Page 152 of Sinful Games

But now, those memories—they’re killing me. Every kiss, every promise we made… it’s all just a reminder of what I lost. I want to hold you again, feel your warmth next to me. But now all I have are these memories, and it’s tearing me apart.

Because the only thing that’s not a memory, the only thing I know for sure, is that I still love you.

Forever and always, Caia. Because you’re the love of my life.

So, please… baby, come back to me.

Merry Christmas.

Your Alexsei.

Chapter

Fifty

“Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.”

?Frank Sinatra

Present time.

Alexsei

"I'm sure I can make you happy, if you know what I mean," the girl winked, her hands sliding provocatively down to her chest.

"Oh, really?" I raised a brow. "How about makin’ me happy by gettin’ the fuck out of my face? Can you do that?"

Her mouth dropped open in shock before shesnatched my drink from my hand, storming off with a curse under her breath. Her hips swayed as she headed for the bar.

The servers here were always so damn rude.

"You need to get laid, man," Angelos sighed, taking a swig of his beer. "You've been pissing everyone off with your childish behavior today."

I shot him a glare.

He nodded toward a blonde sitting a couple of tables away. "That one's been eyeing you since we got here. Take the bait, screw her, and get this rage out of your system. You're ruining my night."

"I don't need?—"

"Caia left you almost two years ago. You gotta move on, Romaniev," Angelos cut in, his tone serious.

I clenched my jaw, the bitter taste of regret burning as I downed the rest of my vodka in one gulp. "I'll never fucking move on."

And that pissed me off more than anything because he was right. Two years since Caia, and my existence has been reduced to wandering around like a damn ghost with nowhere to go. Feels like I've been sinking for months, so deep even my shadow shines brighter than me.

I’ve doubted a lot of things in my life, but never Caia and me. We were endgame. I could feel it in my bones. I’d sacrifice my sanity just to have her back. Hell, maybe I already have, considering how I spend every night drowning my sorrows in this place. Angelos joins me sometimes after work, but I always end up lashing out at him. Yet, he sticks around, that pity in his eyes—a look I want to rip out of him.

Asshole.

“Volk is coming with Sofiya to our next exhibition,” Angelos muttered, his eyes scanning the club. “You should come too.”

After Caia left, I spent weeks shut up in our condo, torturing myself with every picture, every piece of clothing that still carried their scent. I’ve written her letters—so many letters—hoping one day I could give them to her. But some dreams just don’t come true.

My depression got so bad that Volk had to drag me out into the daylight. But then, like the fool I am, I fell for Vlad’s bullshit. I betrayed Volk, Igor, the Silas—all of them—chasing down a lead on who killed my son. But Vlad was just using me to mess with Igor, to hurt him.

And I fell for it like a complete idiot.

That’s why I made the move to New York. Needed a change of scenery and knowing Caia was here… well, that was enough. Angelos had called one night, telling me he’d seen her, alone at some restaurant.

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