When the car stopped in front of the imposing mansion, Liana felt a lump form in her throat. It had been years since the last time she had been there, and now, seeing the house that was once her home, a torrent of emotions overwhelmed her. Her father was no longer there, and although she had tried to prepare herself for this moment, the reality hit harder than she expected. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the car door handle, and when she stepped out, a wave of nostalgia washed over her.
The mansion, which once radiated warmth and life, now seemed cold and unwelcoming. She walked toward the entrance with firm steps, trying to maintain her composure, but her gaze drifted to the details she remembered fondly: the fountain where she used to play as a child, the trees her mother had carefully planted. And the absence of her father weighed heavier than ever.
Behind her, Artem watched her every move. He noticed the way her shoulders tensed, how her eyes seemed to darken with each step. He reminded himself that he shouldn't care. He told himself that this marriage was just a means to an end, a calculated transaction. There was no room for emotions, let alone feeling anything for Liana. But as he watched her, he couldn't help but feel a pang of interest, something he quickly tried to suppress.
He cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence.
"It's time to go inside," he said coldly and distantly.
Liana turned to look at him, her icy eyes meeting his. Without saying a word, she walked past him toward the house. Artem followed her and, against his own will, couldn't stop his gaze from sliding down to her backside as she walked.
"Damn it, Artem, what's wrong with you? She's just a kid!" he scolded himself internally, quickly averting his gaze in irritation and hurrying ahead to reach the door first.
As they entered, they were greeted by the housekeeper, a middle-aged woman who nodded respectfully at Artem. She then directed a warm smile toward Liana.
"Welcome, ma'am," she said, but the woman's smile only deepened Liana's frown.
"I don't remember you," Liana said, distrust and pain evident in her tone.
Artem removed his jacket and handed it to the housekeeper.
"I replaced all the staff after Vittorio's death," he replied coldly, as if it were the most trivial thing in the world.
Liana clenched her teeth, feeling anger bubbling just beneath the surface. To her, Artem was erasing the last remnants of her father's memory.
"You've really taken this whole 'leading my father's organization' thing seriously," she spat with sarcasm and resentment. "But don't forget, you're just a temporary boss."
Artem let out a mocking laugh, devoid of any warmth.
"That's why I'm marrying you," he replied. "That was the price I had to pay."
Liana's fury grew with every word that left his mouth. She was about to retort, to tell him exactly what she thought of him and this sham of a marriage, when Artem turned to the housekeeper.
"Take her to her room," he ordered, as if Liana were nothing more than a burden he needed to get rid of.
The housekeeper nodded and then looked at Liana.
"Come with me, ma'am. Everything is ready for your arrival."
Liana shot Artem a withering glare before following the housekeeper, seething with indignation. Artem, for his part, watched her walk away, struggling against the growing interest he felt toward her—an interest that had no place in his plans. He forced himself to harden even more, reminding himself that nothing should interfere with his mission. With a sigh heavy with resignation, he turned and headed toward his office, determined to put more emotional distance between them.
Artem slammed the office door shut, the echo of the impact resonating through the room. He strode quickly to the liquor cabinet, but all he found was whiskey. He cursed under his breath, frustrated by the absence of vodka.
"Fucking Italians and their damn whiskey," he thought, knowing he was stuck with the only option available. With no other choice, he poured himself a glass, letting the amber liquid fill the crystal with a soft sound.
He leaned against the desk as he pulled out his phone, searching for Alexei's contact. As the call connected, he brought the glass to his lips, but before he could take a sip, the line picked up.
"So, how did it go with your future wife?" his friend asked, his tone amused, almost mocking.
Artem sighed, staring into the distance.
"Liana is the complete opposite of what Vittorio described," he replied, a mix of disappointment and frustration in his voice. He gripped the phone tightly and added, "She's a spoiled brat with a sharp tongue."
Alexei laughed on the other end of the line.
"Maybe that's exactly what you need, man. Could be pretty interesting to tame her a bit."
Artem felt a pang of desire in his groin as he imagined Liana under his control, receiving some kind of punishment from him. But he forced himself to push those thoughts aside.
"She's not even my type," he replied brusquely. "And to top it off, she's just a 20-year-old kid."
Alexei chuckled.
"That's no obstacle, you idiot. It's only a 13-year difference."
Artem took a sip of whiskey, letting his friend's words linger in his mind for a moment. But Alexei quickly shifted the conversation.
"I've found a possible location for Victor, but I still need to confirm it. The bastard knows how to stay hidden."
Artem drank another sip, feeling the pressure in his chest increase.
"I need to find him as soon as possible, Alexei. The faster I do, the sooner I can avenge my father."
There was a moment of silence on the line before Alexei spoke again.
"Mijail must already know you're out."
"I know." Artem's eyes darkened, and he clenched his jaw. "And if he tries anything against me, I'll be ready this time."
"You know you can count on me. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Alexei offered in a serious tone.
"No," Artem replied firmly. "This is a personal matter. I won't drag you into it, especially now that you have a family."
Alexei scoffed on the other end.
"You're an idiot, you know that?"
Artem laughed, but his voice was laced with bitterness.
"Don't worry. Besides, I've done my research. I won't make a wrong move."
Curiosity got the better of Alexei. Although everyone knew Mijail had become powerful quickly, no one knew how or why.
"Mijail has the Corleones from New Orleans on his side. He's been giving them valuable intel on their rivals, helping them consolidate their power in the city."
On the other end, Alexei raised his eyebrows but remained silent as his friend continued.
"And then there are the Romanovs," Artem continued, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "He's been acting as a key intermediary in the distribution of illegal products here in Chicago. That's boosted the Bratva's profits."
Alexei snorted.
"Now I understand how that bastard Dmitri managed to flood the city with his shit. I think the only place he doesn't sell his adulterated drugs is in my clubs."
Artem finished his whiskey, clicking his tongue before concluding.
"And lastly, Mijail also has deals with the Eagle Syndicate in Mexico. Their boss, Javier 'El Jaguar' Mendoza, has secure smuggling routes through contacts in Europe and Asia, expanding their cartel's reach."
Alexei grimaced on the other end of the line.
"You're saying your father has completely fortified himself?"
Artem nodded, though Alexei couldn't see him.
"Attacking him now would be suicide. None of them will want to lose the benefits he provides. And as long as that's the case, he's untouchable... for now."
Artem set the glass down on the desk, his fingers drumming against the wood as he gazed out at the garden through the window. Before he could respond to Alexei's question, his eyes narrowed at the commotion outside. Several security men were running as if searching for something. He was about to end the call when an urgent knock sounded at the door.
"Sir! Sir, it's important!" The voice on the other side was urgent.
Artem turned abruptly and yanked the door open, his face hardening.
"What the hell is going on?" he growled.
The housekeeper clasped her hands nervously, her face pale.
"It's the lady. She's not in her room. I left her there and went to get water, but when I came back, she was gone."
Artem's lips pressed into a thin line, barely containing the anger that began to burn within him.
"Liana..." he growled through clenched teeth, only to hear Alexei's amused laughter on the line.
"Well, it seems your new wife is already testing your patience, Artem," Alexei said with a mocking tone. "I can't wait to see how long it takes you to realize you'll have to tame the wildcat before she slips out of your hands."
Artem ignored the comment, clenching his jaw as he spoke hurriedly into the phone.
"Remember to come tomorrow. I need you to serve as a witness for the wedding. Goodbye."
Alexei's laughter continued on the other end, but Artem wasn't in the mood to keep listening. He hung up abruptly, his irritation evident in his movements.
"Tell everyone to check the cameras and have others search the grounds," he ordered the housekeeper firmly, his voice sharp.
"Yes, sir," she responded, visibly frightened, before quickly turning to carry out the order.
Artem ran a hand through his hair in frustration and let out a long sigh.
"Damn it, Liana, why can't you just make my life easy?" he muttered to himself, feeling the situation slipping out of his control, right when he most needed everything to be in order.