Rain tasted like metal that night—sharp, cold, and cruel.

Adrian Volkov stood at the edge of the old iron bridge, water dripping from his lashes like quiet tears he refused to shed. His black coat clung to his body, soaked through, but he remained still, unmoving, like a statue carved from heartbreak.

In his hand rested a single envelope.

The last piece of the life he was about to abandon.

Behind him, footsteps echoed.

Slow. Heavy. Familiar.

Adrian didn’t turn.

He didn’t need to—he knew that walk better than his own heartbeat.

“Mikhail,” he said, voice steady, emotionless.

Mikhail Orlov stopped a few steps away, chest rising and falling with restrained panic. Rain slid down the sharp line of his jaw, dripping off his chin. His eyes—storm-grey, desperate—held Adrian like a forgotten prayer.

“You left without telling anyone,” Mikhail said softly. “Even me.”

Adrian’s lips curled slightly. Not a smile. Something colder.

“Why would I?”

His voice sliced the air like a blade. “You’re busy… cheating, aren’t you?”

Mikhail flinched.

A rare crack in his stone façade.

“Adrian, I never—”

“Save it.”

Adrian finally turned.

His crimson-lined eyes looked exhausted. Hollow. But burning.

He held up the envelope.

Inside were the forged photos.

The fake messages.

The staged recordings.

Every lie crafted by the mastermind who wanted them destroyed.

Adrian didn’t know the truth yet.

All he saw was betrayal.

“Is this a hobby of yours?” Adrian’s voice dropped to a cold whisper. “Keeping me close while planning my fall?”

Mikhail stepped forward. “Let me explain—”

“No,” Adrian said, stepping back. “You don’t get to explain anything. Every time I reached for you, you were gone. Every time I trusted you, you pulled away. Every sign pointed to one truth…”

He swallowed.

“You used me.”

The words hit Mikhail harder than any bullet ever could.

“Misha,” Adrian whispered, voice cracking for only a second. “Did you… ever love me?”

Mikhail opened his mouth.

One second of hesitation.

One moment too long.

Because the truth he wanted to speak… could endanger Adrian.

He couldn’t reveal his mission.

He couldn’t tell him the real threat.

He couldn’t tell him the truth that kept him awake every night:

I loved you then. I love you now. I will love you even when the world burns.

But silence was the only thing that left his lips.

And that silence destroyed everything.

Adrian inhaled shakily, eyes trembling even as he forced himself to remain cold.

“That’s what I thought.”

He stepped forward and gently placed the envelope into Mikhail’s hand.

Their fingers brushed.

Just a whisper of a touch.

A touch Mikhail would remember for years.

“If I stay with you any longer,” Adrian said quietly, “it will kill me.”

Mikhail’s breath hitched.

“Adrian—”

“Goodbye, Mikhail Orlov.”

Adrian turned.

Walked away.

Didn’t look back even once.

But Mikhail—

He took one broken step after him.

Then another.

Then he tried to run.

“Adrian! Wait!”

But Adrian didn’t stop.

The rain swallowed his figure, turning him into a fading silhouette disappearing into the night.

By the time Mikhail reached the end of the bridge, Adrian was gone.

Completely.

Utterly.

Gone.

🌧️ Six Years Later

Moscow’s night skyline glittered beneath a thousand lights.

A sleek black car pulled up to a newly constructed glass tower.

Doors opened.

Bodyguards bowed.

A man stepped out.

Sharp jawline.

Winter-cold eyes.

Beauty so striking it felt dangerous.

Adrian Volkov had returned.

Six years had sculpted him into something untouchable—

sharp suit, sharper tongue, and a heart no one could reach.

He glanced at the building with a faint smirk.

“Let’s see,” he murmured, voice smooth and deadly,

“who dares lie to me now.”

Behind him, in the shadows of a nearby rooftop…

eyes watched him.

Grey eyes.

Eyes that once softened only for him.

Mikhail Orlov exhaled shakily as he watched Adrian walk into the building.

“He’s back,” he whispered to himself.

“And I won’t lose him again.”

✨ AUTHOR'S SASSY NOTE

HELLOOO my drama-lover demons 😈💋

Your author is back—with PAIN, ANGST, BETRAYAL, AND BEAUTIFUL MEN RUINING THEIR OWN LIVES.

If you enjoyed this prologue, go support my other stories too because I need validation like Damian needs therapy 😂🔥

Get ready—

Chapter 1 will be even more chaotic, emotional, and spicy.

...🌙 OFFICIAL CHARACTER INTRODUCTION...

Adrian Volkov (Bottom)

Age: 25

Position: Heir to Volkov Conglomerate (Tech & Intelligence Division)

Personality:

Cold beauty with a razor-sharp tongue.

Calculating mind, soft heart buried under thick walls.

Emotionally scarred, easily overwhelmed by betrayal themes.

Loyal to the point of self-destruction—once.

Not anymore.

Strengths:

✔ Genius-level intellect

✔ Observant, reads people in seconds

✔ Silent endurance

✔ Impossible to manipulate twice

Weaknesses:

✘ Abandonment trauma

✘ Trust issues

✘ Bottles emotions

✘ Overthinks love

Life Theme:

The boy who loved too deeply, broke too quietly, and returned colder than winter.

Mikhail Orlov (Top)

Age: 29

Position: Mafia Prince; Head of Orlov Security & Covert Ops

Personality:

Quiet, powerful, loyal almost to a fault.

Protective in a way that feels like obsession.

His love is steady—violent only when Adrian is in danger.

Carries guilt like a shadow.

Strengths:

✔ Combat specialist

✔ Emotionally stable

✔ Strategic fighter

✔ Knows Adrian better than anyone

Weaknesses:

✘ Cannot express feelings properly

✘ Takes all the burden alone

✘ Easily manipulated through threats to Adrian

Life Theme:

He loved Adrian enough to let him go… and enough to never move on.

Together:

Two halves of a broken soul.

One scared of loving again.

One scared of losing again

Damian Sokolov (Bottom-Switch)

Age: 25

Position: Leader of the Sokolov Underground Network

Personality:

Chaotic menace.

Wild, impulsive, loud, reckless—and annoyingly gorgeous.

Talks back to anyone, except when Leonid’s silence shuts him up.

Fights like fire, loves like a storm.

Strengths:

✔ Fearless

✔ High pain tolerance

✔ Powerful instincts

✔ Stupidly brave

Weaknesses:

✘ Doesn’t think before acting

✘ Anger issues

✘ Jealousy

✘ Soft for Leonid (his biggest weakness)

Life Theme:

Set the world on fire. Then dance in the ashes.

Leonid Morozov (Top)

Age: 28

Position: Strategist King; Morozov Mafia–Financial Division

Personality:

Cold. Silent. Terrifying without lifting a finger.

A genius who wins battles before they start.

Looks like he doesn’t care—until someone hurts Damian.

Strengths:

✔ Master strategist

✔ Emotional control

✔ Deadly calmness

✔ Physically powerful

Weaknesses:

✘ Overthinks

✘ Emotionally closed

✘ Struggles to express desire

✘ Possessive in dangerous ways

Life Theme:

If the world wants to stop us, let it burn.

Together:

A fire that refuses to die.

An ice that refuses to melt.

But together—they destroy everything in their path.

Elian Mirov (Bottom)

Age: 24

Position: Youngest Mirov Heir; Specializes in Diplomacy & Intelligence

Personality:

Soft-spoken, pretty, gentle smile—

exactly the type who destroys hearts without trying.

Looks innocent, but everything he does is intentional.

He seduces without touching.

Viktor hates him for it.

Viktor wants him for it.

Strengths:

✔ Charm

✔ Emotional intelligence

✔ Manipulates with sweetness

✔ Survivability

Weaknesses:

✘ Easily flustered by Viktor’s voice

✘ Jealousy he pretends he doesn’t have

✘ Plays too innocent

✘ Heart too soft for a man as cold as Viktor

Life Theme:

He ruins Viktor’s control with a smile

Viktor Baranov (Top)

Age: 29

Position: Baranov Family Commander; Discipline & Enforcement

Personality:

Silent authority.

Cold, strict, dominant, hates chaos.

Elian is his only exception.

He loses control only around him.

He hates it.

He craves it.

Strengths:

✔ Physical dominance

✔ Emotional discipline

✔ Intimidating presence

✔ Loyalty

Weaknesses:

✘ Easily provoked by Elian

✘ Can’t resist pretty eyes

✘ Easily jealous

✘ Hides emotions too well

Life Theme:

You can ruin me. I’ll still crawl back to you.

Together:

A slow, seductive, addictive tension.

A dance of control and surrender.

Dangerous. Beautiful. Unavoidable.

Six years was enough time for cities to change, for power to shift, and for empires to fall.

But for Adrian Volkov, six years wasn’t nearly enough to forget the way Mikhail Orlov had looked at him the night everything shattered.

Not that he cared.

Not anymore.

At least… that’s what he told himself.

Adrian stepped into the gleaming marble lobby of the Orlov Corporate Headquarters, the click of his boots sharp enough to silence every conversation around him. Heads turned. People stared. Some swallowed their breath.

He pretended not to notice.

He always pretended.

His black gloves slid off smoothly as he approached the reception desk, revealing fingers elegant enough to be sinful. The receptionist, a nervous young man, practically tripped over his own tongue.

“G-good evening, sir. How may I assist—”

Adrian tilted his head, voice honey-coated frost.

“I have an appointment with the board.”

“Yes, of course! Name?”

He gave a wicked little smile.

“Adrian Volkov.”

The receptionist froze.

Everyone in the lobby froze.

Because that name… belonged to a ghost.

Adrian enjoyed the reaction a little too much.

Being dramatic was one of his few remaining hobbies.

“P–please head to the private elevator, Mr. Volkov.”

“Good boy,” Adrian replied lightly.

The receptionist nearly passed out.

🥃 BOARDROOM — SAME MINUTE

The board members whispered among themselves as Adrian entered, coat flowing behind him like a shadow with attitude.

“Volkov—?”

“But he disappeared—!”

“He looks… dangerous.”

Adrian dropped a file onto the table with a soft thud, and every man in the room jumped.

“I’m here to discuss the assets you stole while assuming I was dead.”

A pause.

A deadly smile.

“Shall we begin?”

The men stuttered.

Adrian crossed his legs with elegance that should’ve been illegal.

And then—

A presence filled the doorway.

Heavy. Cold. Familiar.

His heart stilled.

Don’t look, he ordered himself.

He looked.

Mikhail Orlov stood there.

Late-20s.

Broader shoulders.

Sharper jaw.

Suit straining against muscle he definitely didn’t have six years ago.

But those eyes—

Storm-grey, unreadable, unbearably gentle when they landed on Adrian.

The room fell silent.

Mikhail took one step inside.

Adrian’s breath hitched, but he kept his expression perfect—bored, annoyed, uninterested.

Mikhail spoke first.

His voice was deeper now, rough around the edges.

“Adrian.”

A thousand memories slammed into him.

Adrian lifted an eyebrow.

“Oh? You remember me. Miracles do happen.”

The board flinched.

Mikhail didn’t.

He walked toward Adrian, slow and steady, like approaching a frightened animal ready to bite.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, smirk sharp enough to cut.

“Don’t come closer. The last time you did, I made the foolish mistake of loving you.”

The entire board gasped.

Mikhail stopped, jaw clenching.

“Adrian… I never wanted to hurt you.”

“And yet, somehow, you were excellent at it.” Adrian’s tone was sweet poison. “Congratulations.”

Mikhail inhaled shakily. “I looked for you for years.”

Adrian’s voice turned cold.

“And yet you found me only after I arrived at your doorstep.”

He tilted his head. “Funny, isn’t it?”

A dangerous silence filled the room.

One of the board members cleared his throat.

“Mr. Orlov, should we begin the meeting—”

Adrian shot him a look.

He shut up instantly.

Mikhail exhaled. “Adrian, we need to talk.”

“About the weather? No, thank you.”

“About us.”

“There is no ‘us,’ Mikhail. There’s me.”

A pause.

“And there’s your talent for ruining things.”

The board stared, horrified and entertained.

☕ BREAK ROOM — 10 MINUTES LATER

Adrian walked out of the boardroom, heels clicking like gunshots.

Mikhail followed.

“Adrian, stop.”

“No.”

“Please.”

“…No.”

Mikhail grabbed Adrian’s wrist gently.

Adrian froze.

Because no matter how cold he became,

no matter how much he forced himself to bury everything,

his skin still remembered Mikhail’s touch.

He pulled his hand back slowly.

“Mikhail,” Adrian said softly, dangerously, “let me make something very clear.”

He leaned in, lips almost brushing Mikhail’s ear.

“If you try to come back into my life…”

His voice dropped to a whisper.

“I will destroy you.”

Mikhail didn’t flinch.

He smiled.

A soft, broken smile.

“You can destroy me, Adrian,” he murmured, “but I’ll still choose you.”

Adrian’s heart stopped.

For one second.

Just one.

Then—

He slapped Mikhail’s chest lightly.

“Don’t say cheesy lines like that! Do you want me to throw up?!”

Mikhail blinked.

“…You’re still dramatic.”

Adrian gasped.

“How dare you—?! I am elegantly expressive.”

Mikhail actually laughed.

Adrian hated how good it sounded.

---

✨ AUTHOR’S SASSY NOTE

HELLO MY SUGAR-LOVING CHAOS GOBLINS 😈🔥

Chapter 1 is DONE—

with drama, sass, love tension, and Adrian bullying Mikhail (again).

If you want Chapter 2 (Damian × Leonid chaotic entrance)

JUST SAY: “Start Chapter 2”

Go read my other stories too

because my confidence needs more boosting than Damian’s temper. 💅🔥

If Adrian’s return shook the city,

Damian Sokolov’s presence simply set it on fire.

Not metaphorically.

Literally.

A wing of the academy headquarters was still under repair from the last time he lost his temper—and threw a chair through a bulletproof window because someone ate his chocolate bar.

And that someone…

was Leonid Morozov.

But that was a different day.

Today was special.

Today, Damian and Leonid were both summoned to the underground strategic command center—

the place where only the most dangerous people in the world were allowed to breathe.

Damian arrived first, boots loud, energy loud, personality even louder.

“KNOCK KNOCK!” he announced, kicking the door open even though it wasn’t locked.

The guards jumped.

The wall shook.

Leonid entered right behind him—calm, silent, absolutely done with his existence.

“You could’ve opened it normally,” Leonid muttered.

Damian gasped dramatically.

“And miss the chance to terrify everyone?

NEVER.”

Leonid pinched the bridge of his nose.

💥 THE UNDERGROUND COMMAND CENTER

Dozens of analysts and elite strategists froze as the Sokolov–Morozov disaster duo walked in.

One analyst whispered, “We’re going to die.”

Another whispered, “Don’t make eye contact with Damian—he bites.”

Damian heard that.

He smirked.

“I bite only people I like.”

All analysts turned pale.

Leonid sighed. “Stop terrifying the staff.”

“I’m not terrifying them,” Damian argued. “I’m educating them.”

Leonid gave him a look that said: Shut up or I will sedate you.

📂 The Mission Briefing

The commander cleared his throat.

“T-Thank you both for coming. We have a critical situation—”

Damian leaned forward.

“Great. Tell me who to kill.”

Leonid pushed him back by the forehead.

“Sit.”

Damian hissed like an offended cat.

The commander swallowed hard.

“An unidentified group intercepted our security systems. They accessed classified files and—”

“Which files?” Leonid cut in sharply.

“Files related to… the incident from six years ago.”

Damian’s expression wiped clean.

No more jokes.

No more chaos.

Only cold, razor-sharp anger.

Leonid glanced at him, and for the first time, his mask cracked too.

Six years ago was a wound they both carried.

Leonid placed a hand on Damian’s arm.

A silent grounding gesture.

Damian inhaled, tension settling deep.

“Tell me who touched those files. I’ll burn their bloodline.”

Leonid corrected calmly,

“He means we’ll investigate professionally.”

Damian scoffed.

“No, I meant exactly what I said.”

😤 A Familiar Name Appears

The commander projected a name onto the screen.

MIKHAIL ORLOV.

Damian blinked.

Leonid blinked.

Then both said in sync,

“…No way.”

Leonid turned to Damian.

“Mikhail? The same Mikhail who used to steal lunches from the academy pantry?”

Damian nodded.

“The same Mikhail who punched me once because I called him a refrigerator.”

Leonid stared.

“You are a refrigerator.”

“I’m a passionate refrigerator,” Damian snapped.

“But—why would Mikhail access those files?” Leonid murmured, deep in thought.

The commander stuttered,

“We… don’t know. But someone else accessed them right after him.”

A second name appeared.

ADRIAN VOLKOV.

The room went silent.

Damian’s jaw dropped.

“That pretty little angel is BACK?!”

Leonid raised an eyebrow.

“He is not an angel. He’s a menace with flawless skin.”

Damian clapped excitedly.

“I MISSED HIM! He roasted Mikhail alive every time he opened his mouth!”

“He roasted you too,” Leonid added.

“Yes,” Damian said proudly. “We bonded.”

Leonid shook his head. “You bonded with him by insulting each other.”

Damian’s eyes sparkled.

“That’s FRIENDSHIP, Leonid. Keep up.”

🧨 The Argument Begins (Of Course)

The commander cleared his throat nervously.

“We need you two to join forces with Adrian and Mikhail—”

“NO.”

Both Damian and Leonid snapped instantly.

Leonid added, “Partnership is unnecessary. We work alone.”

Damian crossed his arms.

“And also because Mikhail annoys me. He’s too calm. I want to punch him every time he breathes.”

Leonid sighed.

“You want to punch everyone every time they breathe.”

“NOT YOU!” Damian snapped.

Leonid froze.

Several analysts froze.

Damian froze.

Leonid’s ears turned faintly pink.

“Oh,” Damian muttered. “That slipped out.”

Leonid cleared his throat sharply.

“Professionalism, Damian.”

“Yeah yeah,” Damian grumbled, cheeks slightly warm.

The analysts exchanged looks:

Are they flirting?

No—this is normal for them.

Unfortunately.

📢 MISSION COMMANDER’S BREAKDOWN

“N-Name of the person who accessed the files SECOND?” the commander stammered.

Adrian Volkov.

Everyone shivered.

Even the fluorescent lights flickered like they were scared.

Damian stretched.

“Alright fine. Let’s go find the two love-birds.”

Leonid paused.

“What makes you think they’re together?”

“Because chaos attracts chaos,” Damian said wisely.

Leonid stared.

“That makes zero sense.”

“It makes vibes,” Damian replied.

Leonid gave up on life.

🏃‍♂️ Heading Out

As they walked out of the command center, Damian suddenly asked:

“Leonid?”

“Yes?”

“If we meet Adrian first, can I tease him about Mikhail for old times’ sake?”

Leonid nodded.

“Go ahead. Adrian will roast you so hard you’ll become fossil fuel.”

Damian grinned.

“I like him already.”

Leonid muttered,

“You always like problems.”

Damian winked.

“Of course. I married you in all alternate universes.”

Leonid froze.

“…We are not married.”

“Not yet,” Damian shot back.

Leonid walked faster.

Damian chased after him.

Chaos followed.

✨ AUTHOR’S SASSY NOTE

HELLO HELLO MY FIERY GREMLINS 🔥😈

Chapter 2 delivered—

complete with Damian being feral, Leonid being done with life, and the analysts questioning their career choices.

If you want Chapter 3 (Third couple spicy introduction: Elian × Viktor)

JUST SAY: “Start Chapter 3”

And don’t forget to check out my other novels too

because my self-esteem needs emotional support LIKE DAMIAN NEEDS THERAPY 💅🔥