48. Vladimir
Vladimir
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to mourn the loss of a loved one.”
The voice is solemn, echoing through the chapel like a ghost. But even those simple words feel wrong. Too clean. Too kind.
The chapel is heavy with silence, the kind that settles into your bones and makes everything feel colder than it should. Rain taps softly against the stained-glass windows, and the scent of incense mixes with the lingering trace of roses and regret.
Rows of black suits and veils fill the pews; heads bowed, eyes distant. Some cry. Some don’t.
But no one dares to speak her name.
Not out loud.
Because that name doesn’t belong in a place like this. Not really. Not anymore.
The casket is closed. Of course, it is. Too much damage. Too many secrets.
Isabella stands at the front, her hands folded, her face unreadable, as she offers a moment of silence.
Amani stands with Raven by her side, and they both have the same expression on their faces.
Vengeance.
And I watch it all from the shadows.
My world stopped four weeks ago.
The moment that gun went off.
The second I saw her blood.
The instant she collapsed in my arms.
Something rippled through me.
Tearing me apart from the inside out.
I called her name.
Begged. Demanded. But she didn’t respond.
She didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.
And in that moment… I thought I lost her.
Four weeks.
Four weeks since my world nearly ended.
And in those four weeks, everything has changed.
Eric is gone. Disappeared. Hiding like the coward he is.
But he’s not just running from the EAO anymore.
Now, he has the New York Bratva and the Chicago Italian mafia hunting him down.
Don Leone took it personally when he found out that the little sister of the woman he’s been trying to pursue was attacked.
What better way to win a woman’s heart than to present her with the severed head of the man who dared to harm her family?
Sarah? Disposed of. Luna didn’t get the final blow, but she left her mark before Isabella put a bullet between her eyes.
Her funeral took place earlier this week. Luna chose not to attend, so I went in her place to keep up appearances.
Dimitri finally woke up from his coma two weeks ago. And Raven?
She was the one taking care of him. Whether that was intentional or if she just refused to leave his side until he woke up, I don’t know.
But the poor bastard is, ultimately, hopelessly in love. And she’s still pretending not to like the attention.
But Luna?
My impossible, infuriating, reckless wife?
You would think getting shot would slow her down.
No.
Isabella put her, Amani, and Raven on mandatory medical leave for three months.
Citing exhaustion.
Citing trauma.
Citing their inability to rest like normal fucking humans.
Raven? Accepted it like a sane person.
Amani? Tried to bribe Isabella with an all-expenses-paid trip to the Maldives.
And Luna? Tried to hack into the EAO system and remove herself from the medical list.
That…Did not go well for her.
She raged. She fought. She cursed at Isabella in four different languages.
One of them being ASL.
I didn’t even know Luna knew ASL!
But I stood back, and I let her fight.
Because I knew she needed it.
But now?
Now she’s in our bed.
Naked. Spent. And covered in sweat.
Luna shifts, her bare leg sliding between mine as she snuggles closer, her head resting against my chest.
I exhale, my fingers brushing through her loose, curly hair, grounding myself in the simple, irrefutable truth.
She’s here.
Alive.
I smirk, trailing my fingers lazily up and down her spine. “Finally tired?”
She lets out a sleepy grumble, not even lifting her head. “There are words coming out of your mouth when it should be closed.”
I chuckle, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
She sighs, her fingers tracing absent patterns on my stomach. “You’re too smug for your own good, Dracula.”
“Can you blame me?” I murmur, rolling us so she’s pinned beneath me.
She gasps, her legs parting instinctively.
I smirk down at her, my gaze dark and hungry. “You look very… manageable like this.”
In a blink, she flips us, straddling my waist, her hands pressing against my chest.
I grunt as my back hits the bed, my hands instinctively gripping her thighs.
Luna smirks down at me, victorious. “Manageable, huh?”
I exhale slowly, staring up at her. “I stand corrected.”
She hums, swaying her hips just enough to make me curse. “That’s what I thought.”
I arch a brow. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Lisichka.”
She grins. “And you love it.”
I chuckle, dragging my hands up her sides. “That I do.”
She leans down, her lips grazing my jaw. “Then keep me entertained, husband.”
I growl, flipping us again, pinning her wrists above her head. My thumb rubbing over the scars like I always do.
She laughs breathlessly, her eyes shining with mischief. “You’re going to rip my stitches again.”
“You’re the one that’s insatiable,” I murmur, brushing my lips against hers.
I tighten my grip on her wrists. “Keep your hands above your head, or I’ll have to tie you down like last time,” I order.
She shudders beneath me but obeys.
My good girl.
I trail my fingers down the valley between her breasts, watching the way her chest rises and falls with every breath.
“Are you finally learning to listen?” I murmur, my lips tracing the column of her throat.
She arches, baring herself to me. “Only when I feel like it.”
I bite down on her pulse point, sucking hard enough to leave a mark.
She whimpers.
“Did you just lie to me, Lisichka?” I ask, pressing my knee between her thighs, spreading her wider.
Her breath catches. “I?—”
“Shh,” I soothe, dragging my lips down her collarbone, over her breast, teasing her nipple piercing with my teeth.
She moans, her hands twitching above her head.
I grip her jaw, forcing her to look at me. “I said, hands. Stay. There.”
Her lips part, eyes darkening with need.
I drag my mouth lower, spreading her legs further apart, pressing soft kisses against the inside of her thighs.
I flick my tongue against her already dripping pussy, and she gasps.
“You taste even sweeter when you obey me,” I growl, gripping her thighs as I devour her.
Her back arches, thighs trembling as I take my time dragging her closer to the edge.
She whimpers, legs tightening around my head. “Vlad?—”
I pull away, biting her inner thigh. “What did I say about those hands, moya Luna?”
She whines, hips lifting, begging for more.
I smirk, pushing her back down. “Good girl. Now, let me taste what’s mine.”
And then I make her scream my name as her orgasm rips through her.
“VLADIMIR!”
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
I brush my thumb along her swollen lips, watching as her tongue flicks out, catching the tip.
“On your knees.”
She doesn’t hesitate.
Slowly, shakily, she shifts, sliding off the bed and sinking gracefully to the floor before me.
Right where I want her.
My cock twitches, straining against my skin as I watch her chest rising and falling as she stares up at me with those deep, knowing brown eyes.
She drags her green nails up my thighs, teasing, testing, knowing precisely what she’s doing.
"You like seeing me like this, don’t you, Dracula?" she purrs, her voice still hoarse from screaming my name.
I grip her chin, forcing her head back, making her look at me.
"More than I should," I admit, my voice rough with want.
She licks her lips, eyes dropping to where my cock stands, thick and hard, waiting for her.
"I think you’ve been spoiling me tonight," she murmurs, pressing soft, open-mouthed kisses to my hip.
I hiss, tightening my grip on her jaw. "You say that like I’m not about to do it again."
Her smirk widens. "Then why don’t you let me return the favor?"
God, this woman.
I release her face, my hands falling to my sides as I watch her, waiting.
Luna takes her time, dragging her nails over my thighs, her touch featherlight.
Then, without another word, she leans in and licks the length of me, slow and teasing, her breath hot against my already pulsing cock.
I curse, my head tipping back.
She hums in amusement. "So sensitive, sir.”
I glance down at her, my patience wearing thin.
"You like pushing me, don’t you?" I murmur, cupping the back of her head and tangling my fingers in her curly hair.
She grins up at me, feigning innocence. "It’s my favorite pastime."
I smirk, tightening my grip and forcing her closer.
"Then you’d better be ready to suffer the consequences," I growl.
And then I push past her lips, groaning as her mouth engulfs me, hot, wet, and perfect.
Luna moans, sending vibrations down my length, and I nearly lose my fucking mind.
I clench my jaw, my muscles straining as I fight the urge to bury myself deeper.
Luna’s mouth is sinful.
And fuck if I don’t love every second of it.
Her lips are wrapped around me, her tongue flicking over the tip, teasing, taunting, sending jolts of pleasure up my spine. Her hands are on my thighs, nails digging into my skin as she takes her time, sucking me deeper, inch by inch.
I tighten my grip on her hair, barely holding onto my control.
"Fucking hell, Luna,” I groan, tipping my head back as she moans around me, sending delicious vibrations through my cock.
I look down, and the sight of her nearly wrecks me.
Luna on her knees, her lips stretched around my cock, her dark eyes staring up at me like she wants to devour me whole. It’s too much.
I tug at her hair, forcing her to look at me.
Her pupils are blown wide, her lips red and swollen, glistening with spit.
"Enough teasing, Lisichka," I growl. "You want to serve your Pakhan? Then do it properly."
It turns out my wife loves to role-play. And I love her, so if she gets off on me being the mafia boss, then mafia boss, I shall be for her.
I guide her, setting the pace, pushing deeper, watching as her throat constricts around me.
She gags, then recovers, her fingers digging into my thighs as she takes me like the perfect little wife she is.
"Fuck," I groan, my grip tightening. "Such a good fucking wife.”
Luna moans, her nails scraping against my skin, her body shifting as if she’s desperate for friction.
That’s my girl. Always so needy.
I pull her off me with a pop, her lips slick and glistening, her breath coming in short, sharp pants.
She looks up at me, defiant and desperate, licking the corner of her mouth.
"I was just getting started," she purrs, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
I smirk. "And I want to finish inside of you.”
After the honeymoon, Luna got on birth control. I was initially disappointed, but after seeing her lifestyle, I realized it was for the best.
That doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying.
After all, it’s not one hundred percent effective.
I haul her up and throw her onto the bed, flipping her onto her stomach.
She gasps, laughing breathlessly as I yank her hips up, dragging her back against me.
"Vladimir—"
"You wanted to tease, hmm?" I press my cock against her soaked entrance, sliding it against her pussy lips.
She whimpers as her back arches, her body practically vibrating with need.
"Beg," I command.
She turns her head, her cheek pressed against the sheets, her lips curling in a smirk.
"Make me, sir."
Fucking brat.
I thrust into her, burying myself to the hilt in one punishing stroke.
Luna screams my name, her fingers gripping the sheets as I grip her hips, holding her in place.
"You feel that, Lisichka?" I growl, leaning over her, pressing my chest to her back.
She moans, nodding frantically, her body pushing back against me, desperate for more.
I grab her chin, tilting her head to the side, forcing her to meet my eyes.
"Say it."
Her lashes flutter, her lips parting. "Yes, sir. I feel you.”
Fuck.
I slam into her, over and over, fucking her deep, making her feel every inch of me.
She moans and gasps, her body tightening around me, her legs shaking.
"So fucking tight," I grit out, my hands roaming over her body, feeling every dip and curve.
Her moans grow louder, her body trembling beneath me as I angle my hips just right?—
And she shatters again.
Her orgasm slams into her, her walls clenching around me, squeezing me like a vice.
I growl, my rhythm faltering as I chase my release, pushing her down into the mattress, fucking her through it.
"Vladimir—" she cries, her body writhing beneath me.
"Mine," I snarl. "You belong to me, Lisichka."
She nods frantically, her voice breaking. "Yours."
That’s all it takes.
With a final, brutal thrust, I spill inside her, groaning her name as pleasure crashes through me.
I collapse over her, pressing kisses along her damp skin, feeling her pulse racing beneath my lips.
For a moment, we breathe, tangled together, bodies spent and shaking.
I shift, pulling her against me, brushing my lips against her temple. "YA lyublyu tebya, moya Luna."
Then she turns in my arms, her brown eyes locking onto mine.
She cups my face, stroking her thumb over my jaw. "YA tozhe tebya lyublyu, Drakula."
My heart stumbles in my chest.
A slow, wicked smile spreads across my lips. "Repeat it, Lisichka."
She laughs, rolling her eyes, but I see the emotion flickering in her gaze.
As she shifts against me, something catches her eye.
A new, raw mark etched into my skin, just over my heart.
She blinks, her fingers trailing over it, realization sinking in as she takes in the inked design.
The moon.
And beneath it, a date—our wedding day.
A sharp inhale catches in her throat. "Vladimir…"
She watches me silently, piecing everything together. Her expression remains unreadable, but her fingers tighten on my chest.
"You got a tattoo?" she whispers, her touch reverent as she traces its lines.
I smirk, the corner of my lips tilting upward. "You own my heart, Lisichka. Thought I should make it official."
I press my forehead against hers, breathing her in.
I don’t say anything else.
I don’t need to.
Nothing can compare to this.