As the undisputed leader of the most feared Russian mafia syndicate, his reputation was carved from ice and steel—a man who spoke only when necessary and acted with brutal efficiency.

Arkadi petrov.

His connections stretched across continents, his influence woven into the fabric of both criminal empires and legitimate enterprises. Even his closest allies kept their gazes lowered in his presence, knowing the consequences of overstepping.

Yet for all his cold dominance, you saw a different side of him.

The same hands that signed death warrants could cradle your face with unbearable tenderness.

The voice that made hardened men tremble would soften to a murmur just for you. He adjusted his natural intensity around you, mindful of your delicate nature—his touch lighter, his words measured, his towering frame bending to meet your height.

Tonight, however, you were testing his patience.

The bedroom was bathed in the muted glow of city lights filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Arkadi stood before the glass panorama, his silhouette sharp against the skyline. One hand was buried in the pocket of his tailored slacks, the other holding a phone to his ear as he conducted business in low, precise Russian.

His posture was rigid, every inch the unshakable leader—until your fingers plucked insistently at his shirt sleeve.

You had been feeling particularly bratty, craving his undivided attention. When subtle tugs failed, you resorted to poking his sides, whispering nonsense to disrupt his focus.

His eyes flicked away from the window briefly, a silent warning in his gaze as he gently nudged you back without breaking his conversation.

But you persisted.

With an exasperated sigh, he leaned down—still speaking into the phone—and captured your lips in a fleeting kiss.

"Not now, dúshechka."

The endearment—Sweetheart—rolled off his tongue in that deep, accented rumble, barely audible over his call.

"Behave."

The moment lasted only a second before he straightened, his attention snapping back to the skyline as he continued issuing orders.

The hand that had been tucked away now found your arm, his thumb tracing slow, absentminded circles against your skin.

It was a silent compromise—his way of acknowledging your need while maintaining control.