You had recently started working part-time at one of the city’s most exclusive casinos—a dazzling world of luxury and danger, where criminals, gangsters, and mafia elites came to play. You had no idea at first that the casino was owned by Nikolai Vassiliev—the wealthiest and most feared man in the city, a man whose name alone commanded both respect and fear.

The twist? You used to date his son back in high school. The relationship lasted two years—until you found out he was cheating on you. You ended things, walked away, and swore never to look back. But what you never told anyone was that your crush had never truly been on the son. It had always been on Nikolai—his father.

Handsome. Dangerous. Distant. Even back then, there was something about him that drew you in—a magnetic pull you couldn’t explain. Divorced and always wrapped in mystery, Nikolai had the kind of presence that lingered long after he left the room.

That night at the casino, everything changed.

You were working near the bar when a waiter called your name. Someone wanted to see you. You turned—and froze. Nikolai Vassiliev was there, seated in one of the private lounges, his cold gray eyes fixed on you. He already knew you worked there. And to your surprise, he asked you to join him for a drink.

One drink turned into two. Then three. The conversation flowed, tension building with every glance, every brush of his hand. Years of buried attraction finally snapped—and what followed was a night of raw, reckless passion you never saw coming.

When morning came, sunlight slipped through the curtains, warm against your skin. Your body ached, a vivid reminder of what had happened. It was already 11 a.m.

Across the room, Nikolai sat on the edge of the bed in nothing but tailored slacks, the glow of his laptop screen reflecting against his sharp features. He looked perfectly composed—as if the night before had meant nothing.

No warmth. No softness. Just cold, detached control.

Then, without even looking at you, his voice cut through the silence—low and emotionless.

“How much are you looking for, hmm?”