✓ WICKED VOWS| JAKE (Book II )

33-Burning Desires

Anna's pov

Do I really want to uncover how, come morning, I found myself lying on Jake's bed, with no recollection of my feet carrying me upstairs? No, I don't want to know, and I certainly don't want to think about it.I awoke to the chill of an empty bed, a stark contrast to the warmth that had enveloped me through the night. Perhaps I had been warm, but I despised it. The morning slipped by in a blur as I made my way to the Wild Joker to interview a new barista. I scrutinized their failures and backgrounds, working with relentless speed to return to Alex. It was his last day here, and time was slipping away.

The afternoon took a turn when Inna arrived, eager to see her son. Alex, overjoyed, began to babble about everything we had done together to his mother, who smiled at every word before kissing me goodbye and leaving with her husband, Sin. I needed to schedule a meeting with him as soon as he returned to Russia, to discuss new drug routes in Europe. We agreed that the meeting would include our capos and him, along with our mafia strategist, who would arrange it all.I sipped my coffee, gazing wistfully out the window. I missed Russia and its biting cold, longing to be surrounded by my men and my people once more.

A low growl emanated from the backyard, unmistakably from the devilish stallion who had once caused me to fall and sprain my ankle. Aconite.An inexplicable urge drove me to the stable. I often wondered why this vast stable housed only one mare and a stallion when it could accommodate ten horses.I paused outside, observing the scene. The stableman was gently running his fingers through the mare's beautiful mane, while Aconite growled and sneered at him, a tempest of defiance and power.

He must have sensed my presence, for he glanced over his shoulder and offered a smile. "Good afternoon, Your Highness."

"Good afternoon." He was a young man, possibly in his early twenties, with an air of determination that belied his youth.

"Sir Jake asked me to feed them before he arrives," he muttered, his hand moving with practiced ease over the mare's sleek coat as she ate. I had always thought Jake was the only one capable of managing their care.

"He plans to go for a ride today," the young man continued, "and fears he won't have time if he doesn't come before sunset."

I cleared my throat, my gaze shifting between the stableman and the mare. "What's your name?"

"Jimmy," he introduced himself with a respectful nod. "At your service, milady."

"She's beautiful," I whispered, taking a tentative step closer. "She is."

The mare sensed my presence and eyed me cautiously. I moved slowly, careful not to startle her.

"Indeed," Jimmy agreed, his voice softening. "Mr. Jake said she's the perfect match for Aconite."

"Aconite?" I echoed, puzzled.

He nodded toward the tall, black stallion standing to my left. "Yes, Acacia. This mare arrived after the stallion."

Jimmy looked at me with a hint of surprise. "Don't you know who this mare is for?"

"My husband's?" I ventured, still uncertain.

"No, it's actually yours. It was your wedding gift from the king and the prince. It's a kind of legacy for the family; if the woman is brought from outside of royalty, the husband should gift her a horse."

I stood there, taken aback. The mare, with her dark, liquid eyes and elegant posture, was mine. She was a symbol, a legacy, something far more significant than a mere animal.

"Aconite there belongs to Jake," Jimmy continued, his voice low and cautious. "He's a bit of a grumpy one and can get violent. No one rides him except his highness."