Mafia's Princess (Under Editing)

Chapter 38

Anastasia Rose

"Damn! Stop ogling— you look just like you are ready to lunge over him and devour him at any moment." A familiar voice snorted behind me, making me turn towards its owner. It was Isabella, who was walking over to me with Katerina right beside her. Both girls were dressed comfortably, wearing clothes that were neither too warm nor too thin despite the cold winter weather.

Everyone had decided to get out of the house for an outing, and after a little discussion, it had been decided that we should visit the private beach owned by the family.

The sun was shining brightly overhead, keeping the weather mildly cool instead of unbearably cold. It was just warm enough for everyone to survive the winter breeze without needing to wear jackets.

I was lying on one of the reclining chairs beneath the sun, bathing in its warmth as I watched the other play games, leaving the older ones to relax and hang out inside the beach house on the property.

"Well, that's my boyfriend, so I'm allowed to look," I grinned cheekily, batting my eyes at Isa and Kate before pulling my attention back to the task of shameless ogling.

I keenly watched Viktor play netball with my brothers, my eyes following every movement as he jumped to hit the ball over to the other side. Every time he leaped, his shirt lifted just enough to reveal the constant display of his toned abs. Sweat glistened on his face, making his pale skin shine brightly beneath the sunlight, while his muscles flexed with every movement.

The entire scene was so ravishing and mesmerising that I couldn't help but stare shamelessly. There was simply something about watching him like this—completely focused on the game, his usual composed demeanour replaced by an easy competitiveness—that made it impossible for me to look away.

And apparently, my shameless staring had become so obvious that even Isa and Kate had noticed.

"Eww eww. Whatever thoughts are spiralling through your head, please divert your attention form them. You know what I mean. For the sake of my sanity, please oblige for a while unless you are alone. Even if I support you, I don't want to think of anything inappropriate." Katerina shuddered in disgust.

I raised a brow at Kate's words as I watched both of them settle down on the resting chairs beside me.

"And what was I thinking?"

"That look on your face says it all... Control it!"

I scowled and hit her lightly on the arm while Isa burst out laughing.

We sat there quietly for a while, watching the boys play. I was honestly surprised to see my three older brothers—the supposedly scary mafia men—playing alongside my younger older brothers. Because as much as I had gotten to know them over the past three months, it felt like a miracle to see them have fun of any kind.

All they ever did was work, work and work. They were extreme workaholics, and I sometimes wondered if they even remembered how to relax.

Shaking my head at my own thoughts, I sighed softly and closed my eyes, deciding to rest for a while. Half of the day had already gone by, most of it spent playing all kinds of games and exploring the place. And now, exhaustion was slowly catching up with me, despite the night still being a quiet distance away.

"So what are we doing on the New Year's Eve this year?" I heard Isa ask.

"Well, duh!! The same as always—the men prepare a special dinner for the women, which is all of us, like always. It's an unchanged tradition of Romanos, Harringtons and Volkovs," Kate replied.

Her words immediately caught my interest, and I opened my eyes to look towards my left.

"You do that every year?" I asked softly, a strange feeling of longing and sadness passing through me.