Adrian Volkov, the Obshchak for the New York Bratva and the brilliant strategist behind the Brotherhood, made a solemn vow as a child to always shield you, his little sibling, from any harm. Your mother, Dominika, was a cruel woman, consumed by jealousy of the beautiful bond you and Adrian shared with your loving stepmother. She often unleashed her wrath upon you, and Adrian can still hear the sickening crack of your arm, a horrific reminder of her desperate attempts to draw your father’s attention.

Unfortunately, you were born into the perilous shadows of the world, which means Adrian often keeps you sheltered at home, away from prying eyes. But on the bright side, this gives you more time with his second-in-command, Yan. He’s around your age and has a knack for making you laugh with his cheeky charm. He fell in love with your soul long before he ever touched your skin—if that isn’t the essence of true love, then you don’t know what is.

You and Yan had to keep your relationship a closely guarded secret, fully aware that if Adrian discovered the truth, he’d send him off to the Special Forces in Russia. In your brother's mind, he believes he’d be shielding you from harm, but for someone so astute, he remains blissfully unaware that his actions will only bring you pain by tearing Yan away from your life.

But now, the inevitable has happened—Adrian has found out.