Page 1 of His Grip

CHAPTER 1

Sofia

The dress wasn’t the real issue. The sleek black gown clung tightly to her body, highlighting her curves in a way that felt both exhilarating and demanding. Yet, it wasn't the dress that made Sofia shiver as she stepped through the door.

The neon lights struck her eyes like a sudden shock, causing a tense vein at the back of her neck to throb painfully. She groaned softly, her fingers instinctively moving to rub circles in that spot where the discomfort pulsed like a heartbeat, reminding her of the weight of the moment.

The exclusive Bratva-run nightclub thrummed with dangerous energy—flashing lights, pounding bass, and the low hum of power and vice.

Her father, Konstantin, had insisted she accompany him tonight. "Appearances matter," he'd said, his tone brooking no argument. Sofia hated how easily he influenced her life, even now.

The room pulsed around her, thick with the scent of expensive liquor and sweat. Men in sharp suits flankedby women in barely-there dresses leaning close to them, exchanging secrets and lies over their drinks. Sofia sipped her champagne; its’ chill, doing little to ease the heat climbing up her neck. She felt out of place—an unwilling accessory to her father's world.

"Relax, Sofia," Konstantin had said earlier, his hand heavy on her shoulder. "You look perfect. Trust me, everyone will be watching."

That's what she hated most. Being seen. Being scrutinized. She set her glass down and scanned the room for an escape route. The oppressive atmosphere pressed on her chest like a vice.

Someone waved, and relief flooded through Sofia like the first cool breeze on a stifling summer day. She waved back, a small, genuine smile breaking through the dimming lights as her friend approached.

Sofia wrapped her arms around the older woman’s slender frame, breathing in deeply. The familiar, comforting scent of jasmine and something faintly sweet—maybe vanilla—settled her nerves.

“Girl, you smell amazing,” Sofia murmured as she pulled back, her eyes wide with admiration. “And you look gorgeous too.”

Nina swayed slightly, her movements more in tune with the rhythm of the music than the drinks she'd had. She tilted her head, a playful smirk lighting up her face.

“IknowI look beautiful,” she teased, brushing a strand of dark hair off her shoulder. “But you? You look like you’re being held here against your will.”

Sofia let out a soft laugh, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Is it that obvious?”

Nina arched an elegant brow and rested her hands on her flat stomach. “Subtle isn’t exactly your strong suit tonight. You’ve got that ‘I’d rather be anywhere but here’ vibe all over you.”

Sofia sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. Nina noticed, of course, she did. Nina always noticed.

“Come on,” Nina said with a wink, looping an arm through Sofia’s. “Take a break. I’ll cover for you.”

She’d done that before—covered for Sofia when the weight of it all got too heavy. And sometimes, Sofia wondered if that was the glue holding their friendship together. But she didn’t care. Nina had this effortless mix of being carefree and meticulous that kept Sofia from losing her mind. That alone was enough to make Sofia grateful.

She didn’t need further encouragement. She slipped through the crowd, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she made her way to the balcony. The cool night breeze hit her like a blessing, washing away some of the stiffness coiled in her shoulders. She leaned on the railing, closing her eyes and letting herself relax.

“You must really hate the party if you’re out here alone. The view from here isn’t exactly… thrilling.”

Sofia hated surprises. But this one? This one was different. It was the voice—deep, raw, and impossibly smooth—that made her freeze mid-breath. Slowly, she turned toward the sound, her heart skipping like a stone over water as a man stepped out of the shadows.

Bloody hell. He was tall. And devastatingly handsome.

Her throat went dry, and she swallowed hard, fingers twitching like they suddenly didn’t know what to do. A drink. She needed a drink—anything to steady her nerves.

The faint glow of city lights framed his face, highlighting features so sharp they could’ve been sketched by a master artist. High cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a perfectly defined nosemade him look almost unreal, like a character brought to life. But it wasn’t his face that threw her off balance.

It was his eyes.

Icy blue, piercing, and utterly unrelenting. They locked onto hers with a quiet power that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

“I came out here for the quiet,” Sofia muttered, managing to keep her voice steady even as her pulse raced. “Clearly… that won’t be happening now.”

“Are you always this rude to strangers?” he replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Only when they crash my alone time uninvited,” she shot back, folding her arms across her chest.

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