Beast came highly recommended and I can see why. I love this story! You've taken a standard premise and developed some really complex characters for it. There are no truly good or bad people, just flawed individuals making the best of a given situation. Yes, some have more power than others, but even those people have redeeming qualities. I can't wait to see how this all shakes out when Sunshine realizes what Nikolai has been doing to keep her with him.

And poor Sergei! I hope he finds someone that he can truly love and will love him back the way he deserves. At the moment he's just infatuated with Sunshine; I hope he realizes that before Nikolai hurts him.

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob...when are you going to learn? I guess it wasn't enough to lose your children. What will hitting rock bottom look like for you? When you're nearly at death's door? Stop chasing that pipe dream and face reality! The only way you're going to change your situation is to truly get the help you need. That means adhering to the program, not just attending for the sake of attendence!

Great story, keep bring us these fantastic update. Happy New Year!

How are we supposed to dislike Nikolai when you keep making him so dang caring? I'm so rooting for Sunshiine to want to marry him.

I so love this couple and they have so many obstacles in their path...his profession

Her finding out that he has been keeping her father's habits going but he is goind a bang up job of that himself the father that is.

Sergei being in love with her.

Tell me "no" was Darla trying to get a little heart about herself was she not angry @ Mr. Coffee for his continued gambling habit.

Jacob is truly a big disappointment and he seriously doesn't understand what he has done to his children...then his simple ass does not understand why his children turned their backs on him "NO" idiot it was not only over a simple crap game but a game that you should not been dealing with for one and 2 it was illegal and you got sent to jail for it.

Then on top of that you dumbass is going to trust "PEANUT" again after he scammed you and took your money and partly the reason you are in the situation you are currently in damn does it not getting any plainer the that.

Great update!
Great story!

Thank you!

Loved it as usual. Keep it coming because I can't wait.

Ultimate love for this story!  Mr. Coffee -- stay away from Bed Sty, I'm not getting good vibes from that.  Peanut doesn't seem to be the most trustworthy/reliable person.  Trying to get them back probably would have worked the first year .... 3 years down the line -- the relationship will NEVER be the same and seems past the repairable stage.  I wish he would give up on that pipe dream, but he's an addict.  Nikki needs to start trusting in his and Sunshines feelings for each other and stop feeling the need to manipulate every situation.  Sunny is a hard one to read, especially with her bamboo analogy ...... I'm pretty sure her feelings for him are genuine, but she could just be bending but not breaking.  It's just their cozy times seem so real and it would have to be a really good actress to have that level of affection still after 3 yrs.  What's up with Sergei?

...and there is Jacob thinking about getting into another scheme with the very man who is responsible for the messed up situation that he and his family are in. The man will never learn. Jacob is his own downfall... I just hope this time Nikolai has nothing to do with this and just leave well alone.

 Thanks for this update. It confirmed some things for me - Niko changed his name and ran Darla out of town and he was indeed responsible for that raid. The spirit of Sunshine is truly amazing and no matter what the outcome of her time with Niko she cares for him. He has her captured in a deadly situation which he continues to manipulate and yet she remains tender and caring inspite of her deadly circumstances. I am not convinced that she is unaware of Nikolai's manipulations. Time will tell if she is. Three out of her five years are up and soon things must come to a head.

Onimosity you did leave a cliffhanger of a different kind... two weeks without this great story... Enjoy your vacay...

Thank you for the explanation of how Sunshine cut communication with her father. Nikolai used Darla to his advantage, I liked that.

Look forward to the next chapter.

Loved the update. Jacob has a serious addiction and I hope he doesn't be a fool and listen to Peanut again. Is Darla falling for Jacob?????

Nikki, Nikki, Nikki *shakes head sadly*

He will never learn. Almost like Jacob seems not to learn from his mistakes. Jacob is about to trust the same fool that got him into this mess in the first place. What an idiot? I see no redeeming value to this guy. He is knee deep in addiction. Not sure what it would take to turn him around.

Nikki better pay attention. Sunny cut her father loose. If Nikki's not careful, she'll do the same to him when she finds out all the crap he's pulled behind her back. I get the feeling that Sunny is very forgiving, but if you cross that line, whatever that line is for her, she will sever all ties.  And there willbe nothing that Nikki can do about it.

I think Sunny will turn out to be a surprise to Nikki. She's already one in that I doubt, when he first glimpsed her, he ever thought she would affect him the way that she has. He's in for more surprises.

I'm loving this story more and more.

Just can't wait for the next update.

Jacob makes my teeth tired...when is he ever going to accept responsiblity for his own actions and his family's predicament...it is only because Jasmine raised such a kind-hearted daughter like Sunny that his pathetic butt is still alive...because if there was no Sunshine...then Nikolai would have most assuredly have iced that fool a long time ago...and it's only because of his feelings for Sunny and not wanting to hurt her by killing her father that Nikolai lets the dummy breathe...and trusting somebody named Peanut to help you get the 'big score'...well, he's not too bright either...didn't that fool con him out of money at the beginning of this story...he's sick...sick...sick...and I have no more sympathy for him...he's not trying to 'save' Sunny...he gambles because he's an inherently weak soul and has a sickness that he cannot control and therefore cannot stop...he continues to play into Nikolai's hands and digs himself into a deeper hole...and not only has he already lost his son...but his sweet, loving daughter has become disillusioned with him...yet...he cannot stop gambling...

I think Nikolai harbors a lot of bitterness in his soul towards his parents...they turned their backs on him when he needed them the most...I do believe this in part contributes to the darkness within him...loved that Sunny tried to convince him to make amends with them...but I already knew that he wouldn't...seems Nik is the type of person that harbors grudges for life...cross him and he never forgets or forgives...very scary when you think about it...I like how you never let us forget that Nikolai is this dark, deeply flawed character (leaving the seed money to encourage Jacob to continue gambling after his stint in rehab...arranging the raid so that Sunny could witness that her father still hasn't stop gambling)...yes, very dark indeed...yet you allow us to a glimpse of another part of his character that is gentle and loving albeit extremely jealous and possessive when he is with Sunny...

So Darla has been dismissed...but she's still keeping in contact with Jacob...she's not as street smart as she thinks she is...and if she really values her life...she'll mind her own business in Podunk...and stay the heck out of Nikolai's...

Great update as always...looking forward to more...

Jacob's hopeless!

Thanks for updating...the big game coming up..will he get to clear his debt?  Enjoy your time off.