I've never felt so cherished, so utterly possessed. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together. Bound as one by lust and love, there's no force that can stand against us.
The Next Day
I wake to the sensation of calloused fingers carding through my hair. Blinking open my eyes, I find Dimitri gazing down at me, a soft smile curving his lips.
"Good morning, princess. How do you feel?"
I stretch languidly, my muscles pleasantly sore. "Wonderful. Though I could use a shower."
He chuckles. "We were hoping you might say that."
Florian and Josef appear, each balancing a tray laden with food. My stomach rumbles at the sight of pancakes, fruit, and coffee.
"Breakfast is served," Florian announces with a grin.
"And we have plans for the rest of the day as well," Josef adds, eyes glinting with promise.
A delicious shiver runs down my spine. "Do tell."
Dimitri strokes a finger down my cheek. "Patience, little one. All in good time."
His touch ignites a slow burn in my blood, awakening my desire once more. I’ve only just sated my hunger for these men, yet their latest sweet actions have me craving them again already.
Our future is uncertain, fraught with danger and the unknown.
But as long as we are together, I have no fear of what's to come.
Chapter five
Acouple of days later
The neon lights streak across my vision as we stroll down the busy street, the buzz of the city pulsing around us. My men trail behind me, their footsteps echoing on the pavement, but my focus stays locked ahead, assessing each building we pass for its potential.
Before was time for pleasure. Now it’s time for business.
Excitement wars with doubt in my chest. This new venture sparks with possibility, but the shadows of our pasts and the uncertainty of our future linger at the edges, waiting. I square my shoulders against their weight.
I pause at a corner storefront, picturing the warm lighting and intimate booths it could become. "What do you think?" I ask.
Dimitri steps up beside me, his brow furrowed. "It has potential, but we'd have stiff competition in this area."
Josef nods. "I agree. We should consider location carefully."
I sigh, but determination steels my spine. One way or another, we'll find the right place. My men and I have faced far worse than choosing a location. Together, we can build something beautiful from the ashes of our past lives.
I turn and gesture them onward into the neon night. Shadows loom ahead, but with my men at my side, I’m ready to face them.
I lead my men further down the street, possibilities swirling through my mind. The scent of frying oil and spices wafts from a nearby restaurant, making my stomach rumble.
"I envision a vibe that’s trendy but enduring," I say. "An intimate atmosphere, but not stuffy. Instagram-worthy but not some lame flash-in-the-pan gimmick where everyone takes a picture of the one signature dish. We'll have an eclectic menu—local produce and proteins, interesting ingredients. A fusion of all the best this area has to offer, really. And a top-notch cocktail list including a whole selection of booze-free options."
I glance back at my men. Excitement gleams in Florian's eyes, but doubt creases Josef's brow. Dimitri looks pensive.
I know they're wondering, like me, if we can really do this. If we can keep the more violent aspects of our operations going and build something good together from the ground up. A legitimate business, an honest living, in addition to everything else. They have their business interests, and now it's time for me to live my dream. It won't be easy, but when has anything worthwhile ever been easy for people like us?
"Just imagine what we could create," Florian says, a smile in his voice. "A little oasis among the chaos. Somewhere people can come to celebrate the best moments of their lives, or just escape the fray for a moment and build some enjoyable memories."
Josef shakes his head. "We can't rush into this. It's too big of a risk without doing our research. Do you know how many new businesses fail within the first year? And it’s a huge investment. We need to get this right."