Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 48: Brotherly Bonds

Panic flickered in his eyes as he watched her lose consciousness, her body going limp in his arms. "Aari!" he called, shaking her gently, but she didn't respond.

Without wasting another moment, he grabbed his phone and called his manager, his voice urgent. "Get a doctor to the mansion, now! "

Nikol scooped her up, holding her tightly as he hurried to the mansion. His mind raced with guilt and anger at his own reckless behavior. He reached the mansion, his expression a mix of fear and fury, as he awaited the arrival of the doctor.

"Hang on, Kittycat," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. "Help is on the way."

Nikol reached the mansion with Aari in his arms, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He gently laid her down on a plush sofa, his expression a mixture of fear and fury. The door burst open moments later as the doctor and his medical team arrived.

The doctor, a middle-aged woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, quickly assessed Aari's condition. After a few tense minutes of examination, she turned to Nikol, her face calm but serious. "She'll be fine. Her heart is weak, and the intoxication caused a temporary lack of blood supply, which made her faint. She just needs rest and fluids."

Nikol's relief was palpable. "Thank you, doctor," he said, his voice heavy with gratitude.

After ensuring Aari was comfortable and stable, Nikol stepped away to make a call. He dialed Aiden's number, his usual composure returning as he prepared to handle the aftermath.

Aiden answered on the second ring, his voice light. "Hey, are you missing me already?"

Nikol's tone was more serious. "Aiden, I need you to cover for Aari's absence at the mall and delete any security footage of her there. It's urgent."

Aiden chuckled. "All the dirty work always falls to me, huh? I swear, one day I'm going to write a tell-all book about this."

Nikol couldn't help but smile despite the situation. "Just do it, Aiden. And make sure it's thorough."

"Consider it done," Aiden replied. "But seriously, Nikol, you owe me. Big time."

"I know. Thanks, Aiden," Nikol said before ending the call.

With the immediate crisis managed, Nikol turned his attention back to Aari. He carried her to his car, handling her with surprising gentleness. As they drove to her home, he contemplated how to make amends for his reckless behavior.

Upon arriving, Nikol carefully laid Aari on her bed, ensuring she was comfortable. He placed a lavish present on her bedside table—a beautifully wrapped box containing Bvlgari's Serpenti Viper collection. The set included a white gold necklace, a watch, a bracelet, and a ring, all intricately designed with diamonds and sapphires, reflecting both apology and his possessive affection.

Alongside the jewelry was a handwritten note: "I'm sorry, Kittycat. Rest well. - Master."

Satisfied that he had done all he could for the moment, Nikol returned to his own home. Yet, he couldn't shake his concern for Aari. Settling into his study, his tablet in hand, as he kept a vigilant watch over Aari. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, knowing how close he had come to a disastrous outcome.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a series of notifications. Glancing at the screen, he saw multiple alerts from his bank: significant transactions had just been made using his black AMEX card. Confusion turned to irritation as he read the details.

Transaction Alerts:

Amount: $15,000

Merchant: Luxury Boutique

Description: Designer Clothes and Accessories

Amount: $200,000

Merchant: Exclusive Auto Dealer

Description: Sports Car

Amount: $350,000

Merchant: Fine Art Gallery

Description: Rare Artwork

Amount: $500,000

Merchant: High-End Jewelry Store

Description: Custom Jewelry

Amount: $1,000,000

Merchant: Luxury Real Estate

Description: Down Payment on Penthouse

Nikol's eyes narrowed, his irritation turning to outright fury. He dialed Aiden's number, his voice seething with anger.

Aiden answered with a cheerful tone. "Hey there! What's up baby?"

"Aiden, you motherfucker," Nikol growled. "Why the hell are you using my AMEX card for shopping sprees totaling millions?"

Aiden's laughter echoed through the phone. "Relax, Nikol. I figured after all the dirty work I do for you, I deserved a little treat. Besides, you can afford it."

Nikol took a gun from the table and scratched his temple. "A little treat? You bought a penthouse, a sports car, rare artwork, and custom jewelry!"

Aiden's tone was unapologetic. "Consider it payback for making me clean up your mess. Anyway, the footage is handled. No one will know Aari was at the mall."

"Thanks, Aiden. But if you pull something like this again, I'll make you regret it," Nikol warned, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Aiden chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. You love me. Talk to you later honeyyy."

As Nikol continued to watch over Aari, his thoughts gradually shifted back to his conversation with Aiden. his thoughts drifted back to his conversation with Aiden. Despite the surprise of seeing his credit card used for extravagant purchases, Nikol couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Aiden's audacity and humor were constants in their friendship, qualities that Nikol valued deeply.

In the quiet of the room, with Aari resting peacefully under his watchful eye, Nikol reflected on the bond they shared. Aiden wasn't just a friend—he was like a brother. Nikol trusted him implicitly, knowing that Aiden's loyalty and reliability were unwavering.

The thought of Aiden jokingly asking for all the assets of Russo Group crossed Nikol's mind. He smiled to himself, realizing that if Aiden were serious, Nikol would willingly grant him everything without hesitation. It wasn't about the money or the assets; it was about the unshakeable trust and camaraderie they had built over the years.

"Brother, if you ever ask for the moon, I'd find a way to get it for you," Nikol mused quietly, his gaze shifting between Aari's peaceful form and the window beyond. His faith in Aiden's friendship was unwavering, a pillar of strength in their often turbulent lives.

With a sense of peace settling over him, Nikol resolved to ensure both Aiden and Aari were taken care of. As he continued his silent vigil, he knew that their bond would endure whatever challenges lay ahead.