Page 90 of Never Distract a Biker

“This is it,” Viktor says, his deep voice cutting through the cacophony around us. His tone holds a rare blend of pride and purpose that instantly catches my attention.

I glance around, taking in the scale of the project. It’s massive. Steel beams reach toward the sky like arms, and glass panelsglint in the sunlight, hinting at the grandeur this place will hold once it’s finished.

Viktor’s confidence is infectious. “You’re building this entire thing?” I ask, my voice tinged with awe.

His face turns serious. “The Bratva will know no limits under my reign.” His words resonate with the weight of someone committed to pushing every boundary until they no longer exist.

As we weave through the site, he greets the workers with nods, his presence commanding yet approachable. I notice how they look at him—with respect, almost reverence. And yet, when he glances my way, there’s a softness in his gaze reserved solely for me.

We enter what will one day be the hotel lobby, and Viktor slows his pace, gesturing around us. “This will be the reception area,” he says, pointing to where polished marble floors and chandeliers will likely take center stage. “Over there, a grand staircase. And here ...” He motions to a corner that’s nothing but open framework, “a bar overlooking the garden.”

I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “It sounds like something out of a movie.”

He grins, pleased by my reaction. “That’s the point. I want people to walk in and feel like they’ve stepped into a dream. Every detail matters.”

As he speaks, I’m struck by how much he invests in his vision—not just financially but emotionally too. It’s as though every steel beam and every glass pane are a piece of himself.

The ride up is smoother than I expect for a building still under construction. Viktor presses the button for the top floor, his expression unreadable. The hum of the elevator fills the space, and I find myself stealing glances at him.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” he asks without turning his head.

I snap my gaze forward, caught. “I was just ... thinking.”

“About?”

“How someone like you ends up building luxury hotels. I thought you only destroyed things,” I tease lightly.

His smirk is wolfish. “Sometimes you have to build something worth destroying.”

The words are cryptic, but his tone is playful enough to ease my nerves.

The doors slide open, and Viktor gestures for me to step out first. My breath catches the moment I do.

The view is nothing short of spectacular. The city stretches out in all directions, glittering under the fading light of day.Skyscrapers stand like sentinels, their reflections shimmering in the water below, while the horizon glows with hues of orange and pink.

“Wow,” I whisper, stepping closer to the edge where the railing offers a safe boundary between us and the dizzying drop below.

Viktor steps beside me, his presence grounding me. “You like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” I admit, turning to face him.

The silence between us is heavy but not uncomfortable. When I glance at Viktor, I notice his jaw tightening slightly, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

“Why are we here?” I finally ask, breaking the spell.

He exhales deeply, his broad shoulders rising and falling. “Because this is where I see my future.”

There’s something in his voice—an unspoken truth that sends a flutter of anticipation through me.

Viktor turns to face me fully, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. “Scarlett,” he begins, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. “I’ve spent my life building things, controlling things. But with you ...” He pauses, searching for the right words. “With you, I don’t want control. I just want us.”

His words hit me like a gentle wave, both soothing and overwhelming. My heart races as I realize where this might be heading.

Viktor reaches into his pocket, and my breath hitches. When he pulls out a small velvet box, I can hardly believe my eyes.

Inside is the most stunning ring I’ve ever seen—a marquise cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, each one catching the fading sunlight like tiny stars.

“Scarlett,” he says, dropping to one knee. His eyes meet mine, steady and sincere. “Marry me.”

---