"I didn’t expect you to recognize me. Leonid spoke as he walked over to Ethan and loomed over him. "How dare you lay a hand on my wife? How dare you lay a finger on Mrs. Vanderbilt, or should I say, Mrs. Giovanni?"Ethan squirmed again and tried to get up, but the pain in his wrist stopped him from doing so. He winced from the pain in his hand and dropped back to the floor. His eyes darted from the ground to Leonid’s face."Cat got your tongue?" Leonid asked. "What happened to the strong and brave Ethan who loved to pick on Leopoor?"Ethan's gaze held a look of confusion. "How is this possible? You were poor last week, and I am sure they murdered you immediately after the paper was signed. How is it possible that you were alive?"Saint kicked Ethan’s tummy again. "Shut the fuck up!""Saint, let him say whatever he wants to say; besides, he can’t win anymore." Leonid told the saint.Saint shrugged his shoulders and pulled his leg away from Ethan’s belly. Ethan scurried away, moving on
Leonid stepped out of the car as soon as it came to a halt. His bodyguards walked behind him as he walked towards the building. When he got to the elevator, someone was rushing out of it.It was Amelia, and she was glancing back at the elevator, and soon enough, anger appeared from the back door. He had used the stairs when she shut the elevator in his face.There, you young miss, don't disappear on me. I'm just a harmless bodyguard.Amelia spun around in his voice, and her head hit something hard. Leonid's chest. She inhaled his scent, and her lips curled into a smile. He really smells good; she loved the way he smells.Her head raised and she stared at his face. He smiled down at her."Running away already?"**********Leonid sat on a chair in his room. He was sitting in front of a laptop screen. Typing away on the keyboard. Amelia, on the other hand, was going through her phone, and soon enough she got bored and walked over to him."See this," Amelia said after she had stood in fro
"What If I told you my father repaid the debts, but they wanted double payments,""That's not possible." Amelia said. "Why would they do that?"His head tilted to the side. "And there was a man who ran away with the laon he and my father took together. My father didn't raise Amelia. Mr. Vanderbilt never did; he left because he had nothing to offer us. He was robbed by his best friend, making him go bankrupt."Amelia gasped. "That's awful. How could a best friend do that to his friend?Leonid ignored her question and continued. "His best friend ran away with the loan they took together to invest in a new business.""That's awful; that was why he left? Because he didn't want you both to know about it?""Exactly Elia, he left to work and pay off the debt, which he did, but we won't focus on that. I found his best friend, and I am really close to his best friend's daughter.""You know his daughter?" Amelia questioned. "You never told me you have a female friend.""You know her; I don't ha
"You held no truth. Amelia, you held onto what you thought was the truth. I am glad that you did not tell me then because I would only hate my father harder. As for your father, he would have to pay for the pain he made me pass through."Amelia glanced at him. "I am going to confront him about it.""No need." Leonid said, and he parted her with his fingernails. "You did what you thought was right; you have no right to confront him about it. It is my job from here; just stay home and rest."Amelia shook her hand violently beneath his. "No, I am not going to stay here and let you confront him yourself. He had lied to me too and tried to turn me against you, and he also tried to kill you.""Chill out Elia. Ladies leave the hard job for the men.""What are you going to do to my father?" She asked."Nothing." He answered, trying hard to put on a calm face. "I'm just going to say hello, and was he at home before you left?""Yes." She replied. "What are you going to do to him?""Just to show
Leonid was trying very hard to control the anger that was building in him toward the man in front of him. The urge to punch the man in the face was so strong. The only thing that was holding Thompson back from hitting him was the thought of killing someone. He did not want to slam his fist into Thompson's face. He might do that, and Thompson might not be alive to face the consequences of what he had done.Even though he wanted to grant Thompson's death, it wasn't going to be an easy one. He had to suffer slowly for the pain he had caused him. He glanced at the man in front of him, who was trembling slightly."Oh perfect Thompson is scared of poor Leonid. I never knew I was someone to be scared of." Leonid taunted. "What if I show you that there's more Shelby's Vanderbilt blood running through my veins? How would you like that?"Thompson trembled and braced himself for what was going to happen next. Instead of throwing a punch in Thompson's face, Leonid retreated and went to stand besi
The bar was blasting with loud music, and Shelby led Leonid towards the stairs. Leonid glanced around the place; the room lights were dim, a mixture of lurole and blue.Strippers were everywhere, and a really cute brunette was doing the pole dance in the middle of the bar. As if she knew he was looking, she looked at him, offered him a smile, and continued to dance."Come along." Shelby said. "There is someone who has been waiting for you. I will introduce you to him when we get there."Leonid looked away from the club and headed up the stairs with his father. His father climbed the stairs fast and skillfully, and Leonid found himself repeating what his father had done. Shelby took a turn to the right as they were done climbing the stairs."Who am I going to meet?" Leonid asked, falling in step with his father. "I thought I mentioned not meeting anyone."Shelby glanced at him over his shoulders and said, "Yes, I know, but it's important for you to meet him."Leonid didn't respond unti
He smiled at Viktor, who was looking back at him."You know, when we were little, even though I was a year older, I had always looked up to you except for the day, of course, when you punched me in the tummy."Leonid's smile didn't flatter. "I don't know why you remembered that day. I had forgotten about it until you reminded me.""Easy for you to say." Viktor shrugged. "I had a belly ache throughout.""That's why you couldn't forget?""Sure, and the old man right there also didn't forget about it.""Who's an old man?" Shelby asked. Viktor bit his lips. "Come on, Leonid, let me show you around the bar, including some cute ladies.""I am married." He answered. "My wife is waiting for me to get home.""I totally forgot; it took me by surprise when I found out you were married. You're still too young, although I was relieved when you had no kids.""Why is that?""I have my reasons." He paused, then glanced at Shelby. "Have you told him about the Crimson yet?""Not yet, Rizzo. I can't im
When Leonid arrived home the next morning, Amelia had already dressed up for work. She was putting on a white shirt, long black pants, and a black suit jacket to match. She was eating at dinner when he met her."You said you would be home yesterday but turned up today." She scolded. "Well you can be by yourself today, I ma heading to work and tell does stupid men to let me leave." She glanced at her wristwatch. "I am late, and all they could think of was a stupid rule."Leonid took his seat beside her and picked up a plate. He was about to scoop food for himself when she hit him in the hand with her spoon."Don't you dare touch it!" She yelled. "I made it only for myself; make yours."She seemed to be angry at him for something, and he didn't know why she was angry at him. Was it because he hadn't shown up earlier than she wanted him to?"I couldn't come home yesterday; I met a...""Save me the explanation; just tell your men to let me go.""No." He shook his head. "Listen to me, and