The Princess of the Mafia

ly through the high-ceilinged corridors, where portraits of solemn men and sad-eyed women watched her every step. Tonight was no ordinary evening; i

manov-Yusupov found her. Of the four brothers, Yaropolk possessed the most piercing gaze-a calculated chill inherited from the frozen nights of Saint Petersburg. He ap

e world becomes too loud," Yaropolk murmured, coming to a halt a single step b

brought a sudden rush of memories: childhood afternoons spent escaping tutors to hide in the estat

out to change," she replied, keeping her gaze fixed on the t

ance, a political pact between sovereign houses. I see only the girl with whom I shared my first secrets, and the woman I have no intention of ever lett

ed intimacy. But before Kseniya could answer, the heavy, deliberate thud of polish

was a man whose mere presence commanded a reverent, terrified silence in any hall. His bespoke suit, dark and immaculate, stood in stark contrast to the youth

the chamber walls. "The council requires the presence of the Rom

talgia of youth clashed head-on with absolute power. With a subtle nod of his head, Yaropolk stepped

grace. When he reached her, he withdrew a small velvet box from his coat. Openin

in of her neck. A shudder ran down her spine. "Nostalgia does not safeguard kingdoms, Kseniya, nor does it offer true freedom. This empire requires a quee

lifting her chin, left Kseniya entangled in a net of conflicting desires. As the s

favored refuge of Svyatogor Vseslavovich, the second of the quadruplets, whose temperament possessed the deceptive stillness of

en Svyatogor emerged from the shadows of tall ferns. He held a c

" Svyatogor said, stopping near a silent marble fountain. "You swore this

e called, Svyatogor," she replie

ook her hand and pressed it against his chest, right over the steady beat of his heart. "Do you feel that? It hasn't changed since we were c

es. The air was warm and humid, heavy with the scent of night-blooming jasmine. He traced the

sweetness. "No mafia conspiracies, no demands of political duty. Just the warmth of two souls who grew up u

g. Yet the underworld gave no respite. From the upper terrace overlo

To him, the brothers were a reminder of the youth he had traded long ago for absolute supremacy. He felt no petty

ters, she found Yevpatii waiting in her foyer. The dim lig

t, revealing land deeds, bearer bonds, and gold bars stamped with his family's double-headed crest. "The boys offer you the past be

r radiating from him. With a gloved hand, he tilted her

ord will be law and my arm your impenetrable shield. Think carefully tonight, Kseniy

ear. Whispers of a planned coup against the mafia council echoed through dark alleys and private smoking

y that bordered on reckless. He trapped Kseniya inside the estate's sprawling lib

sboard," Radimir growled without preamble, his prese

ountered firmly, though a seed of

ely an inch separated them. He cupped her waist with possessive firmness, pulling her against his chest. "My brothers talk of quiet affection and old memor

r dizzy. His hands traced the curve of her back, remembering the wild summers when th

h danger and dark desire. "I promise you a night where there will be no room for d

conspiracy seemed to dissolve in his heat. But before t

th red wax. Radimir ground his teeth, shooting Kseniya a look brimming wit

the private art gallery. When Kseniya arrived, she found Yevp

everything in its path," Yevpatii murmured without tu

isplay case holding a historic emerald and platinu

hadow, but the absolute mistress of half my empire. I offer you jewels that defy time, wealth that can buy governments, and a mature love that