33
Lucia
A week passes without any incidents of break-ins and attacks. The upgrades in my new room keep me comfortable as well as entertained to an extent.
Lilja bought me a Kindle e-reader when she realized I have a love of reading. It’s barely been a few days since I received it but the device is already loaded with my favorite books.
I can download newer books but a part of me craves the comfort of familiar characters and stories. Callum burned down my precious collection of books when he found a copy of Fifty Shades of Gray in my possession.
Reading romance books will turn your mind into a filthy pit , he’d screamed while I begged him not to destroy my precious books.
I’m no fan of the BDSM lifestyle but the popularity of the books piqued my curiosity. The novel also gave me my first taste of the modern contemporary romance genre.
Thinking back, I can only wish Kindles were popular a decade ago. That way, I could’ve had the privacy to read whatever I wanted without Callum knowing.
Callum’s absence makes my spirit heal. Even though the freedom to leave my room is denied to me, I feel safe and comfortable here.
Thoughts about Dad still nag me though. I don’t mention a word to Damien because every time I do, he gets mad at me.
Damien’s attitude toward me is slowly changing. He’s relaxing in my presence enough to even dine with me. If I continue to stay patient, he might eventually allow me to call Dad.
A knock sounds at the door, followed by the beep of the electronic lock.
“Mikhail!” I exclaim, throwing my Kindle away and jumping off the bed.
Running forward, I throw myself at him.
“Hey, hey,” he says with a chuckle and catches me in his arms.
I haven’t seen him for almost a week. Every time I asked Damien and Leon about him, they said he was busy working.
Rough stubble darkens his handsome face and his hooded jacket and jeans are matted with dirt. Even the strands of his ash-blond hair look dusty.
“Where have you been?” I ask, stepping away to take a better look at him. “You stink.”
A laugh rumbles in his chest as he pounces on me and hugs me tightly, squishing my face against his hard muscles. “I thought you were excited to see me. Where did all your enthusiasm disappear?” he teases.
He loosens his hold, allowing me to breathe again.
“Where did you go? You look like you haven’t showered in a week.”
“I didn’t,” he says with a shrug.
“Why not?”
“I was pretending to be a homeless man,” he says, rubbing the back of his head. “How many showers do you think they get to have?”
“Why were you doing that?” I ask curiously.
“It’s my job,” says Mikhail. “Being on the streets allows me to mingle with all sorts of people. It helps gain info on what’s happening in Ashville’s underbelly. We have to keep an eye on things after dealing with the Morellis. We’ve got to be ready in case anyone is planning to retaliate against us.”
“Oh.”
He brushes a thumb over my bottom lip. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to kiss you this past week.”
“Did you at least brush your teeth?”
He grins toothily. His teeth shine white, allowing me to let out a relieved breath.
Moving closer, I wrap my arms around his shoulder and rise on my toes to kiss him.
Mikhail sweeps me into his arms, pulling me closer as he captures my lips.
Heat bursts through me, warming me to the tips of my toes.
“Will you be home now?” I ask when we break apart.
“Yeah,” he says. “But I was thinking about going out to a club tonight to chill out with Leo. Do you want to hang out with us?”
I stare at him, wondering if I heard him correctly. “I can go?”
“If you want to.”
I give a rapid nod.
“Then, I’ll see you around seven,” he says. “Now, I should go and show my face to Damien or he’ll come stomping in here.”
Surprise flickers through me. I can’t believe he came to see me first.
“See you around, Princess,” he says, pecking my lips.
I watch him walk out of the room with a pounding heart.
It’s an embarrassing confession but I’ve never been to a club before.
Imprisoned at home, I remember browsing through the photos my friends posted on their social media. Most of my experiences come from watching their life through their eyes.
A hollow sigh escapes me.
I need to stop feeling sorry and pathetic about myself.
Callum is no longer around to control me. I can go to the wildest club in Ashville and get drunk or high. With Leon and Mikhail at my side, I don’t have to fear anyone.
Excitement bubbles inside me. It’s still a couple of hours until seven but I hurry inside my closet to look through the clothes hanging there.
Glancing around my sparse possessions, I realize none of the clothes here would suit a night out at a club. Browsing through the stuff I bought from the biker fair, I come across a short denim skirt.
The length comes up to be several inches above the knees, making it the sexiest thing in my closet. Paired with a shirt and my tall, tan boots, the outfit wouldn’t look too shabby or puritanical for a fancy nightclub in downtown Ashville.
Feeling excited, I walk out of the room and throw myself onto the bed. Picking up my Kindle, I go back to reading the thriller novel I’d downloaded last night. It’s the best way to pass the time until I can finally get out of Volkov Manor.
Leon and Mikhail come to my room at seven-thirty PM. The slight delay drowned me in a cloud of misery, making me worry the trip was either canceled or they’d decided not to take me.
I almost pirouette on my toes when my ruthless alphas appear at my threshold, looking hot-as-sin in black leather attires.
Leon looks ravishing with his wild, flaming-red hair falling into his amber eyes. Mikhail’s jacket and the black wifebeater underneath show off his broad pecs and the tattoos covering his skin.
Their dark, wicked grins can get any girl to fall in lust with them in one glance.
The thought makes me feel doubly self-conscious. I hope I don’t look like a dork , I think nervously as Leon moves forward to grab me by the waist and kisses me.
Locked in a kiss with Leon, I feel Mikhail’s presence behind me. His hands hold onto my shoulders as he presses kisses to the side of my neck.
The scent of artificial fragrances wraps around me, making me miss their natural musk. I’ve used liberal amounts of de-scenters too, helping me mask my perfume.
I moan into Leon’s mouth as Mikhail cups my breasts over my shirt and squeezes. A heady feeling consumes me as the heat from both their bodies seeps into mine.
“I’m having second thoughts about taking her,” Mikhail says in a low, gruff voice. “Just look at her.” He gestures at me. “She looks like a newly designated omega. Her makeup barely shows the bite marks we’ve left on her. What if someone mistakes her for an unclaimed omega? There are way too many rogue alphas walking around town and preying on omegas like her.”
“No way,” I scoff. “There’s no way I look that na?ve. I can handle myself even if a rogue alpha tries something funny with me.”
Identical amused expressions descend on Mikhail and Leon’s faces.
“Please, take me,” I say, showing my desperation to them. “I’ve been cooped here all week. We don’t even have to go to a club. We can go anywhere you like. Please?”
“Fuck,” Mikhail curses and throws up his hands. “How the fuck do you say ‘no’ when she’s making those puppy eyes at you?”
“Both of you, chill,” says Leon. The tip of his knife is suddenly pressed at the base of my throat. “Don’t try to run,” he says in a threatening tone. “If you make a scene in front of people there, I’ll cut your jugular. Understand?”
His warning sends a pang through me.
Leon seems to detect my pain. “Standard warning, Princess,” he says, taking the knife away. “It’s better to remind you of the consequences than be forced to punish you.”
I nod and look away. They still don’t trust me enough to think I’ll stay by their side without them forcing me.
They lead me out of the room and take me to the underground garage where they keep their cars and bikes. I wait for them while they gear up with helmets and gloves.
Moving close to me, Mikhail sets a helmet on my head and latches the strap under my chin. I’m about to automatically climb behind his bike when Leon’s voice stops me.
“Did I hurt your feelings, Lucia?” he asks, flashing me a grin. “Why don’t you come sit with me?”
“Leave her alone,” Mikhail mutters. “You’ve scared her enough already.” Glancing toward me, he gestures at me to take the seat behind his bike.
I hurriedly clamber over Mikhail’s bike. Leon’s threat is something I’m already used to. The only reason I choose to ride with Mikhail is familiarity.
All my sadness and desperation fall away as Mikhail’s bike takes off. I breathe in the cold night air and look up at the starry sky, feeling like a bird who’s flying.
Leon’s bike is right beside Mikhail’s as we fly down the nearly empty highway. My hair streams behind me in a gust of wind and dust, making me enjoy the ride fully.
It takes us almost an hour to reach downtown Ashville.
I greedily soak up the sight of nightlife on Oakland Avenue. The highly popular street is teeming with activity this late in the evening. People talk and laugh as they wait in queues outside the many pubs and clubs that populate the area. A blend of music thuds all around me, creating an atmosphere of unrestrained excitement.
Mikhail and Leon park their bikes and gesture over to me.
“Stop ogling at strangers,” Leon says, pulling on my wrist. “They’d think you’re a foreigner or some shit.”
“I’ve never been to a place like this before,” I say, gazing at the bold, shimmery dresses some of the women are wearing. “It’s so amazing. This is what I imagined college parties to be like.”
“Do you still want to go to college?” Mikhail asks as he takes my hand in his.
I nod. “I know I’m too old but it’s a life experience I don’t want to miss.”
“Your brother’s an asshole for forcing you to stay at home,” Leon says in a bitter tone. “If he cared about you, he’d see how much of a nerd you always were.”
But you saw it right away , I think silently. Despite their roughness, they never forgot the person I was. A part of me wants to erase the years between us and take us back to a time when we’d all been happy.
Lost in my thoughts, I almost don’t notice the long queue we’re breaking to reach the front doors of the club.
A neon sign proclaims it as The Hedgehog. Loud music blares through the walls, making the people in the queue break into singing and dancing at random moments.
Four bulky men in tight black t-shirts guard the doors of the club. Their cold, unfeeling eyes settle on me and I unconsciously find myself hiding behind Leon’s tall frame.
The guards move away the moment Mikhail flashes a tattoo on his wrist. He covers it up too fast for me to take a look and leads me inside.
My senses get swept away by the loud music and the blinding streaks of light scattering over the heads of a dancing crowd. I stand frozen in my spot, nervous to breach into the mass of bodies gyrating to the music.
“What do you think?” Leon shouts in my ear.
“It’s too loud!” I shout back.
He laughs but I barely hear him. Everything here is too much for my senses.
Mikhail tightens his hold on my wrist and leads me to a corner. Leon forms a solid wall on my other side, keeping strangers from colliding with me in the tight space.
I’m soon led up a staircase and onto the first floor.
My lungs seem to expand here, helping me inhale a proper breath. This floor is less crowded. Loveseat sofas are arranged around the tables here, allowing people to sit and relax instead of dancing like maniacs.
Waitresses in tight, slinky uniforms hover around, carrying trays of drinks. One of them even eye-fucks Leon as she ambles away.
“Come on,” says Mikhail. “I’m dying for a drink.”
We settle down at a table. Mikhail sits next to me while Leon takes a seat opposite us. From our vantage point, we can see the sea of people on the ground floor, dancing to the beats of a new song.
My gaze falls on a lit-up corner of the floor. About three or four men stand surrounding a pool table, drinking and taking turns.
“Do you want to play?” Leon asks, noticing me staring at them.
“Yeah,” I say as a smile blossoms on my lips. “It’s been a while though.”
“I’m sure you’ve still got the moves,” he says with a wink.
“Can I go, then?”
Leon glances over at Mikhail.
“You can go but don’t forget about our warnings,” Mikhail says in a grim tone. “Don’t ruin a good night for us, Princess.”
I frown. “I won’t. I know you’ll kill me if I do anything stupid.” An angry huff escapes me as I get to my feet and stomp away.
Coming to stand by the pool table, I look at the balls scattered on the vast green surface. One of the men tries to hit one of the balls but he keeps missing it. Cursing out, he throws the cue stick on the ground and stalks off.
“It’s so sad when an alpha proves to be utterly useless and throws a tantrum,” a young man whispers in my ear.
I chuckle and nod. Bending down, I pick up the cue stick left by the annoyed guy.
“Do you play?” the stranger asks.
“I used to,” I say, bending over the table with the stick. My gaze focuses on a red ball with a ‘7’ on it. My breath turns shallow but steady. Drawing my elbow back, I make my move.
The ball smoothly slides across the table and falls into a hole.
“Nice! Woo hoo!” my companion cheers at my win.
My smile broadens. It’s been years since I played pool. My dad used to love it and taught me how to play as well.
“I’m Casey,” my companion says, extending a hand toward me.
Looking up at him, I notice his tall, lean physique. Dressed in a modest suit with a pair of thick-rimmed glasses, Casey looks like one of those hardworking beta guys Callum likes to bully.
“Lucia,” I say, taking his hand.
His hold on my hand is light and gentle. He smiles and tries to take a shot. His ball ricochets off the side, failing to hit the target.
“Bummer,” he mutters, straightening up. “You don’t mind playing with a loser like me, do you?” He grins nervously.
I shake my head and chuckle. The company of a stranger is like a breath of fresh air. I don’t have to step around broken glass trying to communicate with him.
“Are you in college?” he asks as I bend down to take another shot.
“Not really,” I say, feeling a hint of embarrassment. “What about you?”
“I graduated from Dartmouth two years ago,” says Casey. “I’m interning at a law firm now.”
I nod, knowing deep inside that Callum ruined all my chances of ever pursuing a career.
Casey touches my shoulder, making me look up. “Why do you look so down?” he asks, frowning slightly. “You don’t like lawyers?”
I shake my head. “It’s not that.”
“Then, what is it?” He stares at me intently, waiting for my answer.
“It’s just...I think I missed an amazing opportunity by not going to college. Life never gave me a chance and I just regret it. That’s all.”
“You know there’s no age limit for anything, right? You can always go to college if you want to.”
His words lift my spirits and I find myself smiling at him.
“Want a drink?” he asks. “I was going to get a beer for myself.” He gestures at his empty bottle.
“Sure. I’ll have a beer too.”
I get the whole pool table to myself while Casey is gone. Taking the cue stick, I practice several shots, thoroughly enjoying myself.
“Here, you go,” Casey’s voice sounds near me.
“Thanks,” I say, straightening up and accepting the beer from him. Putting the cue stick down, I’m about to take a sip when hard fingers curl around my wrist, stopping me.
I stare up into Leon’s amber eyes.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asks in a grim tone.
“Can’t I drink?” I ask confusedly.
He pries the bottle from my fingers and sets it down. “You should know better than to accept drinks from a stranger.”
“Beat it,” Mikhail growls, staring Casey down.
Casey glares at him but after a quick glance at him and Leon, he decides it’s best for him to scram than fight the two lethal alphas at my side. A deep-seated anger flares inside me. I push past Leon to get away from him but he grabs my arm, pulling me against him.
“Let go of me!” I shout.
“You’re getting mad at me for trying to protect you?”
I sneer at him. “You know who else claims to protect me? Callum! He drove away all my friends in the name of protecting me. I don’t need anyone’s fucking protection!”
“Hey, don’t get mad at him,” Mikhail says in a warm tone. Moving closer, he wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Want me to punch Leo in the guts for you, Princess?”
“The fuck, dude,” Leon mutters.
“You could’ve been a little more sensitive,” Mikhail says, frowning. “She’s upset you drove her new friend away.”
“You’re shameless,” Leon grates through clenched teeth. Glancing at me, he adds, “ He was the one who thought that guy was a creep.”
“Hey, how about we get you a drink?” Mikhail says, smoothly changing track.
“You’ll get me anything I want?” I ask, pinning him with a hesitant look.
“Whatever makes our girl happy.”
Our girl... I like the sound of that.
“I want the green stuff that lady’s drinking,” I whisper, gesturing at a table in the distance.
“A Grasshopper?” Mikhail asks.
“Huh?”
“That green stuff?” says Leon with a chuckle. “It’s called a Grasshopper.”
“Please tell me they don’t actually add ground-up grasshoppers into that?” I groan. “But wait!” I say, putting up a hand. “I’ll drink it even if it does have grasshoppers in it. Who knows when I’ll get a chance to come to a club again?”
“Do you have to sound so sad, Lucia?” Leon says, pulling me into a hug.
I bury my face in his chest, inhaling a hint of his addictive cinnamon and clove scent that cuts through his artificial de-scenter. Wasn’t I mad at him just a second ago?
“Come on,” Mikhail says bracingly and plucks me away from Leon. “Let’s go back to our seats and order some food. They serve some amazing steak here.”
“Fine,” I say with a sigh, letting him lead me back to our table.
Within minutes of being with Leon and Mikhail, I forget all about my short exchange with Casey. They give me a break and bicker between themselves. Their effort to make me smile makes it easier to forgive them.
Excitement floods me when our drinks finally arrive. The Grasshopper is a bright green drink served in a martini glass.
Leon and Mikhail watch me as I take my first sip.
“This is delicious,” I say, loving the strong mint and chocolate flavor. “It’s like a milkshake for grownups.”
They chuckle.
“Can I have one more?” I ask, sipping eagerly.
“Sure, but first, have something to eat,” Leon says in a grim tone. “We can’t have you drunk and hanging off our bike on the way back. Damien will kill us if we don’t take you back in one piece.”
I smile to myself. It’s no secret they want me as much as I yearn for them, but can we ever get past the shitty mess Callum made?
The next few hours pass by in a blissful haze. I watch people dancing and fooling around from my vantage point while enjoying the drinks and food they order. As Mikhail said, their steaks are melt-in-the-mouth good and served with the most luscious wine sauce.
“I need to use the restroom,” I say when my plate is licked clean.
“I’ll come with you,” Leon says at once.
“What?”
He shrugs. “You could be planning to make a run.”
“I’m not.”
Throwing his napkin down on the table, he stands up. “Come on. I’ll wait outside while you do your business in there.”
Memories of that awful night when Mikhail forced me to pee in front of him in a bucket rise in my mind. I frown at the thought of Leon following me but at least, he’s agreeing to give me privacy.
“Fine,” I say, getting to my feet.
I totter a little, realizing the effects of the four Grasshoppers I greedily drank earlier. Leon wraps an arm around my waist, steadying me.
Reaching the restroom, Leon hangs back while I push through the door. The place looks well-lit and clean, impressing me at once. It looks like none of the crowd downstairs is allowed to use this bathroom.
Liking the cleanliness, I’m about to head inside one of the cubicles when something stops me in my tracks.
A woman’s moans and soft cries reach my ears, followed by the shuffle of feet and wrestling arms. My first thought is someone is using the privacy here to fuck.
However, there’s something disturbing about the constant shuffling and noise of struggles coming from a faraway stall.
“Hello?” I call out, hoping these people would quiet down.
“Help me,” a slurred female voice sounds from inside the stall. “Please...”
To my surprise, there’s banging on the wall, followed by a man’s curses. “Stop moving!” a venomous male voice hisses impatiently.
There’s no way to ignore what is happening in the stall. I have to check if the man is hurting her.
Proceeding to the stall, I knock on the door hard.
The door shifts under the pressure of my pounding fists. Wrenching it open, I stare at an awful scene of a crumpled woman and a man with his dick out.
I blink, recognizing the man immediately. “Casey?” I breathe.
He pushes the woman away and she slides to the floor. Before I can check if she’s okay, Casey launches himself on me. He shoves me hard, making me crash against the wall.
A gasp escapes me as an intense pain flares up my back.
Casey marches upon me and grabs a chunk of my hair. “Let go!” I scream.
Instead of obeying, he smashes the side of my head against the wall.
Hot, throbbing pain burns my forehead as I try to fight him. What the hell is happening? How can someone as friendly as Casey turn out to be such a monster?
“Lucia?” A familiar voice calls my name from somewhere far away.
I try to answer but the blinding pain in my head prevents me from uttering a single word.
My body nearly slides to the floor and it’s a moment before I can get a grip over myself. As the haze lifts from me, I watch Leon mercilessly pounding Casey’s face with his fists.
The two men wrestle on the floor only a few feet away. Leon easily has the upper hand, pummeling Casey’s face so hard, it’s already resembling a bloody, pulpy mess.
“Leon, stop!” I cry out. “He’s going to die.”
Leon stops and glares at me. Casey has already passed out and remains motionless.
“Why’re you protecting this asshole?” Leon barks.
“I’m not protecting him,” I say. “But if you kill him...” My words dry up on my lips. What will happen if Leon does kill him? Will the cops ever find a master assassin like him?
“That’s right,” Leon says, straightening up. “There’ll be no consequence if an asshole like him dies. His family and his girlfriend or wife would thank me for taking him out of their lives.”
Leon kicks Casey’s unconscious body. “He deserves to die for touching you, Lucia.”
“I’m okay.”
He stalks toward me and brushes a gentle thumb over the throbbing spot on my forehead. “I see blood.” He shows me the tip of his finger that came away coated in crimson. “If I don’t kill him, Damien will. And after this asshole is buried, Mikhail and I will end up beside him,” he says through clenched teeth. “Damien will see to that.”
“What about that woman?” I ask, gesturing over to the nearly unconscious woman inside the stall.
“She was probably roofied,” Leon says. “Remember the time we stopped you from drinking his beer? This was the reason. It’s easy to prey on innocent, unsuspecting women in a place like this. Creeps like him seem friendly and chatty but they’re predators in sheep’s skin.”
He gestures to the door. “Get Mikhail here.”
“What about her?”
“Leave her. She’ll be fine as long as this creep stays away from her. Someone will find her and call for help. Now, get Mikhail.”
Feeling dazed, I walk out of the bathroom and go to our table.
Mikhail’s steel-gray eyes turn icy the moment he sees me. He’s on his feet in an instant and grabbing me.
“Did Leo do this to you?” he hisses.
“No—”
“I’m going to fucking kill him. Making you bleed isn’t on the list of things we’re allowed.”
“Mikhail, calm down and listen,” I say urgently. “Leon needs you in the ladies' bathroom. Can you please come with me? You’ll know what happened when you get there.”
Mikhail stares at me, trying to read me.
A moment later, he’s surveying the floor. “Let’s go,” he whispers, giving me a light push on the back. “Take me to him.”
I lead the way to the women’s bathroom and sneak him inside.
Leon is bent over the woman inside the stall while Casey remains unconscious on the floor.
“Hey, assface,” Mikhail calls out. “What the fuck’s happening here?”
“Casey was assaulting this woman,” I say, gesturing toward the stall. “When I tried to stop him, he hurt me too. Thank Goddess, Leon was right outside and came in to help or he’d have smashed my head to pieces.”
“What?” Mikhail growls.
Leon covers the woman with Casey’s jacket and lays her on the floor before coming toward us.
“We were right about the creep,” Leon says. “He roofied that other chick’s drink and was trying to rape her. I heard Lucia screaming in here and came to check on her. Found the bastard grabbing her hair and hurting her.”
“Is he dead?” Mikhail asks, nudging Casey’s body with his toe.
“Not yet,” Leon replies.
“What are you waiting for?”
“Nothing.” Leon’s knife appears in his hand.
The blade flashes before my eyes. Next moment, two thick crimson slashes appear in Casey’s throat. His eyes flicker open momentarily, followed by a strange gurgling noise. He clutches the wound but blood continues to gush through the gaps in his fingers.
“Come here,” Mikail says, completely ignoring the gasping, thrashing man on the floor.
When I move toward him, he presses a wet napkin on the wound on my forehead. His silvery eyes focus on me as he dabs the sore spot.
“Is the bruise prominent?” Mikhail murmurs.
“Yep,” Leon answers in a grave tone. “Damien’s going to have a fit.”
“Don’t worry,” I say, smiling. “I’ll tell Damien I tripped and hurt myself in the ladies’ room. He can’t blame you for my clumsiness.”
“You’ll do that for us?” Leon asks, his amber eyes wide with surprise. “You don’t want to get even with us for treating you like crap?”
“I hate what you did to me after kidnapping me from that sham wedding,” I confess in a grim tone. “You guys were horrible to me during my heat and left me in that dark basement. I understand the reason you treated me that way but I’ll never forget the pain and trauma I went through. I wish there was a way to avenge myself but doing that would hurt you, and that’s something I’ll never do.”
Sober expressions descend on both their faces.
“Callum’s the only monster in our story,” Mikhail says with a somber look in his eyes. “Don’t worry, darling.” Leaning in, he kisses my cheek. “We’ll destroy him until he’s begging us for death.”
“Let’s get out of here before someone sees us,” Leon mutters, glancing at the rivulets of blood streaming toward us.
And just like that, I walk away with Leon and Mikhail, never looking back to see whether Casey is still alive or not.