His Wicked Temptation

Chapter Twenty-Four

✈︎

dictum factum
(m.) what is said is done

ROSABELLE

I truly felt like the vilest person in earth. After all the risks Nino had taken for me, I was selfish enough to ask him for another favor that might cost him his life.

Dad had become hostile toward Nino since yesterday, even threatening his life until I had to beg my dad once again to spare the poor man.

In Dad's eyes, Nino had made a huge mistake by not informing him about the circumstances I had created in Moscow. Nino thought he had every right to be punished. But I knew I could never forgive myself if Nino was held accountable for the deed I had committed.

Nonetheless, I became self-centered again for my own desires.

I was told to stay at home, not to interfere in the collision between the Bratva and the Italian Mafia. Yet, my conscience wouldn't listen to me.

My heart ached to see Emi.

So, I asked Nino once again to risk his life for me, to drive us to the place where Emi and my dad would meet, to take me to the danger zone.

Likewise, the man agreed without a second thought.

And I felt like I could drown in my own self-loathing.

"Nino," I called him, and his response came in an instant. "Yes, miss?"

"Thank you," I said for the umpteenth time, but no matter how many times I thanked him, it seemed insufficient compared to the help he was providing me.

As always, he only returned a smile my way. "No problem, miss."

God, I wanted to cry. I was so worried.

✈︎

Emi's gun was pointed at Rome's head. My brother stood unarmed before the man, doing nothing but glaring at him, daring him to make a move he wouldn't hesitate to reciprocate.

The scene alone made my stomach churn in fear, my heart threatening to leap out of my throat. I was left unable to utter a sound upon witnessing the game of bloodshed that was about to unleash before me.

Maybe I was rendered speechless.

Or perhaps I had just lost my voice.

A time bomb was ticking in my brain.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

And I watched them play Russian Roulette. One man falls, and the war begins. They were just waiting for someone to make the first move.

Behind Emi stood a man who resembled him in many ways, with emerald green eyes and raven locks tied up in a loose bun.

They had only one discernible difference.

The other man's whole demeanor exuded danger. Emi might have fooled me with his appearance, even if it was only for a brief moment, but that man couldn't hide his menacing presence. Because anyone would run the moment he set his eyes on them.

And just like that, the moment his gaze landed on mine, I almost regretted coming here in the first place, my breath catching in my throat.

God, he seemed as if he'd relish leaving this place with not even ashes remaining.

At that moment, I realized this man was none other than Aleksandr Nikolayev, Emi's elder brother. A man as alluring as deadly he was.

I looked away from him, unable to maintain his gaze any longer. I found Emi's gaze on me after that.