Journalist Delera never imagined that infiltrating a glamorous charity gala would plunge her into the deadly world of Ivan, the infamous don of the Russian mafia. Disguised as a dancer, she steps right into a trap, thrusting her into a perilous game...
The faint light filtering through the room's heavy curtains did little to ease the oppressive silence. Delera lay on the luxurious bed, her legs bound, her mind racing. The room, adorned with opulent furnishings and dark, heavy drapes, felt like a gilded cage. Her breath quickened as she considered her predicament—her heart ached with worry for Mia, the secrets she harbored, and the cold, harsh reality she now faced.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a key turning in the lock. The door creaked open, and in walked a maid carrying a tray of food. Delera tried to hide her anxiety behind a polite smile as she thanked her.
The maid's eyes held a trace of hesitation. Seizing the opportunity, Delera gathered her courage. "Thank you for bringing the food. Can you tell me more about Evan? I've been away for a long time and—"
The maid, noticing Delera's genuine curiosity, set the tray down on a small table beside the bed. She glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, then met Delera's gaze. "I don't know much about his past. What I do know is that Evan Sokolov is a powerful man. He's known for being very strict and demanding, but I've heard he's been through a lot that's made him even more... Heartless."
Delera's eyes widened. "Heartless?"
The maid nodded. "Yes, Heartless. He's very focused on maintaining his power and control. I've worked with him for several years, and he's always been someone who keeps his personal life private. All I know is that he's a force to be reckoned with in this world."
Delera's heart sank. This was a side of Evan she had never imagined. Her thoughts raced back to their last encounter, his harsh words, and the darkness in his eyes. She struggled to steady her breathing, focusing on the task at hand—surviving this nightmare without revealing too much.
As the maid left, Delera's resolve hardened. She needed to stay strong and keep her secrets hidden. Her mind swirled with strategies to mislead Evan while she planned her escape. Mia, Atlas, and her family were counting on her silence. And despite the fear gnawing at her insides, Delera vowed to protect them, no matter the cost.
As the maid left, Delera's mind drifted back to a time long ago, when she was only fifteen. She remembered vividly the grand family villa in Russia. The memory was as sharp as a fresh wound—Evan, only twenty, had brought his stunning girlfriend, Sofia, to their home. Sofia, with her blonde hair and unique beauty, she was the daughter of the Romanov family, another prominent mafia clan. Delera had felt a sharp pang of jealousy as she watched Evan dote on Sofia.
She had rushed to Mia, tears in her eyes, overwhelmed by a mix of hurt and envy. "Mia, he never sees me as anything more than a little sister. Why does he always treat me like that?"
Mia, ever the quick thinker, had smirked. "You need to make him jealous. Find someone who'll catch his eye. I've got just the plan." At fifteen, Mia's scheming was already legendary.
Two weeks later, at the grand party their grandfather was hosting, Delera arrived hand in hand with Lavonzo Alex, a boy she'd known from school who was also linked to a mafia family. His blonde hair was striking, and his connection to her added a certain allure. Evan's gaze had followed them throughout the evening, and for a moment, Delera believed her plan had worked.
But as the party wound down, Evan had approached her with his characteristic gentleness, though it was laced with a patronizing tone. "Delera, love is not a game. You're too young for this. And Lavonzo... well, let's just say his blonde hair and looks aren't to my taste. It's not the right way to attract attention."
The disappointment in his voice had cut deeply, but what stung more was the way he had dismissed her efforts as naive. She had felt like a child again, her grand gestures rendered meaningless in the eyes of the man she had tried so hard to impress.
As Delera lay there, bound and anxious, she tried to drown out the echoes of that past humiliation. She needed to focus on the present, on her escape, and on protecting her loved ones.
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