Novella 2: Alexei Sokolov is Damien Yenin's best friend and second-in-command. When he's sent back to Moscow on a mission for the leader of the Russian Bratva, he comes face-to-face with the daughter of his new boss, the girl who got away. On the outside, Karina Balandin is shy and sweet, but inside she's got a brilliant mind that Alexei can see better than anyone. This is a side-story in the Queens of Chicago series. This is a complete addition to the other books and does not change or affect the main plot. You certainly do not have to read the others to enjoy this. You'll see plenty of familiar faces if you've read the original series! This is a completely fictional, mafia-light romance, dual-POV, and second spin-off book in The Queens of Chicago novellas, a series of interconnected stories about various prominent female characters in the fictional crime family. TW: This story does contain explicit sexual content, mention of disordered eating/eating disorders, death/murder, drug/alcohol use, violence, and heavy language. Please note this story is for mature audiences only! Take care of yourselves first and foremost.