Hinovel
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Summary
"Do you honestly think I enjoy this?" He asks, his grip around my wrist so firm, so strong, they hurt as I try to twist, to get away from him. "Enjoy seeing you squirm in my hold like this? Enjoy making you cry?" "Please let me go," I croaked, choking back tears. "Let me go, Anatoli." "And then what? Risk you running back to him? You wish he would come rescue you, don't you? You love him." "I love nobody. I will never love neither of you." "And that's where we have a problem, Avrora. You should love me. Me and only me. I'm your fucking husband!" — Avrora Galitze is a daydreamer. Daughter of Galitze Sturm, a dangerous Bravta underboss, Avrora knows her future won't be a fairy-tale, considering her father's formidable influence, and thirst for more power. Obligated to marry Mikhail Scarfoni, a man she doesn't love but has utmost respect for, Avrora is sad. But things take a turn for the worst when, on her wedding day, Anatoli Scarfoni, the rightful heir of the Bravta Mafia storms the venue, and gets married to Avrora, instead of Mikhail. Anatoli Scarfoni is back for revenge, and all those who had a hand in his assassination attempt have their days numbered. But first, to solidify his place, he steals his younger brother's bride from underneath his thumb. Avrora has only ever known Mikhail, but there's something about Anatoli that lays just at the tip of her memory, but always out of reach each time she tries to recollect. When their twisted arrangement turns into something either of them saw coming, Avrora must learn to trust and find peace in her new, blazing feelings for Anatoli if she wants to live, and rule by his side as his queen.
Prologue.
Anatoli
Russia, 16 years ago.
The thud of heavy boots echoes on the concrete floor outside the room, making my heart thump with vicious panic.
He's coming.
The monster is coming.
He killed Mom, and now he's going to kill me. Just like he promised yesterday.
Fear slows my thoughts, and my mind struggles. I never knew my life would end at twelve years old, or that I'd watch my mother die unable to do anything to save her.
I grip the metal bars of my cage and look around the dark dank room the monster has kept me in for weeks.
Last night, he beat me to a pulp and broke my leg the same way he snapped Mom's neck.
Mom and I were never going to escape him.
And this was always going to happen to me just for being Anatoli Scarfoni.
The door creaks open, letting in a sliver of light. The beast-like man walks in.
The light is just bright enough to highlight his pale, ghost-like eyes and the mean-looking scar running from his left eye to his jaw.
He smiles when he reaches my cage.
"Time to die, you fucking little shit."
"No!"
He opens the cage door, then yanks me out, sending unbearable pain shooting up and down my body.
"Let me go now!"
"Shut up." A punch to my face delivers more pain, and I see stars.
Tears stream down my cheeks. I'm helpless.
The monster tosses me over his shoulder and carries me outside to the old barn. This was where he burned Mom's body. And made me watch.
He opens the door and throws me inside. I fall to the ground in so much pain I can't move, I can't see, I can't do anything.
The sinister sound of the door slamming shut lets me know I'm trapped.
Then I smell smoke.
It pours in from under the door.
Seconds later, orange flames swallow the smoke, rising all around me. I scream.
Mom, I'm sorry I couldn't save you.
Or myself...