Dear All,

Here is the new chapter as I promised you earlier in the message. Apologies for not posting it before, but I was checking it and making sure it was going to satisfy you (well, I hope so!) It is a VERY long chapter, but you seem to love them as such, so maybe I should not worry about boring or tiring you.

As I said, their characters are very complex and there is so much I wish to write about them, not to mention their story is rather complicated and it touches many, many issues. I want to give them the deserved deepening and development.

I want to THANK YOU for your constant and overwhelming, incredible support, love, for your votes, comments and messages. You have no idea how happy you make this witchy here and her Cat! I am trying to reply to your comments and messages, so just please be patient and be aware I read each of them.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to everyone and in particular to onedopegirl, as a big thank you for your support, for the love you show to my stories and for your messages: thank you, my dear.

You will see while reading why the chapter was long and how many different aspects, situations it touched. I really hope you will enjoy it, so let me know as always.

I selected a song that seemed to fit the atmosphere of these many pages and no picture this time.

Now, enjoy the new chapter!

"I always loved you, and if one loves anyone, one loves the whole person, just as they are and not as one would like them to be", by Leo Tolstoy in "Anna Karenina"

OLEG POV:

Anatoly and I decided to leave his friends earlier than the rest, for we desired a moment alone and he had been clear on the matter when he followed me to the bar as I went to buy drinks for us both. It had been a very enjoyable evening, considered what heaved down our heads, but we yearned for time spent just in each other's company. His friends were a group of young, yet rather mature and intelligent persons, and it was not difficult to converse with them, the Lebedev cousins in particular.

As Aleksandr discussed over motorbikes with Anatoly and I, for he also held an interest in them, I felt someone observing me from time to time, and that person was River Kelley. I caught his eyes, rendering him still a moment for then smiling in a rather peculiar way, as if not expecting to be discovered. I could tell he watched how Anatoly and I interacted together and there was something in his eyes that left questions in my mind. Anatoly told me that his friend was never easy to understand or almost impossible to read, nonetheless something caught my attention and I wondered what left him so guarded. He cared for him and I saw it by the way he once looked at him talking to Dmitri and his partner with a soft smile. That young man had missed him dearly and I was pleased at seeing what loyal friends my reckless punk had.

I was glad to have joined them, because seeing him among them filled my heart with many different emotions, giving me the chance to see a different aspect of him while spending time with his friends.

As I drove us back to my place, Anatoly remained quiet for some time listening to some music playing in the car, but after a short while he let out the question I knew was pressing in his mind.

"Did you really enjoy tonight or were you bored? Too many young brats?" I shook my head at the very subtle shyness veiling his apparent mocking tone.

"I told you this already and I can confirm it once more: I like your friends. They are very good friends."

"Yeah, they truly are," he agreed, looking at the road in front of us. "They like you, too, especially the Mighty Sasha, Adrian and that jerk of Lebedev." That surprised me earlier, although it had to be marked out that the young Lebedev made a significant attempt in approaching me. "He was sweating bullets when he heard you were about to join us, given what happened months ago, but somehow you talked normally to him, without intimidating him or so, and freaking hell, I never thought he had the balls to speak to you so openly. It looks like this scary beast of a man is a charmer," Anatoly joked, half-grinning at me as he played with an earring.

"From bastard to beast? Am I being upgraded or promoted, hmm?" He chuckled lightly at my ironic question.

"You've always been both and you know that, but I guess bastard is what comes more natural to me. Even though, you're a damn hot beast, believe me. Travis and River said you're extremely handsome, well, Riv used the word "compelling", but they're freaking right."

This punk here...Whenever he was in his spontaneous self he always exercised such a power over me with unintentional words and he did not even recognize it. This lack of barriers or restraints between us, this complete freedom and abandon to our feelings still overwhelmed me from time to time and I still savoured it, relishing in it as something I never had before. My hand went to grab his thigh strongly and I heard his intake of air, especially when I drew it closer to his groin.

"Thank you for the compliment," I replied in a similar way and he took a moment before saying anything back.

"Any time, hot beast," he murmured out and with that we both chuckled. I removed my hand and put it back to the steering wheel.

"However, Sergey Lebedev is similar to his cousin in a number of ways and that is why they will need their time to completely adjust. But I can see their partners are doing an excellent job. I did not have much occasion to speak to them, but they made a very good impression on me, because they are sincere and genuine persons, that much is obvious." I saw Anatoly nodding from the corner of my eye. "Sergey Lebedev was there with your friend Viola and there was no need to reiterate what he knew already."

I had noticed how nervously he eyed me at first, visibly swallowing down and slightly paling, yet trying to mask it in front of that girl, who immediately introduced herself once more and proudly declared her being "one of Tolya's best friends". Those spontaneous, yet loyal words made me smile and it was clear how such very simple and basic response put her at ease, for she spoke to me a few times. I appreciated the effort Sergey Kirilievich made during the evening, because it must have been hard for him sitting there aware of what had happened in the past. It said a lot about his true nature and I always respected a person wanting to face their mistakes, something that had always made me love Anatoly deeply.

"He's so whipped that's not even funny to tease him," Anatoly snorted out, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "But hey, he'll never cease being a complete ass and nobody can reach my twin's level of cheesiness." Without doubts Dmitri had no problems in voicing out his feelings or acting upon them, often causing his young partner to turn red. "Dima asked me again to go out with them, can you believe it? He said there is a movie you'd also like to watch."

"You should know your brother well enough to understand why he does it."

This was something else that I always cherished about the Denisov family: their sincere, yet not imposing welcome to their family. I had not missed how Dmitri conversed with me at ease, as if he ceased seeing me only as his father's assistant. Weeks ago I was not sure whether to cross this line or not, but as I spent more time with their family, normally interacting, realizing my role and position in there had shifted somehow, I saw no harm in acting more openly, even if still measured by my nature. Stepping over the lines has not being effortless for a man like me and I was grateful they understood me.

"I know, I know, but listen, please do not agree on that. Not yet, at least. He can go watch the movie with Jasper, his brother and Riv." At the name of his friend, I asked him something.

"Your friend's partner is Nicholas Lucas, Jasper's older brother, correct?" He hummed his reply. "Has he said anything to you?"

"Why? What do you mean?" Anatoly immediately asked back, his eyes studying my face in the darkness of the car.

"I caught him observing us tonight, particularly me, and there was something I cannot properly describe in the way he looked at us, as if trying to decide over some matter." He stayed silent a moment, considering my words.

"I wanted to talk to him, but in a way or another, he managed to escape it. River can be damn good at that, believe me. I was surprised in not seeing Nicholas there, but he said he had to be somewhere else with the family. The chipmunk seemed fine, so I speculated nothing about it, but hey...I'm not as good at reading people as you are. I'll try to talk to him next week. He will go away a few days with his parents and that dickhead of his younger brother."

"Maybe I simply misread it, for I do not know your friend well."

"No, you might be right, but hell if anyone can entirely understand him. Sasha also looked at him wanting to ask something, but we got nothing. To be fair, I don't know what's going on in his mind and I think only the Mighty Sasha might guess anything." I felt my lips curving at the way he addressed Aleksandr Lebedev and right then his phone rang once, causing him to sigh out as he looked at the screen, for he had received a message from Dmitri. "Can I stay at yours for the next months?" He grumbled out, having me to arch a brow in a mute question. "Dima is saying that we should go watch this freaking movie." He groaned out and then shoved the phone back in the jacket's pocket. "Whatever. Maybe he'll drop it if I'll ignore him." I had serious doubts on the specific matter.

I understood why his brother was doing this. Anatoly said he was not very sharp and quick at grasping what happened around him, but I believed he did for the most important things and surely he got Anatoly was edgy in these days. He knew in what situation we stood and he recognized there was not much in his power to help.

"Anatoly, your brother is more perceptive than you give him credit for," I told him and he looked at me wanting to counter debate, but he stopped, slowly nodding. "Whenever you feel like agreeing to his request you know I will not say anything against it."

"I think the chipmunk will try to talk him out of this for now, because he still freaks out around you."

"I am not sure about it. He is not scared of me," I pointed out and he chuckled.

"I know that, but he simply cannot normally talk to you, which doesn't surprise me, considering how shy he also was with Adrian and how he could say almost nothing to Seryozha, and they're normal human beings when compared to you." I said nothing to that, already used to his way of describing me or sort of complimenting. "Jasper is a freaking shy chipmunk and I still can't believe how he copes with my brother's idiocy. He almost choked in his drink tonight as Dima just blabbed out something about their sex life and thank God for that, because it spared us all from hearing the details. I swear, he has no filters." I chuckled remembering the moment he mentioned.

"I am glad you are different regarding this," I admitted, and he moved closer to me, his lips almost touching my ear. I remained composed, even when I felt his warm breath tickling my skin, the scent of his skin mixed with his cologne invading my senses, stirring my desire.

Indeed, Anatoly might have been private in terms of expressing his feelings or showing the deep attachment between us, but he surely was a very provoking punk once we were alone. We appeared not very fond of touching in public, but we valued our intimacy as it was, keeping it discreet.

"Fucking right; no need to tell them I wished you to fuck me the moment you stepped in the room looking so damn hot, right? You look so good tonight that my brain halted a moment, I swear it." Indeed, very provoking and very good at pulling at the strings of my desire; he knew how I enjoyed him talking in such way and what it did to my excitement. "Or that now I'd want to drive you nuts against the wall or door of your room?" This punk here sure had a thing for that particular position and I shared it with him for it inflamed us each single time.

"I am driving," I told him with thick and low voice, unable to completely erase the growing lust from it.

"I'm not doing anything," he threw back and then obviously he had to be his usual reckless self as he scraped my neck with teeth while his hand grabbed my erection through my jeans.

"Anatoly," I warned him with now commanding voice and he chuckled in a way that gave away his state of excitement, still lingering his nose on my neck, deeply inhaling and right after letting his teeth toy with my ear. "Anatoly."

"I'll behave," he murmured with a playful tone and I heaved out a deep breath, while he sat back in his seat. "Wait a moment; can you please stop at my place? I need to get stuff from there."

"You have spare clothes at mine."

"Yeah well, I still need to get something else from there, so just drop by, OK?"

I quickly looked at him as if asking for a reason, but he only shook his head, thus I decided to let it go and do as he asked. After that, we reached my place, where I started the fireplace as we sat on the couch, talking about what I did during the afternoon, while MMA fights quietly played on TV. When the clock on the mantel of the fireplace struck midnight, Anatoly surprised me with a sudden, very intense kiss and then spoke three words that overwhelmed me completely, his entire face smiling, though his eyes still held a note of shyness.

"Sdiom rozhdeniya, Oleg." Happy birthday he had quietly said on my lips, pushing me completely flat on my back on the couch. "So, thirty-four years old, hmm? How do you feel? An old, impassive bastard?" I chuckled at his provocation.

"I feel that I have a very immature and young punk as partner that enjoys testing my patience too much," I replied in kind, tilting my lips up in my usual smirk.

He grunted something quietly under his breath and then once more impulsively pressed his lips hard on mine, slipping his tongue into my mouth without any hesitation, wanting to control the kiss. He did for some time and it tore a deep growl out of my throat, as my hands moved on his incredible, round ass and tugged him closer to me, letting him feel the effects of the kiss on me. He deepened it and he became more feral, harder, more lost in it and so, one of my hands slipped to his head and fisted his hair, gaining an excited moan out from him. Anatoly broke the contact and I groaned annoyed, having him grin in that usual bratty and cocky way.

"Yeah, you have a younger partner that surely enjoys driving his old, emotionless bastard out of mind," he murmured with an expression that promised much, while one hand slowly moved between us reaching for my erection. I repressed the grunt of pleasure the gesture triggered in me and his expression grew more challenging. "Trying to resist me?" He breathed on my ear as he moved to the side of my face, his hand now strongly holding my hard member. This punk here was undeniably incredible in luring my desire to very dangerous paths and he truly enjoyed toying with the burning attraction I felt for him, aiming to shred my control.

He was going to take back the "emotionless" very soon.

The truth was that I could not resist him, thus my hands both moved to his ass and grabbed it decisively, letting my teeth graze his now exposed neck.

"I definitely do not plan to do so, brat," I said with apparently composed voice, but he felt the excitement lying in it. I guided my hands on his back, tasting his tensed muscles, lowering again and slipping under the tee-shirt he wore. He hissed out and I held him strongly when he tried to move, as I pulled my head back to stare at him. "Do not move," I ordered him, and something flashed in his eyes, temper and lust blending in them. Indeed, I took great pleasure in pulling out his raw and explosive side. My nose slowly slid on his neck, causing him to shiver. "I sure do not mind that and yes, you do manage to drive me out of mind without much effort," I admitted, well knowing how my eyes looked in that moment. He swallowed down and inched closer to my mouth.

"Happy birthday," he said once more, brushing his lips on me. "I love you, Oleg." The tone of his voice slightly altered, and it affected me, making me response with a genuine smile. "Presents will come tomorrow, though," he added with a clear note of amusement. Thus that was what he had to retrieve from his house. My incredible brat.

"You did not need to get me presents," I replied, now caressing his hair.

"Yes I did, because it is a birthday and I just found what I'm sure you'll like," he explained and there was a mix of emotions in his eyes that made me wonder what he had purchased as such. I refrained from commenting, knowing it would be tactless as well as useless. I was very grateful for what he was doing for me, rendering this day an occasion worth celebrating and altering my feelings toward it. My past was no longer locked and buried in a deep and dark corner of my mind and heart; it became part of my life, for it felt right to share it with Anatoly.

"Spasiba, Anatoly." He shook his head, for then softly stroking the tip of his nose on mine. I treasured these little gestures between us, the freedom we both finally experienced in being with each other, accepting our personal limits, weaknesses and expressing our feelings.

"You celebrated your birthday only when you were a kid, right?" I nodded and just waited to see if he was going to ask for more, and he did to my immense pleasure, for I wished him to feel entirely free with me. "What your grandmother did? If you don't mind telling me, of course." I pulled him closer and let our foreheads touch, hearing his calm breathing in the quietness of the room together with the soft cracking of the fire.

"I do not mind telling you, of course. My grandmother and my mother, when she was still alive, used to bake something for me only and it always felt very special, considered that we could not afford much, considered what kind of man my father was." His weakness of mind, his innate cruelty, and alcohol had turned him in someone we all feared, aside my grandmother, the only person that stood against him. Anatoly and I shared a look that spoke many silent words and he must have perceived what was moving in me, old imagines surfacing to present time.

"He beat you for your birthday." His voice reverberated of the rage suddenly firing his eyes, making him shiver, something different from the anger I felt years ago, the same anger that scared me as I feared to become like that man, the same anger that had slowly subsided and finally disappeared. I had never been like my father and I never will. Anatoly had read between the lines and understood much more I expected he would, making me understand how hard it was to conceal anything from him; however, truth be told, there was no need in hiding anything from him.

I had never been keen in sharing those memories with him, for the simple reasons they were not good and they belonged to the past. However, as our relationship grew stronger day after day, as we shared more together, seeing the good and the bad of each other, and given the love we had brought us closer each day, my wariness about the past diminished to a great extent and I relished the feeling of warm and peace he gifted me with whenever I opened up my memories. I never thought I would find myself at ease discussing those years, those failures and weaknesses. I never believed possible that someone had the power to make me accept my faults and limits; but Anatoly did, and it was mutual in every respect.

"That he did two times, for then taking his drunken anger on our mother and on my brother. It did not happen to me only and I do not understand why I never stood against him earlier." I answered with levelled voice, not many emotions tainting it because little of them were left when thinking about my family. I only wished I were stronger to better shield them and I wished my brother had taken a stance against him. But how many years passed? Too many and that man was dead. He no longer had a place in my life, in every possible meaning.

"You were just a kid, Oleg, do you freaking understand this? You were a brat, obviously not as much as I was, but what did you want to do?"

"Yes, of course I was only a child with no real strength to match his violence and I felt it on my own skin whenever I tried to shield my sister and mother." I fell silent and let my memories wander in those dark places of my mind and heart. There was nothing I could really do and accepting the truth of not being able to really protect whom I loved back then was not easy or painless, yet I came to term with that. "I slowly accepted that in those moments I could do nothing, but then I did my best to support my family. I still partially failed in that," I spoke the last words with dry voice.

"You did not fail in that," Anatoly murmured with such quiet voice that I had to look at his face. His eyes were closed, and his teeth gritted, as if wanting to control certain emotions, as if wanting to leash his temper.

"You found yourself alone very young and you did what you believed right, and it was damn right. You give your entire self for the persons you love and respect, sometimes too much, but I fucking love you also because of this." His words left me without words, striking the strings of my emotions, and he did not miss my reaction. "You give me your everything every single day, Oleg, and I'd be damned if I cannot do the same," he groaned out, his temper clearly taking the best, judging by the way he was now sinking his fingers and nails in my skin, by how his eyes penetrated mine with fierce light.

"You do give me the exact same, have you not comprehended it yet, brat?" I spoke with firm and quite authoritative voice, the only way to get him proper listening to me and he did listen, and he did finally understand the truth of it. "You do give me much more than you can remotely imagine. Anatoly, I developed feelings for you a year ago, feelings that are growing day after day. The more I am with you the more I love you. Never forget this, am I understood?"

"Yes," he conceded surprisingly accepting my words at first. "I suppose that I shouldn't say I'm sorry for making you talk about those moments, right?" There was a touch of shyness and real concern in his voice and it made me fall for this brat even more. He was eager and almost aggressive in declaring his mind and heart, yet so guarded and sensitive in his desire to learn more about my life of years ago. He did not want to stir anything unpleasant for me but sharing it with him made it far from being such.

"No, you should not be sorry, because I have been clear on the matter: you can ask me anything you wish to, and I will tell you anything you ask for." He dropped silent for a few seconds, pulling back slightly, letting one finger caress the lines of the scar on my face. There was a question in his mind and I believed I understood what it was about, for we had never faced that matter in a real direct, honest way.

"You didn't take care of that piece of shit just because dad asked you, right?"

"No, Anatoly. In truth, I wanted to kill that man with my own hands for what he had tried doing to you, for having touched you, for having uttered such unforgivable words. After you told us what happened, I had to take two days for myself, dealing with my need to find a piece of filth I could not identify and dealing with my rage. It was maddening, believe me. I knew I had to be a better man than that, but that vermin had done that to you." I heard him swallowing down, his breathing catching up, becoming heavier. I was not as impassive and emotionless as I had hoped for or as I tried to make it seem. "But Mr. Denisov asked me to let him be judged in court. He must have had his reasons and I respected them, following the orders. After a while I came to comprehend why he ordered so and my respect and gratitude for your father grew even more." It was hard to discern everything that passed his handsome face and I could not read him well in that moment. "What are you thinking about?"

"You never told me this when I asked."

"We stood under different circumstances, and at the time I still felt inadequate for having an attachment for you, for having acted first out of personal emotions and then out of my duties."

"You sure made a great job in passing for an emotionless bastard that followed duties only. I wanted to think you did it also for other reasons, but I couldn't bring myself believing it, afraid you saw me only as my father's son."

"It is what I wanted you to see and believe." He contracted his jaw setting his mouth in a quite angered expression, irritation blazing in his eyes.

"Annoying bastard," he hissed out, but after that he shook his head strongly. "But I should have known better, especially after seeing your reactions as I left the gang without telling you. But fuck me, I was such a pathetic brat scared of pretty much everything...I didn't see many things."

"We both misunderstood one another, and I did my best to hide my attachment. We had our own fears and self-imposed restraints, but we finally met at the same point." I paused a moment, searching in his eyes. "You no longer hold those fears, correct?"

"Yeah, I think after seeing that they almost made me fuck things up with you, I lost them."

"It makes two of us, believe me. I no longer have those worries or irrigational uncertainties. I just want to be the man you need at your side," I spoke in all honesty and he took a deep breath, leaning closer to me and pressing his lips on mine first harshly and then with a softer touch.

"You are the man I need and want beside me," he murmured with tender yet resolute voice and there was no possible way to convey what those words made me feel, what they stir in me.

"So are you, Anatoly, never doubt this." As those words were said, I claimed his mouth and lost my senses in an ardent kiss, hearing him moan on my lips, his hands sinking in my hair. He pulled away and a different light danced in his beautiful eyes. "What is it?" I calmly asked.

"I think we are two stubborn asses that deserve each other, and I think we discussed too long about many heavy matters, considering it's your birthday. Don't you agree?" He would never change under some aspects and to be fair, I never wanted him to do so.

"I did not mind telling you about my past."

"I know and thanks for that, but let's just leave everything for now."

"I agree with you," I concurred and the light in his eyes gleamed darker, of a very tempting and alluring shade. "What is it, Anatoly?" My voice had changed note and it reflected the way our moods had shifted. We had bared our souls even more, accepting and allowing each other even deeper in our selves. I knew how we then felt...the need of being physical and emotionally closer to each other. "Tell me what it is," I demanded, seeing a smirk forming on his lips.

"I want you. You should have not told me such things, bare your emotions to me so openly, because now I fucking need you like crazy," he spoke with such roughness and palpable desire that I felt the air around us become thicker, our bodies moving closer to each other, like our hands that began to slip under our clothes hungry for more. "Do you want me?"

That question ignited something in me that showed on my face, considered how his eyes widened a moment and by his sudden feral kiss, first biting my tongue and driving out a lust-filled growl from both of us. His aggressiveness aroused me more and we both kissed hungrily, lost in a ravenous dance. I broke it only to reply his question and make him taste what it awakened in me.

"I desire and need you more than anything else." I grabbed his hair and pulled his head back, earning a loud groan as I closed my mouth and teeth on the side of his neck, following then the line of it with the tip of my tongue until I reached his ear. "I want you, brat, completely unleashed and I want to take you completely unleashed. You know how that will be and you are aware of how you break my control very easily, hmm?." His breathing hitched up, sensing my state of mind and yielding for him, and so he stayed still under my touch, my lips playing with his earlobe and earring. I gently bit it, tugging it a bit, causing him to hiss out in pleasure. There was a touch of roughness and consensual aggressiveness in us and in our way of being physical, yet we also shared tender love. Anatoly and I were both things at the same time, as if it mirrored our personalities, our way of connecting.

"Fuck me," he breathed out and I smirked on his skin, feeling the heartbeat accelerating when I grounded my erection harder on his. "Oh fuuuuckkk..."

"But you know what, punk?" He held his breath a moment and then shook his head as I released his hair, his heart thundering in growing excitement and ravenous lust, as I was. "Maybe I will not do so you tonight and I will take my time before making you consider carefully calling me as you did earlier another time, before making you take back what you said," I replied with raw voice and his eyes darted wide open, knowing what he ignited in me all too well. "Or maybe, I will wait for tomorrow, because now you seem tired and I definitely do not wish to exhaust my younger lover all too easily."

"You annoying bastard," he muttered out between teeth and I just smirked at him, enjoying the effect very much. So, I surprised him by suddenly pushing us up, burying a hand in his dishevelled hair, my mouth on the spot of his throat where I could feel his blood pulsing fast. He was breathing hard and I loved the sound of it. "Oh fuck, Oleg," he hissed out as my other hand grabbed him through the jeans. But I knew he was an impulsive punk and it did not surprise me when he growled out and fiercely pushed me backward, forcing my back against the headrest of the couch. "I don't even care saying that now I'd wished to be screwed very hard from you, but damn...no, you think I'm tired? Just wait for that." His smile held nothing of the usual shyness or sweetness and it fuelled my already burning desire. "You'll be the one taking it back, believe me." We exchanged a heated look and a dark smile.

Anatoly straddled me, hence I was the one hissing out in pleasure, my hands grabbing his thighs first, stroking their muscles through the jeans, wanting to feel him more as he purposely grounded his hard member against mine, his tongue now very deep and demanding in my mouth, clearly fired up by my previous words. Indeed, he could be very explosive and intense, and I loved it. He pushed back and the same dark light probably blazing in my eyes smouldered in his, as he halted me with one hand pressed on my chest the moment I realised what he had in mind. He slowly slipped down the couch between my legs and, without giving me much time to object, his hands quickly opened and unzipped my jeans.

I said nothing and simply looked at him staring back at me with such enticing and lust-filled eyes that my blood simmered in my veins at such view, his fingers now taunting me as they very slowly slipped inside my jeans, pushing them lower on my thighs as I followed his silent request, or more like, his unspoken order to let him do so. I gladly complied that, staring at him in the impossibility to look away, as if hypnotized by him, by the touch of his fingers, by now hungrier and less patient, snaking inside my boxers, one of them wrapping around my very hard and pulsing erection. In that moment my head fell back a moment as pleasure invaded my body and I groaned out loudly. A sound that then became much more feral than human as I felt his warm mouth around it, his tongue teasing me together with his teeth.

"Anatoly," I hissed out with very raw voice, feeling already on the verge of mind-shattering pleasure, while my hands shot to his head and my fingers tangled in his hair, guiding the movement as he allowed me deeper in his mouth. He moved his incredible mouth on me for a few strokes, each time deep throating me, each time shredding every possible restraint or control. I wanted him to lose my sanity.

He pulled away, getting a hold of my shirt and both of us removing it in a few hasty moves. Anatoly went back on his knees, his tongue deliberately and painfully slowly drew the length of my rock-hard member, sliding to my abdominals, to my chest and then my neck and lips. I had to close my eyes and I knew my body was burning in sexual need for him.

"Open your eyes," he ordered and I did so, losing myself in his beautiful eyes. He straddled me again, grabbing my hands with his and tangling our fingers together, bracing them at each side of my shoulders. "I'm going mad for you and I fucking need to be inside of you and drive you out of your sanity and of every possible limit, fucking you hard..." He sealed his lips on mine and we both groaned loud as we kissed in an impossibly wild way. His words had provoked and inflamed my desire and lust to very dangerous levels and he would feel the consequences the following day. He knew that and he did it on purpose. The fact was that, I loved him talking in such way, for it reflected his true temperamental and raw nature.

"Then do it, Anatoly, because tomorrow you will be all mine to drive out of sanity and you perfectly how I will take you."

He smirked at me and indeed, Anatoly was well aware of that.

When I woke up in the morning, Anatoly was half lying on me and I softly kissed his forehead. He did not stir in his deep slumber and as I felt his warm skin on me, given we ended up sleeping naked after we took last night, I closed my eyes a moment. Indeed, he was on fire last night and he had no idea how incredible he had been, how intense and demanding. I had to level out a deep breath, gaining some composure and control over my emotions and senses. I untangled myself from him carefully and then headed for the bathroom.

After a very quick warm shower, I sat in the silent living room staring at the flames lapping in the fireplace, considering everything that happened in these days, the information found with Marlon's help and I decided to let it go for a while. Perhaps giving a rest to all my thinking would be beneficial and Anatoly could help in that, because I felt like running in circles, but discovering that last piece of information appeared vital to me. Was it perhaps wrong and a waste of time? I believed it would completely explain the toxic obsession the gang leader and his second in command showed for Anatoly; it was not just what he remembered. Speaking of whom, he surprised me by approaching the living yawning loudly and stretching his arms up above his head, a very sleepy expression on his face.

"You woke up very early," I remarked and he only snorted out something unintelligible, scratching the side of his neck. "Did something happen? Did I wake you up?"

"Yeah, your birthday happened and I set up the alarm to get up at this forsaken early hour to make you breakfast and if you have something to say against it, well, suck it up. This morning I am in charge, Lieutenant Azarov." My mouth twitched in a very amused smile, because he was in quite a cranky mood for having wakened up earlier than usual, but still wanted to do something like this for me. I stood up and went to stand in front of him, wanting to softly touch his lips with mine, but he stopped me. "What are you saying about this?" He was as stubborn as ever.

"That you do not need to prepare any breakfast, Anatoly, but thank you for the thought." I instead kissed his forehead and he wrapped his arms around me. I could smell shower gel on him and his skin was still fresh from cold water. I returned the gesture and pulled him tighter in my arms. Anatoly would never understand completely how he made me feel, how his very simple gestures each time played with my inner strings, making me feel so much peace, love. I knew when he probably matured this idea and the thought wrapped a very warm feeling around my heart.

A stubborn, yet endearing and very caring brat.

"I'm preparing breakfast and I'm not asking for you to say yes or no." He pulled back and challenged me with a bratty grin. "What do you say? For once you have to follow my orders, ha?" I chuckled and he followed me in that, his mood slightly improving.

"I will not protest about it," I conceded and he nodded satisfied.

"Good, so for now stay here and do whatever the heck you do when you wake up this damn early. Maybe some Hulk-like training?" I shook my head, for today was no training day. "Well, then just sit here and wait."

"Sir, yes sir," I joked, mocking his tone of voice whenever he used to say that and he rolled his eyes.

"Where are the keys of your car?" I told him where to find them and I sat on the couch reading some papers from work, hearing him walking around the house, then the kitchen and swearing out loud in there. He was not a morning person, but I decided to respect his request, treasuring this moment dearly. After some time and more loud curses barked out both in Russian and English, he walked to the living room.

"Let's eat here, is that fine?"

I nodded and I went to get up, but he held a hand up and told me to wait. I sighed out and shook my head. I was not used to this and it cost me quite the significant effort, but I could see that it made him happy. He carried a trail full of food, varying from eggs, a sort of omelette that I believed was the cause of his swearing, pancakes, two mugs of coffee, bread with cheese and butter and what more. I then helped him placing all on the coffee table, as he placed another trail on the carpet after having come back from the kitchen a second time.

"Wait a moment, Oleg," he told me getting up and when he came back, he had three wrapped boxes in his hands. "Presents now or after breakfast?" Anatoly had wrong-footed me once more; I was at loss of words and he caught that, because he smiled and replied for me. "Now, because I'm curious to see if you'll like everything. But hey, I'm freaking starving, so maybe something to eat first and then presents, hmm?"

"Spasiba, Anatoly," was all I could say and he smiled wider to me.

"I hope you'll like it, because I'm not very good at cooking and well, not sure these omelettes are edible. Crap, let's be honest, they won't taste like yours, but..." I interrupted his rambling by claiming his lips for a long, yet soft kiss.

"They are perfect," I murmured on them and he pulled away, trying to hide his shyness.

I knew for a fact that he had never done anything like this before. We first ate the omelettes and they were good, even if he said otherwise and after that, he handed me a rectangular small box and when I unwrapped it, I found it contained a silver picture frame similar to the ones on the fireplace. It really surprised me, especially when I read the message left inside and written by him: "so you can have a picture with your reckless brat, ha". I felt my lips tilting up in a smile and he took the frame from me.

"I know that I should have the picture, but well, Dima took some last night and if you don't mind, you could have a bunch of brats all for you." My hand grabbed the back of his neck and dragged his face an inch from mine.

"You choose the picture for me, Anatoly. I really like the idea," I said, pecking the tip of his nose. He tried to suppress a very satisfied smile and then pulled away.

"Next one," he told me by pushing a big box in front of me. "Careful with this."

We exchanged an intense look and I nodded, following his warning as I unwrapped the gift slowly, something stirring inside of me that I never thought I would feel. My hands stopped from moving and I stared at the wrapping paper a moment, not entirely sure how to properly thank him for what he was doing for me, not sure how to convey my feelings in that moment. I had paused and fallen silent, as if a sort of trance took over me.

"Something wrong?" He asked with nervous voice and I broke out of my momentary state of mind, realising how it worried him. "Did I do something..." I took his mouth for a very intense and emotions-filled kiss, deepening my tongue the most I could, hearing a moan coming out from him, my touch growing on him, for my emotions stirred more. It was the only thing I could do in that moment. I pulled away to look at him, to look at the man I loved. "Oleg?"

"Anatoly, nobody ever went to such extent for me." Yes, my grandmother did, but it was different. Yes, Mrs and Mr Denisov each year acknowledged my birthday with a far too generous gift and sincere wishes, but never pushed over, respecting my desire of not celebrating it. But Anatoly did something completely different and I did not know how to describe it to him. "I do not know how to explain you in proper words, but..." he interrupted me.

"Then don't, just open it and tell me if you like it." He smiled at me tenderly and so his lips stroked mine. "Or tell me if you mind this," he said with a note of nervousness.

"I love it, Anatoly, but I am simply not used to this. Forgive me if I appear ungrateful or very quiet, but I really do not know what to say to thank you," I explained, caressing his lower lip with my thumb.

"Don't thank me, just open your damn gifts," he burst out with an amused tone of voice and I did as he said, remaining once more without words. But then, a question he asked me last month came back to my mind and I found myself staring at a beautiful chess board made of a solid dark wood, carved with intricated designed, where the main, shining board was encased, the white and black of it made of polished marble. I pulled the drawer at one side of the board where the pieces would be kept, and I stared at them in more astonished silence. It was a military themed chess set and I loved it.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it, Anatoly. Spasiba," I told him staring right into his eyes. "I do really like it. You should have not.." he cut me off very quickly, grabbing the back of my neck and pressing our foreheads together.

"Listen Oleg, you're not allowed to complain, unless you don't like something, got it? So, shut up and for once, let yourself be spoilt for at least one damn day a year. I know it's freaking hard for a man like you, but shut the fuck up and just enjoy it, OK?." My brows creased up at those words and he challenged me with his stare, as if daring me to say something back. I pondered over it a moment and then let it go. Anatoly left me without words and he saw that, visibly taking palpable pleasure in that. "Do you want to play a game after breakfast? Will you have the time?"

"Of course," I only said, still eyeing the chess board at a loss of words.

As I looked back at him, wanting to say something more, his face lit up at the thought of us playing chess, but a different sort of light sparkled in his eyes after, when he handed me the third gift, a long flat rectangular box wrapped in dark paper. I wondered at his expression and found my answer as I opened the lid of the box that contained a Hugo Boss very dark grey tie made of a silky-soft and simple material. One of the colours I mostly wore with my suits and when I searched for his eyes, I knew he could read what this particular gift roused in me. I felt my lips smirking and his eyes flickered of a very enticing light. I moved my gaze back to the tie and left my fingers run over it, appreciating the silkiness of the material and already imagining how I was going to use it. I leaned closer to him and smirked darker as my fingers tangled in his hair, gripping it hard.

"This we will use tonight, brat." He audibly swallowed down, his breathing catching up.

"As you promised me?"

"Indeed, Anatoly."

"And will you use it normally then?" His question took me by surprise and when I realised the purpose of the intention, I growled out quietly and set the tie back in the box. I did not wish to ruin it.

"I definitely will." And after those words, I pushed him flat on the carpet, gripping his wrists and pressing them down. "You do also wish to use it on me, hmm?" He did not need to reply to that question, for the answer was clear in his eyes. "But not tonight." I closed my mouth over his and we lost ourselves in an ardent and very demanding kiss, until I broke the contact. I let myself look at him more, at his beautiful silvery-blue eyes, at the expression on his face that mirrored the desire coursing in our veins, at the way he tilted his lips up. But I also shifted my stare on the trail of food we partially touched, at the unwrapped gifts, the chess set resting beside us and then back to his incredible brat. "I love you, Anatoly," I softly spoke over his lips. "Thank you for everything." He grasped the meaning of my last words and he shook his head solely.

"No need for that, because you know I love you." I lowered myself on him, knowing he could fully take the weight of my body. We kept silent for a few seconds, my fingers caressing his hair, his now clawing my back.

"How do you wish to spend tonight?"

"I just want to be with you. I honestly don't like New Year's Eve," he explained, and I let my nose slowly run over the side of his neck. "What about you?"

"Same, Anatoly, and I believe we will see who is better at playing chess," I provoked him on purpose, always enjoying firing his temper up, in which I succeeded without any effort.

"I'll kick your impassive ass, you will see," he barked back, but then something triggered my curiosity.

"With who did you play chess?"

"Nobody actually, I..." he hesitated a moment, averting his eyes in evident shyness, "I played alone, you know with some app for that, because well, you know how shit was and Vincent surely wasn't the type to entertain himself with that. He is more into poker." He sighed out as if sounding defeated and then looked back at me. "Basically, I look forward to playing with you, because I'm sure you'll be a tough bastard to beat." He looked forward to that and I understood it meant much more than that, his reasons being dictated not by his competitive side, but something else.

I really, deeply loved him, more than mere, inadequate words would ever be able to convey.

"We will see if you can manage beating me. I often won against my captain." His eyes sparkled in a mix of palpable curiosity and need to compete with me. I did really love him. "Will you let me cook dinner?"

"Fine." His hands travelled to my sides, as if studying the muscles. "But I'll help a bit, so that I can get a bit better at cooking." I went to reply, but my phone rang and we both moved our eyes to where it stood. "Who is it?" I perceived the tension in his voice, as if he expected to hear news from Marlon or worse, but in both cases, they would not call me on that number. I reached for my phone and I stared at it while ringing. "Who is it?" He demanded, and he must have read the momentary confusion on my face as he answered for me. "Your brother."

"Yes," I quickly said and then replied to the phone. "Dah?"

"Oleg, am I disturbing you?" My brother asked, and I noticed how Anatoly immediately got up and stood beside me.

"No, I am having breakfast with Anatoly." Nikita hesitated on the other side of the line, for he did not speak immediately. "Is everything well with you and your family?" I decided to ask, which made my brother react.

"I'm well, thank you, and so is my family. I called you to wish you happy birthday." His words rendered me completely silent for a long moment, because he had not done so in many years, especially after what happened with our father. "Oleg? Are you there?"

"Yes, I am here. You surprised me," I admitted, and Anatoly stepped closer, his fingers brushing mine. We exchanged a quick look and I understood what he had in mind, but refrained from acting out of his impulsiveness, giving me the time I needed. "Spasiba, Nikita. Anatoly is here, and he says hi."

"Thank you. Please, do give him my regards." He paused once more and clearly, this was all very new for him. "Did he organize something today?"

"Dah, Anatoly made this day very different for me, and later his parents invited me for lunch at their residence."

Mrs. Denisov was a very sensitive and intelligent woman, always understanding the right moment for asking questions; she knew I was not inclined in celebrating my birthday and she never pressed me for it or requested me to participate to any sort of celebration. However, this year she inquired me if I would accept an invitation for lunch to celebrate my birthday and the last day of the year. I could not refuse it and in truth, I did not have reasons to do so.

"I am happy to hear this and maybe someday we will celebrate it also with my family?" Anatoly widened his eyes in evident surprise, the same disbelief hitting me deeply. "Of course, if you will wish that." I took a moment to consider his question, given what happened in the past, but then I met Anatoly's eyes and his bewilderment still shining in them, yet, something different was in there.

"Yes, Nikita. That would be nice, thank you." My incredible brat smiled openly and then snatched the phone from my hands.

"Am I also invited?" I quietly chuckled at his question and I could only try to imagine my brother's face then.

"Of course, Anatoly," he replied and that gave me immense joy. Anatoly thanked him and then passed the phone back. "He is very...I'm not sure how to describe him." I understood what he meant. "He really cares about you." I locked my stare with Anatoly's as I replied.

"I know that and so do I."

"My wife and my kids also wish you a happy birthday. I have to go now, but feel free to call if you ever want to."

"I will. Give my regards to your family and thank you for calling today."

"Do take care, brother." With that we ended the conversation and I stared at phone for a moment, before putting it down.

"I guess he's really starting to see things straight now, hmm? But he surprised me, too." I only nodded. "How about we eat now? I'll make coffee again, because it's cold now." I grabbed his arms as he was about to walk away.

"Anatoly, thank you for everything." He first smiled and then, he gave me his most bratty and provoking smirk.

"I'll beat your ass tonight."

We were going to see about that.

I helped Mrs. Denisov in tidying the kitchen, for she had gifted us all with a rich and extremely well-cooked lunch where she had prepared several Russian meals. She seemed to be accepting my help more willingly this time and I noticed how also the twins remained around taking care of few things, while Mr. Denisov sat at the table drinking coffee and reading a report he had just received. I inquired if he needed my assistance, but he said that it was nothing important.

I observed them a moment and I felt the serenity embracing the room, recalling the lunch spent together, the very sensitive, delicate way they combined this day with the celebration of my birthday, the overly generous gifts the Denisov had for me, when Dmitri surprised all of a sudden by giving me his wishes a second time along with a small present I was not sure whether to accept or not; not until I caught Anatoly's conspiratorial smirk and I understood he had a saying in that. Brat, he was enjoying this. I thanked his brother and marvelled as I unwrapped the gift seeing it contained a new pair of Ducati gloves for motorbike.

"Thank you, Dmitri," I honestly said, levelling my voice so to hide my surprise and the way his gesture touched me.

"No worries, Oleg. I asked Tolya and he said you'd like them, because let's be honest, I'm completely clueless about bike's stuff," he explained, smiling in a broad way, appearing much more relaxed in front me. "What has my brother given to you?"

"None of your business, moron," Anatoly immediately replied, coming to stand beside me and taking the gloves in his hands. "They look really good and the leather is so soft. I'll get a pair for myself, too, well maybe not Ducati's ones of course. Good job, bro."

"None of my business because you gave him something...err...very private?" Anatoly slapped the back of Dmitri's neck and I softly chuckled at their usual interaction, having both of them to look at me with wide eyes. Seen together you could point out the many similar traits or small ways of behaving they unconsciously shared, like the same expression they had on their faces in that moment and the exact identical way they slightly opened their mouths in disbelieve. Of course Dmitri was not used to see me acting less formal, but it also struck Anatoly in seeing me reacting spontaneously at their exchange.

"Your brother gifted me with a beautiful, military styled chess set." There was no harm in sharing this information, but I surely did not wish to say more, because the other presents held a very personal and private meaning for us two.

"Wow that seems pretty cool. Wait a moment, you play chess, Tolya?" Dmitri asked almost shocked. "So, you can teach me! I have an amazing Star Wars chess board, but man, I have no clue how to play and Jasper gave up trying to explain me, because you know how it ends whenever we are in my room and such," he said, laughing at Anatoly's face and at the very bratty act of putting two fingers in his mouth imitating gagging sounds.

"You dumbass, I just ate mum's amazing food, so spare us from your gross cheesiness, will ya? And you playing chess?" Anatoly scoffed. "God freaking luck, doofus, because I'm not sure your brain can take it, but sure, if you wish I can teach you. But seriously Dima, Star Wars chess board? You're such a dork, man, and oh wait! I just remembered what Jasper wore the other night, a freaking Star Wars tee shirt."

"That was one of my presents and my kitty loved it! And oh shut up, you're probably another kin..." Dmitri froze on the spot and eyed me slightly nervous, for then grinning in his typical friendly way and scratching his hair. Another trait they shared whenever tense. "Err, I mean, you're another one like Travis and Sasha probably, but hey, whatever. But man, what the hell was that with Seryozha? That idiot really got his sh-crap together...impressive." He nodded to himself and then wiggled his brows as he continued talking to Anatoly. "So, what about what I asked you before?" At that question, a rather evil and dark-looking expression formed on the brat's face.

"Do you want to ask him directly, maybe?" I understand what they meant, but I remained there without saying a word and looking composed, simply waiting for them to sort out the usual bickering.

"Well, maybe another time, OK?" Dmitri's eyes shot at me quickly possibly trying to read any sort of reaction in me, but all in all I appreciated what he was trying to do, and right then Mrs. Denisov joined us, asking if we wanted another slice of cake. "Oh God thank you, yes mum, that was amazing and wait, can I also get a slice of the other one with apples? I think I'm still hungry a bit."

"Dima, are you freaking kidding us? You stuffed your mouth like a pig before." I glanced at Anatoly a short moment, recalling how he also ate a rather impressive amount of food, only less voraciously than his twin brother.

"Hey, I plan to burn a lot of energy tonight," he replied, and Anatoly grunted out something none of us heard. "What about you?"

"You honestly want to ask me this?" My very impulsive punk fired back, crossing his arms in front of his chest as if daring his brother to continue, which prompt me to observe them a moment, noticing how Dmitri glanced at me from toe to head, resting his eyes on mine, a very simple gesture that revealed much about what the deal was. It appeared that he kept his jokes for himself whenever in my presence, and Anatoly seemed to take great pleasure and satisfaction in that, somehow inducing him taunting his brother back. "So, nothing to say now, hmm?"

"Yeah well, I'll pass for now," Dmitri only said and in that moment the phone in my pocket rang, causing Anatoly and Mr. Denisov to glance at me, for it was my second phone and they bought recognized the different ringtone.

"If you will excuse me a moment, I must take this call." I walked out of the kitchen and reached the formal living room and only when I was far from anyone hearing this, I replied. "Yes?"

"It's me," Vincent Dalton said with worried and rushed voice, his breath short. "I don't have much time, because I'm calling from a public phone and I need to get my ass back as soon as possible."

"What happened?"

"Last night one of the guys got completely drunk, shitfaced, and he talked...a lot. I asked some questions," I gripped the phone threatening to break it in pieces, fearing he had been reckless just as my instinct warned me earlier.

"That was a very dangerous move because I told you to not ask questions, leaving that to me," I told him with hard voice and I heard him dropping completely silent.

"I was careful, trust me." I doubted that very much, but what was done was done and I did not like the wary note and the edginess tinting his voice. "That asshole told me that Caden got in touch with another gang in LA that would like to get their hands on a part of New York, but I know for a fact that many gangs here would shoot them dead. He got more people there that will join him, and the shit he produced is powerful as fuck, it will fuck people up big time. I think someone felt very bad. And yeah, you were right about that name, because it's apparently related to another gang's member, but I don't know more than this and..." I stopped him immediately, guessing where he was aiming at.

"Do not ask further questions, is that clear enough for you? You have already taken a very risky step and this is enough, do not compromise your position and safety any further and remember whom you might endanger."

"I know it, believe me. I loved him in my very twisted, stupid way and maybe I still do, I don't know, it's all too messy for me now." That I understood already for some time but decided to comment nothing on that very personal matter. It was his own issue to solve and it would have been very indelicate to make any sort of remark.

"Use the number I gave you and disappear already: am I understood? You are playing with fire and I do not wish anything happening to you. Do as I say."

"Thanks, I will after this. But wait a second, I think the guy last night talked about a woman related to Hell's Riders gang's leader and what if it's all connected?" In that moment someone stepped quietly in the room and it did not surprise me seeing it was Mr. Denisov, observing me with keen and calculating eyes. I repeated the name of the gang for him to hear and Vincent continued talking. "Yeah, that one, you heard of it?" Mr. Denisov slightly nodded and stepped closer, hearing what was spoken about in the phone call.

"No, but I found information regarding them."

"They are strong, and they hate Caden's guts, believe me. If he gets that gang in New York, they will use it as an excuse to start a war and more will join, but what mostly worries me, is something else." I knew he had more to say because he was too edgy and too nervous. "If the Leah name is really related to that woman, Anatoly is in great danger, because he apparently overheard them once, even if he hadn't realised anything about that because he had taken something. Skull is afraid he'll recall that somehow." I closed my eyes a moment, my suspicions being right, and when I reopened them, Mr. Denisov stared back at me with granitic face and very hard eyes, which made me suspect he was going to use his ties as he had suggested.

"Do you know who this woman is or how is she related to the other leader?"

"No, I'm sorry, I couldn't ask more because more then joined us and you know the deal. Also, I have no idea what that stands for or what the hell happened to her, but I can imagine Caden did something very bad to her and somehow, Eirik, the leader, isn't sure about that." Of course, or else that piece of filth human garbage would be dead already. He was lucky they had their own unspoken rules, even if rather twisted and ready to be broken when convenient for one party. The limits that vermin pushed were probably going to trigger a bigger reaction than expected, and possibly, no unspoken rules were going to be followed. "I'm sorry, I mean it. I wish to help more, but..."

"You did a lot and I will be always grateful for this. Now, do hide and keep out of any danger. You did cancel all the numbers I told you about, correct?"

"Yeah," he replied quickly, and I hoped he had followed my orders in the matter. I would need to check on that as soon as he made contact with Marlon. "And thanks for your help."

"You do not need to thank me. Anything else important?" I asked.

"No, that's all."

"Do take care, Vincent, and do as I said," I only told him, closing the conversation.

"Oleg, have I heard correctly? This might be all related to Hell's Riders and a possible war between gangs?" I nodded only. "Tolya is definitely in a far worse position that we all expected. But this provides me with the perfect pretext to call an old friend that would value this piece of information dearly, putting an end to everything and dealing directly with this worthless man called Caden." A very cold light brightened his eyes and his expression set on a harder and more severe expression. "None of them will be left alive, because they all represent a too great danger for my son and for my family."

"I know this, Mr. Denisov and I am ready to take my responsibility in this. I am ready to terminate each of them, if necessary."

"I do not doubt it, Oleg, but we will need to leave most of it to my old friend Konstantin and he will be very pleased to hear this and to make a favour to my family. He will be rewarded more than generously and with this, I will once more remind to never wrongly cross my way and endanger my family." He took two steps and stopped right in front of me, starting at me with his icy-blue, piercing eyes. "Oleg, you will always have my deepest gratitude and affection, for what you do for this family and for what you are ready to risk for Anatoly."

"Always my greatest honour, sir. You are my family." I inclined my head as I spoke those words, well aware he had understood the entire meaning, and he placed a strong hand on my shoulder.

"I do not wish to burden you or my son anymore. You both carried enough and therefore, I will take care of this, for I also need to remind them to respect the Denisov family, here and in Russia." I comprehended what he spoke about very well, for he had always been very sincere and open about his origins and where his connection lay in Russia, what a powerful and known family he came from, and I respected him even more for the transparency and honesty with which he conducted his business, for the honesty and frankness he gifted me with.

It was a true honour to be considered part of them, to be given their affection and complete trust.

"Thank you, sir. Tell me what I should do and it will be done."

"Keep researching until we find every piece of information we need, and please, look after my son, for he would never let anything happening to you." Indeed, he was right in saying that and he obviously knew what was going on in Anatoly's mind.

"I will, you have my word." Mr. Denisov gave me a sincere, kind smile and left the room.

ANATOLY POV:

The flames slowly dancing in the fireplace were the only source of light in the dark room and Oleg and I lay naked on a warm blanket over the carpet, savouring the balmy touch of the fire and the soothing caresses of his hand over my back. I rested on top of him, feeling the warmth of his skin, the strength of his muscles. We made love in front of it and we couldn't deny the edge that accompanied that, none of us really relaxed. It was his birthday and I hated to feel this worried and tense, but I couldn't stop thinking about what Vince informed Oleg about and I knew his thoughts didn't wander far from that. I hoped Vincent kept his ass safe, because he could be quite the impulsive and impossible to control subject.

It was Oleg's birthday, the first he ever celebrated, the first he ever felt like celebrating, and here we were pressed by my fucked-up past. I guess this was some sort of payback, until everything was finally settled down. As we discussed before, he was waiting for Caden to be back in New York, wanting to have everything over, even if it wasn't easy. Oleg didn't keep hidden how he felt about the gang and that he wanted to take them all, making them spit blood for what they had done months ago and I knew my father was on the same page. I swallowed down thinking about dad and what he could summon if needed, what sort of respect and fear he could easily instil into people. Just like my man.

But no way in freaking hell I would let him face them all. He might have been part of the GRU and in many missions, but he was made of blood and flesh, and more importantly Oleg was my man and I'd go berserk if anything happened to him. Caden was a ticking bomb and he could explode in many dangerous ways. Vincent and I witnessed it many times when I was part of that damn gang and I saw how he almost killed a member for having disobeyed his orders; the fucktard just happened to have bad luck, but it came out one evening when that lunatic was very high on some drug. I remember throwing up the moment I was alone, terrified by that madman, afraid he would kill me one day or another.

I knew I couldn't take Caden alone, I fucking knew that and I'd never try anything so stupid. Apparently Caden had pissed off too many people, threatening to get their turf and get rid of them, allying with some people back in L.A. that nobody wanted here in New York. Shit, the more I listened to what Vince discovered the more I wished to turn back the time. Joining their gang had been...I shook my head and let it go. Drowning in self-pity served nothing and it would only make me more pathetic and vulnerable. I sank low enough in my past and I would never allow myself to repeat the same damn mistakes. Never ever.

"What is it, Anatoly?" Oleg asked, saying my name with a note in his voice that immediately had me looking at him. He had guessed my thoughts and felt the emotions now roaring in me, saw them clear as daylight on my face. "Stop thinking about that. We will solve this problem and it will be over. Stop thinking about your past."

"It got us here," I replied with angered voice and he sighed out, stopping the touch on my back and bringing his hands on my face, tilting it back so that we were staring at each other.

"Yes, it got us here and now we are facing it. Stop inflicting punishment upon yourself. You made mistakes and I also did in my past, you know that. You atoned for those mistakes, you wanted to pay for them and you want to clear the consequences, facing them and solving the problems they brought. This means everything, Anatoly. And you have me, do not forget that."

I didn't know what to reply to those words, to the way his eyes penetrated into mine, the way his voice calmed down. I leaned closer and kissed him avidly and deeply for long seconds, pulling back only to tell him the only things I could say.

"I know I have you and my family. I know that. I just have days in which I hate myself for my past actions."

"You will have those days for some time still. Regret does not disappear easily, but eventually it fades away, if you can face the mistakes with honour and pride." I swallowed down at his words and I understood the deeper meaning of them. He found his peace and I had felt it the other day, when we all had dinner together with my parents, or today during lunch: Oleg finally felt part of the family and no longer thought he didn't deserve it.

"Spasiba, Oleg," I said quietly and he simply smiled, caressing my lips with his.

"Nye za shto." His hands moved to my hair and my eyes closed the moment his fingers sank in it, slowly stroking it, a simple gesture that in a way had been the real first physical contact between us. He knew the power it had on me, he knew that, but then something flashed in my mind and my eyes shot open and stared at his with a complete different expression. Old words he once spoke in the kitchen many months ago resurfaced in my mind and they froze me on the spot. He didn't miss the change in my mood and he went to push us up, but I acted faster by shoving him flat down, my hands braced at each side of his head.

"What is it?"

"I remembered something you told me months ago and somehow, it gives me a bad feeling." I didn't have the will to voice those words and I was being a damn coward, but my mouth was dry and it refused to say it. I had no idea why I had to feel in such way, why fear suddenly painfully gripped at my guts and heart, why I was almost shivering like some defenceless brat. What the hell was wrong with me?

"What is it, Anatoly?" He asked once more, his voice harder and demanding. His eyes searched on my face and he seemed to read into me, interpreting my expression all too well. "Are you talking about what I told you months ago when your family had gone to Aspen with your brother and his partner for the first time?" I swallowed down difficultly and I couldn't bring myself to nod. "Anatoly?"

"Yeah," I muttered out and his hand went to the side of my face, a tender, yet firm and reassuring touch.

"That I would take a bullet for you, an entire magazine for you," he said with calm and levelled voice and a bad feeling slowly crept in my body, slowly crawling up my limps, my veins, slowly, very slowly slithering to my throat, almost suffocating me. Why was I thinking about this and why was I feeling in this way? Why the hell? I hated to feel so powerless and weak, so afraid. "I would do that," he confirmed once more with calm, final tone, not leaving any room for doubts. I knew he would and that scared the crap out of me. I had seen him wanting to do that and I thought my heart had stopped beating. This was why I was so pathetically afraid.

"Don't do that," I immediately fired back, my breathing growing in intensity while my hands gripped the blanket under Oleg. "Don't do that, don't do anything that would endanger you or...just don't. I have a terrible, fucked-up feeling and I don't give a damn if I sound pathetic or whatever the fuc..."

His lips pressed on mine feral and almost commanding me, tearing a groan out of my throat as his tongue deepened in my mouth more ravenously, wanting more, demanding more and controlling the burning kiss that had shut me up. His hands tangled in my hair and pushed me harder on his lips, one hand suddenly going on the back of my neck, wanting to get us even closer. My hands shot to his hair and then slipped on his arms, sinking my nails in his warm skin. We kissed more and both growled for the intensity of it, until we broke it and stared at each other breathing heavily, eyes wide.

"What would you do if you were in my position?" His question shut me up a second time, as I was about to let out my temper and more fears.

What would I do?

Exactly what I would do even without being in his position.

He was the man I loved, the man I needed beside me.

"I'd do the same," I quietly replied and he went to talk, but I continued. "I'd do the same even being myself. Oleg, I would take a damn bullet for you and I'm not freaking kidding." His eyes widened a moment and I didn't miss the not easily subdued anger burning in them. "You know me already and you realise how things are between us." He looked at me silently for some time and then pulled me closer to him, his arms going around my back.

"I am aware of how our relationship is and I love it in this way. However, you have to promise me not doing anything reckless," he added with authoritative voice that meant to order me on the matter and no debating was allowed. "Anatoly, I love the way our relationship has developed and the fact you want us to rely on each other whenever needed, but you must understand that if anything were to happen to you, I would lose my mind and nothing or nobody would stop me from erasing whoever did it from this world. I did not pull the trigger with Mrs. Palmer for obvious reasons and because your father has been very clear on the matter. But it does not mean I will not do it if the situation calls for it, so do bear it in mind, brat."

His words punched the air out of my lungs for the meaning the carried and for a few seconds I was left tongue-tied, simply staring at his burning, dark eyes. We felt in the exact same way and once more, I could see how fortunate I had been to meet him and to rely on him.

"I won't do anything stupid or reckless, you have my word," I promised and meant it with my heart. "But, you also promise me." The bad feeling was still nagging at me and it lingered in my guts, because Oleg was very protective and he'd give his life for the persons he loved. This was why I was so fucking scared.

"You have my word about this." I read the unspoken words on his face and I went to speak, but he shook his head. "Anatoly, I did not let anything happen to you before, correct?" I nodded. "I will not let anything happen to you also this time. You have my word." I shook my head because he didn't get what I meant, that my fears weren't related to me, but his eyes held me silent once more. I was such an impulsive brat sometimes, because Oleg had read inside of me without any trouble. "And you have my word I will not let anything happen to me." I wasn't sure I heard well and he smiled at my expression. "I am aware of how our relationship is, Anatoly. We rely on each other and I do not want it different. In these days I came to terms with many personal past matters and accepted my place in your family, which I now consider my family in every way." He softly brushed his lips on mine, his hands firm on my back. "I also realised that I want you to see where I grew up, to meet my brother and see that part of my life."

"Do you really mean it?" His question suddenly washed away every pathetic worry, allowing interpreting its true implication. I knew his brother had invited us and Oleg said we would go one day or another, but it never seemed something definite or to consider any time soon.

"Dah, Anatoly. I want you to see that, if you wish so, of course."

"Fuck yeah, and no need to even ask me. When are we going?" He chuckled at my explosive and quite embarrassing outburst of enthusiasm and I shut my mouth immediately. Honestly, I needed to stop to behave like a brat.

"We will see and plan it whenever possible for us both. I believe my brother is slowly coming to terms with my sexual orientation and I can tell he wants to meet you." He paused a moment and his eyes stared at the fireplace for a few seconds. "Nikita and I did not comprehend each other and we resented one another for a several, unspoken reasons. It brought us to nothing good and I should have told him the truth that night of many years ago, yet I could not bring myself because it felt as if I was excusing my actions." He shook his head sighing out. "I believe that meeting you will change many things."

"What do you mean?"

"You will understand once you will meet Nikita." I had no idea what he meant with that, but obviously he never had a close relationship with his older brother. I shifted my eyes around us, wanting to change subject somehow, even if more questions thundered my head. Hadn't he said I could ask him anything I wanted to know?

But my stare caught the chess board on the small coffee table he had beside the main couch and I smiled remembering how I won the last game, surprising him and probably, ticking his hidden competitive nature. I was all too aware he enjoyed kicking my ass on the bike and that whenever I was the one winning, he surely felt proud for me, but also couldn't wait to get out bikes out there. God...I loved this between us and, while I thought that, my lips tilted more up.

"What are you smiling about?" Oleg asked, still slowly caressing my back and looking straight into my eyes, a soft expression playing on his lips.

"I'm just thinking about beating your ass at chess." I gave him quite a cocky grin and he simply chuckled, for then shaking his head.

"Hmm, you sure won one game, but I beat you in the previous three games and in the last one," he replied, his soft smile now growing in his infamous, dark smirk that never failed to get my blood boiling and roaring loud in my head. I rolled my eyes avoiding voicing my annoyance, but there was no hiding that in front of him. "You had a good strategy and I did not expect that," he then conceded me and I thanked him with a mockery tone, earning a very dark chuckle and suddenly finding myself on my back, Oleg looming on top of me in all of his naked and mouth-watering, muscled glory.

This man was made of pulsing and warm steel and I also wondered at the enticing magnificence of his body, at the sharpness and depth of his intelligence, for Oleg was a very sharp man, with a heart so pure and honest...yeah, this man was made of much more than a steel-like, worth-damnation muscled body.

I let my eyes study the severe and hard lines of his handsome face and they lingered on the scar on his eye, drawing lower on his cheek and with that, the many questions that assaulted my mind earlier came back, thundering and roaring in my head. His stared halted on me and he could read those questions on my face without many problems; I could see it by the way his expression hardened.

"What is it, Anatoly?"

"You said I can ask you whatever I want, am I right?" He solely nodded and I reflected a moment on those questions, not entirely sure he would answer them.

"Ask me," he commanded with dark voice and fuck, he had read and sensed everything.

"Have you ever killed?" His face didn't change or alter, no emotions showing on his dark wells and his mouth didn't betray any sort of reaction. What was he thinking about? "Oleg?"

"Why are you asking me this now?" He had lowered himself on me, inching closer, the weight of his body on mine as I felt the penetrating stare of his eyes almost touching my skin. "Why are you asking me this, Anatoly?" I swallowed down at the sound of his voice and silently heaved a breath out before continuing.

"You want to kill that madman," I said, because there was no need to pose any unnecessary question on this matter.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation, leaving me breathless for a moment for the striking and overwhelming intensity with which he had spoken that single word, for the complete sincerity and the lack of any indecision. I had guessed it right, then. He really had considered this. "I want to personally kill him for what he has done to you months ago, for the threat he poses to you and to our family, for the nightmare he is to you if left alive, for having drugged you a year ago and for many other reasons all related to you." I wasn't sure whether I was breathing or not. "I want to kill him, as I desired to kill that other vermin with my own hands, giving him a slow and painful, but well deserved death. I had to command myself to not pull the trigger when that woman wanted to run over you. Therefore, yes, I want to kill that piece of garbage, but wanting and doing it are two very different matters, and I cannot always afford doing whatever I wish to."

"What do you mean?"

"I am your partner, Anatoly, and the Denisov are my family. I do not wish to disgrace any of you or to give you a man that can kill in pure cold-blood. I had killed before, when I was a soldier, when I served my Motherland, and believe me, it never is easy. Yet, when it involves you, Anatoly, everything changes." I only then completely comprehended what he meant and I knew I loved him even more than I already did. Oleg was such an incredible and pure-hearted man that I had no idea what I did to deserve him. "You seem to grasp what I mean." I nodded only, hearing my own breathing heavy and loud. "I can easily eliminate anyone posing a threat to you and feel no regret in doing so, and you have my word that I would never hesitate or have second thoughts if the situation calls for it."

"I know that and no need to tell you I feel in the exact same way."

"Indeed, no need to tell me so, because I had already understood it when that woman drove against us." He leaned closer and let his lips slowly kiss mine, for then pulling away of a mere inch, his warm breath caressing my mouth. "So you do get why I might desire to kill that vermin, but it does not mean I will do in cold blood. Nothing has to come between us and the peace we found together, the peace and love you let me taste, and I do not wish to burden you in any way, you have my word on this." I went to tell him that nothing would ever change my feelings for him, the way I saw him, the complete trust, the pride, the deepest love and much more. But he silenced me with a piercing glance, shaking his head at my silent words. "I am aware that nothing could make you change your love or feelings, and the same goes for me, believe me. Nonetheless, I love you and I want to be the man you need at your side."

"I got what you mean, Oleg, and I do love you so fucking much, you incredible and stubborn bastard...but I just cannot tolerate you always having to bear the weight or responsibility for freaking everything."

"Indeed, this is the reason and it also applies to me. We want to give each other the man we love and need, correct?" I nodded. "This means we also have to consider each other's feeling and not simply act out of our own needs or desires. However, mark my words, Anatoly: if that lowlife tries to kill you, he is dead and no guilt will ever weight down on my conscience." Oh, I comprehended his feelings all too well. "Are we clear now?"

"Yeah, we are." I tried to smile, but it wasn't easy in that moment and we both pushed against one another for a quick, yet ravenous kiss that left us breathing deeply. I still wanted to hear more about his life as soldier, so I asked him, finally feeling free to do so. "What did you feel when you killed a man for the first time?"

"I did not sleep for many nights in a row, asking myself whether I had the right to do so or not, even if I knew I did my duty as soldier and deep down in my heart, I was ready to do it again." He sighed out and rested his forehead on mine a moment. "It never is easy, Anatoly. Never. But if you are a certain kind of man, you know you have given limits to respect and you understand when you should not pull the trigger." And no freaking doubts about the fact that Oleg was that kind of incredible man.

"Thank you for telling me this."

"Ask me anything you want, I told you already. I wish for you to know everything about myself." And so, I asked more and we talked for long time, until we both felt the need to feel each other on a physical level and we moved to this bedroom, where he did not hesitate to finally use my gift.

As I woke up at a late, normal time, I realised more snow had fallen on the city of New York once I peeked out of the windows of Oleg's bedroom. I stretched my arms and back, almost still feeling the way he took me last night, the way he pretty much destroyed me just as he had promised and fuck, my forehead pressed against the cool glass of the window, trying to calm down my horny state. God...he had been so damn wild last night, without any sort of restraint whatsoever and I just found it freaking arousing, especially when he used the tie.

I groaned out annoyed at myself as I felt getting rock-hard and I imposed some control over my rampant lust, shifting my eyes once more to the snow.

It'd be great to simply go out there and walk, and maybe I'd dare to freaking hit him with snowballs. Not sure someone like him would appreciate it, but nevertheless I snickered at the idea, sighing out loudly immediately after, because none of us was in the right mood for such careless and childish fun. I walked to the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water to feel more awake and moved to the living room, finding him there sitting on the armchair and reading over a laptop that Marlon guy had landed him. He couldn't give himself any rest, especially after what Vincent told him yesterday and I totally got it.

"Morning," I said, seeing he immediately got on his feet to greet me with a soft kiss on my forehead. I indulged in his arms, smelling him and losing myself in this incredible, strong man, his warmth lulling my thoughts and embracing me as if it were a protective and reassuring shell. "Happy New year," I murmured quietly, not sure he really cared about that.

"Happy new year, Anatoly," he answered, trailing his lips on mine.

"How did you sleep?"

"I slept very well, but I woke up earlier than usual, for I could not give rest to my thinking. I am missing a detail or failing in making a connection, and you know me already. I simply cannot sit and do nothing, not until I find out how that woman Vincent spoke about is connected to everything." He offered me a tender and apologetic smile and I hugged him more. We definitely deserved a damn holiday after this was over. "Do you want coffee and something to eat?"

"God yes, I'm starving," I grumbled out and my stomach groaned to confirm it. "I will help you more and see, because perhaps I can recall something or don't know. You have pictures and that surely will kick up my memory."

"Breakfast first, Anatoly, and then we will look into everything once more."

So we ate something together and then we resumed searching through the documents and different files, until I stumbled upon a picture of a girl I had seen before, but one time only and she was in the company of that lunatic on crack. Our eyes met, a question already forming in his and without having to speak, we both stared at the screen of the laptop.

"Anatoly, what is it? Tell me," he spoke with hard and demanding tone, without even realising he was doing that and without almost realising his hand had grabbed my arm.

"This girl here," I began to explain, pointing at the picture, "I never thought about her, because...because I don't know, it didn't make sense and I saw her once only, but something was weird." I was breathing loudly and my heart thundered in my chest so fast that I was afraid it would soon break through my ribcage. We looked at each other once more and he stood up, going to squat in front of me, holding both my wrists and soothing me down by drawing circles on them with his thumbs. "What's of her?" I dared to ask, afraid of hearing his answer.

"She is dead, Anatoly." I gulped down and closed my eyes. "Tell me what you remembered or whatever you are thinking about."

"I think I saw her with Caden and I wasn't supposed to, I believe, because I got it for it and then they drugged me. I never really thought about it, because he did so many crazy things that I didn't consider it important."

"She might be the woman Vincent was talking about," Oleg speculated, but I shook my head.

"Her name wasn't Leah, of this I am very sure, but there was something about seeing them together that felt wrong. The problem was that he changed women almost every week and he was obsessed with that. They always shared a lot drugs together, so you can imagine."

"I will look more into her, because she is related to the Hell's Riders leader."

"What?" I barked out.

"If you saw them together, then it was not only the drug they talked about that night. I am sure she is this Leah person, even if we do not see the connection and even though, her name is Alison." I shook my head, feeling so confused that I wanted to punch myself for that. "And considered she was found dead on a dark alley due to overdose, I strongly suspect we now know why that vermin had to kill the drug dealer months ago." Everything began to fall into the right place and I began to see the entire picture. Caden had probably used the girl and gave her some drugs that reacted badly to her and that small fry sold the shit to the wrong madman. It was all assumptions and guessing, but I started to think that Oleg was fucking right. "I failed at seeing the right connection and I never found anything about that small dealer, only that he was shot by Caden."

"You failed nothing, what the hell are you talking about? Her name isn't Leah, so we might be wrong. I wish I knew more, but this is such a gigantic mess."

"I doubt we are, or else you would have not noticed her picture." Perhaps, he was right.

"How was she related to Eirik of the Hell's Riders?"

"Unfortunately, I am not entirely sure, because Marlon and I found very little about her. I am sorry for this, Anatoly."

"Don't even dare to apologize about this, you got me?" I growled out annoyed and he stared at me silently for a couple of seconds, for then nodding once. "Shit, this is all so crazy. So maybe the Hell's Riders want Caden dead because of her, but they don't have enough proofs to just shoot him? I might be a very inconvenient witness that actually knows shit. This is completely fucked up. But I guess he pretty much gave them all the needed excuses now, with his connection to that gang based in LA."

"Indeed and believe me, it will start something that piece of garbage had not entirely imagined." I felt my mouth going completely dry. Fuck...this was such a gigantic mess. "Do not worry, Anatoly. Your father and I have everything under control, because none of us wants you and our family exposed to any danger."

"I know that." My thoughts were in complete chaos and I managed to calm down only when Oleg linked his fingers with mine. "Why they haven't done anything to me yet?"

"I am not entirely sure, but I believe that he first wished to become more powerful and connected, so that another murder or anything of the sort could be crafted cleverly or somehow, it could be covered and bribed away. That piece of human filth is not careless and is waiting for the right moment to strike." He paused reflecting about something. "The fact that he probably killed that woman gave him a more impellent reason to leave New York for a while, in need to gather more support and territory, more money, so once he comes back, he can settle everything with the rival gang. The Hell's Riders hold a considerable influence in some parts of New York and he wants to hit them in the lowest and most humiliating possible way."

"Yeah, that's exactly his twisted and fucked up style, believe me." I took a deep breath. Oleg had helped me put everything together and without his persistence, without his constant analysing every single fact we wouldn't be here. "A couple of gangs were against the idea of spreading more crap on the streets, saying it would attract too much undesired attention from the police. So yeah, he had to gain more people under him."

"I am not surprised they were against it so strongly, because Marlon reported that a friend of his working around Los Angeles has heard of two persons dying due to a new drug, while one was taken to the hospital, and I have no doubts their deaths are linked to Caden."

"Freaking hell, that man is completely out of mind."

"No, he is very lucid in his rational and vice madness. He simply has no respect for people's lives and enjoys playing with them."

I swallowed down the very bitter taste in my mouth. Why had I joined that gang years ago? Why? Oleg was right in saying that regret took its sweet time in fading away, because at the moment, the more I heard and reasoned about that madman the more I felt regret tearing at my throat, almost choking me with its vicious and painful claws. A hand very lightly and carefully moved in my hair, and I saw Oleg staring at me with such intensity that I felt the need to brace my hand on the couch.

"You were not aware of this. You and Vincent were left almost entirely in complete ignorance and they told you very little, probably not trusting you two, but still keeping you for whatever reason he might have had. You did not know all of this, because I believe that you would have left it earlier."

How he always knew what to say to such an immature brat like I was?

"I...I think so, but I was such a piece of shit that I didn't care to actually really see what happened around me." My mind ran to Vince and I shot up. "I need to talk to Vincent, because he must be warned."

"I already did, Anatoly. It is dangerous for you to contact him and I already told him to call Marlon. I will call him once more, just to make sure, is that good with you?" I looked into his eyes and only nodded.

"Thank you. Please tell him to get his ass far away."

"I already advised him. If he follows my orders, he will be safe and I will keep an eye on his sister's place, just in case. However, I am sure she is in no danger. Caden only aims at you and him, and for very good reasons, but you have my word: nothing will happen to you and I will take care of that vermin."

"I know that very well, Oleg." He rested his warm and hard lips on my forehead, staying still while we hugged each other. "And nothing will happen to you." He pressed his lips on me more and my eyes closed a moment, feeling lulled by the sense of safety his presence gave me.

"I will be around you in these day and keep a constant eye on what you do and where you are." We fell in complete and heavy silence. "The moment he comes back to New York he is done."

Yeah, that was damn right.

-A FEW DAYS LATER, EARLY JANUARY-

I slammed the door of the locker, thinking that none of us has heard a word from Vincent in days, with Oleg searching around in every possible place we could think of, that man called Marlon helping in this. He was not at his sister's place and I was worried fucking much. Oleg told him to get his ass somewhere safe and gave him a place where to hide, but Marlon said that he showed up once and disappeared after that. What the hell was going on? I punched the locker and then banged both my fists against it, my forehead pressing against it.

Where was he? What the hell was going on?

I groaned out of rage and almost impossible to control temper, wanting to do something, wanting to be out there and look for him, instead of being here in school; however, Oleg had been very clear on this matter and he was watching over me more than he usually did. Caden had not returned to New York yet and of this he was sure, at least until yesterday. I sighed out annoyed and went to walk away leaving school, trying to cool down, because maybe nothing happened to Vince and I was worried for nothing. Well, I prayed that was the case.

I reached my car alone for my friends left earlier as I stayed longer to discuss something with our literature professor, when the phone in my pocket vibrated as a message arrived. I grabbed it immediately, thinking it might have been Oleg giving me any update, but as I stared at the number, I swore out. It was Vincent's number and I immediately rushed to read the contents of it. However, I froze entirely on the spot, my heart probably no longer beating and my entire body shaking in a mix of uncontrolled anger, dreadful fear and sickness. My mind felt as if emptied of everything and the roaring emotions echoed all too loudly, rendering me even completely numb, my mouth so dry I couldn't even swallow down. I felt like going insane, I wanted to yell out, but I couldn't.

My hand trembled in pure terror as I held the phone, my eyes staring for long seconds at the picture of Vince being savagely beaten up and chained to a pipe in some dark room, left passed out on the dirty floor.

This could not be possible, no...not this and not to him.

The message had been written by Caden, and in that precise moment my phone vibrated once more, Oleg calling me.

"Anatoly, he is back, and I know why the drug is called Leah."

"I know," I could only utter out, rage howling in my head so much that I had to grab it in my hands, Oleg asking me if I was alright, but I couldn't reply at all.

If anything would happen to Vincent because of my own crap, I would never be able to forgive myself.

Author's chit-chat:

Now I am really curious to hear/read about your first reactions, thoughts, opinions, emotions and much more!

I hope you enjoyed it and found it satisfactory, and I am aware some of you would have loved to read about Oleg and Anatoly making love while using the tie, but it didn't fit in this particular chapter and it would have rendered it even longer. So, I shall make an extra, special chapter just for that. Happy about this?

As for Vince, please worry, but not too much...I have a story to write about him, so have faith in me.

What do you think of Mr. Denisov and what we discovered in these past two chapters?

Did you expect Oleg and Anatoly to celebrate the birthday in such way, or Dima being so nice to him? I think our impassive bastard and reckless punk are making great progress.

We learn more about Oleg's past and I know many of you love his character.

This chapter had many dialogues, because we have two very deep and complex characters that have a lot to share with us and with each other. I think you understand this very well.

One small thing: as dear @ToniaConyers pointed out in a comment in CH.29, I believe it is possible after some months or so to re-vote stories you already voted in the past. So, if you have books you particularly love or authors you want to support as much as possible, this is a good chance and I will also use it. Thank you, Tonia, for bringing this up!

Now, stay tuned because on Sunday I will post CH.31 of "Fallen for an Angel" and hopefully on Monday I will post the Epilogue and by the end of next week the first chapter of "Beyond those Irresistible Eyes", River and Nicholas' story. A new chapter of "Loving You is Forbidden" will be posted after the Christmas holidays, as I am going home to spend them with my family.

Lots of Love, Hugs, Magic and Meow,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-