LEV PETROV (Wild Men Series #3) Book 2

Simula Part 2: Ikalawang Aklat

BREE

When the large doorframe started to open, I hold my breath. s**t. Ang daming taong naktunghay sa amin, some are smiling and excited some are not. Three people to be exact. Namely, Karen, Ally, and Dakila. The last one seemed to be more nervous than I am. Ganoon siguro kapag nasa iyo ang bag at ticket ng naglalakad na bride.

"Walk." Pukaw ng tatay ko't halos hilahin ako sa aisle.

I want to save my energy so I let him drag me. Every step I take, naaapakan ko ang mga petals na ikinalat ng isa sa mga pinsan kong flower girls. Those petals shattered under my Louboutin and every c***k is mirroring my heartbeat.

Frantic. Unsure and digging through my sides.

I swayed and my father stopped. His nails dug through my forearm. When I looked at the altar and at the man that was on the cross, a tear escaped from my eyes.

Traitor tears.

Trepidation and loneliness consumed me when I discreetly asked him the question I'd been meaning to ask for two years but I don't have the courage to do so.

Why me? Why us?

Katahimikan lang at marahas na buntong hininga ng mga tao sa paligid ang nakuha kong sagot. I steeled my back after I unceremoniously wiped my tears with the back of my palm. This will be the last time I will think of him. Of that man– with cold ocean eyes and a wolf tattoo. A hand that is covered with leather, I should shiver whenever he touched me but it oddly gives me warmth and I burned for him. In the end, I was left with pieces of me I can't put back together.

Umakyat ang asido sa lalamunan ko't tila may isang malaking bato ang nakadagan sa dibdib ko.

I hate you, Lev Petrov.

We're done. Me and him. Simula sa araw na 'to, his name is just a string of three-letter words and a distant memory lost in time.

"Hihilahin ba kita o lalakad kang kusa?"

"Hindi ako tatakbo. I have nowhere to run." Inis na sagot ko sa ama't hinanap ng mata ang mukha ni Ally.

He's handsome as expected but he's angry. Ni hindi nito sinuklian ang ngiti ko. Kabaliktaran ni Brandon na akala mo nanalo ng lotto kung makangisi. Ganoon yata kapag sa'yo naipamana ang isa sa mga milking cow terretories ng council. I glared at Brandon and mouthed It's okay with Ally but he just ignored me. Kinurot ang puso ko dahil doon pero pilit ko siyang inintindi. He'll come around after sometime.

I stepped forward and when I turned to my right I saw the crying face of Kah. Taragis, lalo akong nakunsensiya. I was about to approach her seat when my father grunt at my side. He shakes his head discreetly, reprimanding me.

Some of the guests started to hush kaya't napilitan akong umabante. Nang ilang dipa na lang ang layo ko sa altar, kakatwang tumaas ang mga balahibo ko sa batok. Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Dakila na kasalukuyang nagta-thumbs up sa akin.

A terse nod was my reply.

That's strange.

Ipinilig ko ang ulo. Maybe this is just nerves. After a few grunts and pulls, finally we reached the altar.

"Take care of her," anang ama ko sa nakangiting si Ryan sabay abot ng nanlalamig kong palad sa lalake.

Nagtama ang mga tingin namin ng mapapangasawa. He's what you call the typical rich playboy guy. Matangkad. Mayaman. Gwapo, maskulado at mayabang. He thinks that cause of his family's money, he owns the world. He's full of himself at labis na nanayo ang balahibo ko lalo pa nang ilapit nito ang mukha sa tainga ko.

"You're so beautiful, Bree. Can't wait to destroy this dress and see what's underneath."

Puta. Gusto kong masuka lalo pa ng dilaan nito ang dulo ng tainga ko.

"Wala lang makikita. If you're expecting that the spoil you have for this war is pure, may oras ka pa para umatras. Hindi ako magagalit sa'yo."

"Who says I love virgins? Tsk. Mas palaban, mas gusto ko." Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. Not minding that we're causing a scene at kanina pa naghihintay ang pari. His tongue darted and I have goosebumps all over my body. "The things I plan for you. Kinky, dak and deprived. Oh, Bree. I'll make sure to make you scream while my friends watch. For now, let's do this."

Jesus! Suddenly, I am transpoted back into that night. Rage flows freely to my vein. I want to stabbed the fukcer with anything. Pwede na iyong kandelabra. Gagawan ko pa ng mundong 'to ng pabor once na sabay ko silang tinapos ng tatay ko. Isang familicide at isang sadist. What a perfect pair!

Subalit, bago ko pa magawa ang balak, nahila na ako ng animal sa harapan at pilit na pinaupo. He even feigned sweetness by kissing my temple and arranging my gown. Bastard.

I shoot him daggers and pursed my lips. Namamawis ang mga palad at likod na yumuko ako. I tried to remove myself from the present. Naghanap ako ng outlet and my gaze found the black roses with a dash of gold that was sitting on my lap. They're lovely and probably the only thing that's pure in this whole sham.

Tumikwas ang bibig ko. I gripped the handle and breath shakily. Funny how fate's sense of humor is f****d up. Throwing me into the den of wolves, destroying me only to be saved and now to be wed to another vile monster.

Will the pattern repeat itself today? May darating ba para iligtas ako?

Of course. Sarili mo, gaga. You don't need a hero to slay your dragons, only a sword and a will to wield it.

I giggled and that made the priest stop his sermon. Ryan's gaze bore into me, digging holes at my cheek but I remained unmoving. As if ang pinaka interesting na bagay sa mundo'y ang mga itim na rosas na hawak ko.

"Sorry. My bride was just excited father. Proceed."

Kumibot ang mga labi ko pero walang lumabas na kahit anong salita. Pinagkasya ko na lang ang sarili ko sa pagmamasid ng mga talulot ng bulaklak. Their petals are darker on the center and lighter on the outside. I wonder if I can become like these flowers. Black, velvety, classy and gorgeous. Haunting. But still, beautiful.

Can I still piece back myself–POP! Naituwid ko ang likod nang marinig ang ingay na iyon. Na sinundan pa ng isa't ng malakas na sigaw ni Ryan at ng kuya Flyn ko.

"What the f**k? Anong ingay 'yon? This is my wedding. Who dare gate crushed it?"

Naramdaman kong tumayo ang fiancé ko, mahigpit pa ring hawak ang kanang braso ko. Napatalon ako sa kinauupuan nang mas lumakas ang ingay mula sa likurang bahagi ng simbahan. I felt something warm spalshed to my sides and my veil. My brows furrowed when the hand that's holding me started to losen.

A quiet Bang from the back followed by a loud scream from a woman pulled me to the present. Nang lingunin ko ang dahilan, napatili ako. Ryan was shot. Isa sa hita at sa dibdib. His hapless body is sprawled on the floor and with one look at him, I know he's in critical condition and this is my chance to escape. Kung sinomang Ponchio Pilato ang nag-instigate ng ambush na ito, isa siyang hero. I might send him or her a postcard.

Nanginginig na umatras ako. I turned around and saw my father's men and some of the council's trusted muscles moved, labas ang mga baril at nakatutok sa iba't ibang direksiyon. Habang ang iba'y kanya-kanya ang takbo. They're trying to escape but when they reached the exits, may mga armadong kalalakihan ang lumabas mula roon. Barricading the door and shooting anyone who's fool enough to fight.

And then it's pandemonium.

Nasapo ko ng palad ang bibig.

"Bree, what are you doing? Hide at the back of the altar! Now." Sigaw ni Ally na kasalukuyang yakap ang fiancee at nakikipagpalitan ng putok sa isang masakaradong lalake.

Realization hits me when I saw a bullet pierce through my direction.

"Bree, dapa!"

I blinked. It was all in slow-mo. One second I was standing in the middle of the church, and the next thing I was on the cold marble floor. A large body was covering me from the gunfire.

"s**t. Patay ako nito. Ayos lang kayo Miss Bree?"

Nauumid ang dilang tumango ako sa nakamaskarang lalake. Ininspeksiyon nito ang katawan ko and when he's sure that I'm okay, balewalang tumayo't iniwan akong tulala. Why do I feel that I heard his voice before?

Nang makabawi, naupo ako't iginala ang paningin sa paligid. We're attacked by unknown men at my wedding. No, not attacked. Ambushed.

My mouth hangs open and even though Karen's voice cuts through my hazy brain, telling me to hide, hindi ako natinag. It's as if the c*****e that's unfolding right before my eyes is something mesmerizing. The darkness in it calls into me.

There's a new series of gunfire that last at least a minute but for me I think it's forever. A woman on my left wailed and when our eyes met I recognized her as Ryan's mother. Kalong nito sa kandungan ang bunsong anak habang ang ibang mga kababaihan ay napansin kong nasa gilid, nagkumpol-kumpol. Nakakaturete ang iyak ng mga bata marahil dahil na rin sa horror na nasa harapan namin. Bodies of men are piling up, being dragged by men with high powered gun on their shoulders. Men I knew since childhood.

I offered a silent prayer for them and searched for familiar faces amongst the sea of bodies. But when I see none, na-realize ko na umeskapo ang ama't dalawa kong duwag na kapatid. They left me and Ally in the midst of chaos to save their asses. Cowards. May ilan mang mga head ng Counci akong namataan, gaya rin namin sila, indispensable. They're on their knees and guns were pointed on their heads.

Oh, God! Is this the end of me? Please save, Ally, Kah and Dakila. Kahit ako na lang kunin mo.

"I hope we're not late for your wedding, Daisy. Tsk. Nagpatahi pa ako ng Armani for today. Espesyal ka sa 'kin, eh. Pero gustong sumama ng loob ko. You forgot my wedding invitation. Our wedding invitation. Sakit sa puso."

"I could say the same, Bree. Buti at mabait ang groom mo. He invited us. Right, Trace?"

"Nah. Tamang. We invited ourselves, Logan."

"Semantics."

An audible gasp escaped from my throat upon hearing those deep and playful voices. Dinaga ang dibdib ko't tila mabibingi ako. I want to check that they're here, Foedus but I don't dare to look up. Dinadaya lang ako ng pandinig ko. They are just the fickle of my imagination. Dala lang ito marahil ng takot at stress. At gutom.

"Yeah, that's it," I whispered to myself as I hugged my now smash bouquet.

"Hindi pa rin siya nagbabago, Yot. She's still stubborn and cute."

"Idagdag mo na ang great fashion taste. Love the flower, Daisy. Hiramin ko sa next photoshoot ko 'yan. Gothic style."

Shit. Akala ko ba maliligtas ako sa mga demonyo 'pag nasa loob ng simbahan? Ba't tila pinutakte ako?

Hindi kaya patay na talaga ko't nasa impyerno na ngayon? Maybe that bullet nicked my heart and right now, agaw-buhay ako't ito na yata ang mga sundo ko ang mga animal na barkada ni Lev.

Pagka-isip ko sa lalake, biglang nanayo ang balahibo ko. Mas lalo kong ipinikit ang mga mata. There's a collective gasp, a creek and then a light tap against the floor. Tap. Tap. Tap.

An alarm in my head began to beat a deafening staccato as that sound became louder. Then it sopped kasabay ng pulso ko.

Someone's watching me. My skin burns with his gaze, and shivers skittered down my spine. Hindi ko kailangang imulat ang mga mata upang mapagsino siya. It might be two years, two decades, or two centuries. . . but his effect is and will always be the same. I will always recognize his scent- musk, spine, and sandalwood. His looming presence and the inexplicable pull he has on me.

"Open your eyes, kiska. Never hide from me. Ever." That husky voice that I longed to hear spoke with me, with so much anger and authority, I think he wants to see me defy him. God, when did his Russian accent become this thick?

Napalunok ako. I know I'm in deep trouble pero hindi ako tutupi na lang basta sa kanya. If he's here to collect my father's debt or life, silang dalawa ang mag-usap. Labas ako roon.

Mahinang tap sa sahig ang nagpamulat sa akin. The nerve of this man.

I hissed and opened my eyes. Unang bumungad sa akin ang makintab niyang sapatos na may bahid ng dugo. It's Italian I know. My brows were pulled together when I saw a slim black and gold stick on his right side. Is that a cane?

Slowly, I lifted my eyes. From his sexy long legs that are now being hugged by his trousers to his slim waist. The black suit serves as his second skin and then the wide expanse of his chest.

I bite my cheeks to suppress my sigh when my eyes reach his structured face and the five o'clock he's sporting. And then up. . . until I met his eyes.

Those cruel baby blues.

Christ. All about him is dark and black except those eyes.

"What are you doing here? Maling party ang pinuntahan n'yo ng mga kaibigan mo. This is my wedding and as far as I know, this is RSVP. Leave." Puno ng poot na itinuro ko ang pintuan ng simabahan.

Tanging paniningkit lang ng mga mata niya ang nakuha kong reaksiyon. Ilang segundo kaming nagsukatan ng tingin saka nito ibinaling ang atensiyon sa likuran ko. Sakto namang narinig ko ang mahinang ungol ni Ryan. Nilingon ko ang lalake't akmang tutulungan nang biglang maunahan ako ng isa sa mga tauhan ni Lev.

"What? Bitawan niyo s'ya!" Galit na pinukpok ko ng bouquet ang lalake. Sinalag lang nito ang kamay ko habang nakatitig sa among marahang lumalapit sa amin.

Kumunot ang noo ko roon. Why is he walking so slowly and his gait, there's something strange about it.

"Master, this is the groom."

Lev stopped a few steps from me, c****d his head to the right, and stared at Ryan who was now on his knees begging.

"The groom?" Tila asidong bigkas nito sa salita. He's eyeing Ryan as if he was a pest he wants to squash with his shoes.

Namulsa ito pagkatapos. Ewan, pero mas lalo akong kinabahan. I know that look. I've seen it so many times in my dreams and I know that what comes next is death.

"J-just let us go. Stop this. You have no business here. Wala na rito ang dad and you killed half of his men ano pa bang gusto mo?"

"Wrong answer, baby doll. Pero paguusapan natin 'yan mamaya. Let me solve this issue first." Malamig niyang turan saka bumaling kay Ryan. "Three times. You dare to touch what's mine three f*****g times. Alam mo ba ang katumbas non?"

"P-please. Kung p-pera gusto mo, magsabi ka magkano. K-kung gusto mo sa'yo na ang b-ride ko. Just spare me, please!"

"Hangal. She's mine from the start. Kumusta mo na lang ako kay Satanas, gago."

Bago ako makahuma, itinutok na ni Lev ang baril sa noo ni Ryan at pinaputok iyon. Three times. Napatili ako nang makitang bumagsak ang katawan ng lalake, blood dripping on his temple.

"You brute! He's my intended." Umiiyak na sigaw ko. Akma 'kong pupuntahan ang bangkay ni Ryan but a strong hand gripped my forearm.

Lumingon ako't nasalubong ang galit na mukha ng huling lalakeng nanaisin kong makita ngayon. Lev's jaw clenched. The anger that's emminating from him made me step backwards.

"He's not, Brethany. Not before and definitely not now. Heard me? You asked me what I am doing here. I'm here to collect what's mine from the very start. You." He pulled me to his side. My body clashed against him, and I groaned. I tried to pull away and put some distance between us pero natigilan ako nang makitang may mga baril na nakatutok sa ulo nila Ally at Kah.

"One wrong move and their heads will blow up this place." Lev's voice is cold when he pinned me in his gaze. As always the man is always two steps ahead of me.

"I HATE YOU. W-why are you doing this to me? Nanahimik na ako. Ba't nandito ka pa? Nanggugulo? Ano pa bang gusto mo? Anong kasalanan ko sa'yo?"

For a long moment, Lev just stared at me with his sea eyes that filled my mind at night but I catch something hot in his eyes. It's burning me from the inside out. We're staring at each other, our surroundings started to blur. All sounds are now white noise.

I panted. His breath mingled with my labored breaths.

Suddenly, all the hurt that this man brought me, started to come out before I knew it I'm weeping. I hate him so much and this bond that binds us.

Slowly, agonizingly so, he raised his right palm and cupped my face. I flinched at the first touch. Nagtagis ang bagang ni Lev pero hindi siya nagkomento.

I glared at him and his full lips tugged upward. Nothing changed. He's still as devastating as ever. A monster that's hiding his true nature behind a cruel smile and expensive tux.

"You, kiska. It's always been you. Everything in me is all about you. I thought, malinaw na iyon sa 'yo dati but it seems that you need a reminder." Lev plants a soft kiss on my temple. Naipikit ko ang mga mata't pumiksi. I want to slap him, cursed him but I can't.

"God. I hate you."

"I can do hate. Diyan tayo mag-umpisa. You asked for your sin, da? You fell in love with a monster like me, that's the greatest sin you could ever commit. Cause I might hate you but my obsession runs deeper. Time for you to come home with me."

"What? Baliw ka ba? I am home. Hindi ako sasama sa'yo. Don't touch me."

Pagbaon ng mga kuko niya sa mukha ko ang naging sagot ni Lev. His right hand went to my nape, fully capping it and pulling it so that we're nose to nose.

After a few harsh breaths, he told me the words that condemned me to hell.

"Home is where I bring you. Where I am, that's your f*****g home. Besides, that's what wives do for their husbands, right? They sumbit."

"N-no!"

"Nyet? Pinapatawa mo ako. Your funny excuse of a groom is dead. Andito na ang totoo. Me. Father Ilario, tayo. Ikasal mo na kami."

Marahas akong umiling habang nakangisi si Lev. This is not happening. I waited patiently for this date, my escape. Pero iba ang dumating. Mas malala pa.

Si Lev. s**t. I can't survive this man twice.