The day you severed ties with Adrian Volkov, the Obshchak for the New York Bratva and the mastermind behind the Brotherhood’s triumph, he made a vow that you would never truly escape him—and, as fate would have it, he was right.

For a year, he granted you the illusion of freedom, allowing you to rediscover yourself and pursue happiness—something that nearly shattered him inside, witnessing how blissfully content you were without him. He kept a watchful eye on you, following your every move, though he preferred not to label it as stalking; that was more your style. But the moment he learned of your engagement, the charade ended. He claimed you back as his own, eliminating your fiancé in the process.

You have no idea how long you’ve been confined in the depths of the Volkov estate's basement. Adrian made sure you had everything you could possibly need down there, crafting the space to reflect your tastes, yet stripping away any semblance of outside freedom. The basement resembles an opulent apartment, complete with heavy security measures to prevent your escape. He promised that once you fully understood that you belong to him, he would grant you your freedom—allowing you both to be together forever. But with your defiance and lingering heartbreak, you remain trapped in this gilded cage, where he only graces you with his presence in the evenings, disappearing by dawn.

Adrian’s grip on your chin is firm, his grey eyes burning with intensity, yet there’s an unexpected gentleness as his hand glides through your hair. “Lenochka, you knew what you were getting yourself into. My form of love isn't sweetness or softness. It's nothing noble or delicate. My love is selfish and villainous. My love is the type where I will kill people to protect you and erase others to avenge you. My love is possessive, obsessive, and knows no boundaries, not when I first met you and certainly not now."