Caius POV:

Suitcase? Packed , plane? waiting, mental state? Fucked , utterly fucked but, the family reunion must go on . I got out of my car , my assistant already outside and taking my luggage out of the trunk. The scorching Thursday afternoon sun burned into my skin but, I welcomed the heat , it gave me something else to think about, other than the fact that I am about to board my plane to see the hell I vowed I would never returned to.

" Mr Romanov, it's lovely to see you again sir" Crystal my personal flight attendant stated as she met me halfway along the runway . I simply nodded at her , not in the mood for pleasantries and followed her to the  private jet that waited for me and as if to remind me of my destination my eye caught the Romanov name which was engraved into the plane.

Almost 21 hours later the plane touched down on the runaway in Sheremetyevo International Airport and I was ushered by my assistant to a waiting sleek black Range Rover and a driver who stood waiting with a sign displaying the Romanov name .

30 minutes later the car slid through the iron gates of the Romanov estate like a shadow slipping into the abyss. Snow blanketed the grounds in a pristine white, but it only made the sprawling mansion ahead look darker, more foreboding.

As the car slowed to a stop, I stared at the mansion through the tinted window, my jaw clenched. Two years. Two fucking years and I am back to hell reincarnated.

The driver opened the door, and the icy Russian air hit my face . I stepped out of the car my  the snow crunching underneath  the soles of my shoes .The towering mansion loomed before my eyes , its Gothic spires piercing the overcast sky. Every window seemed like a watchful eye, every shadow a reminder of the darkness that thrived within these walls.

I adjusted my coat, my  fingers brushing the concealed knife strapped to my side. Even here, surrounded by family, I couldn't take any chances,  didn't plan to  and with the comforting feeling of the cold , hardness of my gun, one holisterd in my waist and the other in my back , I headed for the large Oak front doors.

They swung open before I reached them, revealing a grand foyer bathed in golden light. The warmth inside was deceptive, masking the coldness that seeped from the very bones of the house. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors.

A butler greeted me with a bow. “Welcome home, Mr. Romanov.”

Home. The word twisted in my gut like a blade. This wasn’t home—it was a cage, a place where monsters were made, the very epitome of hell and I was just one of it's fucking, twisted products.

“Where’s Ivan?” I asked, my voice cold and sharp. The sooner I see him,  the sooner I would get this fucking already nightmarish reunion closer to ending.

“In his study, sir. He’s been expecting you.”

Of course he has, I  thought bitterly. Ivan Romanov always expected people, whether he wanted to see them or not.

As I moved deeper into the house, memories clawed at the edges of my mind. I could still hear the echoes of his commands, the screams of those who had dared to crossed the Romanovs, the sound of my own heartbeat as I  carried out orders no child should ever have been told to do .

The familiar scent of cigar smoke and aged leather hit my nostrils as I  approached the study. I paused for a moment, my hand resting on the doorframe. For a fleeting second, I  considered turning around, walking out, and never coming back. But I couldn’t. Not yet, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of my cowardice, I needed him to see the monster he created , the machine.

I  pushed the door open.

Ivan Romanov sat behind a massive oak desk, a glass of vodka in one hand and a cigar in the other. His piercing blue eyes snap up from the glass in his hands to meet mine with a mixture of amusement and calculation and I stood tall, matching his intence gaze .

“Ah, my prodigal son returns,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking. “Come in, Caius. It’s been too long.”

I stepped inside the study, the door clicking shut behind me .

“Not long enough " I replied my tone clipped as I took a seat in the chair facing him.

He chuckled as if he found me amusing, leaning back in his chair.

“Still so curt. I see time away hasn’t softened you.” He set his glass down on his desk and sat up, taking a deep drag on his cigar .

I  didn’t respond, merely continued to watch him as he exhaled the smoke he inhaled ,wishing I was anywhere else but here .

His sharp calculating  eyes met mine over the rim of his glass as he took another sip and I knew he was studying me , trying to find any sign of fear , of weakness , anything that he can latch onto to exercise  his power,  take control but, that was long gone and I fully intend to prove to him that his iron grip on me was gone , fucked but,I wouldn't be surprise if he liked that , because that's the kind of man he was . He didn't mind not being in control so long as you were a pupil of his, his carbon copy.

“Darya will be pleased to see you,” he  continued, swirling his vodka. “She’s missed her dear brother.”

My lips curled into a sneer.

“I fucking doubt that, dearest father ".

He  smirked. “Ah, the sibling bond. So heartwarming.”

Deciding enough time was already wasted I leaned forward  and keeping my gaze level with his , I said ,

“Let’s skip the pleasantries, Ivan. Why am I here?”

He  leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “You’re here because your sister is getting married. And because I told you to be here. Family is everything, Caius. You know that.”

“Family,” I repeated, the word dripping with disdain. “Is that what we are?”

His smirk widened, but there was a glint of warning in his eyes.

“Careful, son. You may have left, but you’re still a Romanov. And Romanovs always come home.”

Getting to my feet , I turned to leave but, he said ,

"Сегодня вечером у нас будет торжество в честь присоединения Волковых к нашим союзникам. Ты выступишь с речью, и я ожидаю, что она будет безупречной. Ты примешь имя Романовых и всю мощь, которая с ним связана. Каждый, кто посетит сегодняшнее празднование, должен не только испытать страх перед тем, на что мы способны, но и вспомнить, что такое империя Романовых, и уважать её, а также всех, кто носит имя Романовых".

( we are having a celebration tonight in honor of the Volkovs becoming our allies . You will give a speech and I expect nothing less than the best , you will embrace the Romanov name and the power that comes with it and everyone who attends tonight celebration must not only feel afraid of what we are capable of but, they must also be reminded of what the Romanov empire is and respect it and all those who bare the Romanov name. )

Not bothering to even turn around to face him , I replied ,

"Надеюсь, я взял с собой костюм"

(Hopefully I packed a suit).

" This way sir " , a maid greeted me as I left Ivan's study and I followed her to the elevator . Once inside she pressed the button for the 3rd floor and I pulled my phone out tapping into the security system for the Tomlinsons house.

Bria was in her room , watching something on her TV.  Suh she nah read nuh book tonight? Maybe she a wait until everybody else gone a dem bed . Just looking at her , yuh woulda neva think seh a girl like she into dem things deh but, as mi seh eh nuh bada mi . Anuh like mi like har inna eh way how a man woulda desire or have feelings fi a woman , no, mi just intrigued, curious.

She just have this innocence and this purity bout har , despite har dirty likkle secret . Mi just have eh urge fi deh near har all eh time , mi just wah mek she feel fear inna eh darkest way possible and mi need har fi feel pain .

As mi seh mi si har as mi canvas , fi mi likkle project and when mi done wid har , eh light weh inside har soul, dah likkle radiance a life and light deh aguh dead , mi aguh rip it out har soul , aguh show har seh eh hell weh har parents dem fear and weh she nuh wah guh , aguh find har.

The elevator dinged as it stopped and the doors slide open to reveal a long hallway that ran both left and right. I followed the maid to the left , walking until she stopped at a white door with my name on it.

" your room sir . If you need anything else , feel free to use the phone inside your room to call" and she left , while I unlocked the door and entered.

I settled into the room . It was as cold and foreign as the rest of the house . Around 11 in the night, dressed in a suit I would  rather not be wearing with  a smile that could seal a million dollar deal , I made my way back down to the first floor .

The grand ballroom of the Romanov estate was a spectacle of opulence. Crystal chandeliers cast their light over polished floors, and the air buzzed with the chatter of powerful allies and enemies disguised as friends. I stood near the edge of the room, a glass of untouched vodka in my hand. I felt like an intruder at my own family’s celebration.

And then I saw her.

Darya Romanov swept into the room, a vision of elegance in a gown that shimmered like frost. Her jet black hair was pinned in intricate waves, her makeup flawless, and her smile as sharp as a dagger. She was the perfect Romanov daughter, a master of appearances, manipulation, and control.

Her gaze locked onto me , and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of something, hesitation, maybe even fear, before she masked it with a smile. She came towards me with the grace of a predator, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.

“Caius,” she said, her voice smooth and sweet, but with an edge that only I could hear.

“I almost didn’t believe you’d come.”

“I’m full of surprises,” I replied sarcastically, my tone flat.

She tilted her head, studying me .

“Two years. I thought you’d forgotten about us.”

“Hard to forget hell,” I said, taking a sip of my vodka, this taste like shit.

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she recovered quickly. “Always so dramatic. You’re home now, though, and that’s what matters. Father will be pleased.”

“Let’s not pretend this is about family,” I  stated curtly my voice low.

“This is about you and your power games.”

Darya’s eyes narrowed, the mask slipping just enough to reveal the steel beneath.

“Careful, brother. This is my day. Don’t ruin it.”

I stepped closer challenging her , lowering my  voice so only she could hear i replied  “Your day? Or Father’s latest chess move? You’re nothing more than a pawn in his game, Darya. And deep down, you know it.”

Her hand clenched around her champagne flute, but her smile remained fixed.

“At least I’m playing the game. What about you? Running away doesn’t make you free, Caius. It just makes you a coward.”

I smirked, but there was no humor in it. “You’ve always been good at pretending, Darya. Pretending you’re in control. Pretending you’re not afraid of me.”

Her breath hitched, just barely, but enough for me to know , I affected her , that I saw right through her little black heart.

“I’m not afraid of you.”

I  leaned in, my  voice a whisper.

“You should be.”

Darya straightened, her expression hardening. “Enjoy the party, brother. And try not to embarrass yourself.”

She turned and walked away, her head held high, but I  could see the tension in her shoulders. From accross the room , I caught Ivan's eyes as he chatted with Mikhail Volkov , Darya’s future husband and his future ploy . Right now eh only thing mi feel fi do a set off wah bomb inna this rass but, mi nuh think even Satan ready fi dem join him inna fi him version a hell .