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I thought I knew happiness.
Growing up in Mother Russia, I had everything I thought I needed. I had my family, friends, but more importantly, I had the blessing from my father to further my education in music. Growing up, all I wanted was to be a pianist. I lived and breathed the Grand Steinway my mother bought me at eight years of age. My father encouraged me to practice as he believed I had the gift, knowing one day I would play at the Great Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. A dream that never came to fruition.
I learned much later that happiness was an illusion because in my life, happiness meant death. When I learned that truth, I never looked back. Until her.
She changed everything, Moya Lyubov.
How she quickly wrapped herself around me, still confused me. From that fateful day when she fell into my lap, she consumed my life. I thought I knew what I wanted, but I was wrong. She wrapped everything good and joyous in the world up in her smile. In the time I’ve known her, she showed me that there was more to life than work, blood and death. She understood me when others didn’t. She got what I was feeling and accepted me for who I was. She didn’t try to change me, allowing me to be the man my past created.
More importantly, she showed me that even in the dark, there was always a light that shined brightly, showing me the path to redemption.
“Come dance with me, Max!” Her laughter surrounded me as I soaked in her joy. She was everything I never wanted. I learned early in life that allowing love to seep in only brought heartbreak.
“I enjoy watching you, Moya Lyubov.” I replied, watching her dance in the backyard of my home in upstate New York as my fingers slid along the keys of my piano. She was the first woman I ever brought here, and she would be the last. My private residence was my sanctuary. A place I could forget the man I became and remember the boy I was once.
The joy of life eluded me until she reminded me of what I was missing. Before her, I spent my days solidifying my grip in the city I claimed. I ruled everything with an iron fist. I gave no second chances. When I decreed something, I expected it to be done. Those who knew me only knew me by one name.
The Bloodletter.
If they only knew how I came by that name, they would cower in fear. I never stopped to see what beauty laid before me until Illyria Nicoletta Valentinetti.
Rushing over to me, she wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing my face as she laughed joyously. “Moya Lyubov, you can’t dance if I can’t play.”
“I don’t want to dance anymore,” she smiled, slipping onto my lap. Holding her close to me, I kissed her nose. “What would you like to do, then?”
She sighed. “I don’t know. What do you want to do?”
“I want what your heart wants.”
“I can work with that.”
Chapter Five
Illyria
Three days later...
I’d been in the city longer than I wanted and it was time for me to go home. There was nothing more I could do here. After a long negotiation, I sold the warehouses to Montana. Bastard refused to budge an inch. I acknowledged his business acumen, as it matched mine and I knew when I was defeated. In the end, I relented first and now I was ten million richer.
In two hours, I was getting on my plane and leaving this vile city. I’d been lucky so far and refused to risk staying any longer. Grabbing my travel bag, I headed into the living room when Mrs. Rushton announced, “Ms. Illyria, Mr. Stone, is on his way up to see you.”
“Did he have an appointment?”
“No, dear. He did say it was urgent, though.”
Sighing, I nodded just as the elevator doors opened and in walked Montana. “This better be good. I’m leaving in two hours.”
“Got a business proposition for you,” the big man grinned, walking in as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Not interested.”
“Even if it means you get to lord over a certain Russian bastard and make his life a living hell?”
Slowly turning to look at him, I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t fucking toy with me, Montana. I’m in a killing mood.”
“Not joking, beautiful. Let me take you to lunch so we can discuss the details.”
Looking at the man I respected and trusted, I nodded. “I’ll give you one hour. If I don’t like what you offer, I’m leaving.”
