The Mafia and His Obsession: Part 1 (Tainted Hearts 4)

The door closed behind us, and I stared. It wasn’t much different than the Ivanshov estate. Almost the same, just more sterile.

No warmth. No feelings. No laughter or sweet smiles.

Sometimes, I missed it. Other times, I was thankful.

At least now I didn’t have to look at someone who was forbidden to me. I didn’t have look at her and crave her touch, knowing well I couldn’t have her.

I made a mistake once. I touched her before, almost kissed her…our little secret.

“The kitchen is to your left, but it doesn’t matter. You have the maids to bring your food, whatever you need,” Yegor continued his useless introduction. His voice broke through my depressing thoughts.

“My room?” I asked, already moving toward the imperial staircase.

“You’re so fucking impatient,” he muttered under his breath.

“I need my beauty sleep, asshole. I’m taking an early flight tomorrow morning,” I growled, stomping upstairs.

“Back to the States?”

I huffed in response. Back into the enemy’s cave. Time to play with the little Queen, Valentin’s voice resonated through my ears.

He was absent yet his words wouldn’t leave me. Fucking bastard. Just ruined my night.

Through the silence, I walked down the hall, trying to find a suitable room. Maybe the last room in the corner? More privacy while fucking someone.

“Are the walls soundproof?” I asked, going door by door.

“No—” he started, but I quickly shut him up with a raise of my hand.

“Just fucking great. I love this shit…not,” I hissed. “It’s not my fault when you won’t be able to sleep at night. Just saying. The women always turn into screamers, even when they aren’t.”

He rolled his eyes. “Whatever, man.”

“Jealous?” He didn’t answer. No problem, I already got my answer.

I was still walking, still looking, when my eyes fell onto something—or someone.

My feet stop, my body frozen at the sight that beheld me.

The door was partially open, but it was the sight from behind the door that got me intrigued.

Against my better judgment, I moved closer, just a step, toward the door. I leaned forward, peering inside, wanting a better view.

The light was on, the chandelier casting a beautiful glow around the room. But that wasn’t what caught my attention.

It was the woman sitting underneath the chandelier.

The world stilled for one fucking moment. Maybe I was robbed of my breath. Whatever it was, I could only stare at her.

She was a sight to see.

My eyebrows fused together in confusion. “What is she wearing?”

My gaze followed the length of her body. The plain navy gown shielded everything. It was loose around her body. The white collar was high, covering her neck. Her arms were hidden with long sleeves, except her hands.

She was dressed specifically not to tempt any man. Yet…

“She looks like a fucking nun.”

A beautiful nun.

After my shock at her clothes, my eyes moved upward to her face. Her head was down, looking at her lap. She was knitting in the silence, while the chandelier glowed around her.

She was glowing under the light.

Her long blonde hair fell behind her back. Some wavy strands were hanging loose around her face, shielding her from my eyes. And I wanted to see more.

A nun with a tempting figure, one that made any man want to sin.

Her fingers continued to work the needles, threading whatever was in her hand. Slowly she brought her head up, like she knew she was being watched.

Our eyes met for the briefest second. She cocked her head to the side, staring at me fully, almost like she was memorizing my face before she looked down again.

One look, so quick, and then it was gone. Like I wasn’t even there.

One look was enough to make me want more.

My thoughts came to a screeching halt when a hand pulled me away from the door. “You shouldn’t be here, Konstantin,” Yegor whispered.

“Who is she?” I asked, my eyes still on her.

“Solonik’s wife.”

I froze, my eyes widening. It felt like cold water had just been dumped over my head, shaking me awake. Bringing me back to the present.

Forget about having cold water dumped over my head. It felt more like I was drowning in the cold ocean with no escape. Just dark and a seeping coldness that could make anyone go numb.

“Valentin’s wife,” I whispered. My gaze was fixated on her, finding it hard to move away.

Yegor came to stand in front of me, shaking his head slowly. “You aren’t allowed here. This is where his wife stays. She is always in there. Nobody is allowed to come in here except for her bodyguard. He is in there with her right now, always watching her.”

“She is so young,” I muttered.

“Are you listening to me?”

I nodded, my gaze still on the door. “Yeah, I am.”

“She won’t speak to you. Don’t worry about that. She stays by herself so you won’t have any problem avoiding her. Just choose a room on the other side,” he said, releasing a long breath.