Chapter 12

**Jules**


I had a bad feeling. Something didn’t feel right. The wedding preparations had been made. My dress had been sized to fit me perfectly. And Alexei’s suit had been picked out. In two days, I would be married to him. Alexei assured me everything was fine. I knew it wasn’t. Not when Yuri was still out there.

I remember Yuri’s last words at the auction.

“Now it begins, my sweet Jules. Let’s hope you make it out alive. Well, that’s if Vadim doesn’t kill you before the game ends.”

I glanced to my left and saw Alexei sleeping soundly. To my right, Vadim was already awake. How could I tell him what Yuri was planning without him getting mad at me? The last thing I wanted was to upset him. Not after all he’s done for me. He saved me. Clothed me. Cared for me. And Alexei, what would he say?

“Jules,” Vadim smiled. “I can hear the wheels turning in your head. What troubles you, Malyshka?”

“I… I remembered something the night of the auction.”

Vadim scooped me in his arms and narrowed his eyes. “Tell me.”

“You’ll be so mad at me.” I whispered.

“No, I won’t be angry with you. I won’t hurt you unless you ask me to.” He promised.

“Yuri… he said something to me that night. Something I fear for your life. I don’t want… I don’t want to lose you or Alexei.”

“You won’t, my love. Now, tell me what he said.”

I took a deep breath and whispered. “It’s all a game, Vadim. He wants to ruin you. He told me, “Now it begins, my sweet Jules. Let’s hope you make it out alive. Well, that’s if Vadim doesn’t kill you before the game ends.”

Vadim cursed under his breath and kissed the top of my head. “I swear to you, I won’t let anything happen to you. In a few days, you’ll be married to Alexei and I’ll avenge you. Every last person that hurt you will die at my hands.”

“I’m scared for you… for Alexei. What if…”

Vadim placed his finger against my lips and murmured. “No, I don’t want you to think like that. I’ll protect you until my last dying breath. Alexei too. We love you too much to let anything happen to you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, Malyshka. You will always be protected.”

He pulled me onto his lap and kissed my lips softly. It wasn’t like before. This kiss was gentle. Full of promise. Emotions. Something I’d yet to see with him. He held my face and deepened the kiss.

“Make love to me, Vadim.” I whispered against his lips.

“No, not yet. I haven’t had my breakfast yet.”

“And neither have I.” I heard Alexei say.

Vadim pushed me on my back and spread my thighs. He pulled me to him and ran his tongue upward on my inner thigh. My body was on fire for both men. Alexei stroked Vadim, causing a desire to make me a wanton whore. Vadim sucked and licked my clit, flicking his tongue against the metal barbell. Just as I was about to cum, Vadim pulled away.

“Alexei, Jules, get down there and get my dick nice and wet.”

Alexei and I knelt between his legs and peered up to him. Alexei wrapped his hand around his shaft and ran his tongue around the head. Vadim threw his head back and groaned as I kissed the opposite side.

“Fuck, so good.” Vadim said. “So damn good.”

Alexei and I met halfway and crushed our lips against each other. Our tongues clashed as we sucked the head. I felt a hand clamp down on the back of my neck. At first I thought it was Vadim. But no, it was Alexei shoving Vadim’s dick in my mouth. I widened my eyes as Alexei forced more inside. Inch by inch. Vadim may own me, but both men had forced their way into my heart.

“Such a good girl for us.” Alexei praised. “Now, relax your throat while I take you from behind.”
Both men made love to me. One in my pussy. The other, he made love to my mouth. And after, Alexei filled me with his seed. One way or another, I was bound to get pregnant. The only question that lingered… whose baby would I be carrying? Vadim’s or Alexei’s?

I just hope for all of our sake, the wedding goes as planned.

Tomorrow, Vadim will make the engagement public.
And after… the wedding.

**Vadim**


“Are you sure about this, son?” My father asked me.

“Yes, it’s the only way to keep her safe. Luciano… I promised him…”

“You need to tell her the truth about Luciano. She deserves to know he was more than just a friend.”

I sighed. “I know, but not yet. Not until the threat has been illuminated. Then after, I’ll tell her the truth.”

I knew he was right. Luciano was Jules’ brother. She should know who he really was.

“The press is waiting for you.”

My father followed me out to the podium. Flashes of light blinded me. I clipped the microphone to my tie and cleared my throat. “Thank you for coming today.”

Flash. Flash. Flash.
Click. Click. Click.

“Is it true?” One person asked.

I held my hand up. “Wait for questions in a minute. Alexei, my best friend, has found his true love. In a few days, he’s getting married to Jules. They are happy, therefore, I am happy for him. A royal wedding will take place in the Koslov Vineyard.”

“Is it true that Jules is Luciano Patrick’s sister.”

“Rumors. She is a common American girl who fell madly in love with Alexei.”

The lie fell from my lips like it was nothing. They didn’t need to know who she really was. This wasn’t for the press. It was more for Yuri Volkov. To let him know I was on to his game.

“One last thing before I go. Yuri Volkov, if you’re listening and I know you are, I do hope you can attend the wedding. I know you’ve been wanting to meet the girl Alexei has fallen for. I extend my invitation to you and whoever else thinks they can beat me at my own game.”

I took off the microphone and set it down on the podium. I was about to leave with my father when a familiar voice made me freeze in my tracks. “I do hope you can play by my rules this time.”

I turned and clenched my jaw. Bastard. Yuri smiled, knowing I couldn’t do anything. Not with so many innocent people around. That would make his fucking day. I mirrored his grin and said. “I look forward to seeing you there.”

“It’s a date then, eh? I’m sure you’ll love the surprise I have planned for you.”

“Come on, let’s go.” My father hissed. “He’ll get his, but now isn’t the time. Too many prying eyes.”

I turned and walked off the stage with my father. He was worried for me. I could tell by the urgency of his voice. When we made it back to the car, he sighed. “I’ll ask you one more time, son. Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Is it a good idea? No. But it’s what needs to be done. I’ll triple the security if I have to, but I need to see this plan through. It’s the only way to put an end to his insanity.”

“And what if it backfires? What if it costs you everything you’ve ever worked for?”

“As long as Jules is safe, I don’t care. If I die in the process, she’ll have Alexei to take good care of her.”

“No… we’ll find another way to take him down.”

“The wedding has already been planned and preparations have already been done. There’s no going back until everyone responsible for hurting her is dead and gone. He needs to pay for what he did to Luciano… to our family.”

“And he will.” My father lets out a harsh breath. “Adrian has gone off the grid.”

I whipped my head to the side. “What?!”

“He’s been acting strange lately. He’s been getting anonymous phone calls and meeting with someone in private.”

“You think he’s a rat?”

“I don’t know, but something fishy is going on. He’s very secretive… very discreet.”

“But why?”
“I don’t know and that’s why I’ve doubled security with your mother.”

Could my brother be a rat?
Changed sides with us?

“I can…”

“No, I got it under control. You’ve got a lot on your plate right now. The most important thing is to keep Jules safe. And Vadim… keep your friends close but your enemies closer. You feel like something isn’t right, you get Alexei, Jules, and yourself out.”

His driver dropped me off at my estate. I stepped into my home and narrowed my eyes when I saw Adrian had made himself at home. Before, it would be fine. But now… I’m not sure if I want him here.

“Vadim, so nice to see you.” Adrian grinned.

“Adrian, you should have called. Where’s Alexei?”

“He’s with your little Jules tending to her.”

“What the hell are you talking about?!”

“She’s not feeling so good. Been running a fever for the past hour. Hence, why I’m here.”

“Well, I’m here now. You can leave.”

“I believe congrats is in order.”

“Thank you, but if you don’t mind, I’d like you to leave. Now.”

I watched as he left the estate and called one of my men to follow him. If he’s been up to no good, I’d find out. But first, I needed to find out what happened to Jules. I entered Alexei’s room and met Alexei’s panicked expression. I shifted my gaze to Jules and narrowed my eyes. I knew what this was. It was no flu. Or a virus. Our little Angel had been drugged. I could tell by the look in her eyes.

“How?”

“I don’t know. She had lunch and she was fine. Then, Adrian…”

“Adrian!” I growled. “Fuck, how bad is she? What did he give her?”

“He brought her a box of chocolates. Why?”

“My father thinks he’s switched sides.”

“Motherfucker! And I just… it’s all my fault.”

“No, don’t blame yourself. You couldn’t have known. I just found out myself.”

“Vadim,” Jules groaned. “Vadim.”

“She’s been doing that for the past ten minutes. I drew her blood to find out what he gave her. Saveli should be back soon with the results.”

I shrugged off my jacket and threw it on the floor. Inching closer, I watched as Jules clenched the sheets in her fists. I sat next to her and cupped her cheek. “Shh Malyshka, I’m here. We’re both here with you.”

“Vadim, help me.” She whimpered.

“Shh, just rest. It will pass soon.” I promised her.

I glanced at Alexei and gave him a reassuring smile. I grabbed his hand and squeezed hard. My way of telling him it would all be okay. But… would it? Hell if I know.

“She was asking question about him.” Alexei whispered. “I think she knows.”

I sighed when I heard a knock at the door. I nodded to Alexei to answer it. It was probably Saveli with the results. But to my surprise, it wasn’t. Arianna bowed her head as she held an envelope in her hand. Alexei took it from her and ripped it open. And by the news, I’m guessing it’s not good. Alexei took deep breaths as he read the results.

“It’s the same damn drug, boss. The same one…” he whispered.

He didn’t have to finish his sentence. I knew. And so did Arianna. I could hear Arianna give me an apology before Alexei slammed his fist into the wall. “Go back to Saveli, Arianna. Tell him I said thank you.”

She nodded and scurried away.

I left Jules side to take the paper from Alexei. Now I know why he’s so pissed. At the bottom was a result for a pregnancy test.

Positive.
Jules is carrying a child.

“Hey, look at me.” I demanded Alexei. “It’s going to be okay. She’s going to be just fine.”

“How can you know that? What if… what if that drug makes her lose the baby?”

“Then, we’ll get revenge for that. Change of plans, I’ll have the priest come tonight. No ceremony. Just rings and paperwork that says you’re married to her.”

“The wedding… what about that?”

“Let me worry about that and you worry about your fiancée. If I have to, I’ll have Arianna step in as your Jules. The wedding will go on as planned.”

“Boss, I don’t know.” Alexei trailed off. “I think we should call it off and take Jules away from this.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I’ll arrange for Saveli and Arianna to get you out of the country.”

“Not without you, boss.”

“You will do as I say and that’s a direct order. Do you understand?”

“Yes, boss.”

“Good, now let’s enjoy the next few days with Jules. After this is all over, we’ll reunite and become one. I promise you.”