Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
Sofia
S ofia moved softly through the hall, the stillness in the atmosphere thick and uneasy. Her eyes flicked to the shadows at the edge of the room, but nothing moved. Yet, there was something about the atmosphere tonight. Something off.
Andrei had always been unpredictable — burly, always scowling, always too eager to prove his strength. But tonight, something in his posture had caught her attention. It was subtle at first, just a momentary flash of something unfamiliar as he stood in Viktor’s office, eyes scanning the room like a man looking for something he shouldn’t. He seemed… too aware of the space around him, as if he were calculating each step, weighing the risks. And that was unusual. Andrei was impulsive, brash, never one to hide his movements. But this was different.
Sofia’s pulse raced as she edged closer to the crack in the door, peering through the small opening. She wasn’t supposed to be listening in on Viktor’s conversations—especially not with Andrei. But the words that filtered through the thick wood of the door were too compelling to ignore.
“Alexei is making moves.” Viktor spoke to Andrei in low, almost growling tones, the atmosphere darkening. “He’s pushing for a foothold in the city. It’s not just talk this time. He’s coming for us.”
Andrei’s response was a clipped grunt, the sound like a mere acknowledgment. “He’s been making noise for years, Viktor. This time, it’s different.”
Sofia felt her pulse race. The name Alexei had been whispered around the house, always in the context of Viktor’s enemies, the ones who challenged his power. Alexei Markov was not a name that should be spoken lightly, but hearing it now, in such an intimate context, stirred something dangerous in Sofia’s gut.
“You think it’s time?” Andrei’s tone, low and calculating, made her quiver. “To end it?”
There was a hushness that followed, the kind that hung heavy with unspoken intentions. Then, Viktor broke through it, harder than before.
“Not yet. But when the time comes…” Viktor paused. “I’ll make sure it’s final.”
The conversation fell into a murmur, the words too indistinct for Sofia to catch, but the implication was clear. Alexei was planning something—and Andrei, standing there so coolly, seemed too eager to deal with it. But what bothered Sofia the most wasn’t just Andrei’s interest. It was the strange undercurrent of agreement between him and Viktor. As if Viktor trusted him more than she had realized.
Sofia recoiled, her mind racing with the fragments she had overheard… Alexei was Viktor’s enemy, but what role was Andrei playing in this? Was he loyal to Viktor—or was there something else? Something she hadn’t fully understood about the man who was supposed to be Viktor’s closest ally.
She turned and walked down the hallway, her thoughts a tangled mess of suspicion and uncertainty. If Andrei was involved in whatever plot was brewing, it would mean danger. Viktor trusted him. Sofia knew that. And if Andrei was betraying Viktor, it would tear everything apart.
A chill ran down her spine.
Sofia’s mind was still reeling when she entered Viktor’s private study hours later. The weight of what she had overheard sat heavily on her, pressing down on her chest like a fist. She wasn’t supposed to be poking around in Viktor’s things, not without a good reason. But the journal—she couldn’t ignore it any longer.
The leather-bound book sat on the top shelf of the bookshelf, tucked away where it looked like no one would bother. It was the same journal Viktor had been carrying with him in recent weeks, one she had glimpsed only in passing, its pages always hidden from her eyes. The intrigue had been building for days now, and tonight, she couldn’t hold herself back. If Viktor had secrets, she needed to know them.
Her fingers glided over the edges of the journal, her pulse quickening. She pulled it down carefully, the heavy weight of it more ominous than it appeared. The lock on the front of the book was simple—a thin brass clasp, but when Sofia tested it, it didn’t budge.
Damn it.
She bit her lip in frustration, scanning the room, desperate for a way in. Viktor’s office was dimly lit, the only light coming from a single desk lamp that cast long shadows across the room. Her eyes shifted to the drawer beneath his desk, and a thought crossed her mind.
There had to be something in there that would help.
Sofia approached the desk cautiously, opening the drawer with a slow, deliberate motion. She shifted through papers— contracts, bills, notes—until her fingers landed on a small silver key. A key that matched the lock of the journal perfectly.
A feeling of triumph surged through her as she took the key, hurriedly walking back to the bookshelf. Her hands shook as she slid the key into the lock, turning it with a soft click. The journal opened, its pages rustling softly as Sofia flipped through them.
She gasped.
The entries were written in Viktor’s handwriting, but they weren’t just business notes or financial plans. They were detailed observations, not just about the family’s operations, but about Sofia herself. Her mannerisms, her reactions, her every move. Every word felt like a calculated observation, as if Viktor were studying her—analyzing her with the same intensity he applied to every part of his life.
Her chest squeezed. There was so much more to Viktor than she had realized.
The sound of the door opening behind her made her freeze.
“Sofia,” Viktor’s words had a smooth and dangerous tone, sounding close. Too close. “What do you think you’re doing?”
She spun around, heart hammering in her chest. Viktor stood there, his eyes dark with something unreadable as they locked on hers.
Before she could answer, he was upon her, his body pressing her back against the shelf with a force that made her mouth fall wide open. His hands were on her arms, seizing her tightly, his eyes never leaving hers.
“You shouldn’t have done this,” Viktor growled. His lips were only a hair away from hers, the charge between them crackling.
Sofia swallowed, her throat dry. “I— I needed to know.”
His lips curled into a wicked smile. “Know what, Sofia?”
Before she could answer, Viktor’s mouth was on hers—slamming into her with an intensity that left her no time to think. The kiss was brutal, desperate, and filled with the raw hunger they both tried to suppress. His hands roamed down to her waist, pulling her flush against him, and Sofia gasped at the heat of his body.
The desk was only a few steps away, and Viktor didn’t hesitate. He lifted her effortlessly, setting her on top of it.
The world outside of them seemed to vanish. All that existed was that feeling, the heat, the need—an explosive force that neither of them could deny any longer. Viktor’s hands lurched out to the edges of the desk, his body towering over hers as he loomed close, the energy between them thick with unspoken desire. The intensity of his scowl sent a thrill down Sofia’s spine, her heart racing with anticipation and fear. She had never seen this side of him before—not like this. There were no walls here, no pretense. Just raw, pulsing need.
He pulled away from her lips, his heart pounding as he looked down at her. His eyes flicked to the journal still open on the desk beside her, then back to her face, dark with something that wasn’t just anger. It was deeper than that. More dangerous.
“You wanted answers, Sofia,” he murmured. “But I think you’re looking for something else.”
Before she could respond, his hand shot out, cupping the back of her neck with a hold that was both tender and commanding. He leaned in close, his lips stroking against her ear as he whispered, “I know what you need.”
Her body tensed, a storm of conflicting emotions swirling inside her. Desire warred with doubt, with the remnants of the conversation she had overheard. But then Viktor kissed her again, this time slow and deep, and all thoughts of betrayal, of secrets, of Andrei, melted away.
She opened her mouth to him without hesitation, surrendering to the heat that consumed them both. His hands were everywhere now, sliding under her shirt, tearing at the fabric like it was nothing. His touch ignited every nerve in her body, pulling her into the vortex of passion she had been resisting for so long.
“Viktor,” she uttered his name in a soft gasp, the words slipping out between kisses.
His lips trailed down her neck, his teeth grazing her skin, sending jolts of pleasure racing through her. He wasn’t gentle. Not tonight. Not with the fury that simmered beneath his surface, the hunger that had been building between them for months. She wasn’t thinking anymore. There was no room for thought—only sensation. Only Viktor.
He paused, just for a moment, his face inches from hers, his chest rising and falling with every shallow inhale. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” he drawled, rasping with desire.
Sofia swallowed, her body aching with need, the heat between them unbearable. “Yes,” she whispered, her hands tugging at his shirt, desperate to feel the bare skin beneath. She needed him—now.
With a low growl of approval, Viktor kissed her again, and this time, it wasn’t soft or measured. It was desperate, frantic, as if they both feared that if they didn’t seize this moment, it would slip away.
Sofia stiffened as Viktor’s hands slid down her body, his touch searing through the fabric of her dress. She didn’t have time to process the sudden shift in the room, the anxiety crackling between them as he loomed over her, his eyes dark and filled with intent.
Without a word, Viktor reached for the straps of her dress, his fingers deftly slipping them off her shoulders. The fabric slid down her skin, pooling around her feet. Sofia stood before him in nothing but her lacy lingerie, her body exposed, vulnerable in a way that made her pulse race.
His eyes darkened further as he took in the sight of her, and his hands immediately went to her chest, cupping her breasts with a possessiveness that made her gasp. The sensation of his palms against her sensitive skin sent tremors through her, and her nipples hardened under his touch, desperate for more.
"You are under my command, Sofia," he muttered, leaning down to press his lips against her neck. His fingers trailed lower, gliding through the lace of her panties before finally sliding between her thighs. She gasped as his fingers grazed her clit, the sensation sending a jolt through her body.
She could feel the heat radiating from him as his fingers circled her, dipping just enough to tease, to make her ache for more. Every touch was deliberate, calculated like he was claiming her with every stroke.
"Viktor..." she sighed in pleasure.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he slid his fingers inside her, pushing in deeply, his thumb pressing against her clit as he began to move. Sofia’s body responded instinctively, her hips rocking against his hand as she fought to keep herself grounded. But Viktor wasn’t giving her the chance. He was relentless, his touch almost punishing, but it felt like he owned every inch of her body, bending her to his will.
With each thrust, he pulled more and more from her, her body contracting, her heart pounding. She felt herself getting closer, closer to something she couldn't quite name, but her body knew it. She could feel her muscles clenching around his fingers, her clit throbbing under the pressure of his touch.
He moved even faster, and her body responded eagerly, pressing closer, desperate for more. Then, with a sudden, forceful movement, he pulled his fingers away and pushed her roughly against the desk. Sofia gasped, but the sound was swallowed by the intensity in his eyes.
Without hesitation, he unzipped his pants, the sound of the zipper echoing in the soundless void of the room. He was hard, his cock throbbing with need, and Sofia couldn’t help but reach for him, her fingers trembling as she wrapped her hand around him, guiding him to where she was aching for him most.
Viktor’s hand closed over hers, guiding her movements for a moment before he took charge again, positioning himself at her entrance. There was no teasing now, no hesitation. He pushed inside her in one smooth motion, filling her completely, his hands on her hips as he pulled her to him. The sensation was almost too much, and Sofia cried out, her body reacting to him with a desperate urgency.
He began to move, slowly at first, his thrusts deep and measured, each one causing Sofia to gasp in pleasure and frustration, her body already building toward the climax that she knew was inevitable. Viktor’s hands roamed over her, covering her breasts, her hips, anything he could touch, his body driving into hers with an intensity that left her reeling.
The desk was cold beneath her palms, but she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was Viktor, the way he made her feel, the way his cock stretched her, filled her, claimed her. The world outside the room faded into nothingness as they moved together, a perfect rhythm of power and passion.
Her body tensed again, the pressure building inside her, until it was too much to bear. She was teetering on the edge, her body trembling with anticipation. Viktor’s thrusts grew faster, more frantic, and with a final, forceful push, he drove into her, hitting a spot so deep that it sent her spiraling over the edge.
Her orgasm hit like a wave, crashing through her in a wild, untamed force. She cried out his name, her hands clutching the desk as her body convulsed in pleasure. Viktor followed soon after, his own release crashing over him, a low growl escaping his lips as he buried himself deep within her.
They stayed like that for a moment, both of them panting heavily, the awkward pause between them thick with the aftermath of their explosive encounter. Sofia’s body was still tingling, still trembling, and she could feel Viktor all around her, as if he had claimed every inch of her.
Finally, Viktor pulled away, his hands trailing over her skin as he helped her stand. He kissed her forehead, the tenderness in his touch juxtaposing the intensity of what had just transpired.
“You belong to me,” he repeated, not bothering to hide the commanding tone.
Sofia looked up at him, her heart still racing. The connection between them had shifted, deepened in a way that both terrified and exhilarated her. She wasn’t sure what would come next, but for the first time, she wasn’t afraid. Viktor stood over her, every part of him still intense, like a storm waiting to break. Sofia couldn’t look away.
“Don’t go looking for things that don’t concern you,” Viktor warned. There was something in his eyes—a warning, a promise, and a threat all in one.
Sofia nodded, trying to make sense of it all.
But deep down, she knew this—what had just happened—would complicate everything. And the truth about Andrei, about Viktor’s secrets, was a dangerous path. One that might lead her into the heart of a storm she wasn’t ready for.
Sofia stood in the office for a moment after Viktor took his leave, her heart still racing from the intensity of the encounter with Viktor. The sound of his groans echoed in her mind, the lingering heat between them both a reminder of how dangerously close they were to crossing an even darker line. She hadn’t anticipated this—didn’t expect the surge of desire to flood her body after everything that had just transpired. The desire, the confusion, the guilt. It all swirled together in a heady mess that left her breathless.
As she pulled her dress back into place and gathered herself, Sofia couldn’t help but feel the weight of the secrets pressing down on her chest. Viktor had been hiding things, things he was reluctant to share, even as their passion flared and their power dynamics shifted. But now, she couldn’t ignore it any longer. She couldn’t push the growing unease aside. The feeling that Andrei’s loyalty was slipping through Viktor’s fingers, that something was festering in the dark corners of their world.
She turned sharply, heading for the door, her footsteps clicking down the hallway as she left the office. The cool ether in the corridor seemed to clear her mind, but it couldn’t shake the turmoil inside. She needed answers. She needed to know the truth. And Viktor wasn’t going to give it to her. She had to dig deeper, even if it meant risking everything.
But as she exited Viktor’s domain and into the elevator, Sofia felt a sudden wave of uncertainty. There was a growing danger in the pursuit of answers, in questioning everything she had come to rely on. She had already crossed boundaries with Viktor, letting herself fall into a web she could no longer manipulate. Her body, her mind—everything felt tangled in this mess.
Her thoughts moved toward Nina. She had always been level-headed, someone Sofia could rely on for sound judgment. Maybe, just maybe, Nina could provide some clarity. She needed to talk, to unload her frustrations, and her fears. Maybe Nina could help her make sense of everything.
When Sofia arrived at Nina’s apartment, the door opened almost immediately, as if Nina had been expecting her. Nina’s sharp eyes immediately assessed Sofia, taking in the discomfort in her posture, the storm cloud in her eyes.
Without a word, Nina moved aside, letting Sofia enter. There was no need for pleasantries between them. Sofia collapsed onto the couch, running her hands through her hair as she exhaled deeply.
Nina settled next to her. “What’s going on?”
Sofia hesitated, trying to find the right words to explain the turmoil swirling inside her. “Viktor... he’s hiding something. I’m sure of it. And Andrei—I don’t trust him. I think he’s betraying Viktor. I don’t know how or why, but I can feel it. Something is wrong.”
Nina’s eyes hardened at the mention of Andrei, and her lips pressed into a thin line. “You’ve been in this world long enough to know nothing is ever as it seems. Especially with Viktor. But Andrei? He’s Viktor’s right-hand man. If something’s off with him, you need to tread carefully. Viktor isn’t someone you can challenge without consequences.”
“I know.” Sofia's frustration resonated in the tight, strained timbre of her words, but there was something else buried beneath it—fear. Fear of what this all meant, and fear of losing herself in the pursuit of a truth that might be more dangerous than she could handle. “But I can’t ignore it. I need to know what’s going on. Andrei’s... different. Something’s changed. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Nina leaned back, studying Sofia with a mixture of caution and concern. “You’re already deep in this, Sofia. Deeper than you realize. But if you start digging into Viktor’s affairs—or Andrei’s—there’s no turning back. You’ll be risking more than you’re ready for.”
Sofia swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Nina’s warning press down on her like a leaden weight. “What am I supposed to do? Sit back and pretend everything’s fine?”
Nina shook her head slowly. “No. But you need to be smart. Viktor is dangerous. And you’ve seen the kind of power he holds. If you push too hard, you might find yourself in over your head. And there won’t be anyone there to save you.”
Sofia’s pulse raced, her heart pounding in her chest. It wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but deep down, she understood. She wasn’t just trying to uncover a secret—she was diving deeper into a world that didn’t just take lives, it destroyed them. “I don’t know if I can stop, Nina. Not now. I have to know the truth. Maybe it can help my brother get out.”
Nina’s demeanor softened, and she reached out to gently take Sofia’s hand in hers, her touch warm and grounding. “I get it. I really do. But just remember—there are things you don’t want to find out. Some truths are more dangerous than you realize.”
Sofia nodded slowly, the storm of emotions inside her churning with new intensity. She had to uncover the truth, but Nina’s words echoed in her mind, louder than ever. The danger wasn’t just in Viktor’s world—it was in the choices she made.
As Sofia left Nina’s apartment later that night, the weight of the conversation lingered in her mind, and the cold New York oxygen seemed to press in on her. The path ahead felt more uncertain than ever. She had already crossed so many lines. But she couldn’t stop now. The secrets were too tempting, the stakes too high.
She just didn’t know if she was strong enough to handle what would come next.