26
Lucia
The vast underground garage is lined with an impressive collection of motorcycles. Even though my knowledge of them is nil, a glimpse of the powerful engines and cylinders is enough to tell me they’re high-caliber machines.
Rows of cars crowd the area but my gaze is firmly attracted to the bikes.
Mikhail rummages inside a tall vat that oddly looks like a suburban garbage bin. I should be terrified of him after the way he treated me a few days ago but something feels different now.
Knowing the truth behind his identity has changed everything. While I’m still wary about his penchant for vengeance, I can’t help my attraction. Just like Damien and Leon, I want to know him better.
Mikhail straightens after a while and comes toward me.
“Try this on,” he says, handing me a pair of jeans.
Large maroon splatters stain the crumpled trousers. “Is this blood?” I ask with a hint of hesitation.
“Might be,” he says, scratching the back of his head. “This is the smallest one I could find in there. It’s only for a short time until we find something better on the road.”
“Whose clothes do you keep in there?” I ask curiously.
“Stuff that people leave behind.” He says with a shrug and walks away, leaving me with more questions.
While he gathers helmets and gloves from a nearby cabinet, I pull on the jeans.
The fabric is coarse and itchy against my skin. Wearing them without panties worries me about contracting infections but I fasten the button and pull up the zipper. This is my first opportunity to step out of the manor and I’m not going to waste it.
Coming closer, Mikhail places a helmet on my head and secures it. “Let’s go.”
My excitement wanes as I suddenly realize we aren’t going to be taking a car. Feeling apprehensive, I follow Mikhail until he chooses a yellow-bodied motorcycle.
“You’re going to be cold,” he says, sweeping his gaze over me.
“I’ll be fi—”
Shirking off the leather jacket he’s wearing, he hands it to me. “Roll up the sleeves and it should be fine.”
“What about you?” I ask, inhaling the scent of leather and fresh citrus.
“I’ll sneak out Leo’s jacket,” he says with a mischievous wink.
The gesture makes my heart pound heavily. My cheeks warm and for the first time, I feel like I’ve been transported to the past.
The fluttery feeling in my belly reminds me of a time when we’d all been happy. Mikhail and his brothers always made me feel good for no reason. Just being around them had me blushing and blurting funny, embarrassing things.
A sharp, whistling tune jolts me out of my memories. Mikhail is back and securing the zipper on a tan leather jacket.
“Ready?” he asks, lowering the visor on his helmet.
“Uhh—”
He grins, his silvery eyes shining with humor.
“I’ve never been on a bike before,” I mutter.
“It’s no big deal,” he says, gracefully mounting the bike. “Hop up and hold onto me tightly.”
I mimic the way he climbs the bike but end up realizing my legs aren’t long enough to mount it in one graceful swipe. Mikhail holds the bike steady as I clumsily sit behind him. My fingers tightly grip his broad shoulders.
“Hold me like this,” he says, breaking my hold on his shoulders. He brings my arms around his waist and makes me clasp my hands. “Hold tight.”
A gasp escapes me as the bike shoots forward. The bike hums underneath me as Mikhail maneuvers through the rows of cars and bikes. A shutter in the distance automatically rolls up, bringing in gusts of cold breezes inside the garage.
Mikhail speeds up, shooting through the gap in the door.
My arms tighten around him as cold air whips past me. The helmet and jacket protect me against the chill as we move through the barren empty grounds.
The main gates are quite far from the manor. Thick woods and rising hills surround the property, concealing the Volkov Pack’s lair from the world.
Gazing ahead, I catch the first glimpse of the gates. They’re tall, thickly enforced slabs of steel. The walls on both sides are several feet tall, making it impossible to climb over.
Armed guards patrol the area. Escaping this part of the estate would be impossible even under the cover of night. Bribing these men would be the only way to enter the Volkov estate without their master’s invitation.
I think of the three men in the underground cellars who took Callum’s money and allowed his mercenaries to enter these grounds.
Despite his cruel ways, Leon’s rage is justified. This is their home and these men are responsible for protecting it. Breaching their trust in exchange for money counts as betrayal.
The bike speeds through the gates, bringing us out onto a narrow dirt road that spirals through the woods. My hold on Mikhail tightens as the bike bumps over the uneven path.
Soon, the trees surrounding us grow sparse, giving me a glimpse of an empty road in the distance. The bike speeds up, almost flying through the deserted highway.
The trapped, heavy feeling in my chest lightens. My dark locks stream behind me, giving me a taste of unbridled freedom. I feel the powerful engine’s vibrations under my thighs while my body molds against Mikhail’s back.
A big smile blossoms on my lips. I’ve never felt such excitement since the day the Volkov brothers kissed me.
Barren fields and green hills flash past us. The scenery looks similar to the ones on the way to New York City from Ashville.
We ride for over an hour without any stops.
When I feel him slowing down, I look ahead and see a vast gathering of people and colorful tents in the distance. Mikhail drives off the road and takes me to what appears to be a small fair.
A long line of motorcycles stands along the road. Mikhail brings his bike there and comes to a halt.
“We’re getting down here,” he says in a deep, grim tone. “Don’t even think about running. This place is full of rogue alphas. It’ll be bad for you if you end up in the clutches of the wrong sort here.”
His threat alerts me to the men walking around the place. Their jackets are a canvas of badges and pins. They’re wearing skull tattoos and piercings on their skin like it’s a part of their uniform. Most of them look like they’re part of criminal gangs.
There’s no way I’m straying away from Mikhail’s side. He’s just as scary as the alphas around me but deep within, I trust Mikhail with my life.
I make an awkward descent from the bike. Mikhail dismounts next and removes his helmet. Shaking the locks of his ash-blond hair, he looks up at the clear blue fall sky. A smile lights up his handsome face while his silvery eyes squint against the sun shining on him.
“It’s been a while, Mikey,” says a sultry, feminine voice.
Turning around, I face a beautiful woman in skinny jeans and a tank top that shows an impressive canvas of ink on her right arm. Her long, blond hair ripples past her shoulders in waves.
Sliding closer to Mikhail, she wounds her arms around his neck. She leans in to kiss him but he steps away just before her lips can touch his.
“Not now, Kiara,” Mikhail grunts. “I’m busy today.”
A whiff of cherry hits my nose, raising my hackles immediately. The omega within me has an instant dislike for the woman who’s daring to touch my alpha.
The blond omega turns her attention toward me, her eyes flashing with anger. “Where’d you pick her up?” she asks, her gaze sweeping me from head to foot. “She looks like a fucking hobo. Are you sure she’s not diseased?”
A venomous emotion erupts in my chest. How dare she call me diseased?! Looking past her insults, I can’t stand her talking so casually to Mikhail.
The idea that he’s nice to her breaks my heart. No woman has the right to get close to the men who’ve been mine since a decade ago!
“She’s my business,” he says shortly. Moving toward me, he slings an arm around my shoulders and walks toward a group of closely set-up tents nearby.
“Just so you know, I’ll tear her apart when you leave her here,” Kiara shouts after us.
Mikhail comes to a sudden halt and casts a backward glance at her. “Don’t make the mistake of threatening this woman again,” he says in a low, grim tone that drips with warning. “You don’t want me slicing up that sweet tongue, do you?”
Kiara’s face pales at once.
Looking away from her, he guides me away.
Warmth surges through me at his reaction. “Who is she?” I ask.
Mikhail glances down at me and grins. “Jealous?”
“No,” I lie at once.
Soft chuckles escape him. “Kiara and I are friends,” he says.
“Did you guys ever...?”
“What? Fucked?”
“Yeah,” I mutter, the burning sensation spreading across my chest.
“Nah, I don’t get hard for bitchy women,” he replies.
A bubble of hope swells inside me. Kiara can pant after him all she wants but he’s mine . The sudden possessiveness washing over me surprises me. I smile, looking toward the colorful display of clothes and scarves near the tents.
“Hey, Jacky!” Mikhail calls out loudly.
“Mikey!” a young guy hollers back and waves enthusiastically.
“Long time no see,” says Jacky. He’s wearing a dark leather jacket that’s similar to the other bikers here. Dusky red locks fall into his clear blue eyes as he squints at Mikhail. His boots are dusty and the smell of gas clings to him but I can tell he’s a beta. “And who’s this?” he peers at me closely.
“She needs some clothes,” says Mikhail.
“No shit,” he says as an amusing grin spreads over his heavily freckled face. “She’s kind of pretty but what’s with the men’s jacket and those ugly pants?”
“I borrowed them,” I mutter.
“It’s all my fault,” says Mikhail. “She came to us in a beautiful wedding gown but my brothers and I made a mess of it.”
Jacky guffaws like an idiot but he doesn’t seem as venomous as Kiara.
“Get whatever you like,” Jacky says with a shrug. “All on the house. And for fuck’s sake, get her some shoes too.”
I glance at the slippers I borrowed from Lilja yesterday. The delicate material is already dirty and fraying.
“Choose something you like,” Mikhail says, gesturing toward the makeshift racks of clothes and shoes. “We can buy better stuff in town.”
“I can choose whatever I like?”
A frown comes upon him. “Did Callum control what you wore too?”
I give a grim nod. “He said I looked best in dresses,” I say in a bitter tone. “He never allowed me to wear trousers and shorts.”
“Fuck that bastard,” he hisses, his gray eyes flashing with rage.
His anger is like a balm to my aching heart. People only saw a girl who lived in a big mansion. They saw my polished clothes and makeup, assuming I was happy. No one knew the pain and darkness I struggled to suppress every single day.
“Go crazy,” Mikhail says through clenched. “Hell! Walk naked. I’m not going to care and if anyone looks at you wrong, I’ll stab their eyes.”
“Maybe not do that,” Jacky mutters. “For our sakes.”
I laugh, feeling lighter than I’ve felt in years.
Moving forward, I sift through the jeans hanging from the stands. They’re all beautifully embellished with sequins and colorful threads. I choose a bell-bottomed pair with floral patterns sewn onto the thighs.
“Nice,” Jacky says, moving closer to me. “How about you pair it with these tops?” He turns me toward another stand that displays long-sleeved tops in georgette and cotton. They’re all colorful with bold patterns and designs on them.
The omega in me seems to awaken. I forget about everything as I sift through the clothes on display.
Mikhail hovers in the background as Jacky proceeds to show me more clothes, jewelry, and shoes. He doesn’t comment even when I choose to buy a ridiculous sombrero hat with a wide brim.
“Where can I get changed?” I ask while Jacky dumps a scarf inside the garbage bag that contains the rest of my stuff.
“In there,” he says, pointing to a tiny tent nearby.
I glance toward Mikhail, silently asking for his permission.
He gives a slow nod. Picking up the cue, I head inside the tent with the clothes I want to wear for the rest of the day.
Other than a rickety chair, there’s nothing inside the tent. I hurriedly take off the dirty trousers and shirk off the jacket and sweatshirt.
For the day, I choose to wear a top with long, frilly sleeves and a short skirt. My ensemble is bold and colorful, a far cry from the usual pastels Callum forced me to wear. For shoes, I choose a pair of leather boots that go as high as my knees.
There’s no mirror in the tent. Despite not knowing how I look, I feel excited to be wearing the stuff I chose.
A wolf whistle sounds when I walk out of the tent. Jacky hangs onto Mikhail’s shoulder, grinning at me.
“And a butterfly has emerged,” Jacky cackles.
“She was always beautiful,” Mikhail says in a somber tone. Tearing his gaze from me, he looks toward Jacky. “I’ll pick up the rest of the stuff later.”
“Sure.”
“Give my regards to Forger,” says Mikhail.
“Will do!”
He gestures at me to follow him. I wave at Jacky and hurry after him.
On the way back to the parking area, I see Kiara. A deep frown ruins her pretty face as she glares at me.
Ignoring her, I grab Mikhail’s hand.
He looks down at me. Surprise flits through those storm-colored eyes. And suddenly, he smiles.
My heartbeat picks up at once. All thoughts of Kiara vanish from my mind as I follow him in a trance.
“Are you still missing panties?” he leans down to whisper in my ear.
My cheeks burn. “Yeah.”
“Let’s make it a no-panty day today,” he says with an easy grin.
“What?”
“Payment for all that crap I bought for you.”
“They were free!”
“Nothing’s free, Princess. Jacky’s boss owes me.”
Reaching his bike, he picks up a helmet and places it on my head. I stand still as he latches the buckle.
Getting on the bike is as awkward as before but once I’m securely settled behind him, I wrap my arms around his waist.
My excitement soars as the powerful engines come to life and soon, we’re flying down the highway.
The signposts along the road tell me we’re headed toward Ashville. A sliver of anxiety spreads through me. What if Callum sees me? Would Mikhail be able to handle such a confrontation on his own? Would my newfound freedom be snatched away just as I’m starting to enjoy it?
My thoughts keep me from enjoying the ride fully. Thankfully, the sun is starting to go down. A few hours more and we’ll be able to use the cover of night to keep prying eyes off us.
We reach downtown Ashville in another hour. Even though Callum kept a tight leash on me these past years, I’m familiar with all the shops and restaurants here.
Mikhail parks the bike and comes to stand beside me. “No running,” he warns me again. “I’d hate to punish you, Lucia.”
His cold tone is enough to put me on edge. Even if I want to use the opportunity to escape, it’ll be impossible with him so close by.
Capturing my hand, he leads me forward.
Our casual clothes allow us to blend with the crowd easily. We probably look like a young couple who’re out to enjoy an evening in the posh shopping district. No one glances at us twice.
I suddenly grab onto his arm.
Mikhail comes to a halt at once. “What’s wrong?”
“Since you’re buying me all this stuff, can you buy me one of those too?” I point toward a hot dog cart at the far end of the street.
“Hot dogs?” he asks, raising his brows at me. “Let me guess. The bastard didn’t allow you to eat that crap either?”
Looking at my feet, I shake my head.
“Fucking hell, Lucia,” he groans. “How have you been living all these years?”
“I’ve wanted to kill myself many times but if I did that, Dad would be left all alone with him. There’s no way I’m going to abandon him like that. That’s the only reason I’m still alive.”
“Thank fuck the old man’s still breathing.” Tightening his hold on my hand, he pulls me toward the hot dog stand. “Order whatever you like.”
“I’ll have one with mustard, ketchup, and relish,” I say.
“That’ll be two dollars,” the vendor replies at once.
Mikhail slaps a twenty-dollar bill on the man’s cart and mutters, “Keep the change.”
The man stares at the bill and then at Mikhail. “Thanks, I guess.”
After getting my hot dog, we move to a quieter corner. Under his watchful gaze, I take my first bite of the hot dog.
“Good?” Mikhail asks as I take a few more gigantic mouthfuls with all my favorite toppings.
I nod, my mouth too full of food.
“Where do you want to have dinner?” he asks. “I’ll take you wherever you want.”
“It’s kind of early but that’s fine,” I say with a small laugh. “How about that diner we passed by on our way here?”
“They serve fried chicken, steaks, and all-day breakfasts.”
“I love fried chicken,” I say with a sigh.
“I’m guessing fried chicken was missing from the menu at the mansion too?”
I nod. “He didn’t allow me to eat any junk food.”
“Why is your brother so fucking twisted?” he asks me in a grim tone.
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “He doted on me when I was a child but something changed. My parents sent him away to keep a distance between us but they never mentioned anything to me. It was only when he got back from Europe seven years ago that I realized something was very, very wrong with him. My relationship with Callum isn’t the same as you guys have with Lilja. You’d never hurt her.”
“Our dads would skin us alive if we hurt their precious baby,” he says with a roll of his eyes. “That’s the reason she’s grown up to be such a spoiled brat.”
“I love her.”
“Huh?” He stares at me. “You’re in love...?”
I playfully hit him in the chest. “Not like that! I mean...as a friend. She’s been the only one who’s shown me any kindness since you guys kidnapped me.”
Grabbing my wrist, he pulls me against him. “How do you want me to treat you, Lucia?” he asks in a husky voice that sends a shiver through me.
“The way you’d treat your mate.”
Surprise flits through his eyes. “You want to be a part of our pack?”
“As long as you, Damien, and Leon accept me,” I confess. “I’d rather be in a world of violence and blood than be part of a pretentious society that bends to money and power. Give me another chance, Mikhail. I’ll prove what you and your brothers truly mean to me”
“You still can’t forget the past, huh?”
“I’ll never forget the boys I fell in love with.”
With a sudden move, he wraps his arms around me and presses me against his hard, muscular body. His warmth envelops me, protecting me from the chill of the early evening.
I lay my head against his chest, seeking comfort. “Can we start over?” I whisper.
“You’ll have to prove yourself to Damien,” he whispers. His hand rubs soothing circles on my back. “He’s decided to protect you from Callum but I doubt he trusts you fully.”
I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his addictive sweet orange scent.
“You’ll have to prove to all of us that you can accept both Damien and Leon. I was the youngest and they always protected me. They’re the ones who sacrificed their minds and sanity to keep me alive and thriving.”
Stepping away, I stare up at him. “I understand them better now,” I say. “But you’ve got to understand the situation I’ve been in too. I didn’t stay with Callum because I enjoyed a cushy life. My dad is the only family that matters to me. The only reason I want to get away from you guys is to get him away from Callum.”
“Don’t even think of escaping,” he grinds out through clenched teeth. Grabbing my wrist, he forces me to walk down the sidewalk. “We’re buying some underwear and leaving,” he says in a grim tone. “You should know your size, so pick some and get done.”
Shit , I curse internally. The mere mention of wanting to leave ruined his mood. He probably thinks I’m using Dad as an excuse to leave.
Making them believe I’m on their side seems like the biggest obstacle in my way. Will there be enough time to prove myself to them before they completely break me?