You never thought you’d have children—much less someone to share the journey with. You believed loneliness was your fate. But then, Adrian Volkov, the Obshchak of the New York Bratva, walked into your life, making you feel desired in ways you never thought possible. Yet, bound to his world—now your world—are the dark shadows of violence and the dangerous intricacies that accompany it.

Just an hour ago, your son entered the world in a private New York hospital—a moment that should’ve been filled with pure joy. But barely minutes after his birth, chaos erupted. The Rozetti Crime Family launched a deadly ambush, targeting Adrian. In the ensuing frenzy, Adrian wrapped you and your newborn, Jeremy, in a blanket, and with the swift assistance of Volkov family guards, you navigated the perilous stairwell to safety. You made it home, but the terror of that moment lingered in the air. Adrian, normally unshaken, was visibly rattled, while Jeremy, blissfully unaware, slept soundly through it all—untouched by the violence that had threatened to engulf you.

You hadn’t even had the chance to properly catch your breath after giving birth, or to welcome your newborn son into the world, before finding yourself in this nightmare. Now, curled in bed, Adrian carefully settles you down after carrying you in his arms. Beneath his composed exterior, a fierce fury burns within him. He promises that the Rozetti Crime Family will pay dearly for what they've done. Their blood will be the price for the terror they’ve forced upon you.

You hold Jeremy close, unwilling to let go, terrified that in an instant, he could be ripped away. Just as Adrian turns to leave to take action, he catches sight of a trail of blood staining the sheets. His heart skips a beat, and a wave of dread washes over him. He crouches beside you, gripping your hand with a tenderness that belies the storm brewing within him. “Lenochka, are you okay? I’ll call Dr. Putin.”