Page 80 of Dangerous Beginnings

The meeting had been tense, the air thick with anticipation and anxiety as I discussed the details of the drug shipment. Everything had been meticulously planned, but somehow,something had gone wrong. The shipment had been intercepted, and now I was left to deal with the consequences.

As I stand face to face with the man responsible for the mishap, his fear is apparent, his eyes wide with terror as he stammers out excuses and apologies. But I have little patience for his cowardice, little sympathy for his plight.

“You dare to come here and tell me that it was a mistake?” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “You know what the consequences are for failure.”

The man trembles before me, his words faltering as he struggles to find the right ones to appease me. But I’ve already made up my mind. There would be no mercy.

Looking down at my neat black suit and white blouse, I figure that today I won’t do the dirty work myself. I have to look clean when coming home to her.

With a swift motion, I signal to my men, and they move in to take the man away, his cries echoing in the empty room as he is dragged off to face his fate, death.

As the commotion dies down, I reach for my phone, the screen lighting up with notifications. Among them is a message from Isabella on her phone, her location indicating that she is close by in the city. She decided to explore.

I instruct one of my most trusted men to accompany Isabella, discreetly keeping an eye on her from a distance. She won’t even notice it. I made sure to convey the importance of her safety to my subordinate, emphasizing that she was under my protection and that any harm coming to her would be met with severe consequences.

Isabella

As I finish reading Aslanov’s note, a warmth fills my chest at his thoughtfulness. With a grateful sigh, I seat myself at the table and dig into the pancakes, savoring each bite. The sweetness ofthe gesture lingers in my mind as I enjoy the meal.

After breakfast, I head back upstairs to get dressed for the day. As I rummage through my wardrobe, I realize I didn’t pack a jacket. With a slight frown, I glance around the room, searching for a solution. Nothing there. After applying a small layer of makeup, I head down.

I look for another chance at a jacket. Suddenly, my gaze falls upon one hanging on the back of a chair. It’s one of Aslanov’s—undoubtedly too large for me—but it’ll have to do.

I slip into the oversized jacket, relishing in its warmth and the faint scent of his cologne that lingers on the fabric. Despite its size, it feels oddly comforting, like a protective shield around me.

With my phone in hand, as instructed, I make my way downstairs and out to the garage. As I approach, my eyes widen in surprise at the sight of a sleek red sports car waiting for me. Its polished exterior gleams, and I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of exploring the city. The guards outside don’t pay any attention to me, and as the door opens, I start the engine.

Aslanov

As I lead my entourage through the desolate streets of Moscow, a sense of grim purpose settles over me. The dilapidated building looms ahead, its decaying facade a stark reminder of the brutality that defines my world.

Entering the building, the musty scent of decay assaults my senses, mingling with the distant sounds of the city outside. The flickering light reveals the grim interior, casting long shadows that seem to dance with malice.

In the corner of the room, a tiny cage holds my eye—in it, a man who has dared to challenge my authority. Blood stains his clothes, and his eyes bear the haunted look of someone who hasfaced horrors.

As I approach the cage, my gaze meets his with a cold, unyielding stare. Despite his pleas for mercy, I feel no pity for him. When it comes down to business, my heart stays the same.

As I stand before the cage, the man’s eyes meet mine with a mixture of defiance and desperation. I regard him with a cold detachment.

“You’ve made a grave mistake,” he spits, his voice laced with bitterness.

I merely raise an eyebrow in response, my expression betraying nothing. “And yet here we are,” I reply calmly. “You find yourself at my mercy.”

He scoffs, his gaze never wavering. “You think you can intimidate me? You may have the power now, but it won’t last.”

I chuckle darkly at his bravado. “You underestimate me,” I speak, my voice like steel. “I am not one to be trifled with.” I lean closer to the cage, “Do you even know who I am?”

His eyes flash towards my face.

“Perhaps you have heard of the nameAslanov Ivanov Karamazov?”

His expression changes, and immediate fear rides across his features. He stutters on his next words that never leave his lips. I regard him with a smirk, unmoved by his fear.

“Enjoy your stay,” I state cryptically, turning to leave.

As I turn to leave, his desperate voice cuts through the air.

“Wait! I’m so sorry! You can’t just leave me here!”

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