36
Lucia
On most days, the halls and corridors of the manor remain steeped in silence and mystery, but today, the Volkovs are making an effort to welcome their guests.
I’ve never seen this level of activity since being here. All the rooms on the ground floor are being cleaned and polished for the gala this evening. Some people are rolling out carpets in the entrance hall while others are cleaning the weapons and armor on display while a group hurriedly polishes the crystal pieces of a gigantic chandelier.
Big vases of roses, lilies, and hydrangeas are being placed on every surface. Their subtle fragrances pervade the air, bringing color and calmness to the usually shadow-infested corners of the halls.
“Where’d these people come from?” I ask Lilja who is overlooking the work.
“They’re our men,” Lilja says. “We’re avoiding bringing any outsiders here. Who wants the added inconvenience of having to silence them all?”
I stare at her. Killing people was a mere “inconvenience” to her?
“What about the food?” I ask, recovering from my momentary shock.
“Some of them have gone to collect the food for the evening,” she says, leaning over a vase of yellow roses. Inhaling deeply, she closes her eyes, seemingly enjoying the pleasure of their heady scent.
“What about the valets?”
She straightens up and inspects her nails. “We’ve hired some people for serving and entertaining. They’re specialized in serving at parties and keeping shut about whatever they witness there.”
Damien, Leon, and Mikhail have been absent over the last few days. Lilja told me they were busy with the arrangements for the upcoming party but left out the details that were keeping them occupied.
“Let me take you back to your room,” Lilja says as a group of men walks past us, carrying a heavy statue of a scantily-clad woman between them. “We’ll just get in their way.”
I nod and follow her down the hallway to reach a staircase.
“Do you have everything you need for the evening?” she asks as we reach the second floor.
I think of the gorgeous gown hanging in my room and the lavish spread of makeup products, jewelry, and perfumes crowding my vanity table.
“Yeah,” I say as pure excitement zings through me. “I can’t wait for tonight.”
Lilja gives me a sideways glance and chuckles. “You’re such a na?ve little doll,” she says in a soft voice. “Don’t get too excited over all this. Stay on guard. It’s a party but the men coming here tonight are all cold-blooded reptiles. They’re all killers and murderers. Don’t get swept away by their angelic looks and perfect smiles.”
Her warning shatters my imagination.
It doesn’t matter though , I think, stepping into my room. It’s going to be different from the parties I was forced to attend at home.
I was used to walking around and smiling at the men Callum brought home. Their faces were clean-shaven and glowing with health but their eyes were shadowed with the weight of their sins.
A heavy sigh escapes me as the door is closed and locked from outside.
I walk toward the bed and sit down on the edge. The gala is still hours away, so I have plenty of time to get ready. Picking up the TV remote, I switch on Netflix and settle down for a re-watch of The Vampire Diaries.
My gaze stays fixed on my reflection in the tall, gilded mirror.
The champagne-colored gown I’m wearing shimmers with my every move. The deep, plunging neckline highlights my cleavage as well as the large emerald amulet at my throat.
Moving closer toward the mirror, I extend my right leg and watch the split in the skirt part away to reveal my thigh. The gown is sexy-as-sin, highlighting my every curve.
A smile lifts the corners of my ruby-painted lips. This is the sexiest dress I’ve ever worn in my life. The Volkov brothers are still my captors but I’ve never felt freer.
The long length of my raven-black tresses is fashioned into a messy bun. Tiny pearls and diamonds glimmer on the bun while thin tendrils frame my face and neck.
I’m bold with my choice of makeup. Callum always preferred demureness over sexiness. Free of his overbearing presence, I opt for smoky eyes and even add a hint of gold shimmer under my lower lashes.
I’m admiring my matching stilettos when the sound of an opening door makes me turn away from the mirror.
The Volkovs stand at my threshold, looking otherworldly in their lavish attires.
Damien, Leon, and Mikhail are dashing in their black tuxes. Their tall heights and broad shoulders are further accentuated by their tailored suits. Lilja stands in the center, looking stunning in a crimson mermaid gown that is heavily covered in shimmering black beads and stones.
They’re more mesmerizing than the vampires on TV , I think dazedly as they grin at me.
“You look amazeballs!” Lilja breathes, breaking away from her brothers. “You should dress up like this every day.”
“You look amazing too,” I say with a broad smile. “But, don’t wear this every day. You’ll have guys falling at your feet.”
A trilling laugh escapes her as she strikes a pose.
“Stop!” Mikhail drawls. “You’ll embarrass us if you strut around like that.”
“Don’t listen to him,” I mutter.
Lilja winks at me and throws an arm around my shoulder. “Ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Remember to be on your guard,” she whispers in my ear. “Although, you don’t have to worry much. My brothers can’t bear to take their eyes off you, so you’ll be safe.”
Looking toward Damien, I’m immediately captured by his piercing blue eyes. His scars no longer affect me, allowing me to smile up at him.
I look over at Leon next. His flaming curls fall into his amber eyes, making him look like a vampire prince from my fantasies. My gaze is drawn to the tiny skull tattoo under his right eye as he winks at me.
Mikhail steps forward, drawing my attention. The long strands of his ash-blond hair are swept back and tied into a ponytail. Dark tattoos peek from the edge of his collar, not allowing anyone to forget who he really is. A silver skull earring dangles at his right ear.
“I can’t wait to dance with you,” he whispers, leaning down to kiss my cheek.
A warm shiver runs through me.
“Let’s go and greet our guests,” Damien says. “It’s going to be a long night for all of us.”
“Our stag of the party,” Mikhail mutters with a cough while the others chuckle.
Soon, I’m being swept away by the Volkov siblings.
A different kind of emotion surges through me as I walk with them. It’s impossible not to feel like I’m part of their tight-knit pack.
Music reaches my ears as we get closer to the ground floor. A moment later, I’m led into the vast entrance hall of the manor.
I gaze all around me, wondering if I’m still in Volkov Manor. The dark, mysterious place is transformed into a well-lit, welcoming party hall. A massive chandelier glitters overhead. Flowers dot every corner. Servers in red and black outfits flit amongst the crowd, carrying trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
The hall is already filled with guests. From all the warnings Lilja gave me, I was expecting a sea of men. To my surprise, there are plenty of women in the crowd. Their luxurious gowns and jewels shimmer in the glow of the chandelier overhead.
Damien moves closer and wraps his arm around mine. “This is your last chance to bail,” he whispers in my ear. “You don’t have to be at my side.”
Tightening my hold on him, I pull myself closer to him.
“Remember your positions,” he mutters to Leon and Mikhail and sweeps me into the crowd.
I feel the weight of people’s gazes on me. Most struggle not to ogle at Damien but no one spares any effort on me. They stare at me without fear.
“So, she’s the one,” says an elderly man in his late seventies. “The Baldwin girl that you’ve started a war over.”
“Hello, Kosta,” Damien says. “Looks like you’re still fighting that cancer.”
The old man scoffs. “I’ll shoot myself before I let it kill me.”
Damien leads me away from the elderly man before he can say another word.
We spend the next hour walking around the room, greeting Damien’s guests. Most question his decision about starting a feud with Callum but he ignores them all, sweeping me away to talk to the next person.
I focus on the live band playing on a raised stage in the middle of the vast room. The music is tasteful, blending with the rising sounds of conversations happening all around us.
“Do you need a break?” Damien whispers in my ear.
“Yeah,” I say. “My feet are starting to hurt already.”
He leads me to a quieter corner and gestures toward an empty chair. I sit down gratefully and lean against the backrest.
Damien gestures at a passing valet.
The valet moves over to me and presents me with the tray. I choose a tartlet topped with swirls of thick orange cream. A bite fills my mouth with the taste of smoked salmon, sour cream, and a hint of parsley.
“The food’s delicious,” I say.
“Why do you sound surprised?”
“I don’t know...I guess the caterers Callum uses provide absolutely crappy food.”
A chuckle escapes him. Warmth deepens the color of his eyes as he stares at me. He chooses a tart from the tray and gobbles the tiny morsel whole.
“I almost didn’t recognize you, Damien,” says a female voice as the valet walks away.
Damien turns around, allowing me to peer around him to look at the newcomer.
A gorgeous woman with Asian features stands before us, eyeing him with a haughty look in her dark eyes. Looking closely, I realize she’s much older than us, probably in her late forties.
“Madam Takahashi,” Damien says, tilting his head toward her. “I’m glad you could make it today.”
“I wouldn’t want to miss meeting the new generation of Volkovs,” she says in a grim tone. An indomitable aura surrounds her, telling me she’s an alpha. I note her impeccable manners as she speaks to Damien.
Suddenly, I find her staring right back at me.
“This is the woman you’ve chosen to be your queen,” she says, inspecting me closely.
“This is Lucia Baldwin,” Damien says with a hint of pride in his voice.
His politeness surprises me. He hasn’t introduced me by my name to anyone else this evening.
“You should tread lightly with Callum Baldwin,” Madam Takahashi says in a warning tone. “He’s known to be a ruthless player in the local business community. His competitors have been suffering from mysterious deaths and accidents at an alarming rate. You might’ve won the first battle with him but stay on your guard. I don’t think he’ll give up on his sister that easily.”
Damien gives a grim nod. “He can be Satan himself and I’ll still not give Lucia up to him.”
Warmth and safety flood through me at his declaration. Damien and his brothers are the reason I don’t live each day in constant fear and anxiety now.
“Your enemies are gathering forces as we speak,” Madam Takahashi says. “Make sure this woman’s worth the risk you’re facing. You and your family will be dead if she turns out to be a backstabber like her brother.”
“She’s different,” Damien says through clenched teeth.
Madam Takahashi suddenly laughs. “I have said this to many young men before but this is my first time I’m telling you this. Don’t make decisions with your dick, kid.”
A faint reddish tint spreads across Damien’s scarred face. I can’t decide if he’s embarrassed or angry.
Madam Takahashi turns around and gracefully walks away.
“Who was that woman?” I ask.
“Madam Takahashi is the sole leader of the Japanese Yakuza in this part of the world,” he says. “Don’t be fooled by her looks. She’s more blood-thirsty than me and my brothers combined.”
“Really?”
“She punishes her men with seppuku,” he says in a grave tone. “If they don’t comply, they’re tortured to death.”
“What’s seppuku?” I whisper, guessing it has to be some kind of horrible torture.
“Seppuku is an ancient form of punishment that was practiced by the samurais of feudal Japan,” Damien explains. “The person is expected to stab himself in the abdomen so that he dies slowly and painfully.”
“That sounds like suicide.”
He lets out a heavy breath. “Betraying her counts as suicide.”
I sit quietly, digesting the fact that something so crude and torturous is still being practiced in this day and age. My mind wanders to the things Leon did to punish the traitors in their group. The memory of him drenched in dark crimson rises in my mind.
“Do you want to dance?” Damien’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts.
“What? Yes...I mean... sure!” I blurt.
Warmth settles into his eyes as he extends a hand toward me. The moment I take it, he hauls me to my feet.
Damien leads me into an adjoining room. The music here is livelier and several couples are already on the floor, dancing. A quick look, however, shows me a distinct feature among them.
The men are far older than the beautiful women they’re dancing with.
Damien wraps his arms around my waist, drawing my attention away from everyone else.
My hands lock around his neck and within seconds, we’re moving to the tune being played.
I can’t believe I’m dancing with him. It’s a surreal moment, something right out of my fantasies.
“What are you thinking about?” Damien demands in a tight voice.
“I wanted to dance with you for the longest time,” I tell him. “This is what I wanted the night you kissed me for the first time. If Callum hadn’t interfered, we’d have danced all night.”
“Why can’t you get over that night?”
“Did you ever get over that day?”
He glares at me but continues to dance with me. Grabbing my arm, he suddenly twirls me away and then wrenches me back against his chest.
“You’re mine,” he hisses in my ear. “No matter what others say. No matter what you say, Lucia. You’re mine.”
The deadly possessiveness in his voice sends a thrill of danger through me, igniting a fire deep in my core. A moan escapes my lips and suddenly, I want him right here.
“Stop doing this to me,” I groan, letting my head drop on his chest.
The scars on his face bunch together to one side in a familiar expression. He’s smiling smugly.
We dance for the next four songs until my feet can’t take it any longer.
“I need a break,” I groan despite having the energy to dance more.
Damien stops and leads me to a corner. He helps me sit down on a couch and brings me a glass of champagne.
“Can I remove my shoes?” I ask, feeling the straps digging into my skin.
“Anything, love,” he says in a deep voice. “It’s your home now too. You can walk naked if you please. Just be aware that I’ll stab every male’s eye that dares to look at you.”
A chuckle escapes me. “This will be my home when you stop locking me in my room. Will you ever stop doing that? We both know I can’t escape this place on my own.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I stare at him. “You’ll let me be free?”
He gives a firm nod.
Jumping off the couch, I wrap my arms around his neck.
A chuckle escapes him. “You’re choking me, love.”
Loosening my hold, I look back at him. “Thank you!” I’m about to kiss him when a familiar figure comes into my vision. Breaking away from him, I greet Leon.
“You’re needed in the entrance hall,” Leon says. Gesturing toward me, he adds, “It’s my turn to look after her now.”
Damien pats him on the shoulder and turns toward me.
“We’ll pick up where we left off when you come back,” I say, grinning.
He smiles, making my heart throb like crazy.
Leon moves closer to me the moment Damien walks away.
“What were you guys talking about?” Leon asks, watching his brother’s retreating back. “I’ve rarely seen him looking so happy.”
“He might stop locking me up in my room.”
His amber eyes shine with warmth. “You look happy too.”
“I am.”
Sinking back into the couch, I remove my shoes. Leon kneels beside me and stares at my feet.
“They’re hurting,” I say, raising my right foot to rest over my left knee.
“Let me see,” he says, crouching closer. “Shit, Lucia. You’re bleeding.”
A thick crimson slash has appeared on my pale skin. The spot had been burning for a while now but I didn’t think it was bleeding.
With a sudden move, Leon slips his arms under my thighs and hauls me up.
“What are you doing?” I squeal hanging onto his neck.
“Taking care of you.”
I look around wildly, wondering if people are staring at us.
Barely anyone casts a glance at us. Most of the people are busy dancing and the remaining few who’re resting are all staring at the couples on the dance floor.
Leon carries me into a corner and slips behind a tall curtain.
“Wow,” I breathe, looking at the small resting nook hidden behind the curtain. A low mahogany coffee table sits nearby, its surface covered with plates of hors d'oeuvres and a bottle of whiskey.
He puts me down on an ottoman and kneels on the floor beside me. Taking my foot in his hand, he strokes a gentle finger over the crimson slash on my skin.
A shiver runs through me at his touch.
His finger slowly slides higher. “I’ve been losing my mind over this fucking cut in your dress,” he says, his hand caressing the skin of my bare thigh.
My eyes lock onto his. I grab his hand before he can move it higher.
“Let me,” he says with a hint of dominance in his voice.
My hand falls away at once.
His searching fingers settle over the mound between my legs. “Feels like silk,” he murmurs, feeling the fabric of my panties.
A gasp escapes me as he suddenly brings out his knife.
Before I can protest, he slides the blade under my panties. The touch of cold steel sends a familiar throb through my core, making me hyperaware of every sensation.
The knife cuts through the delicate material in one single flick. My panties fall away, baring my pussy to him.
Bending down, Leon picks up my ruined panties. He bunches it in one hand and brings it close to his nose, inhaling my scent deeply.
Heat rises on my cheeks and I struggle to stop myself from moaning out.
Moving closer, he covers my body with his and captures my lips. His thick fingers hold my neck in a firm grip as he angles his mouth to mine.
Heat seeps from his fingers, lighting my skin on fire. He tightens his hold and deepens the kiss, his tongue swirling around mine.
The hint of danger mingles with my rising pleasure, driving me mad with need.
“I want to cut through this dress so badly,” he croons against my lips. “Do you have any idea how much you’ve been torturing me with all your teasing?” He sinks his teeth into my bottom lip, drawing a loud moan from me.
My body jerks to awareness as I feel the familiar touch of cold steel. “Not now, Leon,” I say through a gasp. “I don’t want to walk around naked.”
He groans. “You’re driving me crazy, Princess.”
Reaching the straps of the dress, I slip them off my shoulder, exposing my boobs to him. “Is this better?”
The look in his amber eyes intensifies.
Heat rises to my neck and cheeks as I struggle to meet his gaze.
“You’re so fucking cute, Lucia,” he says, crashing his mouth against my lips. His hands rove over my body, pulling the dress further down.
I moan as he cups a breast. Continuing to kiss me, he squeezes my soft mound and playfully pinches my sensitive nipple. His hungry mouth drinks my moans as a haze of lust wraps around me.
“Oh god,” I moan as his hand settles on my pussy. His mouth trails kisses and light bites along the curve of my neck while his finger swipes a line over my slit.
“What if someone hears us?” I say, unable to stop myself from grinding against his hand.
“Let them watch,” Leon says in a hoarse voice.
The idea of being watched makes my pussy throb harder.
“You’ve gone tighter,” he says, his finger buried deep inside me. “Tell me the truth, darling. Being here is making you hotter.”
“Yes,” I moan as he curves his finger.
His mouth sucks on my lips, drowning me in another deep, hot kiss.
Unable to control myself, I let my hand move up to the front of his shirt, enjoying the feel of his hard muscles.
Grabbing my wandering hand, he lays it over his crotch, making me feel the hardened bulge there. Slipping another finger into my slick folds, he pumps them in and out of me. His thumb brushes circles over my sensitive nub, throwing me off the edge.
A small cry escapes me as my body bucks. Intense pleasure washes over me as my body shudders against his. Barely any noise leaves me as his hungry mouth devours all my pants and moans.
“Come here,” Leon says, easily pulling me onto my feet. “Grab onto the wall.”
The sound of a zipper being pulled down reaches my ears. Next moment, I feel his thick head parting through my slick entrance.
My insides throb with need, matching the beat of my pounding heart. The hint of danger from being found out heightens my senses. I moan, pushing backward, desperate to take his whole length inside me.
A single, hard thrust is enough for Leon to slide into my tight channel.
The sudden breach has me crying out and scraping at the wall.
“Sshh,” he whispers, staying buried deep inside me.
I bite my bottom lip as he strokes my hardened nub, deepening the intensity of pleasure coursing through me. My walls pulse around his hard, hot rod, desperate for him to move so I can relish the tight friction from his cock.
I move my hips, grinding against him, telling him there’s no need to hold back. His hand comes up to squeeze a breast while his lips kiss the side of my neck and shoulders. I moan as he starts moving inside me.
“You’re so tight, fuck!” he groans, suddenly slapping my ass.
A gasp escapes me as I try to keep my balance.
Half my dress hangs from my body while the other part is bunched up around my hips as Leon thrusts into me. The mere idea of someone coming onto the scene is enough to make my insides throb harder.
“You’re going to make me lose control,” Leon growls, thrusting hard and fast. Leaning in closer, he bites my earlobe.
My walls clamp onto his throbbing cock, loving the heat and friction of his every thrust. Throwing my head back, I revel in the feeling of having him inside me. His pheromones waft into my nostrils, heightening my pleasure.
“Leon,” I cry out, losing all control. Waves of pleasure crash over me, drowning all my senses. My body trembles with the force of my climax.
Leon pulls me tight against him. One hand squeezes over a breast while the other splays over my stomach as he continues to thrust into me.
Heat flows through my veins, heightening my pleasure. My moans mix with his breathy groans as we mash our bodies together.
All the while, music continues to play outside. People talk, laugh, and dance, absolutely unaware of what’s happening behind a curtain in a lone corner of the room.
“I’m so fucking close,” he grates through clenched teeth, thrusting into me like he’s stabbing my pussy repeatedly.
Hard moans escape me as each thrust hits me at that delicious angle, spreading shivers of pleasure throughout my body.
He bites into my shoulder as the force of his orgasm takes over him. Stabbing into me with one final thrust, he shatters.
White-hot liquid gushes deep inside me as his body shudders against mine. His mouth clamps over a spot on my neck while his hands hold onto my hips tightly as he rides his pleasure.
He slumps against me, pushing me into the wall as he breathes hard, still staying buried inside me.
“I can never get enough of you,” he whispers in my ear and presses a kiss against my neck. Pulling out gently, he steadies me on my feet.
Still breathing heavily, I crab-walk to the ottoman and sink into it.
Leon zips up his pants and runs his fingers through the locks of his red hair.
“I hate how perfect you look right now,” I mutter, pulling up the straps of my dress.
Moving toward me, he helps me fix my dress. He’s about to pull the skirt down when he suddenly stops.
That’s when I notice the warm stream of thick liquid streaking down my leg.
“Here, you go,” he says, handing me his handkerchief.
“Get me some paper napkins,” I say not wanting to ruin a perfectly good handkerchief.
He lets out a huff and shifts closer. Loosening the folds, he uses the cloth to wipe my leg. Keeping his gaze on me, he mops my soaking wet pussy too.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling my cheeks burn. “I can take care of the rest in a bathroom or something.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod and stand up, letting the skirt of my dress fall gracefully over my legs. “How does my face look?”
“Red and sweaty.” He grins while I frown at his comment.
“I’ll go to the restroom right now,” I mutter.
“Hurry back,” he says, sinking into a couch. The plush chair is too small for him, so his legs end up dangling from the armrest. “I’ll be waiting right here for you.”
A smile comes to my lips. “Be right back!”
Slipping out from behind the curtain, I walk out among the crowd of dancing couples. Knowing my way around this part of the ground floor, I head down a solitary corridor to use the restroom.
Soft laughter suddenly reaches my ears.
Halting in my steps, I listen. The voice belongs to a woman.
“...I’m stuck here all night. Just go to bed without me tonight. I’ll wake you up when I get home in the morning.” She laughs some more and adds, “Fine, your dick will be in my sweet, hot mouth tomorrow morning.”
I peer around a bend in the corridor and come across a young woman in a waitress’s uniform talking on the phone. A big smile spreads on her lips as she listens on.
The sound of my approaching footsteps must’ve distracted her because she suddenly looks up. Her eyes widen in fear. Wrenching the phone away from her ear, she stares at me with trembling lips.
“I’m so sorry,” she moans. “I know I’m not supposed to carry a phone here. It’s just that I’m seeing this new guy. Things are going so great that I didn’t want to mess it up.” She wrings her hands and shakes her head. “It’s not an excuse...I know...I’m so sor—”
Standing before her, I extend my hand toward her, silently gesturing for her to drop the phone on my palm. The young woman is so terrified, she obeys without resisting.
“Go,” I hiss.
To my astonishment, she scurries away at once.
I stare at the phone in my hand.
It had been so easy to manipulate her into thinking I’m someone with power. She must’ve seen me with Damien and assumed I was someone important. Her fear blinded her to every sense and logic, allowing her to fall for my trick.
I wonder why phones are banned in the party but a moment later, realize the reason behind her terror. Phones can capture photographs, conversations, and videos. The kind of people who’ve gathered here tonight value their privacy over everything else.
“No wonder she was terrified of being punished,” I murmur, still staring at the phone in my hand.
Maybe I’m still half-blinded by lust. Or maybe the shy, timid omega in me is finally becoming brave. Whatever the reason maybe, I don’t hesitate to dial the old landline phone in my dad’s bedroom.