LEV PETROV (Wild Men Series #3) Book 2

Chapter 2

BREE



DEATH has many faces and forms. A poison, a snake, a bullet, a shark, thru sword.

Words. .. or a wolf.

Mine happens to be in a form of a six-foot-four guy with ocean-blue eyes dripping with hate and revenge for my whole clan. The funny thing is, he has an odd way to dish it. Namely, snatched me away, put a ring on my finger and bury me in a holy union.

I hate you so much, Lev!

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa bouquet na pilit na isiniksik doon ng isang staff kanina't matalim ang mga matang sinalubong ko ng tingin ang repleksiyon sa salamin.

Nasa isang recurring na panaginip yata ako. No, bangungot. Wala pang bente kuwatro oras, dalawang gown na ang nasuot ko't dalawang beses na rin akong humawak ng bouquet. Ang kaibahan lang, while the former was made of roses and color of my choosing. The latter was a combination of baby's breath and white daisies.

Fucking freaking daisies!

Hindi ko alam kung anong mata-touch ba ako o matatawa sa mensaheng pilit na inihahatid ni Lev. Is he taunting me? Or perhaps that psycho still thinks that his mediocre efforts will ease up the anger I have for him.

Umismid ako't binistahan ang kabuuan sa salamin.

The woman that stared back at me is wearing a glittering ball gown that was made of a semi-transparent bodice. Hapit iyon sa katawan kaya't bahagyang nai-push ang dibdib ko. Instead of the traditional color–her gown is made of soft gold.

I scoffed at that. Sana ginawa na lang niyang black para mas bagay sa okasyon. My funeral. Mabigat ang loob na inayos ko ang white floral accent sa kanang balikat. Then my hands fall on my side, and I automatically feel the tulle skirt that cascades from my hips down to the floor. It's soft and lightweight. Dreamy, extravagant, and sparkling.

It's Vera Wang.

The woman in the mirror is the envy of everyone now, that's for sure. But she's anything but happy.

And she is me.

To say that Lev put effort and money into this shotgun wedding is an understatement. Which raises more questions in my mind. Hindi ba't mas okay na ibigay niya sa akin ang marriage contract, let me sign it and be done with it.

Why go through all this fuss?

Hindi ko siya ma-gets. Matapos niya akong ipagtabuyan, saktan at talikuran, ngayon, heto siya't parang baliw na ikukulong ako sa matrimonyo ng kasal. Bakit? Hindi ba't mas mainam na hayaan n'ya na lang ako habang pinaparusahan n'ya ang pamilya ko? Let me watch while he squash my poor excuse of a father to ashes. That's the true face of vengeance, right?

Ako na rin ang sumagot sa tanong ko. Lev knows that

Generro De Veyra is so many things–criminal, monster, and vile but he's no father to me. Not before and certainly not now.

And what better way to destroy me than to get the only thing I longed for in this godforsaken world, my freedom?

Marahas akong napamura. Sinapo ko ang noo. Kailangan ko muling ikonsidera ang lahat ng plano ko.

"Hello my prend! Ay miss yu."

Napasigaw ako nang walang abog-abog na simungaw sa pinto ng private suite si Dakila. He's holding the door, grinning and making a peace sign. I flipped him the bird.

"Pakyu! Anong I miss you ka d'yan. Huwag kang lalapit kung hindi hahatiin ko 'yang patpatin mong katawan sa 36 parts."

"Awts. Ang sakit no'n ah. Huwag ka ng magalit. Ismayl ka na, my prend. Hindi bagay sa'yong nakasimangot. Tsaka ba't parang libing ang pupuntahan mo't hindi ang widing mo. Ang ganda-ganda ng gown mo at ang bonga. Sayang–"

"He! Manahimik kang ungas ka! Kung hindi libing mo talaga ang pupuntahan ko. Akala mo ba nakalimutan ko na ang ginawa mong pagtakbo kanina sa simbahan? May pa 'peks man mamatay ka man, walang iwanan' kang gunggong ka. Isang putok lang ng bala, umikot na 'yang tumbong mo." Nanggigigil na sinugod ko siya't pinagbabato ko ng nahawakang brush at makeup Panay ang iwas nito na lalong nakadagdag sa galit ko.

Three hours after that monster killed my fiancé–ex fiancé–suma-Porgatoryo sana ang kaluluwa n'ya, Lev dragged my ass into a mega yacht. And we're cruising going to God knows where. I shoved the dread that started to crawl into my tummy.

Don't go there, Bree.

Pinanliitan ko ng mga mata ang animal na kaibigan. Ni anino nitong kulukoy na 'to hindi ko makita kanina. He just decided to show up now at may gana pa s'yang utusan akong ngumiti. Nasa siko yata talaga ang utak nito't wala sa ulo. But if I'm being honest, part of me was relieved to see him, knowing that the monster let hims stay with me. Kung hanggang kailan, hindi ko alam.

"Aray! Masakit na, Bri. Pis na nga,e. At saka, alam mo namang may pobya ako sa mga paputok o kahit anong pumuputok. Briii, huwag ang buhok ko sabi. D'yan nakasalalay ang kagwapuhan ko." Angal nito sabay salag sa mga atake ko.

"Ulol. Phobia, phobia ka pang nalalaman. E, kung nguso mo kaya paputukin ko? Ang sabihin mo duwag ka talaga. Guwapo? My ass!" Habol ang hiningang namewang ako. Iwinasiwas ko sa harapan niya ang bouquet. Wala akong pake kung malagas na ang mga petals ng bulaklak. I need to vent out or else, hindi ko alam kung kaya kong maka-survive ng isa pang araw.

"Prend naman. Estap na. Kawawa 'yong mga plawers mo. Mahal daw 'yang mga 'yan. 300k sabi ni Farrah." He grinned, gifting me with his crooked front teeth.

My hand stopped mid-air.

"Sinong Farrah?" Alam ko ay Hannah ang name ng coordinator na kulang na lang ay ilingkis ang katawan sa mga kaibigan ni Lev lalo na kina Jeru at Logan.

Kumamot sa baba si Dakila saglit pagkatapos ay inayos muli ang buhok. Ilang langaw na kaya ang nadulas sa buhok niya? Hindi ko alam kung ba't may gel naman pero trip na trip niyang gamitin ang pomada.

"Dakila." Inip na tawag ko.

"Iyong widing koordineytor n'yo. May lahi yata siyang Indian kasi Usan ang apelyido. Farrah Usan."

My jaw dropped to the floor, I blinked at him. When it dawns on me, I'm laughing my heart out. As if the world as I knew it is ending. Sapo ang tiyan na sumalampak ako ng upo sa carpeted floor ng suite. I don't care if I ruined my gown or my makeup. Baliw na yata talaga ako.

Naramdaman kong tumabi sa akin ang kaibigan.

Maya-maya pa'y umaalingawngaw na sa apat ba sulok ng silid ang halakhak naming dalawa.

"Kita mo? Mas gumaganda ka kapag naka ismayl ka, prend." Siniko ako nito. Hinawi nito ang buhok na tumatabing sa mukha ko matapos ang ilang segundo.

I pouted and punch his side. Isang malaking pagkakamali dahil ako ang mas nasaktan sa tulis ng mga ribs niya. Hindi ko alam kung ialng bulate ang naninirahan sa katawan nito, malakas naman itong kumain ba't hindi tumataba?

"s**t. Ang sakit ng mga buto mo!"

"Sabi na sa'yong brader ko si Karma." Proud na nag flex pa ito ng braso n'yang papasang stick.

Sinamaan ko ng tingin ang gunggong. Kumamot ito sa batok sabay taas ng dalawang kamay.

"You're deflecting."

Dramatikong sinapo niya ang dibdib.

"Aray naman. Alam ko namang from wantuten, eyt ang mukha ko pero huwag mo namang ipamukha sa 'king depiktibo ako."

Umigkas ang kamao ko't tumama iyon sa braso ng lalake.

"Baliw. Sabi ko deflect hindi defect. Umiiwas ka, gano'n."

Nag-peace sign ang kumag.

"Pis. Ayusin mo kasi. Alam mo namang limitado lang alam ko sa ingles na 'yan." Nag iwas siya ng mga mata. Sumeryoso't tumuwid ang likod. "Sori, Bri. Huwag ka ng magalit. Alam kong papatayin mo ako kapag nagpakita na ako sa'yo. Hindi gawain ng isang kaibigan ang ginawa ko kanina. Pero masisisi mo ba ako? Kahit naman lunukin ko ang bato ni Darna hindi kita maililigtas. Anim na lalake ang nakapalibot sa tarangkahan ng simbahan. Tapos, iyong Dax ba 'yon?"

I nod.

"Tama. Dax. Iyong mestisong hito na lamang lang ng 1.5 na paligo sa kagwapuhan ko–tinutukan ako ng baril. Dito." Sabay turo sa noo. "Naunahan lang ako ng animal na–E, ba't natatawa ka? Anong mali sa sinabi ko?"

Pinunasan ko ng likod ng palad ang gilid ng mga mata.

"Gagsti. Kapag narinig ka ni Daxon, gagawin kang fish fillet n'on. Alam kong pinaglihi ka sa self confidence, pero ingat lang. Huwag sobra lalo na sa harap ng mga demonyong 'yon. Tandaan mo, bukod sa nanay mo, ako lang ang nakaka alam na pogi ka."

"May isa pa. Iyong ka-epbi ko."

"Wait until she realized you're a poser."

"Hep! Huwag mong ilayo ang usapan."

I tried my best to suppress my grin but I failed. Sa gulat ko, pinanggigilan nito ang pisngi ko't ngumiti.

"Bati na tayo ha? Alam mo namang ikaw lang ang nagtitiyaga sa akin. Pramis, kahit saan ka dalhin ni Mr. Petron, sasama ako. Sabi ko sa kanya at doon sa taong pugad na takot yata sa suklay–"

"Si Trace."

"Yis. Si Tris. Ika ko, sanggang-dikit tayo. Sabi ko, hindi ka nila mapapakalma kapag wala ako. Ako yata 'yung bulate sa pampurga mo."

A warm hand gripped my heart at his words. Grateful to have a familiar face, an ally, in this hell.

I bite my lips and looked at the door. Contemplating to run with Dakila pero ako na rin ang sumupil sa sarili ko. Milagro nang matakasan namin ang mga bantay na alam kong naka istasyon sa labas ng pintuan ng suite. After that, I need to face the vast ocean and its fury waves. Iyon ang ikinakatakot ko.

After the incident two years ago, I and the sea are now sworn enemies. Like Lev and I.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Come to think of it. Hindi kaya alam ng psycho na 'yon ang phobia ko kaya't sa yate ang napili niyang venue ng kasal namin? Dahil alam niyang mapaparalisa ako sa takot once na makita ko ang karagatan.

Impossible.

"Huwag mo ng balakin. Bago pa tayo makalabas sa kwartong 'to, may army nang nakabantay d'yan, handang pugutin ang ulo ko." Dakila echoed my thought. I shake my head.

"Ba't pala di ka binugbog ng mga kumag na 'yon? Himala. Naawa sila sa'yo?"

"Tsk. Kita mo 'tong mukhang 'to? Wala ng sisirain oa rito kaya siguro nagme-miting pa 'yung anim kung saan at paano ako pahihirapan. Sabi nga niyong si atorni Iyot–"

"Eyot. Hoy! Binalahura mo naman 'yong nickname ng tao."

"Oki. Eyut. 'Yan. Masaya ka na? Sabi nga n'ya. . . Yur pis pos a tsalinds."

Ngisi ang naging sagot ko sa kaibigan. Bago ko pa maibuka ang bibig, biglang umuga ang yate't napatili ako. Niyakap ko agad si Dakila, sumiksik ako sa side niya.

Just like in the old times, Dakila enveloped me with his embrace and whisper soothing words in my ear. His presence is a balm to my anxious state right now.

A momentary peace sa gitna ng delubyo.

"Nagpadala 'ko ng text kay Ser Ally. Sinabi kong kasama mo ako. Pupuslit ako ng telepono, pero hindi ngayon. Talo ko pa ang papasok sa loob ng preso sa tindi ng bantay ng mapapangasawa mo sa akin. Talaga bang 'di katiwa-tiwala ang mukha ko?" He asked while gripping my right palm.

I scoffed. I know that he's trying to divert my focus and fear onto something. Sa mata ng ibang tao, he's a no-nonsense and sometimes dense human. What they didn't know is that on the surface lies a loyal and reliable friend.

"Hindi."

"Sige na nga. Dahil mabait akong kaibigan, palalagpasin kita." Nagpakawala siya nang marahas na hininga. "Malapit ka ng maging Mrs. Gasolina, prend. Hindi ko alam ang mapipil ko."

"Gasolina?"

"Oo. Di ba Pitron apelyido n'ya?" Inosenteng sagot-tanong nito.

Malakas akong natawa. But it was cut short when an iron fist gripped my forearm, pulling me away from Dakila.

"What the?!" My body slammed against a hard one. Musk, spice, and clean water assaulted my nose. Nanayo ang balahibo ko't bumilis ang pulso ko.

Shit.

I slowly looked up. And the air in my lungs was sucked out when a beast so feral greeted me. Not Lev or the Mafioso man I know. But a monster fresh from Hell.

"Get your filthy hands away from her. Lumayas ka sa yate ko bago maghiwalay yang leeg mo't nakaka asar mong pagmumukha." Lev growled. Nose flaring, eyes spitting hellfire and ready to bury my friend alive.

Inilapit n'ya ang mukha sa nanginginig na si Dakila. "I shouldn't have spared your sorry life kung alam ko lang gagaguhin mo–"

"M-mr. P-pitrov. . . Ser. Magp-papaliwanag ako." Dakila raised both his hand in surrender while I try my best na bawiin ang braso kay Lev. "N-nag uusap lang kami ng Bri. Hindi b-ba prend?"

"Yes! At sa pagkakatanda ko, hindi ko kailangan humingi ng permiso sa kung sinong kakausapin ko't hindi. Let me go! Ano ba?"

Lev ignored me and zeroed in on my poor friend's frightened state.

"I won't repeat myself. Khuy."

"E, paano ho ako g-gagalaw kung nakatutok ang ispada n'yo sa leeg ko, Ser?"

"Oh, my God! Dakila. . ." Nasapo ko ang bibig.

Noon ko lang napansin na may hawak na isang mahabang samurai si Lev at nasa leeg ng kaibigan ang tip noon. A fresh crimson trickled down from my friends neck and I hate him more than ever.

"Isa." Lev leans back and pulls his sword away from Dakila's neck.

Sinamantala iyon ng kaibigan ko, nangangatog ang tuhod na tumayo siya't kumaripas ng takbo. When he's near the door, lumingon siya't kumaway.

"P-prend, batsi muna ko. Congrats sa inyo Mr. Petron-este Petrov. Leyters."

And then he's gone. Naiwan akong nagpupuyos ang dibdib.

"Let me go. You're evil. Anong akala mong ginagawa mo?" Galit na angil ko. Pilit binabawi ang braso mula sa mala-bakal niyang kamay.

"What do you think you're doing, Bree? Flirting with that bastard right under my nose? Or are you planning to escape from me?"

Rage threatens to tear my bones as every muscle in my body tenses. I raised my chin defiantly.

"E, ano naman ngayon kung ganon nga? I told you, sa bawat pagkakataon na meron ako tatakasan kita. And for the last freaking time, I don't answer to you or to any man, Mr. Petrov."

Bago pa ako makahuma, matigas na pader na ang tumama sa likuran ko. Napaigik ako. I tried to claw at him but the man is so angry, my effort is futile. He captured both my hands and pulled them on top of my head. Then, Lev circled my throat with his huge palm and leans forward, invading any space between us.

Kahit hirap, ibinaling ko sa kaliwa ang ulo. Trying my might to put distance between us. I shut my eyes as Lev's fingers dig deeper into my throat, confiscating my very air.

"Malas mo. I'm not any man, Brethany. Open your f*****g eyes!"

"f**k you!" I obliged and spat the words.

Lev's eyes are like hellfire. I know he lose all his patience and any semblance of humanity the moment he saw Dakila hugging me. Something's never changed. The asshole is still the most impossible possessive jerk on the planet. Malas n'ya, ako nagbago na.

Kung pupulutin ang katawan ko sa laot matapos nito, so be it. I glower at him and the brute smirk.

"You're still as stubborn as a bull, baby doll."

"Stop calling me that!" I hissed but stopped when Lev's thumb grazed my pulse point, achingly slowly. His hooded eyes turned darker as he follow the movement of his thumb.

I gulped. Naparalisa ako. Bead of sweats formed in my brow. Pilit kong nilabanan ang init na nanunulay sa katawan ko dulot ng haplos at presensiya niya. My heart beats erratically I'm afraid lalabas iyon mula sa ribcage ko.

Jesus! Why is he not wearing his gloves? And why am I still affected by him like a crazy teenager after all these years?

"Call you what? Baby doll? Last time I recall, you love that pet name. So much so that your cunt squirms and squeezes the life out of my fingers."

"S-stop it. " Galit na sigaw ko. But my traitorous knees turned into jelly at the image his words painted. White heat engulfs my stomach and crawls its way to my throat, suffocating me with lust.

I hate myself more than I hate him. Damn this monster and his wicked tongue.

Pumalatak ang binata kasabay ng paglanding ng isang matigas na bagay sa pagitan ng hita ko. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marahan iyong dumunggol sa kaselanan ko. Nanayo ang balahibo ko. Hindi naging sagabal ang gown kong nakapagitan sa amin ng bagay na iyon. I'm a goner, I could feel the dampness on my undies.

Mas masahol pa ako kay Lev sa lagay na ito. How can I be aroused when every crevice of my being is screaming hate for the man? I swallowed the bile that was large as a golf ball and muster the courage to peer at the thing that was attacking my senses, leaving me a puddle of goo.

Is that the head of his cane?

"W-what are you doing?"

"I hate being called a liar. Just want to prove a point. We'll have a truce, Miss De Veyra," he rolled my surname in his tongue like acid. Lev hated it and what it represented with so much intensity as category-five hurricane but he also wants me. He's conflicted and so am I.

"I'm not making a deal with you."

"Who said I'm asking?" He counters back in a dangerous tone I never heard before. He's unhinged. The glint in his eyes says it all.

I licked my lips and Lev's heated gazed drops to my mouth. Sa loob ng tatlong segundo ibinaba ng lalake ang maskara niya, I saw hunger swimming in his dark blue eyes. He wants to kiss me and I'm panting, waiting. I mentally kicked my b***h self. Reminding myself that this man is the enemy.

Fudge. Anticipation and hate is a deadly combination I don't recommend to anyone especially kung kasing gwapo ng demonyong kaharap ko ang tormentor.

"I'll check under your dress if you're wet for me. If not, I'll let you go. If yes, I'll destroy your pet's face and then I'll live him at Trace's dungeon para maging snack ng mga pusa n'ya."

"D-don't you dare." I shake my head.

Lev's eyes narrowed, his jew was tensed. Kasing lamig ng Arctic ang boses niya nang magsalita.

"Oh, baby. Nakalimutan mo na ba? I always love the challenge. You see. I'm not always brutal. Minsan, nagbibigay rin ako ng awa at choices sa mga piling tao. Swerte mo kasama ka do'n."

"Baliw lang ang kakagat sa mga salita mo."

He hummed and leaned forward. Then in one swift move, binitawan ang pulsuhan ko't itinaas ang laylayan ng gown ko gamit ang kaliwang kamay niya. Nakumpirma ang hinala kanina ng humalik sa balat ko ang malamig na dulo ng baston ni Lev. He dragged it up. . . up and up. Then it stopped on top of my aching center.

I was frozen into place, I'm staring at the man whose face remain stoic but his oceans eyes turned deadlier as his cane went higher. Marahas akong napahinga nang maramdaman kong hinawi ni Lev ang undies ko gamit ang baston niya and a faint sound of a something ripping travels to my ears. Next thing I knew, my lace undergarment was in between my feet. Ripped.

Before I could ask him how did he destroyed my undies, the cold metal touched my lips down there. Hindi ko napigilan ang pag alpas ng ungol.

Without tearing our gazes, Lev methodically twirls the head of his cane at an agonizing pace. Circling my c**t while he smiles at me.

Napanganga ako. Unable to take my eyes away from his beautiful hard face, my breathing started to become labored and my knees wobbled as the edge of the brass metal wolf head scrape my wet folds.

No! I screamed in my head. This can't be.

"You can always lie or run away from your me. But Kiska, I tell you. I love the chase."

Naipikit ko ang mga mata't kinagat nang mariin ang mga labi. I gripped the skirt of my gown for some semblance. Pilit kong nilalabanan ang pananalanta niya sa katawan ko. But I know that I'm just mere seconds away from that pleasure that once shook my world to its core.

"Hear that sound your soaking cunt is making, Bree? Need I say more? How I wish kaharap ko si Satanas ngayon so that I can make a wish. I want to be reincarnated as a cane. A brass wolf head to be precise, the one that's between your delicious cunt as we speak." His breath caresses my face when he speaks.

Holy. Molly!

Awtomatikong naidilat ko ang mga mata. Iwinaksi ko ang kahihiyan na unti-unting lumalamon sa akin. Lupa, swallow me please!

"Fine. You win. I'm wet, naglalawa. There. Happy? Ano pang gusto mo? It's biology. So don't flatter yourself. Libog lang 'to. No more, no less. Any sane woman will feel this way towards you." I said through gritted teeth. "Or, me to any man for that matter."

"They'll answer to my Glock or sword first before they lay a finger on you." Sakmal ang leeg kong singhal nito.

"You're two years too late for that hero s***h Alphahole act don't you think?" I taunt him with a smirk.

Humigpit ang hawak nito sa leeg ko't nagtagis ang bagang. May kung anong dumaan sa mga mata nito ngunit dagli ring nawala.

"You really know how to push my buttons. But remember this, no one– and I mean it, touches you and gets to see another day." Marahas nitong binitawan ang leeg ko.

Nauubong sinapo ko ang leeg, I glowered at him. Bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata niya. Then the brute captured my wrist.

Huli na para mabawi ko iyon sa kanya. His warm calloused hand was touching, not inspecting my inner wrist without tearing his scrutinizing orbs on mine.

Napalunok ako. Nag-iinit ang magkabilang pisngi ko lalo pa nang huminto ang iyon sa pinaka malaking pilat ko. The first one I did when I woke up from coma.

Tumiim ang mga mata nito na lalong nagpakaba sa akin. I was expecting him to ask me or even have a glimmer of judgment in his eyes but the look he gave me was blank. Gaya ng dati, Lev knows. He knew it before I could even utter the words.

There's a knot inside my stomach. I'm starting to panic lalo pa't hindi tumitigil ang daliri nito sa pagdama ng pulso ko.He lifts my arm between us. The sheer material of my sleeve rolled down showing my ugly scars.

"How many?"

"Why do you care?"

Napahiyaw ako nang pilipitin niya ang pulso ko.

"Seven. . . No, eight! s**t. You're hurting me."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang sa wakas ay bitawan nito ang kamay ko.

"This is the only warning you'll get from me, kaya isaksak mo sa kukute mo. This will be the last time you'll disobey me. In this union, salita ko ang batas."

"Really? So you're expecting me to just nod and suck you up?"

Umangat ang sulok ng bibig nito't kinamot ang baba. Mirth and something darker dances in his eyes.

"Hmm. Not even close." Hinapit nito ang bewang ko't iniangat ang baba ko gamit ang baston niya. Napalunok ako.

My core clench because of how dirty the act is. I need to focus my eyes on his smug face or else makikita ko ang ebidensiya ng kalanturan ko.

Pinasadahan ng matiim na mga mata ni Lev ang nag-iinit kong mukha bago iyon huminto sa mga labi ko.

"If I order you to drop to your knees and suck my c**k, the only answer you're going to mutter is how deep and should I swallow or spit? That kind of law, maylsh."

A sharp sigh was my answer.

"Step back."

Dazed, I obey. Parang baliw na sinundan ko ng tingin ng yumuko si Lev at may pinulot sa paanan ko.

"Kailangan sumunod sa tradisyon."

"You! Akin na 'yan. Anong gagawin mo sa undies ko?" Sinubukan kong hablutin ang red lace panty ko sa lalake pero naitaas na nito ang kamay.

"Told you already. Wedding s**t and traditions. Something borrowed."

I'm sure talo ko pa ang kamatis sa narinig.

"Bastos– Oh my, God! Stop it!" Nae-eskandalong tumalikod ako nang makita ang ginawa ni Lev. He's wiping the wolf head of his cane using my destroyed handky. Hindi pa siya nakuntento, dinala niya iyon sa ilong at sininghot. Hindi pa nakuntento ang animal, tinupi pa nito ang kawawang undies at inilagay iyon sa breast pocket ng tuxedo.

"There."

His filthy, Christ!

"You keep on telling me. Umay. Everyone's waiting. Stop stalling and let's say I do."

Nagpupuyos sa galit na humarap ako ready to wage war to my husband. But gone is the horny and playful Lev. Back in is the stoic, crime lord that is wrapped with expensive black Brioni, madness, and all kinds of broken.

"Let's go, Mrs. Brethany Petrova." Tuwid itong nakatayo sa gitna ng silid, a cane on his right hand. Nakalahad ang kaliwang kamay sa gawi ng pinto. Nasa mga mata nito na hindi ito tatanggap ng 'no' mula sa akin.

This is it.

I bite the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from talking back and steal my back. Raising my chin like the mafia princess that I am, I step forward and toward our dark world. Will I find beauty in it? With him?

I was in front of him when I caught something red dripping from his right hand down to the carpet. A soft gasp leaves my mouth.

"It's nothing. Go on." Muwestra nito sa pintuan at paikang lumakad. Tila balewala rito ang masaganang dugongdumadaloy sa kamay.

"Wala akong sinabi."

"Hindi na kailangan. You have the most expressive eyes. Ipinagkakanulo ka parati." Walang lingon-likod niyang ani. Hindi alintana kung nag iiwan siya ng manstsa sa dinaraanan.

When did he got that wound? Scratch that. I know it's self inflicted but why? Wala sa loob na nahaplos ko ang kanang pulso kung saan naroon ang napakalaki't haba kong pilat.

"Besides, I'm not new to wound or blood. Something old. Chop, chop. Mrs. Petrova, bago pa gawing sisig ni Trace ang alaga mo."

"s**t. Si Dakila." Kumakaripas ang takbong iniwan ko si Lev sa loob ng silid, seething with anger and muttering a series of Russian profanities.

As I approached the stern, nahugot ko ang hininga nang bumungad sa akin ang isang napaka gandang isla. It's in the middle of a vast ocean and pristine sandbar stretches to its shore.

It's breathtaking.

"Daisy! Finally. Halika na rito. Sakto pagdaong natin sa Agrianthropos, ganap ka ng may-bahay ni Master."

"Agrianthropos. "

"Yes. Home. Finally."

I looked to my right and saw Lev standing there with his piercing blue eyes fixed on me.

Is he referring to the island or me?

I guess I don't care.

"Let's get this s**t done. I'm tired."