Savage Boss

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental. RELAY PUBLISHING EDITION, JANUARY 2023 Copyright ©2023 Relay Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Published in the United Kingdom by Relay Publishing. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Bella Ash is a pen name created by Relay Publishing for co-authored Romance projects. Relay Publishing works with incredible teams of writers and editors to collaboratively create the very best stories for our readers. Cover Design by Mayhem Cover Creations. www.relaypub.com Blurb A marriage forged in blood… Ever since she was a child, Alexandra Volkin was raised to be a mafia Queen. But when her husband-to-be is murdered—on their wedding day—her fiancé’s oldest son, Viktor, claims her as his own. Not because he wants her. But because he wants to break her. He suspects Alexandra’s father of the murder and he’s going to rip the truth from her lips. One brooding look from Viktor is enough to make Alexandra’s heart race, but he also possesses a dark side that terrifies her. She has to prove her father’s innocence. And if that means seducing her ruthless new husband, so be it… The marriage was supposed to be a ruse, but Viktor can’t help but admire his beautiful, stubborn wife. He needs to keep her close—very close—so he can uncover the truth and avenge his father. The problem is, she’s tearing down his walls. And in Viktor’s world, emotion is weakness. Fear is power. He’ll break her before he gives in. Contents 1. Alexandra 2. Alexandra 3. Alexandra 4. Viktor 5. Alexandra 6. Viktor 7. Viktor 8. Alexandra 9. Alexandra 10. Alexandra 11. Viktor 12. Alexandra 13. Viktor 14. Alexandra 15. Alexandra 16. Viktor 17. Viktor 18. Alexandra 19. Viktor 20. Alexandra 21. Alexandra 22. Viktor 23. Viktor 24. Alexandra Alexandra End of Savage Boss Thank You! Make an Author’s Day About Bella Sneek Peek: Brutal Loyalty Sneek Peek: Vicious Heir CHAPTER 1 Alexandra “Are you almost done? I feel like it’s taken two hours to pin that thing.” The excited smile on Alexandra’s face carried over to her voice, and she struggled to keep from fidgeting. “You are beautiful.” Her mother, Darya, finished fastening the bridal veil in Alexandra’s golden hair and smiled at her. “Look.” Turning to face the familiar ornate mirror that had decorated her bedroom wall since she’d been old enough to walk, Alexandra let out a whoosh of air and stared at her reflection. The wedding gown was impossibly white, almost silver, and its shimmery fabric clung to her curves in all the right ways. The neckline plunged to reveal only a little cleavage, and led to glimmering lace around her shoulders and down her arms. She thought of her gown as elegant, and loved it as it was, though her friend Elena had said it needed more bling. As if, Alexandra thought. The twenty-two-year-old woman staring back at her from the mirror was a flawless picture of beauty. At least, that’s what her stylist told her as she arranged her hair and makeup. Meanwhile, Alexandra was doing her best not to pick out her flaws. Today was her day and she was going to enjoy every moment of it. But what if he doesn’t like something? It was too late to change anything now. Would he call off the wedding if she didn’t look radiant enough? “Do you think he’ll like it, Momma? Do you think he’ll like me?” She smoothed the front of her dress. Darya’s smile widened. “He’ll love it, and he’ll love you.” Her mother’s voice was heavy, with a strong Russian accent. Her parents had moved here to Boston from Russia when Alexandra was a baby. And even though she herself spoke perfect American English without an accent, Alexandra loved how her parents spoke. “You’re not just saying that because you’re my mother, right?” Alexandra peeked at her mother in the mirror and caught her rolling her eyes as she made a tsking noise. Her mother then wrapped her arms around her and gave her a tight hug and a wide smile. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever beheld. If Boris doesn’t see that, then we’ll know that he needs glasses.” She stole another look in the mirror and then returned her mother’s smile. “Mrs. Boris Sokolov. Has a nice ring to it.” She faced her mother, raising an eyebrow. “Hopefully as nice as the ring on my finger will be,” she added, allowing out a playful laugh. Her mother grinned back at her. “So silly for such a serious day,” Darya said. “Not silly—excited! How many years have I waited for this? I’m getting married! I’m finally getting married, and to a rich, powerful Russian mafia boss, too. My own happily ever after.” Alexandra nearly squirmed inside her gown with growing anticipation. “After Boris and I get to know each other as husband and wife, I’m sure we’ll be just as happy as you and Papa are.” “Marriage takes work,” Darya reminded her, casting a look over her daughter before fussing with the lace on her dress. “I know, I know, and I’m prepared for that. Spending the rest of my life with someone like Boris is going to make things interesting, but I’m so happy I’m finally starting my own adventure.” And it was true. She was going to fulfill her dream at last. No more having to live her life according to her father’s dictates. The strict curfews, restrictions on activities and who she was allowed to have as friends. No more waiting and wondering who her father might choose for her to marry. When her father had first set up the agreement with Mr. Sokolov,