Alia's calm yet authoritative tone seemed to make the very air in the hall grow heavy. She took a small sip of her red wine and flicked the ash of her cigarette into a premium ashtray. Then, fixing her sharp blue eyes on Alexander, she said with chilling composure:
"Sit. You don't need to stand. And tell me your name yourself—I want to hear how the most cunning mafia in this city prefers to introduce himself."
Alia's Royal Manner: She leaned back on the sofa and gestured toward the empty seat across from her. There was elegance in her gesture, but also a hidden command. She made it clear that she was the one setting the rules here.
Victor's Discomfort: Victor was visibly surprised by Alia's decision. His jaw remained tight, and his knuckles whitened as he gripped his glass. He watched Alexander's every movement with predatory intensity.
Alexander's Reaction: Alexander wasn't intimidated at all. In fact, he was amused by Alia's boldness. Broadening his mysterious smirk, he sat directly in front of her, set his cigar aside, and said "Alexander... Alexander Vlad. But you, Zarin, may call me simply 'Alex'."Alia swirled the wine in her glass, enjoying the way the crimson liquid moved. She locked her gaze with Alexander's and gave him a mocking smirk. Her vampire fangs glinted under the chandelier lights.
In a tone laced with sarcasm, Alia asked, "Oh, I see. So, Mr. Alexander, what exactly do you do? Are you a billionaire CEO like us? Or do you just hide behind these expensive suits and cigars?"
Alia's Challenge: Alia made it clear that being handsome or a mafia boss wasn't enough; to be her equal, one needs both power and immense wealth. She was testing Alexander's status.
Alexander's Response: Leaning back comfortably, Alexander looked impressed by her sharp wit. He replied, "Many people are billionaires, Zarin, but how many can control both the blood and the money of this city? I'm not just a CEO; I own the very system that sometimes puts billionaires like you in trouble."
Victor's Intervention: While lighting Alia's cigarette, Victor's attention remained fixed on Alexander. He added coldly, "That's not his real identity, Alia. He's the underworld's banker not a single major deal happens in this city without his nod."Alia's next move turned the silence of the hall into stone. Instead of being intimidated by Alexander's claim of power, she found a provocative way to humiliate his ego.
Alia set her glass on the side table and stood up with predatory grace. Everyone expected a confrontation, but what she did next was beyond imagination.
The Bold Move: Alia walked over and sat directly on Alexander's lap. A low gasp rippled through the room. Victor's eyes narrowed in pure rage, his muscles tensing, but no one dared to stop the God-Mother.
The Smoke: She carefully placed a cigarette between Alexander's lips and flicked her lighter to light it. As he took a drag, Alia leaned in close and blew a thick cloud of smoke directly into his face.
The Whisper: Through the haze of smoke, she whispered, "Good... very good. So you're the famous banker? But remember, Alexander you might control the money, but Victor and I control the lives in this city. Don't try to prove yourself a master to me."
The Stare-down: Being so close, she could feel the intensity of his grey eyes, but she bared her sharp fangs in a smirk that warned him he was playing with fire.The situation has reached a boiling point where an explosion could happen at any moment. On one side is Victor's burning jealousy; on the other, Alexander's growing obsession.
Victor's Silent Volcano: Victor slammed his glass onto the table. He watched Alia through gritted teeth. His queen sitting on another boss's lap was a direct hit to his ego. He stood up and signaled his bodyguard, saying in a low, terrifying voice: "Alia, isn't this game going a bit too far? My patience is wearing thin."
Alexander's Fascination: Instead of being offended, Alexander's grey eyes sparked with excitement. He embraced the smoke Alia blew in his face. He felt the pull of her dangerous persona. Suddenly, he wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, pulling her even closer, and whispered: "You are a wildfire, Zarin! Victor wants to cage you, but I want to see you burn bright. You have no idea what the price for this boldness might be."Victor's patience finally snapped. The moment he saw Alexander's hand on Alia's waist, he saw red.
The Sudden Attack: Victor didn't hesitate for a second. He lunged forward like a predator, grabbing Alexander by the collar and jerking him up from the sofa. Alia almost lost her balance, but her new bodyguard caught her just in time.
The Roar: Bringing his face inches from Alexander's, Victor hissed, "Alexander, I warned you not to cross the line. Don't you dare lay a finger on what belongs to me. If this hand touches her again, you won't have any hands left to run your banking empire!"
The Standoff: Instantly, Victor's guards aimed their guns at Alexander. Alexander's men reacted just as fast, drawing their weapons. The hall was now a hair-trigger away from becoming a slaughterhouse.
Alexander's Reaction: Even with his collar gripped tight, Alexander kept that mocking smirk. He looked at Victor with calm, grey eyes and said, "Are you afraid, Victor? Is your confidence so fragile that a simple touch makes you lose your mind? You can't keep a tigress in a cage; you have to tame her. And it looks like you're failing at that." Alia didn't flinch; instead, her eyes darkened with a surge of adrenaline. She brushed off her bodyguard's hand and sat back on the sofa with a chilling calmness. She swirled her wine glass, watching the chaos as if it were a private theatrical performance.
She began to take a sadistic pleasure in watching these two powerful men clash over her.
The Cruel Laugh: As Victor slammed Alexander against the wall, gripping his collar, Alia burst into a mocking laugh. There was no mercy in her voice only the intoxication of power. She cheered, "Hit him, Victor! I want to see where this 'Master of the City' hides his pride when he's crawling on the floor!"
Stoking the Fire: Finishing her wine, she added, "Alexander, you said a tigress needs to be tamed. Well, watch closely when a tigress tastes blood, see whose side she takes. Whoever wins tonight, wins the night... and me."
The Thirst for Blood: A thin trail of blood trickled from the corner of Alexander's mouth from Victor's heavy punch. Seeing that blood, Alia bared her fangs and slowly licked her lips. The sight was as beautiful as it was macabre.Victor's patience finally erupted like a volcano. Seeing the blood on Alexander's lip only fueled his dark side. He twisted Alexander's collar tighter, pinning him ruthlessly against the wall.
Victor leaned into Alexander's ear and hissed in a bone-chilling voice:
"You've forgotten who you're dealing with, Alexander. I am Victor—I'm no ordinary street gangster. I am a Russian Mafia Lord. In our blood, there is no mercy, only retribution."
The Terrifying Roar: Victor added, "Your banking empire is built on digital numbers, but my empire is built on bones and blood. If I end you right here, by tomorrow morning, not even Moscow will send someone to bury you."
The Strike: Finishing his sentence, Victor delivered a brutal elbow strike to Alexander's ribs. Alexander groaned in pain, but his grey eyes remained defiantly locked on Victor.
Alia's Reaction: Alia sat on the sofa, swinging her legs in delight. Hearing Victor claim his title as a 'Russian Mafia Lord' made her even more ecstatic. She clapped her hands and cheered, "Yes! That's my Victor! Let this city witness today how terrifying Russian rage can truly be!"Alia's cruel excitement suddenly began to fade. The excessive red wine combined with the thick cigarette smoke had cast a heavy spell of intoxication over her. As she tried to stand up from the sofa, she stumbled, her body swaying uncontrollably.
Victor had his fist raised, ready to deliver a final, bone-crushing blow to Alexander, but he froze when he saw Alia's fragile state. Shoving Alexander aside with brute force, he rushed to her side.
Alia in a Drunken Haze
Alia's Plea: Alia grabbed onto Victor's shirt collar, her eyes half-closed and glassy. She whispered in a slurred, breathy voice, "Enough, Victor... I'm done. My head is spinning. Take me away from here. Let's go... take me home."
Victor's Shift: In an instant, the ferocious Russian Mafia Lord transformed into a protective guardian. He wrapped a firm arm around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. The scent of her perfume mixed with the sharp aroma of wine hit him instantly.
Alexander's Final Glance: Leaning against the wall, Alexander wiped the blood from his lip. He watched with a smirk as Victor became completely consumed by Alia's vulnerability. He looked on with a knowing glint in his grey eyes, as if he knew the night would end exactly like this.
The Command: Victor roared at his bodyguards, "Get the car! NOW!" Alia had already closed her eyes, resting her head against Victor's chest. Her sharp vampire fangs were now hidden behind her lips, making her look like an innocent, albeit dangerous, princess.
The Departure
Victor swept Alia off her feet, carrying her bridal-style in his arms. The entire hall watched in dead silence as the terrifying Russian Lord walked out regally with his intoxicated God-Mother. Before exiting, Victor shot one last glance back at Alexandera gaze that clearly said: "We will settle the score later."Resting her head on Victor's shoulder in the back seat of the car, Alia was completely lost in a drunken haze. As the Lamborghini sped through the silent city streets, she began to babble incoherently. Her fierce God-Mother persona had vanished, replaced by the vulnerability of intoxication.
Mocking Alexander: Suddenly, Alia burst into a fit of giggles. Stroking Victor's cheek, she slurred, "You know, Victor... that Alexander? His eyes are like grey, dead fish! He thinks he can scare me? Me? I'm not even afraid of Death himself!"
Threatening Victor: A second later, her mood flipped. She tugged at Victor's shirt buttons and muttered, "And you? You think you're such a big Russian Lord, don't you? Don't show that ego to me! I could push you out of this car right now if I wanted to!"
A Glimpse of Pain: Her eyes welled up. She whispered, "Everyone only sees the blood I spill, Victor... no one sees my tears. The day I killed the Don... his blood was all over my hands... I was so scared. Why didn't you hold me then?"
Victor was stunned. He had never seen this side of her. He pulled her closer to his chest, kissing her forehead softly. "Shh, Alia. I'm here. From now on, no one sees your tears. Only me." Alia, burrowing into his coat, mumbled one last thing before falling into a deep sleep, "Victor... don't kill Alexander yet... I want to finish him myself. I want to ruin that pretty face with my own hands..."Victor entered the bedroom carrying Alia in his arms, the silence of the massive mansion echoing around them. The room was bathed in a soft blue light. He carefully placed her on the velvet bed, removed her high heels, and reached for a thin silk throw to cover her.
But at that exact moment, Alia's eyes snapped open. The intoxication hadn't worn off, but the depth in her blue eyes was now more intense than ever.
Alia's Grip: As Victor tried to pull away after tucking her in, Alia suddenly reached out and yanked his tie. Caught off guard, Victor fell forward, looming directly over her. Their breaths mingled in the close space.
The Drunken Whisper: With that enigmatic smirk, Alia whispered inches from his lips, "Where are you going, my Russian Lord? How do you have the heart to leave me in this loneliness? Tonight, there's no blood, no mafia... tonight, it's just you and me."
Victor's Surrender: Victor's heart raced. The man who stands tall against a thousand enemies was now completely helpless before Alia's gaze. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, he replied in a low voice, "I'm not going anywhere, Alia. I'm right here."Alia pulled Victor's tie even tighter, as if trying to imprison him in the deepest corners of her soul. The warmth of Victor's body and the scent of his expensive cologne gave her a rare sense of peace.
The Embrace: Alia wrapped both her arms firmly around Victor's neck. Her eyes drifted shut again, but a smile of pure contentment remained on her lips. Resting her head on his chest, she murmured slurred words, "Everyone wants my power, Victor... Alexander wants my body... but only you want me. Just keep holding me like this."
The Silent Night: Victor didn't pull away. He reclined on the bed, holding Alia close to his heart. The steady rhythm of her breathing echoed against his chest. He knew that by morning, this tigress would wake up again, and the thirst for blood would return to her blue eyes but for now, this moment belonged only to them.
Victor's Vow: Once Alia fell into a deep sleep, Victor kissed her forehead softly. He thought to himself whether it's Alexander or any remnant of the Don anyone who dares to lay a finger on Alia will be sent to hell by his own hands.