22
Lucia
I’d nearly dozed off when the door opens once again. Expecting Damien, I sit up at once, the blanket falling off me.
“Nice tits, hon,” Lilja says with a smirk.
Grabbing the blanket, I pull it up to my neck.
My gaze roves all over her. She’s dressed in a snug, long-sleeved black top and fitted black jeans. Her lithe physique and attire make her look like a real-life ninja.
Her long, pink-streaked hair is pulled into a high ponytail. A few strands stay stuck to her sweaty forehead and cheeks. These are the only signs she’d been fighting the men sent to hurt her and her brothers.
“Were you expecting Damien?” she asks, coming to stand before me.
I get a closer look at her. She doesn’t seem hurt anywhere. The black clothing conceals any cuts she might’ve sustained during the fight. She can almost pass off as a young woman who’s been working out at the gym but her blood-stained palms and nails give her away.
“Where is Damien?” I mutter while my gaze searches all over the room for something to wear. The shirt Damien gave me earlier is lying on the floor by the door but I doubt it’ll be of much use. He’d torn off all the buttons.
“He’s with Mikhail,” she says with a shrug. “They’re busy cleaning up the mess.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looks at me closely. “Are you okay?” she asks in a more subdued tone.
“I’m all right, I guess.”
“Right,” she scoffs. “You look like hell, lady.” A frown comes over her. “I know they deserve to treat you this way but fuck it. I can’t stand around and watch them maul you until they’ve shattered you.”
Her words surprise me. “Will you help me, then?” I ask.
A sharp look comes into her dark brown eyes. “Help? Sure. Let’s go.”
“What? Now?”
She rolls her eyes. “Do you want to sit here all naked until Mikhail and Leon come looking for you? Will you blame them if they take what you’re offering them so temptingly? Let’s go to my room so I can put some fucking clothes on you.”
“Oh.”
She pokes a finger at the center of my forehead. “Don’t even think of escaping. That bastard brother of yours will capture you the moment you step out of our circle.”
“I know,” I say, bitterness coating my tongue. It sucks looking for help from the same people who’re intent on hurting me.
“Come on. Let’s go.” Getting to her feet, she herds me out of the room.
Securing a blanket around me, I step into the corridor outside. My bare feet step on warm, slippery blood that coats the white marble floor. Corpses lie scattered along the length of the entire hallway.
Lilja easily steps around them with the same air as avoiding dog poo in a park.
I, on the other hand, can’t help but count the bodies around me. Several men gaze lifelessly at me, their corpses lying still. Damien didn’t spare a single man. The memory of him and the two long, slim blades in his hands rises in my mind. His every move was made with the intent to kill.
More than a dozen men lie dead at my feet. I’m sure there are plenty more scattered in other parts of the manor.
It is surreal to imagine I’m the reason behind this carnage. Callum sent these men to get me. Guilt and bitterness wash over me, erasing the warm feelings Damien left me with.
“Lucia! Hey!” Lilja’s loud voice breaks through the haze in my mind. She’s already at the end of the hallway. “They’re all dead. There’s nothing you can do for them. Just hurry over here.”
I want to avert my gaze from the corpses but it’s impossible to do so without stepping on them. An icy chill spreads through me as I keep walking through the puddles of blood.
“Remind me to get a count here,” Lilja says, guiding me down a staircase. “I want to see if I surpassed Damien’s numbers.”
“You mean the number of people he killed?”
“Don’t let it bother you,” she says, navigating through the second-floor landing. “He’s not the bad guy here. Your brother’s the one who attacked our home. Damien would be dead if he didn’t kill them first.”
The memory of the man who shot at us earlier rises to the surface of my mind. If Damien didn’t take him down, he’d be the one dead and I’d be drowning in greater guilt and grief.
Lilja can’t imagine the guilt I suffered after Callum erased Damien’s existence from my life. The sight of the dead men and all this blood is disturbing but I’m glad Damien and his brothers survived this attack.
More corpses litter the second floor. I look toward Lilja’s back, wondering if she’s responsible for them all.
The Volkov family is truly astounding. I still can’t believe I’ve found my way into a den of such lethal assassins.
“Get over here,” Lilja calls out, gesturing at me wildly.
The corpses surrounding us don’t bother her one bit. I hurry over to her, struggling to stop my mind from overthinking.
“Here,” says Lilja, throwing open a pair of tall, wooden doors and shoving me forward. “This is my room.”
Calling the place “room” is an understatement. It looks more like a lavish suite from a palace.
Stepping further inside, I note the bedroom nook that houses a massive four-poster bed with soft lavender silk sheets and a mound of matching throw pillows.
There are comfortable couches and an elegant chaise lounge in the sitting area. All the curtains and furniture are a shade of lavender or lilac.
Lilja leads me toward a pair of mahogany doors and opens them, revealing a massive wardrobe.
“Choose what you like,” she says. “We’re about the same height, so that wouldn’t be a problem.” Moving closer, she pokes at my belly. “You’re all curves and fluff,” she comments with a chuckle. “Try some of my baggy sweaters and sweatshirts. They should fit you fine.”
My cheeks warm with embarrassment. My body is on the slimmer side but it does look like “fluff” when compared to her uber-fit and toned physique.
Turning my attention to the racks, I find that almost all the clothing Lilja owns is black. I step further in, brushing my hand against some luxurious shawls and elegant satin gowns.
Even Lilja’s sense of fashion is as unique as she is.
Callum forbade me from ever wearing black. Black is only fit to be worn at a funeral , he’d say. He preferred I wore boring pastels in shades of pink and blue.
“I can choose anything?” I mutter to myself.
“Maybe stay away from the leathers,” Lilja says with a thoughtful expression. “Those took me years to collect.”
I chuckle. She could keep her leather stuff to herself.
In the end, I decide to choose her recommended sweatshirts and baggy trousers. The fabrics are amazingly comfortable and warm.
A smile lifts the corner of my lips. I’m finally able to put on some clothes that don’t feel suffocating. It’s almost a comfort that Damien and his brothers sliced up the atrocious wedding gown Calum had forced me into.
“Do you mind if I took a shower?” I ask.
A sly grin lifts the corner of her lips. “I did notice you waddling. Never pegged Damien to have such nasty habits as making a mess inside his woman.”
My cheeks burn hot. I’m so embarrassed I can’t look at her straight.
“Damn, you’re cute,” she says, throwing an arm over my shoulder.
Leading me out of the closet, she walks across the vast suite and opens another door. “Have a quick shower because I need one too. It’s disgusting to have those scums’ blood on me.”
“I’ll be quick,” I promise and walk inside the luxurious bathroom. Closing the door behind me, I exhale a long breath.
I’m safe , the thought ricochets around my mind, relaxing me completely. Callum failed to hurt Damien and his siblings. He even failed to get me back under his control.
A smile comes onto my lips. I’m still free of my brother.
Breathing more easily, I look around. Even though the amenities in the bathroom are modern, there’s an underlying touch of a bygone era in every corner.
A large bathtub takes up most of the space. There are paintings of water lilies and mermaids hanging on the walls. Just a look at them tells me they’re ancient and priceless. No modern artist painted such masterpieces these days.
Placing my borrowed clothes on a rack, I hunt for fresh towels.
All the bath products are packed inside mahogany cabinets that line one of the walls. I open a few to locate the towels and come across one that contains a myriad of short daggers and thread-like long needles.
I reach out and pick up a knife. The handle is made of carved ivory. I rotate it in my hand, watching the polished blade reflect beams of light on my face. My finger presses onto the tip lightly. A little more pressure and it’ll pierce through my skin.
I place the knife back. It’ll be useless even if I snuck it out with me. I was never taught to fight.
After rummaging in a few more cabinets, I come across the towels. Grabbing one, I head toward the glass-walled shower stall in the corner.
My bare feet leave crimson stains on the marble tiles. I let the bedsheet covering me fall away and enter the shower stall.
Steamy, hot water pours from the wide faucet, soaking into my sore, exhausted body. I clean between my thighs, reminiscing the explosive moment when Damien came inside me earlier. He’d left me aching with the sweetest, most addictive need.
It’s dangerous to have him come inside me without any protection. Even though my heat is over, I could still get pregnant without being on suppressors and blockers. I don’t know how long I’ll be stuck here, so I have to make sure to get my regular meds.
Warm water runs through the wet tendrils of my hair, soaking into my eyes.
Maybe Lilja can help me , I realize. Even though she’s an alpha and has no such needs, she’s been the only Volkov who’s shown me a shred of kindness here.
Stepping out of the shower, I dry myself and put on the clothes Lilja loaned me. They fit me well and I revel in wearing something that doesn’t make me feel so naked and vulnerable.
“What took you so long?” Lilja asks as soon as I step out of the bathroom. Her gaze roves all over my face before sliding down my body. “You look better though.”
“I feel better.”
“You need shoes,” she comments, noticing my bare feet. “Let me get you a pair of mine and see if they fit.”
“Wait up!” I call after her as she’s about to head into the closet.
“What is it?” she asks curiously.
I move closer to her and almost lean into her. “Can you get me some pills?” I whisper.
“What pills?”
“I need to get back on my regular meds,” I explain. “I can’t risk going into another heat after a few months or worse, end up being pregnant.”
She chuckles and stares me in the face as I blush hard. “You’re one damsel in utter distress, huh?” An amused grin curves her lips. “You should’ve agreed to let me have you even if you’re straight. I could’ve protected you from my brothers easily.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” a grim voice sounds from the corner.
Whirling around, I face Mikhail.
Seated on a nearby couch, he’d been so quiet and still, I hadn’t even noticed his presence. The black wifebeater he wears reveals his blood-stained arms. Flecks of crimson cover his flawless, handsome face. He must’ve been fighting and killing the men Callum sent to bring me back.
I glance toward Lilja. A deep frown comes over her pretty face. “Get out of my room,” she shouts childishly. “Lucia’s fine . I told you she was. Now, get the fuck out.”
His steel-gray eyes dance with mischief as he gazes at Lilja. Soft chuckles escape him. “Just wait until I tell Damien and Leon what you’ve been up to.”
Lilja’s cheeks turn red and her dark eyes flash dangerously.
“She’s trying to fool you, Lucia,” he says with a chuckle. His steely eyes fall on me, fixing me on the spot. “Our sister’s not into women.”
My gaze turns toward Lilja who’s fuming.
“She can’t stand being out of the action,” Mikhail says with a snort. “She’s one needy baby.”
“I’m going to murder you!” Lilja screams, making me jump. With a sudden move, she leaps across the room and launches herself at Mikhail, attacking him with her fists.
Mikhail laughs even as she hits him in the jaw, stomach, and arms. Those power-packed punches have got to hurt but he’s shaking with laughter and doing his best to get her off him. Not once does he hit her back.
“Geroff!” he shouts, finally throwing her off him and sprinting toward the door.
She runs after him but he’s quicker and shuts the door in her face before she can pursue him further.
“I hate him!” she shouts, stomping her foot on the ground.
It’s a struggle to smother my chuckles. These guys are lethal assassins but when it comes to family, they’re like a pair of brother and sister who breathe to annoy each other.
“Let it go,” I say. “We can still be friends, you know?”
Lilja’s glare is still strong when she glances at me. Gradually, the anger in her eyes clears up and she fixes me with a grim gaze. “Will you tell me what my brothers are planning, then? I want every detail of their plan.”
“I think you know more than what I know,” I say. “At first, I didn’t even understand why they were tormenting me. It took me a while to even recognize them.” Sinking onto a couch, I lean against the backrest. “The past few days have been tough but I’m starting to understand them.”
“Do you still want to run away?”
“I’m not running away to go back to Callum,” I confess in a grim tone. “Our relationship isn’t the same as your connection with your brothers. Callum controls me by keeping my dad hostage. He punishes me by hurting the innocent maids and valets who work for us. I’m easy for him to manipulate because I can’t stand someone getting hurt because of me.”
“They want to destroy Callum utterly,” Lilja says with a grim look in her eyes. “They won’t give him the luxury of death even if he begs them for it. That’s the kind of revenge they’re going for.”
“Would it be selfish to say I want that too?” I ask in a bitter tone.
Moving closer to me, she clutches my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“What?! Where?”
“I need a drink,” she says. “Showering can wait.”
“Are we going out?”
She knocks on my forehead lightly. “I told you not to think about escaping this place. We’re going into the kitchen.” Moving away, she chucks a pair of slippers at me. “Use these for now.”
“Thanks,” I say gratefully. I’d been dreading walking barefeet out in the corridor again. Slipping on the slippers, I hurry after Lilja.
Unlike earlier, several men in black combat attires have appeared in the corridor outside. They’re all busy dragging the corpses and carrying them away. Another group mops up the blood and filth covering the floor.
“This way,” Lilja calls, guiding me away.
Reaching the ground floor, she navigates through a network of hallways, leading me to a different part of the manor. This remote corner remains untouched by the recent invasion.
Lilja slips through a pair of open doors at the end of the hallway. I walk in after her and find myself in a vast kitchen space. The place is so big, it even boasts a long, rectangular dining table in the corner with twelve chairs.
Modern amenities like a giant steel-door refrigerator and cooking hobs dot the old-fashioned kitchen. Flower-patterned curtains hang at the windows. Fire burns in a crate set against a nearby wall.
I move toward it, eager to warm my freezing hands while Lilja sinks into a chair at the dining table.
“You okay?” says a strange female voice.
An aged woman, probably in her early seventies, moves toward Lilja. Her hair is completely silver. A sunflower-patterned apron covers her pink dress.
“Hey, Dora,” Lilja says in a low, tired voice. “Can you get us something to drink?”
“Who’s this?” Dora asks instead, gazing at me.
“This is Lucia. She’s my guest and my brother’s captive. Whatever you do, do not let her out.”
I frown at Lilja.
“Stop pouting and get over here,” Lilja says, slapping the table.
“Is everything okay upstairs?” Dora asks as she bustles around the kitchen.
“They’re cleaning up now,” says Lilja. “There were nearly two hundred that attacked us tonight. We were completely unprepared, you know? Leon called to warn us just a minute before the attack began. Our dads are gonna be impressed when they hear what we accomplished tonight.”
Dads? Did she just say ‘dads’?
“You want some coffee, deary?” Dora asks her sweetly.
“Fuck you,” Lilja snaps. “Get me some Jack. And maybe something to eat too.”
The old lady doesn’t even react to the cursing. Instead, she continues rummaging in the fridge.
I take a seat beside Lilja, wary of her volatile mood.
Damien fed me earlier today but I’m ravenously hungry again. The battle left me feeling drained and exhausted. Not to mention the way we fucked back in my room...
Squeezing my eyes, I force myself to forget the memory.
The smell of toasting bread and frying bacon wafts into my nostrils.
My stomach groans, making me glance toward Lilja. She’s become quiet and is sitting with her shoulders hunched, her gaze lowered to the table.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She turns her head to gaze at me. “I’m not sure,” she says. “I’m not even sure I should get close to you.”
“Why not?”
“Damien won’t allow me to become a part of this,” she says with a brooding look on her pretty face. “I know their revenge on Callum Baldwin’s a personal one. They don’t want me getting caught in the mess. Damien could be planning to send me away as we speak.”
“You’re the strongest girl I’ve ever met,” I say in a serious tone. “You can fight just as well as your brothers. You proved yourself tonight.”
“You might be the only one that thinks so.” She gives me a small smile.
Dora comes to the table and sets down a bottle of Jack Daniels. Next, she places glass tumblers and a plate of bacon sandwiches before us. Pulling onto a chair beside Lilja’s, she sits down too.
Without a word, the two women pour themselves their drinks. Lilja pushes a glass at me.
Taking it, I take a tiny sip while Dora and Lilja take larger swigs.
The whiskey is sweet with a smokey, honeyed flavor to it. Every sip slides down my throat smoothly. Warmth flares deep in my belly, making me relax and be wary at the same time.
I slow down my sips. It’s almost embarrassing to think this is my first taste of whiskey. Callum never allowed me to drink beyond a little wine at the dinner table.
Being with Lilja has opened my eyes to more ways Callum oppressed me all these years. He’s been controlling every aspect of my life.
I glance over at the two women who’re munching bacon sandwiches at one in the morning. Callum made sure I stuck to a routine when it came to my meals.
Reaching over, I grab a sandwich and take a large bite. Next, I take a big swig of the whiskey. The liquor burns my throat but I don’t care. It feels good to do as I want.
The taste of freedom is sweeter and warmer than anything else I’ve experienced. I grab a second sandwich and let the whiskey relax me even more.
“How many guards do you have here?” I ask as the thought suddenly sparks in my mind.
“About fifty, I guess,” Lilja says.
“How did you manage to kill two hundred men with that number?” I ask in wonder.
She slaps her tumbler on the table and chuckles. “Won’t you like to know that?”
“I’m seriously curious,” I say, giggling hard. Shit, I’m drunk , I realize.
“This manor was built by my ancestors,” Lilja says with a gleam in her dark eyes. “It’s hard to breach the walls but nearly impossible to escape them once you manage to get inside.”
“Why?”
“Only a Volkov knows the secrets of this manor,” Lilja explains. “There are traps and mazes in every corner. We simply need to lure them into an ambush and finish them all at once. Two hundred. Four hundred. A fucking thousand. We can take them all down.”
“Wow,” I breathe.
“When you kill for a profession, you get a lot of backlash and rage,” she explains in a slurred voice. “We have to make sure our home keeps all avenging parties at bay. It’s nothing personal unless they decide to make it so.”
“Who is she again?” Dora asks, gesturing toward me. Her cheeks have turned flaming red from the booze. “The dumb, little lamb has no idea where she is.”
“Lucia’s an outsider,” says Lilja. “She has absolutely no idea about who we are and what we do.”
“That explains the silly questions.”
“Callum Baldwin is going to learn his first lesson in dealing with a Volkov tonight,” Lilja says in a low, grave tone. “The people who took the risk to help him will die soon.”
“How?”
“Leave it to my brothers. No one attacks our home and gets to boast about it.”
“Won’t that create more problems in the future?”
Lilja shrugs and places her head on the table. “We all need some entertainment in our lives.”
My drunkenness helps me brace the lethality of the Volkov Pack. There’s so much more I want to know about them but my mouth opens wide in a yawn.
Scooting closer to Lilja, I drop my head on her shoulder. Her warmth is comforting, lulling me into a drunken doze immediately.