed hard, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. "It's about the Romanov brothers," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I've discovered something else that might...might upset you."
I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. "Go on," I said, my voice firm.
My assistant took another deep breath before blurting out the news.
"It's about her family," my assistant replied. "From what I've gathered, Emily's family was involved in some shady dealings. There was a tragic event in her past, and it's rumored that the Romanov brothers were involved."
My eyes narrowed. This was getting interesting. I leaned forward, my eyes locked on my assistant. "Tell me more." Ten years ago Ma'am your husbands were contracted by Emily's relatives to eliminate the entire family, however they didn't complete the job, they left Emily alive, and for the past ten years they have been protecting, watching and guarding her.
As my assistant filled me in on the details, my mind was racing with possibilities. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The brothers involvement with Emily was more complex than I had initially thought, but my greatest concern was if they had fallen in love with her, that is the only thing that explains this or they still felt guilt , which was less likely the case, regardless I couldn't leave anything to chance, I knew I needed someone I could trust, or at least someone who shared my interests. My thoughts drifted to Cian O'Connor, the new head of the Irish mafia. Our complicated past and shared passion for power made him a useful ally, but I knew better than to trust him completely.
Still, I needed his help. I picked up my phone and sent a cryptic message to Cian, requesting a meeting. I knew he'd come, driven by his own interests and desire for revenge against the Romanov brothers.
Cian arrived promptly, his rugged features and piercing gaze commanding attention. "Cian, darling," I said, my voice husky as I approached him. "I have some information that might interest you."
Cian's eyes narrowed, his gaze intense. "What is it, love?"
I filled him in on Emily, the girl the brothers were sponsoring, and her potential threat to my own destiny. "I want her eliminated," I stated, my voice cold. "If you can help me with that, I'd be grateful."
Cian's expression turned calculating, his mind racing with possibilities. "Tell me more about this Emily," he said, his voice low and deadly. "I'll take care of it."
In that moment, I knew I had Cian's full attention and cooperation. With his help, I could neutralize the potential threat Emily posed and secure my own future as the Russian bride. Our partnership would be mutually beneficial, with Cian exacting revenge on the Romanov brothers and me eliminating a potential rival.
I smiled, a plan forming in my mind. "Let's work together, Cian. We can take down the Romanov brothers and secure our own power."
Cian's eyes locked onto mine, a spark of agreement in his gaze. "I'm in love. Let's do this."
Cian's life had been a never-ending party, a blur of champagne toasts, high-stakes poker games, and beautiful women vying for his attention. He was a playboy, living life on his own terms, with no strings attached. His father's wealth and influence had afforded him a life of luxury, and Cian had reveled in it, never wanting for anything. But beneath the surface, he was empty, unfulfilled, and searching for something more. That all changed the night his father was murdered. Cian's world came crashing down around him, and he was forced to confront the harsh realities of his life. His father's empire, built on blood and sweat, was crumbling, and Cian was expected to step up and take the reins. The weight of responsibility was crushing, but Cian was determined to prove himself worthy of his father's legacy. As he navigated the treacherous world of organized crime, Cian's thoughts often drifted back to Natalia. He had met her at a casino, one of the many nights he'd lost himself in the haze of cards and whiskey. She was a vision, a stunning beauty with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair. Their relationship had been passionate and all-consuming, with Natalia drawing Cian in with her intensity and ambition. But as much as Cian loved her, he knew she was driven by her own demons, and he often found himself caught in the crossfire of her vendettas.
The Romanov brothers had been a thorn in Cian's side for far too long. Their role in his father's death still burned within him, fueling his desire for revenge. Cian's hatred for them was deep-seated, a festering wound that refused to heal. He had vowed to make them pay for what they had done, to bring them to their knees and watch them beg for mercy. And now, with Natalia asking him to investigate Emily, Cian saw an opportunity to uncover secrets and potentially further his own agenda.
Emily was a mystery, a puzzle wrapped in a riddle. Cian's team soon uncovered whispers of her connection to the Romanov brothers, but the more he learned, the more questions he had. What was her role in their organization? Was she a pawn or a player? And what did Natalia hope to gain from her investigation? As Cian dug deeper, he found himself becoming increasingly obsessed with Emily. He poured over every shred of evidence, every whispered rumor, every hint of scandal. His team worked tirelessly, uncovering a trail of breadcrumbs leading back to the Romanov brothers. It seemed Emily was more than just a pretty face; she was a complex web of secrets and lies. And Cian was determined to unravel her threads, one by one.
Natalia had her own motivations, her own agenda, and Cian wasn't sure if he was playing into her hands or forging his own path. The investigation was a minefield, and Cian knew one wrong move could be disastrous. Despite the risks, Cian couldn't help but feel drawn to Emily. There was something about her that captivated him, a spark of defiance and determination that mirrored his own. He knew he had to tread carefully, to separate his growing fascination with her from his loyalty to Natalia. But as he dove deeper into the investigation, Cian couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head.
He knew he was playing with fire, but he couldn't help himself. The stakes were high, and Cian was willing to risk everything to uncover the truth. As the night wore on, Cian's thoughts turned to Natalia. What would she think when she learned the truth about Emily? Would she be pleased, or would she turn on him?
Unknown to him, Natalia knew the truth about Emily, and it was the reason she wanted to use him to eliminate her. Cian's eyes lit up with a brilliant idea as he sat in his office, surrounded by files and information about Emily. He would pose as a scholarship provider, using his wealth and influence to arrange a meeting with her. He picked up the phone and dialed the dean's number, his voice smooth and persuasive as he offered a substantial donation to the university in exchange for setting up a meeting with Emily. The dean, eager to secure the funding, agreed to Cian's proposal. A meeting was arranged, and Emily was informed that a generous scholarship provider wanted to meet her. Cian anticipated that Emily would be grateful and eager to express her thanks.
As he prepared for the meeting, Cian reviewed the information he had gathered on Emily. He knew about her passion for medicine, her dedication to helping others, and her commitment to finding innovative solutions to healthcare challenges. He planned to use this knowledge to his advantage, pretending to be impressed by her work and offering words of encouragement. The meeting took place, and Emily was taken aback by Cian's charm and charisma. He spoke about her research on a particular medical project, praising her dedication and compassion. "I love the way you approach your work with such passion and empathy," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "You have a bright future ahead of you, and I believe in you." Emily was touched by Cian's words, and she could see the gratitude in her eyes. He suggested they meet for dinner to discuss her goals and plans, and Emily agreed, unaware of the true intentions behind Cian's offer.
Cian smiled warmly as he asked Emily out to dinner. "I'd love to discuss your future plans and see how I can continue supporting you," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. Emily's face lit up with excitement as she agreed.
Meanwhile, the Romanov brothers watched from the shadows, their faces etched with shock and concern. "When did he start funding her?" Ryurik whispered, eyes wide with alarm. No sooner had the realization dawned on them that Cian had discovered their involvement and was now posing as her sole benefactor.
Their unease turned to panic as they scrambled to figure out how Cian had uncovered their secret. "What can we do to stop this dinner meeting?" Ryurik asked, his voice laced with desperation.
Emily, on the other hand, returned to her apartment, she couldn't wait to share her experience with her roommates. "You won't believe what just happened!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I met my scholarship provider today, he is so charming and generous. He's even taking me out to dinner to discuss my future plans." The girls squealed with delight, their imaginations running wild with possibilities.
"This is like a Cinderella story!" Sophia gushed, her eyes shining with happiness . "You're so lucky, Emily!" Just as they were giggling and chatting, a delivery man arrived with a package for Emily, which she eagerly signed for, curious to find out what was in the prettily wrapped box. Eagerly tearing open the box, she saw a stunning red dress, complete with precious stones, a diamond necklace, and matching shoes. The girls gasped in unison as they saw the exquisite outfit.
"Wow, this is incredible!" Emily breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. While the girls were still gushing, Sophia's expression turned cautious. "Emily, I don't know if I should be happy for you or worried," Sophia said, her brow furrowed with concern. "This guy just shows up out of nowhere, and now he's taking you out to dinner? It sounds too good to be true."
Emily laughed, but Sophia's words struck a chord. "I know it sounds crazy, but he seems really nice," Emily said, her voice uncertain. Sophia's eyes locked onto Emily's. "Be careful, okay? You don't know anything about this guy. What if he's not who he says he is?" Sophia's voice was laced with a mix of concern and warning.
Emily nodded, taking Sophia's advice to heart. "You're right. I'll be careful." Sophia dashed into her room, rummaging through her bag and finally pulled out a small dagger. "Take this," she said, handing it to Emily. "Just in case."
Emily's eyes widened as she took the dagger. "Sophia, what if he tries something funny?" Sophia's expression turned serious. "Don't hesitate to use it. And keep your phone on, share your location with me, and check in with me regularly, If anything feels off, don't hesitate to get out of there."
Emily nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance with the dagger in her possession. She tucked it into her purse, her heart racing with anticipation and a hint of fear. The girls quickly got to work, helping Emily get ready for her dinner date.
As the brothers watched from their screen, their anxiety grew. "We need to stop this," Ryurik growled, his face twisted with anger, but it might already be too late. The evening was about to unfold in ways they couldn't control.
After much deliberation and consideration, the brothers realized that there was no way they could warn Emily about Cian and his intentions towards her without exposing the whole truth and hurting her in the process. They rather sent their men to the restaurant where the dinner date will be held, to infiltrate the place, a sniper on the rooftop, other gunmen strategically positioned in every corner of the restaurant, this also included those under the guise of guests eating, the waiter, chef, musician, instrumentalist, the restaurant was well-infiltrated.
The brothers watched anxiously as Cian picked up Emily for their dinner date. They had planted their men in the restaurant, and a sniper was positioned on the rooftop, waiting for the signal to take out Cian, but they weren't still at ease. They would only be calm when their princess was out of the bloody restaurant where she was with their arch-nemesis and back at home where they could at least ensure she was safe. Cian, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows, arrived at Emily's doorstep looking sharp in his suit. He smiled charmingly as he greeted her, and Emily's eyes lit up with appreciation, as they drove to the restaurant, Cian effortlessly engaged Emily in conversation, making her laugh and feel at ease. At the restaurant, he was the perfect gentleman, pulling out her chair and ordering for her when she couldn't decide.
Watching this, the brothers were boiling with anger, their eyes fixed on the screens as they monitored every move Cian made. But for now, Emily's safety was their top priority. The dinner date went smoothly, with Cian and Emily enjoying each other's company. After the dinner Cian drove Emily home, and walked her to her door, his eyes locked onto hers as he pecked her cheek. "I had a wonderful time," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Would you like to do this again?" Emily smiled, her cheeks flushing. "I'd like that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As Cian bid Emily goodnight, the Romano brothers watched, Ryurik faces tense with frustration. Aleksandr's eyes blazed with fury as he watched the scene unfold before him, his temper soaring. "How dare he," Aleksandr snarled, his voice low and menacing. She's mine, mine. No one touches her. No one even looks at her without my permission. Aleksandr was beyond reason. He was a man possessed, driven by a fierce possessiveness that wouldn't be tamed. He turned on the offender, his eyes blazing with fury.
Ryurik placed a firm but gentle hand on Aleksandr's shoulder, trying to calm his brother's rage. Aleksandr's chest heaved with anger, Ryurik's eyes met Aleksandr's, a silent understanding passing between them. We can't let anger cloud our reasoning brother, it's good we know what we're up against, now we have to figure out how he found about Emily, how much he knows, the rat in our mist and eliminate them. We will make Cian pay for touching our girl, for now need to focus on the bigger picture, Aleksandr. We can't let one incident throw us off course. Aleksandr's eyes locked onto Rurik's, a fierce determination burning in their depths. "We'll get our revenge," he said, his voice low and deadly. "We'll make him pay for what he has done."
Ryurik nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.
They knew they had to be patient, to wait for the perfect moment to strike. The minute Emily stepped through the door, she was ambushed by her friend, who wanted to know every detail of the dinner. Emily couldn't stop talking about the date. "He's so charming and handsome," she gushed. "I feel like I'm in a fairy tale." Her friend listened, a mix of concern and excitement on her face. "Just be careful, okay?" she cautioned.
Emily nodded, still smiling from ear to ear. As Emily stepped safely into her apartment, the brothers exhaled a collective sigh of relief. Their eyes never left the screens as they monitored her every move, ensuring she was secure. Now, their focus shifted to Cian. "We need to find out how he discovered our involvement with Emily," Aleksandr growled, his jaw clenched, someone's leaked information, and I want to know who."
The brothers began digging searching for any clues that might reveal how he'd uncovered their connection to Emily. The began to review their security measures to identify the weaknesses and a plan to lure the rat.