The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of the villa, casting a warm glow over the room. Liza stirred, still wrapped in Viktor's strong arms, her head resting against his chest. The previous night had been intense—emotionally, physically. It wasn't just about passion, though there was plenty of that. It was about the bond that had grown between them, something deeper than she had ever experienced before.
As she lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of Viktor's heartbeat, Liza couldn't help but reflect on how much her life had changed. She had come into this world broken, betrayed, and unsure of her own strength. But Viktor had shown her a different path, one that made her feel powerful and capable, even in the face of danger.
Viktor shifted slightly, his hand tracing lazy patterns on her back. "Morning," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
Liza smiled, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "Morning."
He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a slow, lingering kiss that made her heart flutter. Even after everything they had been through, the connection between them was undeniable. It was as if they were two halves of the same whole, drawn together by forces neither of them could control.
As they reluctantly pulled away, Viktor's expression became more serious. "We need to talk about Christoph."
Liza's smile faded, reality crashing back into her. Christoph. The message he had sent her last night was still fresh in her mind, the threat clear as day. She knew he wasn't going to give up easily, but she also knew she wasn't the same person she had been before.
"I'm not afraid of him anymore," she said firmly, sitting up in bed. "He doesn't control me. He can't hurt me like he used to."
Viktor's eyes darkened with resolve as he sat up beside her, his hand resting on her thigh. "I won't let him hurt you at all, Liza. You're mine now, and I protect what's mine."
The possessiveness in his voice sent a thrill through her, but it was more than that. She knew that Viktor wasn't just saying those words—he meant them. He would stop at nothing to keep her safe, no matter the cost.
"We'll deal with Christoph," he continued, his tone serious. "But we need to be smart about it. **Chapter 12: Unbreakable Bonds (Continued)**
"He won't touch you," Viktor promised, his voice low but filled with a lethal edge, as if each word was a vow he intended to keep.
Liza felt the weight of his words, her heart pounding against her ribs. Christoph's sinister tone echoed in her mind, a chilling reminder that the man she had once loved had become something far more dangerous than she had ever imagined. But in Viktor's arms, the fear that usually paralyzed her seemed to melt away, replaced by a newfound resolve.
She looked up at Viktor, his jaw clenched tightly, the muscles in his neck taut with tension. His protectiveness stirred something deep inside her, a sense of comfort she hadn't known she needed. He wasn't just saying the words to reassure her—he meant them. He would stop at nothing to keep her safe.
Liza leaned into him, her voice steady, though her heart raced. "I trust you, Viktor. I know you'll protect me."
He closed his eyes for a moment, as if gathering himself, before pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "You're my wife now," he murmured, his voice softer but no less determined. "I'll never let anyone take you from me."
The possessiveness in his voice would have unnerved her once, but now it felt like an anchor, grounding her in a world that had become more chaotic than ever. For all the darkness that surrounded Viktor, there was an undeniable light in the way he cared for her, the way he looked at her as though she were the most important thing in his life.
Liza's fingers found his, intertwining with his hand as she gazed into his piercing blue eyes. "And I'm not running anymore. I'm here. With you."
A flicker of something—relief, perhaps even gratitude—passed through Viktor's eyes, and before she knew it, his lips were on hers again, claiming her in a kiss that was both urgent and tender. The intensity of his feelings for her was palpable, but so was the underlying respect, the care that he had for her. It wasn't just about passion anymore. There was something more between them now, something real.
Their lips parted, and Viktor's forehead rested against hers. His breath was hot against her skin, but his words were gentle. "You're stronger than you know, Liza. Don't ever forget that."
She smiled softly, her fingers brushing against his stubbled jaw. "Maybe. But it helps having you by my side."
For a moment, the world outside seemed to disappear. There was no Christoph, no mafia war, no danger looming over their heads. Just the two of them, wrapped in the safety of each other's arms. Viktor's fingers traced a line down her arm, sending shivers through her as he held her closer, as if he couldn't bear to let her go.
But the moment was short-lived. A sharp knock on the door shattered the quiet intimacy, pulling them both back to the present.
"Viktor, we need you," Luka's voice came through the door, tense and urgent.
Viktor let out a low growl, clearly frustrated by the interruption. He gave Liza one last lingering kiss before pulling away and rising from the bed, his demeanor shifting back to that of the ruthless enforcer she had come to know.
"Stay here," he said, his tone firm. "I'll handle this."
Liza nodded, watching as he left the room, her heart heavy with a mix of fear and determination. She knew Viktor could handle whatever threat Christoph posed, but she couldn't help but feel that things were far from over.
---
Viktor strode into his office, his mind already on high alert. Luka stood near the window, scanning over a file as the others gathered around the large wooden desk. The tension in the room was palpable.
"What is it?" Viktor demanded, his voice hard as steel.
Luka didn't hesitate. "Christoph is making moves. We've traced his calls to a few powerful players in the city. He's rallying them, probably trying to pull some strings to protect himself."
Viktor's jaw tightened. "He's getting desperate."
Luka nodded. "But that makes him more dangerous. He's cornered, and we both know what a man like that will do when he has nothing left to lose."
Viktor paced behind his desk, the fire in his veins burning hotter with each passing second. Christoph was slipping out of their control, and Viktor knew that if they didn't act fast, he would come after Liza again. And that was something he would never allow.
"We need to move," Viktor said sharply, turning to his team. "Find out who he's talking to, what his next steps are. I want every possible route he has cut off. And keep eyes on him at all times."
One of the men in the room, a younger enforcer named Marco, spoke up. "What about Liza? If Christoph is desperate, he might try to use her as leverage."
Viktor's eyes darkened, his fingers curling into fists at the thought of Christoph even thinking about Liza. "Let him try," Viktor said, his voice dangerously low. "I'll put an end to this. Once and for all."
---
Back in the bedroom, Liza sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing. She trusted Viktor, but she couldn't shake the feeling that things were escalating. Christoph wouldn't stop, not until he had what he wanted—or until he was stopped permanently.
As she stared out the window, the city skyline glittering in the distance, a knock on the door made her jump. She stood up, her heart pounding, but when the door opened, it wasn't Viktor.
It was Christoph.
His smile was cold, his eyes gleaming with malice as he stepped into the room.
"Hello, darling."
**Chapter 12: Unbreakable Bonds (Continued)**
Liza's breath caught in her throat as Christoph stepped into the room, his presence filling the space with a suffocating tension. She took a step back instinctively, her heart pounding in her chest. His smile was wicked, but his eyes glimmered with something far darker—something that sent a chill down her spine.
"Surprised to see me?" Christoph's voice was smooth, almost mocking as he shut the door behind him. "I told you I'd see you soon."
Liza's mind raced. How had he gotten in? How had he slipped past Viktor's men? The panic clawed at her, but she forced herself to stay calm. She wasn't the same woman she had been when Christoph had broken her heart. She had changed, grown stronger, and she wouldn't let him break her again.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice steadier than she expected, though her hands trembled at her sides.
Christoph smirked, taking a few slow steps toward her. "I'm here for you, of course. You're mine, Liza. Always have been, always will be."
Liza's stomach twisted with disgust. "I'm not yours, Christoph. I never was. And I sure as hell won't be now."
His expression darkened at her defiance, his eyes narrowing. "That's not what you used to say," he hissed. "You've forgotten what we had. But I haven't. And I'm not going to let that bastard Viktor steal you away from me."
Liza's fear morphed into anger, her heart burning with fury at his audacity. "Viktor didn't steal me. You lost me the moment you betrayed me with Kylie. You don't get to walk back into my life and pretend that didn't happen."
Christoph's eyes flared, and in an instant, he was in front of her, grabbing her arm with bruising force. "You think Viktor is going to keep you safe?" he spat, his voice venomous. "You think he cares about you? You're just a tool to him, Liza. A means to an end. You don't matter to him."
Liza winced at the pain in her arm, but she refused to show him any weakness. She met his gaze head-on, her voice filled with conviction. "You're wrong, Christoph. Viktor does care about me. And you know what? He respects me—something you never did."
The fury in Christoph's eyes was palpable, and for a moment, Liza thought he might lash out at her. But then, the door flew open, and Viktor stormed in, his eyes blazing with unbridled rage.
"Get your hands off her," Viktor growled, his voice deadly.
Christoph turned to face him, but he didn't let go of Liza's arm. Instead, he tightened his grip, pulling her closer to him like a shield. "Ah, Viktor," Christoph sneered. "Just in time. I was about to remind your wife who she really belongs to."
Viktor's entire body tensed, his fists clenched at his sides as he took a menacing step forward. "Let. Her. Go."
The cold threat in Viktor's voice made Liza's heart race. She had seen him angry before, but never like this. This was personal, and Christoph was walking on dangerously thin ice.
"Or what?" Christoph taunted, a smug grin spreading across his face. "You'll kill me? We both know you can't afford to do that. You're already under enough scrutiny."
Viktor's eyes darkened further, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "You have no idea what I'm willing to do for her."
Before Christoph could react, Viktor lunged forward, his movements swift and precise. In one fluid motion, he wrenched Christoph's hand away from Liza and shoved him against the wall, pinning him there with a forearm pressed to his throat.
Liza stumbled back, clutching her arm, her heart racing as she watched Viktor restrain Christoph with an ease that sent a shiver down her spine.
Christoph struggled against Viktor's grip, his face turning red as he gasped for air. "You're making a mistake, Viktor," he choked out, his voice strained. "This isn't over. You can't keep her from me."
Viktor leaned in closer, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "You will never touch her again. If you even try, I'll make sure you disappear. Permanently."
Christoph's eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing his face for the first time. Viktor's threat was more than just words—Liza could see it in the cold determination in his eyes.
Viktor released him with a shove, and Christoph crumpled to the floor, coughing and gasping for breath. Viktor stood over him, his chest heaving with barely contained rage.
"Get out," Viktor ordered, his voice like steel. "And if you ever come near Liza again, you won't live to regret it."
Christoph scrambled to his feet, glaring at both of them, but he didn't say another word. He knew he had lost this round. With a final hateful glance at Liza, he stumbled out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
As soon as Christoph was gone, Viktor turned to Liza, his expression softening instantly as he crossed the room to her. His hands were gentle as he cupped her face, his eyes filled with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and tender.
Liza nodded, though she could still feel the lingering ache in her arm from Christoph's grip. "I'm fine, thanks to you."
Viktor's jaw clenched, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. "I should have been here sooner. I won't let him get that close to you again."
Liza placed her hand over his, feeling the steady beat of his pulse beneath her fingers. "You got here in time. That's all that matters."
For a moment, they just stood there, the intensity of the moment still hanging in the air between them. Viktor pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, as if he couldn't bear to let her go. Liza buried her face in his chest, breathing in his scent, letting the warmth of his embrace soothe her frayed nerves.
"You're safe with me," Viktor whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Always."
Liza looked up at him, her heart swelling with a mix of love and gratitude. She had never expected to find someone like Viktor, someone who would fight for her, protect her, and care for her in a way that Christoph never had. And in that moment, she knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
"I know," she whispered back, her voice filled with certainty. "I trust you, Viktor."
Their lips met in a slow, tender kiss, a promise of the unbreakable bond that had formed between them. And as they held each other in the quiet aftermath of the storm, Liza knew that no matter what Christoph tried, he could never come between them. Not now. Not ever.