LEV PETROV (Wild Men Series #3) Book 2

Chapter 3

LEV

"I DO."

Two words sealed our fate. Forever ng nakatali si Bree sa akin. Good thing? Hell, f*****g yes.

But there's a catch. Apparently, ang dalawang katagang iyon din ang nagsimula ng Civil War sa pagitan namin. Right now, she's shooting daggers my way. Kulang na lang ibaon ako sa lupa ng asawa ko.

A string was pulled in my heart at the last words.

Asawa ko. s**t.

This feisty woman is mine. f*****g finally.

"Historians are scam." Bulong ko habang sinasalubong ang matatalim na tingin ni Bree.

Dumaan ang katanungan sa mga mata niya. Ikiniling ko ang ulo sa kanan, clucked my tongue.

"Hindi Hapon o anumang nuclear weapon ang magsisimula ng World War III. Weddings are."

"Now that's a statement I hope every one of your friends hears. You have no freaking idea what you have started, Mr. Petrov." She leaned forward, invading my personal space.

Naparalisa ako.

I blink slowly. A pair of burned cinnamon clashed with my icy blue ones. While mine dripped with longing, hers were full of hatred and contempt. At wala akong choice kung hindi ang tanggapin ang lahat ng iyon.

My jaw tightened. Trepidation surged through me but I shoved it aside. Nagpakawala 'ko nang malalim na hininga, kinakalma ang sarili. A big freaking mistake 'cause my senses have been conquered by her intoxicating scent–jasmine and vanilla.

Excitement courses to every crevice of my dark soul. Next thing I knew, I am shifting my weight from my left foot to right, discreetly adjusting my c**k.

Yeah. I know this is the worst time to get a boner but can you blame me? It's Bree we're talking about here.

"Pervert." My bride whispered- hissed. Nakapako sa pundiya ko ang mga mata niya. And when she dragged her eyes up, napasinghap ito. The culprit is the red lace placed in my breast pocket.

I smirked and tapped the destroyed undies I'd been sporting as my handkerchief. Lalong nangamatis ang mga pisngi ni Bree.

"Stop doing that."

"Why? Hindi ba bagay sa tux ko ang lace undies mo? It's a new trend. I think."

"Trend mong mukha mo. You're disgusting. Manyak."

Halos mabilaukan sa pag-ubo ang pare sa tapat namin. Habang ang mga kupal kong kaibigan ay panay ang hiyawan at palapakan. Definitely hearing our heated exchange.

Ako? I shamelessly rearrange my bulge while drinking her in. I will not deny her accusation. To be honest, I am more pleased 'cause it goes to show that she's still attuned to me. To this inexplicable hunger I have for her.

Isa pa, my boner is a lost cause. It's been eight hundred and fifty-five days since my stupid c**k tasted a p***y, so yes. Tag-libog ako. And, yes, bilang ko ang bawat araw na puro si Marry P–aka Mariang Palad, Logan's words not mine, ang kaulayaw ko sa bawat magdamag.

"Sir. Ahm. . ." The presiding priest cleared his throat, cutting the thick s****l tension in the air.

"What?" I spat but my gaze never leaves the face of my blushing bride.

Can she read all the filthy thoughts that are running inside my brain right now? How I want her on my knees. On all fours. Or, that I want Bree's smart mouth wrapped around my c**k–

"Ahm–Mr. Petrov. . . "

Tang'na naman talaga. Inis na nilingon ko ang nabubulol na pari.

"T-the ring. Kailangan n-niyo pong isuot ang s-singsing." Namumutlang anas nito sabay senyas sa kanan ko.

"Hello, Love birds. Cousin. Miss me?" Nakangising bati nj Jeru na hawak ang mga singsing namin ni Bree.

The f**k? Who in their right mind picked a grown-up man as a ring bearer?

"What? Mabilisan 'to? Wala kaming makulimbat na bata sa isla." Pamimilosopo ng pinsan ko nang mabasa ang katanungan sa mukha ko. "Opps. Meron pala. Kaso, pakakasalan mo, e. Nasaan naman ang puso ko kung aalukin ko si Bree na maging ring bearer sa kasal n'yo?"

My eyes narrowed. Nagdidilim ang paningin ko sa pinsan. Pagbakasyunin ko kaya ang kupal na 'to sa impyerno? Iyong wala ng balikan?

Bree snorted.

"Shut the f**k up, Jerusalem kung ayaw mong lumunok ng bala." I sneered pero hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ko ang pag ha-high five nila Logan at Trace na kabilang sa labing-anim naming bisita.

"You should have asked me, Jeru. I'll be happy to fill in the role."

What the actual f**k? So, he's Jeru now at ako Mr. Petrov?

"Nah. I'm good. Childhood dream ko 'to, Daisy. By the way, lalo kang gumanda."

My eyes darted between them.

Bree dramatically rolled her eyes but there's a tinged of pink on both of her cheeks. Lihim akong napamura habang ang gago kong pinsan matamis na ngumiti sa asawa ko sabay kindat pa.

That's it. Funeral muna ng gagong 'to ang gagawin namin bago ang reception.

"Back off." I snarled and then, I grabbed the rings from him. I hastily reached for Bree's right hand. She pulled but I tugged it harder. Matalim na tingin ang naging sagot nito. Animo kami mga batang naglalaro ng tug of war.

"Takte, nahihilo na ko sa gutom. Lev, naman. Mas mabilis ka pang magsuot ng condom kaysa sa singsing–ouch! Bakit ba? Nagsasabi ako ng totoo."

"Baliw ka talaga, Dax. Bibig mo. May alagad ng Diyos tayong kasama." Nalingunan ko si Jake na tinuturo ang paring marahil ay kanina pa gustong maging pataba ng lupa habang si Dax ay nakasimangot. Sapo ang tiyan.

I groaned. I made a mental note na gawin ang dati ko pang plano, humanap ng bagong mga kaibigan. But first thing first.

Bago pa makahuma si Bree, I wrenched her forearm. She winced, a cute little v appeared between her eyebrows as her lithe gown-clad body slammed against mine.

God, I missed her.

"I hate you. You'll regret this. Isinusumpa ko."

"Semantics. I know, kiska. At times, I hate myself, too." Using my cane, ikiniling ko ang ulo niya sa kanan. Matiim na tinitigan. "At least now, we have something in common. What a way to start our blissful union, da?"

"Blissful my ass. In your dreams, Petrov. Besides, iyan ang kaisa-isang bagay na common sa atin."

"Wrong. You'll be a Petrov, too, kiska. In. . . less than two minutes. That makes it two."

"I will never ever use your surname."

"Hm. . . we'll see. Baka nakakalimutan mo, hawak ko sa leeg ang tatlong mahalagang tao sa buhay mo. You want me to start with the pest on Jake's right?"

Pumiglas si Bree mula sa pagkakahawak ko but I don't let her go. I nod at Indi. Ilang saglit pa, palahaw na ni Dakila ang umaalingawngaw sa paligid, nakikipagpaligsahan sa tawa ng gagong si Patricio.

"Dakila. Jesus. Stop it. We had a deal." Nangingilid ng luha ang mga matang asik niya. Hindi magkanda ugaga sa paglingon sa kaibigan.

"Lev, kapag hindi nanahimik 'tong kurimaw na 'to. Gagawin kong supper ng mga pusa ko 'to."

"Mr. Petron. . . Bus Tris naman. Plis, aym biging yu. Huwag pu."

Nahilot ko ang sentido. The man above is really not a fan of me. Nagiging circus na ang kasal namin ni Bree. Sighing, I raised my hand and waved flippantly. August and Indi will get the message. Release Dakila. For now.

I'll deal with that irritating pest later.

Grinding my molars, inilapit ko ang bibig sa kanang tainga niya. She trembles under my touch.

"Sa'n na nga ba tayo? Yes. The deal. I remember it clearly. I order, you. . . obey. My words are law, no? So, when I say that you'll be using my f*****g surname, you'll use it. Or, I'll throw your f*****g pet in the middle of Palawan Sea."

"Fine. You win. Happy?"

"Not really," I growl and bite the shell of her right ear. "Say it, Brethany. I want to hear it."

"Demonyo ka."

"Hmm. . . One." I darted my tongue and lick the sensitive spot behind her right ear.

She stilled but her pulse went haywire. Her breath

hitched.

"Two."

"Damn you! I belong to you. And I'm a f*****g Petrov starting today. There." May isang luhang tumulo sa kanang mata niya matapos buong poot na bigkasin ang mga katagang iyon.

I hummed, satisfied. Sinalo ko ng hintituro ang luha ng asawa.

"Sweet. Don't ever forget it," saad ko matapos dalhin sa labi ang daliri.

"f**k. You."

"Looking forward to that. But I'll f**k you to oblivion first." Umatras ako, grabbed my cane with my left while our rings were sitting on my right palm. Heavy and cold.

Is it a bad omen? No. No.

I pursed my lips, letting the f*****g dread disappear at the farthest part of my unhinged brain.

I focus my gaze on Bree. My eyes caressed the soft lines of her face. Starting from the perfect brows to the cute pert up nose, and the tiny freckles that peppered her cheeks. They are f*****g glowing, thanks to the sunset. When my eyes fall on her pouty lips that are painted with crimson, my throat tightened. Those lips plagued my dreams for so many nights, I lost count.

Kinailangan ko pa nang ilang segundo para hamigin ang sarili ko. Nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin, ang pesteng puso ko, sumikdo. f**k, those eyes. There's a tangle of melancholy and hate in its depth. But its their fire that made grabbed my cane. At gaya ng dati, hinayaan ko ang sarili kong malunod sandali.

Our pull was so strong. Like a magnet, I cleave to Bree. Right f*****g now, I'm in a trance. Lost between the past, what ifs, and the future while I looked at my present.

Motherfucker. Lev, get a grip.

Noon naman pinili ng hinayupak na nature na makialam, umihip ang hangin. Tinangay niyon ang mahaba at puting belo na pinilit kong ipasuot sa kanya. Well, to be honest, everything she wore today was singlehandedly handpicked by me. From head to toe.

Extreme, I know. Kaya nga hinayaan ko na ang wedding coordinator na mag-ayos ng buong venue. Namely, the white pristine beach of Agrianthropos. The place I considered home.

"Gurang, sana kaya today. Gutom na mga bisita mo! I ditched my brunch for you tapos ganito? Am famished." Angal ni Dax. Dragon yata ang alaga ng kupal na 'to.

"Lev, bilisan mo. Nagiging tao na tingin ko sa alaga ni Bree."

"Oo nga, Lev. Tama si Elliot. Save mo later 'yan sa pulot-bata este gata." Susog ng gagong si Logan.

"Kaya nga. Kahit paglabas n'yo ni Bree may kolehiyo na kayong anak, we wouldn't mind." It was Trace.

"s**t heads," I mutter.

"Sir. . . you may now wear your ring, Mr. Petrov." Singit ng pari na hanggang ngayon hindi ko alam ang pangalan.

Clearing my throat, muli kong kinuha ang kanang kamay ni Bree. Without so much preamble, I shoved the twenty-carat diamond ring I specifically made for her.

Kumunot ang noo n'ya, inilayo nang bahagya ang kamay. Sinipat ang daliri. Kumikinang ang repleksyon ng singsing sa mga mata ng asawa ko.

Cobalt blue against the burned cinnamon. Perfect.

But my thought are put to a halt when I saw anger and confusion after a scant seconds. It's painted on her face. She despised the ring so much and what it represents. Bree's been itching to throw it on my face. But when she saw my stoic expression, she decided against herself. She swallowed so hard, I heard it.

"Napaka mahal namang kandado nito."

I c****d my head to the right.

"Now you're giving me ideas, wife. I'm considering putting some chains on your neck." Seryoso kong ani. I will put any type of jewelry or brand on her just so the world will know that she belongs to me.

Mine.

"Don't you dare." Namumula ang leeg na angil nito sabay lahad ng kanang kamay.

"Hanggang ngayon hindi mo pa rin alam ang kaya kong gawin para sa'yo, Bree. I'll burn this planet, kill every human I see and lay their hearts at your feet ust to prove to you how serious I am."

"Sa pagkakatanda ko, Pinoy si Balagtas hindi Russian. Ring. Akina. Para matapos na ang napakahabang araw na 'to."

Tila napapasong isinuot nito ang singsing ko matapos ko iyong ilagay sa palad niya. Agad na pumigit si Bree paharap sa paring hindi ko malaman kung nakakita ng multo or constipated. Or, both.

"Done. Father, do your thing. Kung ano mang kaek-ekan iyong susunod–What the F?!"

"I now pronounce you husband and wife–"

Before the priest could even complete his sentence, nasa mga labi na ni Bree ang bibig ko. I'm kissing her softly at first but then when I tasted her sweetness, I'm a goner.

Kinuyumos ko ng halik si Bree, hindi ko alintana ang hiyawan at palakpakan ng Foedus. I kissed her like my life depends on it. She gasped and I take that opportunity to dart my tongue inside her mouth.

Napamura ako ng biglang kagatin ni Bree ang dila ko. I tasted blood But instead na bitawan ko s'ya, lalo akong naulol. I growl, kissed her ruthlessly. My tongue ran over her lower lip before I bite it. Hard.

She moaned but remained unresponsive. Or pretending to be at least. A rough growl vibrated to my throat and then I let her go.

"Krasivvy." Habol ang hiningang anas ko. My thumb sweep Bree's lower lip. Hindi ko alintana ang dugonsa sarili kong mga labi.

Kumurap ang mga mata nito't akmang aatras ngunit agad kong nahuli ang pulsuhan niya.

"Papers?" Baling ko sa assistant na gaya ng mga kaibigan ko'y malawak ang pagkakangiti.

"Here, Master. Congratulations, Sir. Miss Bree– I mean, Mrs. Petrova." Nag puppy eyes pa si August sa tulala pa ring kabiyak ko.

Inis na pinihit mo ang katawan ni Bree paharap sa lamesa kung saan naroon ang marriage contract namin. She stared at me blankly for a few seconds. Pero nang makita nito ang papel at ilibot ang paningin sa beach, nalaglag ang mga balikat niya. Defeat is etched in the lines on her forehead as she grabbed the fountain pen sitting on her right and angrily signed the paper.

Idinuldol nito ang pen sa akin. A devilish grin pulls my battered lips as I put my signature next to Bree's.

"Signed. Sealed. Delivered... " I straightened, put my thumb on the speck of blood that stained the lower right of the contract, ". . . and bloodied."

"You're insane."

Hindi ko pinansin ang galit na komento ni Bree. I'm too giddy.

We heard a collective gasps from my friends kasunod ng masigabong palakpakan ng mga ito. Hinila ko si Bree sa tagiliran ko't humarap kami sa Foedus as husband and wife.

Those words. Jesus!

A heavy weight was lifted from my shoulder as we walked towards our guests. Ramdam ko ang mainit na mata ni Trace na sinusundan ang bawat paghakbang ko palapit sa pwesto ng mga founders.

Ngunit bago ko pa makuha ang nakalahad na mga palad ng best friend at best man ko'y may isang bulto ang biglang lumitaw sa harapan ko.

A series of profanities leave my mouth habang pinapasadahan ng tingin ang kaharap.

"Wow! Nice wedding. Why am I not invited?"

"And why are you wearing that excuse of clothes? You're almost naked." Hinubad ko ang coat at ibinalabal sa dalaga.

"This is called a tube. Tsk. Anong alam mo sa fashion?" Humalukipkip ito. Nakipagtagisan ng tingin sa akin.

I let out a sigh. Binitawan ko ang bewang ni Bree't paikang lumapit sa dalagang siyang numero unong nagpapasakit ng ulo ko bukod sa asawa ko.

"Mishka. What are you doing here? You should be at school. You almost failed the last sem–"

She raised her manicured finger, cutting me off.

"Nah ah. You're not throwing me away at your own party. I thought babawi ka sa lahat ng pagkukulang mo sa akin? Bakit mo ako inexclude sa kasal mo?" Tumingkayad ito't sinilip si Bree na tahimik na sinasaksak ako ng mga tingin niya. "That's her? Takot ka ba na tumutol ako sa kasal n'yo–"

"You still can if you want to."

"What?!" Mabilis akong humarap sa asawa na ang buong atensiyon ay nasa katabi ko.

"Look, Miss. I was forced here. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko naman talaga type ang gurang na 'to. Shotgun wedding ang nangyari. Literal. Kaya kung gusto mong bawiin itong sugar daddy mo, keri lang. Hindi pa naman lumulubog ang araw. I still have the contract here." Bree offered a smile but I know better. She's hurt. Her eyes water. Bitterness dances through them but still they're beautiful.

What an odd creature!

Sa gulat ng lahat, malakas na halakhak ang naging sagot ng dalaga sa tabi ko. Sinabayan pa nito ng palakpak.

"Mishka, stop it." But the stubborn f**k ignored me. s**t.

"Brethany, right? Sorry to disappoint you. Your offer is appealing but I'll pass. He's not also my type either. Or kahit sino sa mga siraulo n'yang kaibigan."

"Aray naman, Via!" Singit ni Trace sapo ang dibdib.

"Why? I'm just telling the truth, Uncle Trace."

"Uncle Trace?"

"Yup. s**t. Dad, don't tell me hindi n'ya alam kung sino ako?"

"It's a long story. Kung hindi ka sumulpot na patang kabute rito, baka nasabi ko."

"Who are you? So, you're not this old man's sugar baby number 1566?"

"Ewww. Over my dead body. I'm the daughter. Olivia Pertova. Nice to meet you, Mom? Tita?" Bumaling sa akin ang anak ko. "What should I call her, Dad?"

Hindi ko pa naibubuka ang bibig, mabilis nang nag walkout si Bree kasunod si Dakila.

"Huwag na huwag kang susunod, Mr. Petrov. Pakyu ka hanggang Neptune!" Sabay bigay nito ng dirty finger sa akin.

Via laughed. "I like her!"

"f*****g f**k. Olivia, go with Jeru. I will deal with you later."

"Whatever." She tiptoed, kissed my cheeks, and bear hug me. "I missed you. I know congratulations are in order, Dad. But seeing your young's bride face, I'm going to add–good luck."

"I missed you, too. But that doesn't mean nakalimutan ko na ang kasalanan mo. Go. I need lots luck. Tons. Thanks to you." Iika-ikang lumakad ako palayo sa anak.

Alam kong malinaw na sinabi ni Bree na huwag ko s'yang sundan. Nakalimutan na ba niyang ako ang batas sa kasal na 'to?

At nakalimutan na rin ba niyang hindi ko kayang mabuhay ng wala s'ya?