~Ivan~

The golden framed mirror stood erect before me on the wall, reflecting a six foot three tall figure still shirtless. Across my body spanned several tattoos that spoke of different stories of different battles. The ones I fought for my family, for my name and for my sanity. And the scars!

I turned around a bit to view my side and the gashing scar on my back was still visible despite my futile attempt to cover it up with a dragon tattoo.

Flashes of images started crossing my mind. The cloudy sky, the thunder clapping and gunshots spiraling everywhere. The echo made it hard to decipher where exactly it came from and when I'd tried to stand up, all I was met with was a stabbing pain on my side and a pool of blood I hoped wasn't mine.

I was just fifteen and the war that swallowed up my family had happened. I looked around and took in the ruins as I laid on my back. My vision was blurry, covered in drooping blood and dusty air. That's when a shadow came into vision. All I saw was black pants, heavy mudded boots and an axe dipped in blood.

Swallowing hardly, I jerked myself back to reality.

"It's time, Mr. Roman." A feminine voice called to me from behind.

It was Keren, my personal assistant, who was also a source of bed warming for me. Sometimes, she made it a habit to relieve me of my hard on in my home and in addition, I had a lot of work that would help drown my years long nightmares that have refused to stop haunting me decades later.

She was now all dressed up in her corporate shirt and skirt, her glasses back in place. She was no longer the sexy Keren who had sucked my dick last night and made me feel like I was in paradise.

I grabbed my white with black stripes shirt and wore it before stepping outside. Keren helped me slip into my overall coat and at once, I was back into boss mode.

The conference was one that was always held once every four years. I made sure to attend every time so I could oversee my investments and see what else I could support and earn from. This I did without the help from any government and they have tried many times to bring me down, all to no avail. To the government, I was some immigrant couple child who grew into success and stopped their means of earning; oppressing the little corporations.

Every four years, these corporations, though big and large on the outside, report to me. Some of them ask me for help but only if the conference is attended by the founders of the companies. Representatives have no idea who I am or what I symbolise to their bosses.

"You're late again, Ivan," my best friend, Theo, called as I stepped into the big building.

I smirked. "Who's keeping records?"

"I am." He scoffed and fell in by my side as we walked to the hall together. "You need to start acting responsibly, Ivan. The government is starting to sniff around. If they catch wind of you messing up and that's game over."

I turned around to face him, my teeth grinding in irritation. Oh, how I hate those peeping Toms.

"Let them come to me and accuse me of anything. I'll make life unbearable to them."

Theo grinned and patted me on the back, although he was a foot shorter and I always made it known to him. Yet, he always acted like he was my older brother even though we were the same age.

"Anyways, we have a new representative from the Carsons group of companies. The rest are founders."

I nodded, face thoughtful. "And this representative, who is he?"

Theo kissed his teeth. "It's a she. A bit sexist, aren't you?"

"Ninety percent of my employees are women of substance and you think a single mistake means I hate them."

"Does supporting them also equals wrapping them under the sheets?" He pursed his lips, giving me a side eye that irked me but also cracked me up.

I shook my head. "You're unbelievable..."

Stepping into the conference, I was met with the hall already being full and attentive to someone speaking. They had already started before I arrived so it wasn't a surprise to see that each company was now talking about what they have achieved with the help of their sponsor.

I was bored to death with their speeches, already counting the seconds so I could stride out of here and go get a smoke.

An applause erupted at the mention of a new representative of the Carsons company and I was already preparing to leave the meeting halfway. That was until she climbed the podium and at once, my veins pumped with the enthusiasm of a puppy.

"Hi, everyone," she started with a nervous chuckle before introducing herself. "I'm Ash...Ashley Carson."

Ashley Carson.

Her features were put together and sharp, yet delicate. The way she carried herself, the fire in her icy blue eyes, it was captivating. Almost as if they were a pair of storm pits created to pull me in and drown me. Her dark hair was pinned into a tight bun, accentuating the elegant line of her neck. She was breathtaking. And I knew at that moment that I had to claim her.

No woman has ever said no to me and I was sure she wouldn't do that. Soon as I ask for her to be in my bed, she would jump on it like other women.

My body was excited at the thought of seeing her naked already that I didn't hesitate to approach her as soon as she got out of the restroom and made her way back to the hall.

"Hey!"

She whirled around and I took a step closer, my presence finally catching her attention. Her gaze met mine, and in an instant, it made my knees wobble in a way I didn't like.

"Can I help you?" She adjusted her glasses on her nose, her widened eyes capturing my heart in a tight cage.

I smirked. "I should be asking that question. You look a little lost, sweetheart. Need someone to guide you?"

Her lips parted in shock, and then, just as quickly, her expression hardened. "I don’t need anything from you, Mr…" She hesitated, clearly not knowing who I was.

I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping an octave. "Roman. Ivan Roman."

A shadow of deliberation crossed her face, but it was fleeting. Instead, she squared her shoulders, trying to mask her irritation. "Well, Mr. Roman, I suggest you find someone else to bother."

I chuckled, tilting my head as I let my gaze travel lazily down her form. "Feisty. I like that. But I have to say, you look much better without that stuffy suit. In a lingerie, on my bed, it would look nicer."

Her mouth fell open slightly before she snapped it shut, her eyes flashing with anger. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I said smoothly, enjoying the way she bristled. "I have an eye for beauty, and yours is… undeniable."

And then, just as I expected, her palm collided with my cheek. Hard.

A sharp gasp echoed around the hall, but I barely registered it. The sting of the slap was nothing compared to the satisfaction of seeing her flushed, furious face.

"You disgusting—!" she started, but I cut her off with a low chuckle.

"Now, that wasn’t very professional, was it, Miss Carson?" I murmured, rubbing my jaw lazily. "But I have to admit… I enjoyed that."

Her breathing was uneven, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She looked as if she was debating whether to slap me again or storm off.

She chose the latter, spinning on her heel and walking away without another word.

I watched her go, my smirk deepening.

She had no idea who I was. No idea that her little outburst had just sealed her fate.

Pulling out my phone, I sent a quick message to my private investigator.

Find everything on Ashley Carson. Every. Single. Detail.

Because one way or another, she would come to me.

And when she did, I would be waiting.