Five months had passed since that fateful night, a night that had left an inerasable mark on our souls. The memories still lingered, vivid and haunting but with Ivan by my side, the darkness that once consumed me had begun to retreat. His presence was a balm to my soul, soothing the wounds of my past and I'd found cheer in his arms. With each passing day, my heart healed a little more and I was grateful for every moment we shared.
As I cooked dinner, the pasta sizzled and stirring in the pan filling the air with savory aromas that wave through the kitchen. Ivan worked on his laptop, his focus unwavering, his brow furrowed in concentration. I smiled, watching him, my heart filled with love.
"Dinner's ready, Ivi." I called out, my voice laced with a hint of playfulness.
"Almost done, princess," Ivan replied, his deep voice soothing. "Just give me a minute."I pouted, feigning annoyance as I walked into the living room. "You've been working all evening. Don't you have time for your fiancée now?"
Ivan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're always my priority, Rose." He set aside his laptop and stood up his tall frame towering over me.
I smiled, my heart skipping a beat. "I'm starving, and not just for food."
Ivan's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes burning with affection. "I'm all yours, my fiancée." As we sat down to eat, I handed him a steaming plate of Alfredo pasta. "I made your favorite."
Ivan took a bite, his face lighting up. "It's exquisite, just like you."
"Thank you." I said, blushing.
As in a moment gunfire shattered our windows, sending glass shards flying like deadly butterflies, Ivan instinctively wrapped his arms around me. We dropped to the floor our hearts racing in tandem. I trembled gripping Ivan's arms tightly as the gunshots ceased. The silence was deafening punctuated only by the sound of our ragged breathing.
Ivan's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze reassuring. "I...Ivi, what's...that?" I stammered.
He cupped my face, his touch soothing. "We'll move downstairs, quietly. Don't make a sound. We'll figure it out, alright? Don't be scared, my princess. I'm here." His voice was calm, but I saw the concern etched on his face.I nodded, still trembling. Ivan carefully helped me up, and we descended the stairs, his arms wrapped protectively around me. Every creak of the stairs seemed amplified making me flinch.
My heart racing with fear, sweat beaded on my forehead. Suddenly, another gunshot pierced the air, striking Ivan's leg. He cried out in agony, collapsing beside me.
"Ivi...Ivi, are..." I whispered, tears streaming down my face.
A deep, intimidating voice interrupted me, sending chills down my spine. "Long time no see, "...Wildflower," he sneered, the nickname echoing like a curse.
I recoiled, hatred burning within me. His very existence darkens my world. I thought he'd forgotten me moved on to claim another girl. But now he stood before me, his presence a twisted mockery. I'd deluded myself into believing I deserved a beautiful life with Ivan free from the shadows of my past. But Nico's presence shattered that illusion. Fear gripped me, refusing to let me look at him. His monstrous face haunted my nightmares, a constant reminder of the scars Ivan bore. Scars Nico had inflicted.
Nico's voice dripped with malice. "Look at me, or I'll pierce another bullet into your fiancé's body, hmm?"
His words hung in the air like a deadly promise, sending a shiver down my spine. I sucked a sharp breath as Ivan's face contorted in pain, his eyes flashing with anger. With a grunt, Ivan pulled me into his embrace shielding me from Nico's menacing gaze. But Nico's voice drew me back its dark allure irresistible.
I hesitated, then met Nico's eyes, my heart racing with fear. "Look at me," Nico repeated, his tone dripping with sadistic pleasure.
Ivan's arms tightened around me, his voice soft and reassuring. "Don't, Rose. Don't give him power."But I had to face Nico. I had to confront the monster who haunted my nightmares.
Nico's smile twisted. "You thought you could escape me, Wildflower?" His words sliced through me, refreshing memories I'd desperately tried to bury.
Nico's smirk dripped with malicious intent, his eyes blazing with a sadistic fire as he watched Ivan pull me into his protective embrace. His frown deepened, fists clenching and he glared at me with an intensity that froze my very soul.
"Il mio fiore di campo non è cambiato per niente, vero?" Nico sneered, his voice dripping with venomous contempt, knowing I didn't understand the cruel taunt.
(My wildflower hasn't changed a bit, has she?)
"Shut up with your nonsense," I gritted, teeth clenched, my voice trembling with defiance.
Nico scoffed, his expression twisting into a snarl. "Since when did you learn to talk like that?" He turned to Ivan, his gaze piercing. "I assume it's your fault."
"I've always been like this, Nicholas Kurtenzsova," I spat, my words laced with venom. "Especially around monsters like you."
Nico's smirk faltered, replaced by a stone-faced glare that chilled my marrow. "Oh, Wildflower, you always challenge me. How quaint. How pathetic."
In seconds, his expression darkened, like a storm cloud with its fury. "Get him," he ordered, his words sending shivers coursing down my spine.
"No!" I protested, clinging to Ivan as Nico's men dragged him away their brutal hands tearing him from my desperate grasp.
Nico sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You always knew what I wanted, but you challenged me, ran away. You thought I couldn't track you down?"
His voice was a razor's edge, slicing through my resolve. "You infuriated me with your little engagement, and now you dare dream of a wedding with him? Not in hell."
Tears streamed down my face like a river of despair. "No, no, no!" I screamed, rushing to Ivan, my heart shattering into a million pieces.
Ivan grunted, struggling against Nico's goons, his eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep, abiding love. "Rose," he whispered.
His single word made me quiver, my soul trembling with fear. "Please," I sobbed.
"Don't worry about me, just run the second you get a chance," Ivan urged.
But I refused, my resolve hardened like steel. "I'm not leaving you."
Nico interrupted, his voice cold, calculating. "Rose, come here, or you'll see him die."
I glared at Nico, my eyes blazing with defiance. "No!" In two long strides, Nico closed the distance, gripping my arm like a vice and pulling me to my feet.
"Always throwing a challenge, huh?" Nico sneered. His breath fanned my face, cold, menacing. His grip on my wrist tightened painfully, like a trap.
"Let's see how brave you are," he taunted.
As Nico nodded to his henchman, Ivan was dragged away, his body battered with a metal bat. Each sickening thud echoed through my soul, my breath catching in my throat.
"Stop...sobs...stop doing this!" I begged, my voice cracking. Nico smirked, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.
"Stop!" I screamed, my words fell to deaf ears.
His bloodied shirt, the bat's imprint on his chest and his pale face etched with agony – the images seared into my mind. Ivan's eyes, once bright now hazy locked onto mine his smile a faint defiant gesture. My heart plummeted. "Ivan," I whispered.
As Ivan struggled to rise, Nico's grip on my arm tightened his fingers digging into my skin."Uh-uh, no, Wildflower," Nico sneered. I kicked and swing desperate to reach Ivan but Nico's strong hands restrained me.
"Ivan!" I screamed, my tears streaking my face. My voice was hoarse and my world shattered. Ivan's pale, bloodied face, his hazy eyes, and his grunted smile – the images tore me apart.
"S...stop, stop them, Nico, please!" I clutched Nico's collar, pleading."Please, I'll go with you please let him go!" I cried.
Will Rose ever escape Nico's grasp and find happiness with Ivan?
Join me in Stolen Breath, Stolen Heart journey to find out.