Bound To The Medvedi

Leni

I watched quietly as Elise paced around the room, I knew she was itching to say something out of pocket and truthfully I was scared but her repeated movement was driving me bunkers. "What is it, Elise?" My voice was low, already bracing for the insanity she'd been pacing into existence. She stopped mid-step, turning to face me with a determination that made my stomach recoil. "I want to work for Papa." My heart stuttered. One. Two. Three beats of silence stretch between us. "What?" It came out more breathless than I planned, barely audible. "I want to work for Papa," she repeated, louder this time. "I'm eighteen now. I'm smarter, faster, and probably more capable than his entire security team combined." I only blinked at her, her words sharp enough to leave me wounded. Can she even hear herself? Working for Papa isn't just any job; it's suicide. "Elise, he'll never approve this. You know that." "I know," her voice leveled, like she'd spent years rehearsing this moment. "That's why you're going to help me convince him." "I'm not." My response was immediate, and firm. "But you will." She leaned forward, a sly smile creeping to her face. "Think of it as my birthday gift." My jaw tightened. Her birthday. Of course. I glanced at the faint decorations peeking through the open doorway, and guilt crept in. She barely had a celebration, not like other girls her age. Not with parents like ours. But a gift like this? "I'll get you that Alienware laptop you've been begging for instead," I countered in a weak attempt at rejecting her insensible offer. "I don't want that, Leni. I want to work with Papa. I want to be closer to him. I want to know him like you do." Her words hit like a blow, a mix of envy and sadness wrapped in one. Elise's eyes glistened- with tears and with that hope she always carried, the kind that made me want to keep her far away from papa. "It's dangerous, Elise. Too dangerous." My throat tightened as a memory threatened to resurface, images of blood and his lifeless body I worked hard to suppress. "I can't lose you too." She closed the distance between us, her voice softening. "I know, Leni. I know. But I've done my research. I know what I'm getting into. I just..." She paused, her fingers clenching and unclenching at her sides. "I want them to notice me, Leni. I want him to notice me." I exhaled slowly, the fight in me long lost after hearing her last words. Her determination is a mirror of my own, and I hated it. I hated that she would eventually end up like me. My parents are vile, and into the most lewd business but they made sure we weren't a part of that world. A house behind the main mansion for birthdays and our own personal house in another city, brilliant isn't it? Not really, I think they forget the most important thing, parental love. I don't mind being away from them and living lavishly but Elise does, every now and then she brings them up. Now, was no different. "I'll try," I murmured finally, my voice hollow. "I'll try to convince him, but I can't promise you anything." The transformation was instant. Her face lit up, I wonder how long she's been thinking about this as she spun around the room. "Okay, let's go," Elise said, yanking me by the wrist, her grip firm and unrelenting. "Wait a minute." My voice trailed after her, but if she heard, she didn't show it. Her pace only quickened. "We can't," I hissed, forcing my feet to stay in place, but her persistence overshadowed my effor. "We can talk to him tomorrow before we leave. This is insane." "This is the only time," she shot back over her shoulder. "We talk to him now, or we don't talk to him at all. Your next birthday is in six months, I can't wait that long." She was right-terribly, infuriatingly right. "Fine, but slow down," I muttered, stumbling as she pulled me along. "I'll lose my balance if you keep dragging me like this." Elise led us to a narrow passage hidden behind a false panel in the garden wall, a shadowy corridor that snaked toward the main building. Papa called it the illusion wall, he named it after the illusion mirror in Harry Potter when we were an actual family. Even the guards didn't know about it. The air grew colder as we moved closer to the main building, and within minutes, we were stepping into its beauty. The marble floors glinted under dim lighting as we crept toward the office. My steps faltered as memories of the last time I was here came rushing. I hadn't stepped foot here since I was ten. Elise guided me through the main building and I was almost certain she'd never been to the main building before-something I'd definitely have to question her about later. "What if he has visitors?" I whispered, a last-ditch effort to convince her. Something about this felt wrong-off in a way I couldn't quite name. My heart pounded against my ribcage, each beat screaming at me to get out. "What if he's alone?" she countered. I bit back another protest. Papa might have loved us in some distant, twisted way, but disobedience was something he wouldn't tolerate. Especially not this. We have rules to follow; being in the main building was offense number one, offense number two will be walking into this room without his permission. My silence was all the encouragement Elise needed. She shoved me forward, enough to get me through the doorway while she stayed hidden. This girl will definitely be the reason why my head will be on a platter. The room stilled. Every eye turned to me. My stomach dropped. Shit. He has visitors. Every gaze in the room landed on me and it choked me, I was not a fan of attention, most especially this type of attention. Three men In well tailored suits stared at me, confusion glamouring their eyes, my parents' had a worry etched expression, fear masked underneath their face and a subtle anger simmered through them. My throat tightened, but there was no going back. Not now. I squared my shoulders and cleared my throat, forcing my voice to remain steady. "My apologies, Mr. Moretti." I dipped into a small curtsy, the tension in the air pressing against my back. "Good evening, everyone. I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting." Mama's hand flew to her pearl necklace in a bid to keep herself calm. Her lips stretched into a smile, but the strain showed in the corners of her eyes. "Good evening, Mrs. Greta," I added, turning to her. "You look absolutely stunning tonight. Special occasion?" Mama's smile softened, genuine warmth slipping through her façade. "Oh, Leni, you flatter me. Whatever brings you here?" The glare from Papa was sharp enough to leave me bleeding. His silence screamed what his words couldn't: Leave. Now. I straightened, my gaze flitting across the room. "I was passing by and thought to discuss some legal matters with your husband," I said, the lie slipping easily from my lips. "But I see he's occupied. I'll wait outside the study." As I glanced around, my eyes caught on a man seated near the far end of the table. His gray and slightly green eyes locked on mine, unreadable but definitely not unwavering, and I felt a strange tug in my chest. His jawline looked like it had been carved with preciseness, sharp and captivating. He's definitely the inspiration for mewing in boys on social media. I swallowed hard, clearing my throat again to dispel the spell he seemed to radiate "My apologies once more," I murmured. Before I could retreat, Mama stepped forward, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. "I will keep you company while you wait, my dear." She looped her arm through mine, her grip gentle but firm, guiding me out of the room before I could protest. My mother was a known slut. That was the only way to prove herself to my father; she seduces or sometimes sleeps with other men into doing business with papa and papa rewards her with different jewelres or shopping sprees. We walked in silence toward the patio, the soft click of Mama's heels the only sound. Her head remained bowed, her eyes avoiding mine, but the tension radiated off her like heat from a fire. I remember when Papa first introduced the birthday rule, mama had been completely against it, she threw a fit. It took him three years after making that decision to finally allow us to visit again. "What have you done, you fool?" Her voice trembled, and when her gaze finally met mine, it was glassy with unshed tears. My stomach sank. "Elise-she needed something from him," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I had to come here." Her breath hitched as her expression hardened. "What could she possibly need that's worth breaking the rules?" I paused, the words sticking in my throat. "I'm sorry, ma'am," I said quickly, correcting myself in case someone was eavesdropping nearby. "That's between the three of us." The slap came fast, sharp, and familiar. My cheek burned under her palm, and I pressed my lips together to keep the sting from showing. This wasn't the first time Mama let her emotions overshadow her thoughts, but it didn't hurt any less. "Once again, I'm sorry for disrupting the meeting." My voice remained steady as I stepped away, masking the ache on my skin. I walked back toward the main hall, my head high. I refused to let anyone see my pain. Where was Elise? I hadn't seen her since we left the office, and the knot in my stomach tightened. "Dusan. Hopefully, we'll finalize the deal soon," Papa's voice boomed as he escorted the visitors out of the study. The man from before-Dusan-turned his head, his gaze landing on me again. This time, it lingered, his gray eyes taunting me. A playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but it didn't soothe the unease growing in my chest. Papa's firm grip closed around my elbow, his tone low and sharp. "Ah, Leni, I'm glad you're here. Remember how you mentioned being single? Well, Dusan, here is has come to me asking for your hand." My hand? My pulse quickened as his words sank in. "What do you mean by my hand? " I echoed, keeping my voice calm despite the alarm ringing in my head. "Yes," Papa said, his laugh deep and unsettling. "Dusan is an integral part of our newest busines. He's taken a liking to you, and apparently, he has put out a really fascinating condition. He wants to form an alliance between Belyye Medvedi and Fantasma by getting married to you." What was happening? Since when had Papa thought it was a good idea to involve me-his child-in his business? "But I'm your legal representative, sir," I replied evenly, though my hands clenched at my sides. "I don't think it is ideal for you to sign me up forarranged marriages, Mr. Moretti. I might be single, but I'm definitely not lonely." "Dear," Papa said, grinning as he gestured toward Dusan. "You are a daughter to me and I wouldn't agree with Dusan's arrangement if he wasn't a good match, don't you think?" Dusan's sharp gaze didn't waver. "Do you have a problem with my proposal, Miss Leni?" he asked, his tone teasing yet laced with challenge. I met his stare head-on, refusing to back down. "Who wouldn't have a problem with being practically forced into a loveless marriage?" His chest shook with laughter, rich and melodic, catching me off guard. My heart stumbled, and I hated how the sound made my breath hitch. It wasn't just the laugh-it was the way he laughed because of me. "I'm sorry Dusan but I won't be getting married to you," I called after him, my voice steady but my heart racing. His chuckle echoed faintly as he disappeared through the door.

Leni

Papa's eyes flared with fury, a silent anger brewing beneath his stoic exterior. Without a word, he gestured sharply toward the illusion passage, and I obeyed, the weight of his anger made my legs heavy. The walk back was suffocating, every step dragging through the tense silence.

Back in the living room of our private home, the silence was deafening. Neither of us spoke. My mind swirled, torn between talking about Elise's birthday wish and what he many by getting married to Dusan.

The sharp clap of footsteps shattered the silence. "Papa!" Elise's voice rang out as she ran into the room, her excitement cut through the tension.

She stopped beside Papa, her gaze flickered to me before lighting up. "You told him!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands like a child.

"I haven't," I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the situation.

Papa's cold gaze shifted between us, his tone unreadable. "Tell me what?"

I hesitated but forced the words out. "Elise wants to work with you-in security."

His eyes widened, the crack in his composure brief but unmistakable. "What is wrong with the both of you?" he barked, his voice shaking the room.

He turned to me first, his finger stabbing the air. "First, you invade my study with no regard for the consequences." Then to Elise, his voice rising further. "And now you want to work for me?"

"She dragged me there," I said, my voice steady but soft, "and I don't care about your business. But Elise does-more than you realize. According to her, your security team is slipping. She managed to hack into your cameras and plant a virus in your system. If an amateur can do that..."

My words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

Papa's expression shifted, his fury tempered by disbelief. "The virus was you?" he asked, his tone edged with reluctant curiosity.

Elise nodded proudly, her chin lifting. "I wanted to see how everything worked, so I sent a little gift. Your team caught it eventually, but not before I learned some things."

His lips thinned, his shoulders tense. "How much do you know?"

"Key routes, maps, strategic points," she rattled off, her voice brimming with confidence. She handed him a flash drive. "And I dug into your clients. This has everything I found."

Papa stared at the drive in his hand, his jaw tight. "Elise, do you understand how dangerous this is? This isn't a game. Talk to her, Leni. I can't put both of you in harm's way."

His voice cracked at the end, just enough to expose how deeply he cwred. Elise's smugness fell, but the determined twinkle in her eyes didn't fade.

"Papa, I know what I'm doing," she insisted, her voice softer but unyielding.

I stepped closer, my hand brushing his arm lightly. "She's not a kid anymore," I said quietly, meeting his troubled gaze. "And you've always said we're stronger when we stick together."

Papa sighed, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.

"She won't budge," I said, my voice resigned yet calculating. "And seeing as she's already involved, why not monitor how deep she gets-"

"Both of you." His previous words suddenly hit me

The words hit like a brick. My throat tightened, and I stared at him, incredulous. "Papa, what do you mean 'both of us'? Are you serious about making me marry that man?"

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "After you left the study, Dusan was fairly certain you were my daughter. I had to throw him off. He asked for you specifically, Leni. That's the only way he'll sign the treaty with us."

"Then don't sign the treaty!" I snapped, throwing my hands up in frustration.

"That would mean admitting you're important to me," he said, his voice sharp but quiet, "and that would make you a target, Amor."

I turned to Elise, my anger bubbling over, unable to contain it. "I can't be involved, Papa! You know I can't!" My voice cracked, panic rising as the shadows of that night clawed at my chest. Memories I had buried resurfaced, suffocating me. "Not after what happened-please, Papa, I can't do this."

His face hardened, but there was a flicker of regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry, princess," he said softly, but his tone left no room for argument. "You're already deeply involved. He wants you, and Dusan will have you-either willingly or by force."

The name sent a visible shudder through Elise. Her face paled, and she took a step back. "Dusan Nikolić?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Papa nodded grimly.

She shook her head violently, her hands trembling as she gripped the edge of the sofa. My mind spun. This couldn't be the same man who had smiled at me so warmly, the same man who had laughed as though nothing in the world could faze him.

"Who is he?" I demanded, my curiosity now tinged with fear.

Papa hesitated, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his answer pressed down on him. "He's the successor of the Belyye Medvedi. They deal in every illegal thing you can think of. Organs, human trafficking, drug smuggling, arms trades... even selling human flesh to cannibals. And Dusan? He's more ruthless than his uncle. Rumor has it he's planning to expand the organization globally, with at least sixteen branches on every continent."

The air left my lungs, my stomach twisting violently. "And you want to work with him?"

Papa's eyes flicked to Elise, who took a shaky breath before continuing for him. "Papa reached out to them for direct contact-to supply them with ammunition and drugs."

A cold chill ran down my spine. This wasn't business. This was madness.

My voice came out barely above a whisper, my hands clenched into fists. "I knew your business was bad, but this? You're dealing with people who treat human lives like currency. How could you-" I stopped short, my chest tightening. My mind reeled back to Franz.

Franz was dead because of this business.

I straightened, my voice trembling but firm. "I'm not working with him. Tell Dusan whatever excuse you want, Papa. I don't care. But I'm out."

Papa's expression darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line, but I didn't wait for his response. I turned on my heel and stormed out, Elise's wide, fearful eyes burning into my back.

I barely made it to my room before my legs threatened to give out. Shutting the door behind me, I pressed my back against the cool wood and closed my eyes, trying to erase the chaos of the night from my mind. No, I wasn't going to let this consume me.

If wasn't trying to make Elise happy then none of this would have happened, a lot of things are already distressing me. I am barely an adult myself, i have underlying issues that I'm struggling to work through, I became a lawyer with the sole purpose to put a stop to people like Dusan Nikolić living a double life would ruin everything I have built.

A knock on the door startled me, breaking my quiet trail of thought. "Come in," I called, expecting Elise to barge in.

Instead, Mama stepped in. Her face was tight, her hands fidgeting in front of her-a rare sight for someone like Greta Schneider. "Leni," she said softly, shutting the door behind her. "We need to talk."

The unease in her voice sent a shiver down my spine. "What is it?"

She hesitated, glancing toward the window as if someone might be listening. "You can't stay here tonight."

I blinked. "What? Why not?"

"It's Dusan." Her voice dropped, the name falling like a stone in the silence. "I am sure your father informed you of his request and debunked you being out daughter so for the sake of Elise, leave."

My heart sank. "He's watching us?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line before she nodded. "Of course he is. He obviously has people situated outside waiting for you to leave and probably ready to trail you home. If you stay, it will solidify his earlier suspicions, which will definitely make you a target and a liability. We can't afford either."

I stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. "And you're just... okay with this? This isn't fair!"

"Of course I'm not!" she snapped, her voice trembling. "But this isn't about what's fair, Leni. You caused this when you broke the rules, when you walked into that study."

I wanted to scream, to argue, but the desperation in her eyes stopped me. I crossed my arms instead, glaring at the floor. "What about Elise's party?"

"Elise will manage," she said quickly. "You have done enough for her, it is time to leave."

I hesitated, my mind replaying the events of the day, my new reality dawning on me. I will be the wife to the most villainous man to exist.

Fuck being an honest lawyer then.

I bit my lip, my fists clenching at my sides. Leaving felt like I was accepting papa's decision, but staying could cost us more than I was willing to risk. "Fine," I whispered. "I'll go."

Mama's gaze softened just slightly, as if she hadn't expected me to give in so quickly. But she didn't say anything.

As I packed my things, I wished she hugged me or even begged me not to leave. When I finally turned to leave, she was already at the door, her hand resting on the handle.

"Goodnight, Leni," she said quietly, not meeting my eyes.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Goodnight, Mama."

She opened the door and stepped aside, allowing me to pass. As I walked down the hall, the weight of her words settled over me, my life was about to change drastically and not for good.

The drive home felt draining, my mind racing with ways to dodge being with Dusan. No matter how hard I tried, nothing came to mind

A quick glance at the rearview mirror sent a chill down my spine-a car was tailing me.

What the hell? My hands tightened around the wheel as I changed lanes, hoping they'd back off. They didn't.

I hit the accelerator, weaving through traffic, my heart pounding with every second. Suddenly, something slammed into my car, and I lost control.

Pain surged through my body, my head ringing so loudly it drowned out everything else.

Faint voices broke through. "Do you think she's dead?"

"She can't die. Boss needs her alive," came the grim reply.

Leni.

My head throbbed like someone was pounding it with a hammer. I didn't even bother opening my eyes-every part of my body ached, as if I'd been crushed under a freight train. The pain was sharp, unforgiving, making it hard to breathe.

Bits and pieces of the last hour flooded back in disjointed flashes. I was driving home... Then the realization hit me-I was being followed.

Wait. Home?

My eyes flew open, and panic surged through me. This wasn't home. The unfamiliar room was dimly lit, the air smelled sterile, and everything around me was unsettlingly quiet. My heart pounded. Where the hell am I?

I glanced down, realizing my wrists weren't tied. Relief washed over me for a brief moment, but it was quickly replaced by fear. I had to leave. Now.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my body screaming in protest. The floor felt cold beneath my bare feet as I tried to stand. My vision blurred, and the next thing I knew, the room tilted violently.

Strong arms caught me just before I hit the ground.

"Careful," a voice said, low and steady.

I looked up into Dusan's familiar, unreadable eyes.

"You shouldn't be moving," he added, his grip firm yet gentle as he steadied me.

I froze, confusion and fear colliding in my chest. "What are you doing here?"

I froze in his arms, my heart racing from both fear and confusion. Dusan's dark eyes studied me, his lips curving into a smirk.

"What a way to thank your savior," he said, his tone laced with amusement.

I frowned, trying to pull away from him, but my legs were still unsteady. "Savior? You shouldn't even be here."

He let out a low chuckle, helping me back to the edge of the bed. "You're welcome, by the way. For catching you before you cracked your skull."

"Forgive me for not rolling out the red carpet," I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Dusan raised a brow, clearly enjoying the exchange. "You've got a sharp tongue for someone who was almost dead a few hours ago."

I blinked, his words hitting me like a bucket of ice water. "What... What happened? Where am I?"

"Safe," he replied simply, leaning casually against the wall as if this were just another day. "For now, at least."

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're not answering my question."

His smirk faded slightly, replaced by something darker. "Matteo has a lot of enemies, Leni. He did well to keep you hidden, but it seems word finally got out. And now... here we are."

His words sent a chill down my spine, but anger quickly replaced it. "If he did such a great job at hiding me, then why am I here?" I snapped. "He wouldn't involve me in his silly business unless-" I stopped, realization dawning on me.

Dusan tilted his head, his gaze narrowing. "Unless what?"

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling with anger. "Unless this is your fault. All of it."

He laughed then, a low, mocking sound that made my blood boil. "My fault? Interesting theory, but I'd love to hear the logic behind that one."

"You waltz into his life, start talking about deals and partnerships, and suddenly I'm being dragged into all this madness? What else am I supposed to think?"

Dusan's smirk returned, but his eyes held a warning. "Careful, Leni. Blaming me won't change the fact that your father's world is dangerous, and you're a part of it now. Whether you like it or not."

My breath caught, realization washing over me but I quickly masked my reaction. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said carefully. "I'm just a legal representative. That's it."

His brow arched, his smirk returning as if I'd just told a clever joke. "A legal representative? Is that what we're calling it now?"

"That's what it is," I shot back, my voice firmer this time.

He leaned forward, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing. "Interesting, because most legal reps aren't hidden from the world nor do they get tailed by San Dias mafia. And they definitely don't crash their cars trying to outrun them."

My chest tightened. "Maybe you've mistaken me for someone else."

Dusan chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Nice try, Leni. But I don't believe in coincidences, and neither do the men who tried to take you out tonight."

I looked away, my fists clenching. "If this is about my client list, I can assure you-"

"This isn't about your client list," he interrupted, his voice low but commanding. "It's about who you are. And why someone out there thinks you're worth killing-or keeping alive."

My heart raced as his words hung in the air.

"No one thinks I'm worth killing at all, well, except you. I'd like to leave now, Dusan," I said, attempting to push myself upright.

He watched me, his eyes narrowing as a smirk played across his lips.

"You're quite the character, Leni. Still clinging to your family's secret, even now."

The calm menace in his tone sent a chill down my spine. He knew more than I'd expected, and there was no point in feigning ignorance anymore.

"How long have you known?" I asked, trying to keep my voice firm.

"About your existence?" He tilted his head. "Since your fake funeral. I was at the hospital the day you slipped into a coma."

The distance between us shrank as he took slow, deliberate steps toward me, his presence almost suffocating.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well," he drawled, "for starters, I understood your father's desperation to keep his only child out of this world. And frankly, what you and your family do isn't my business."

I exhaled, relieved. At least he didn't know about my sisters. That secret, for now, was safe.

"I left the house to avoid suspicion. The real question is, how did they know I was there in the first place?"

"Seems your father has a blind spot when it comes to screening his men." He paused, his gaze sharpening. "And to be fair, I didn't expect you to walk into the study, either, мелочь."

Before I could reply, his hand reached out, wrapping a strand of my hair around his finger.

"Ever heard of personal space? Guess not," I snapped, taking a step back.

He scoffed, amused, his eyes never leaving mine. They seemed to dig into my soul, unearthing thoughts I'd buried. And fuck-he was beautiful, in the kind of way that made my life feel even more unfair.

His lips curved into a rare, full smile. Not the smug smirk he usually wore, but something softer. More devastating.

"You're beautiful, zheltofiol. You've got more color now than you did before. I like it."

The words struck deeper than I'd like to admit. No one had ever noticed how much life I'd lost after Franz's death. Yet here he was-a stranger and heir to a mafia dynasty-spotting it like it was obvious. My life really sucked.

"Here," he said, snapping me from my thoughts. He held out a phone. "You should call your father.