LEV PETROV (Wild Men Series #3) Book 2

Chapter 1

LEV

SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY DAYS. Fifteen hours, twenty-two minutes, and fourteen seconds. That's the exact time since I realized the true meaning of death and experienced it.

Hate every second of it. Learned to live with it and I realized that I bit off more than I could chew. But I couldn't complain cause I'm the one who sever all our ties.

There are lies that are far better to accept than the truth. Dahil kahit gaano kalawak ang kapangyarihan ko, may mga bagay–pagkakamali, na mahirap iwasan o pagbayaran. And monsters like me shouldn't crave for any ounce of light, right?

Nagtagis ang bagang ko sa huling naisip. I let out a long exhaled, then fill my lungs with the smell of desperation, my enemy's blood, and anger. Internally shaking, it brought me to the now and the most pressing matter. The whys to my existence and to all this chaos– Bree.

Nakatayo siya sa harapan ko, puno ng galit. Blood and violence was her background. c*****e and sin have never been this beautiful and tempting.

Nothing's changed. She still has that effect in me, mas lumala pa nga. She took all my oxygen and sent my life spinning in all directions.

I pinned her with my gaze, making sure it'll sear every inch of her exposed skin. Bree squirmed, red slowly creeping into her neck up to her chin.

Damn, she's beautiful.

Bree's poetry. A vision.

An art in her white wedding dress smeared by blood and a black bouquet of roses pressed against her chest. Her veil is in disarray, a few strands of her hair escaped from the chignon, and are now kissing her hallow cheeks. I flexed my palms. Nangangati akong hawiin iyon but what made me clench my jaw is the fact that she's too thin and that needs to be rectified. I made a mental note to feed her and made it my goal to put extra pounds on her.

Regardless, those two years made her more mature and elegant despite the hell her big burned cinnamon eyes were throwing in my direction. She turned from cute to irresistible. And that look on her face go straight to my groin.

"Bree." f**k. That tasted bittersweet. Hindi ko maitago ang pananabik sa boses ko. God knows how long I longed and wished for this exact moment.

"Don't call me that. You don't have the right to call me that. We're not friends. Or anything." She snapped. Her reply burst the imaginary bubble I surround myself with.

I glare at her and she never backed down. She squared her shoulders, namumula ang buong mukha't leeg.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me the first time. You're just 34 para mabingi. You're a monster. Hell, you're not even human to me. You lost that when y-you. . . abandon me."

The message is clear and it went straight through me. All her repressed pain and longing hit me like a wave. I'm gutted. I need to grip my cane or else mawawalan ako ng balanse sa sobrang intensidad niyon.

If there's one thing I learned from the two years that we're apart, I am a beggar for this woman's everything. I will accept anything including scraps from her. Rage included. But I also realized that those two years brought up the real fucker in me. The greedy bastard who gets what he wants with an unforgiving heart that is as cold as the Arctic.

I stepped forward, she took a step back. I like this dance we're making. A devilish smirk ghosted my lips when I saw her eyes squint. I bet naglalaro sa utak niya kung sasakalin o sasaksakin ako.

"We're never friends kahit dati pa. Wala akong balak. And I definitely don't ever pretend that I'm human. You call me –what's that again? Monster. Your monster, no?"

"Back off!"

I did the exact opposite. Hinuli ko ang pulsuhan niya't hinila siya palapit sa katawan ko. I then lower my face on Bree's right ear, darted my tongue and licked the shell of it.

Fuck. It. She tastes like heaven. I groan.

She let out a cute gasp. My c**k stirred and a low guttural sound left my throat.

"Why? Nagsasabi ako ng totoo. Besides, I don't eat my friend's cunt or f**k their throats until they choke with my c*m, baby doll." I say in a low voice that made her skin break into goosebumps. I cupped her chin, meeting her murderous gaze.

"At lalong wala akong planong itali, iposas at parusahan ang mga kaibigan ko hanggang maging makopa ang puwetan nila or they wear my marks for days."

"f**k you."

"Oh, I will definitely look forward to that. . . " bulong ko then I licked my lips. ". . . f*****g you."

Bree gasped. She was blushing and convulsing but concealed it with a burst of infuriating laughter that grated to my last nerve. She's adorable when she tried to pretend that she's not affected when in fact I can see the evidence in her alabaster skin.

"Thought you don't do illegal before? Halos ipagduldulan ko ang sarili ko sayo dati pero tinanggihan mo, remember? O, may early dementia ka na't nakalimutan mo?"

I c****d an eyebrow. Hmm. For someone who confessed that she was hellbent angry with me, Bree seemed to remember it all.

"I didn't say no if my memory serves me right. Besides, I'm a manipulative monster with a skewed sense of morality. There's no such thing as legal for me. I'm done being nice." Napaungol ako. Hindi ko alam kung dahil iyon sa biglang pagsi-shift ko ng weight mula sa kanan pakaliwa.

Inis na binitawan ko ang baba ng dalaga't bantulot na umatras.

Her brows furrowed. Pinasadahan ni Bree ng tingin ang kabuuan ko, from my face to my suit and then it stopped to the cane I'm holding. Bumuka ang bibig n'ya at napuno ng katanungan ang mga mata. But no words came from her mouth. Dalawang segundo lang at balik na naman siya sa pagiging closed off.

As if me being a limping monster is unimportant.

I grind my molars.

"Father, I am not a patient man. You have a minute to officiate our wedding." Tang'na. Ano bang hinihintay ng matanda? Ang ubusin ko ang lahat ng taong narito sa simbahan?

When the balding priest saw my eyes narrowed, agad itong tumalima. Nag-sign of the cross ito saka nanginginig na kinuha ang bible.

"No! Father, huwag kayong makinig sa kanya. He's not my fiancé!" Nanggagalaiting tutol ni Bree nang mahimasmasan. Agad itong lumapit sa puwesto ng pare. Gripped the poor priest's hand and plead.

Pinaglipat-lipat ng pare ang tingin sa pagitan ko't kay Bree. Tumalim ang mga mata ko, awtomatikong binawi nito ang kamay mula sa dalaga.

"I'm sorry, hija. . ."

"No!" Bree swayed, nilingon ako. Her eyes are brimming with the feistiness that I missed so much. Oh, how I look forward to all our bickering.

She's running. Or, at least trying to run away from me. I knew it the moment she straighten her back. When she gather her gown and went on full-on Splash, I cannot contain my amusement. She stopped in the middle when two of my guards appeared right in front of her. Nilingon ako nito, killing me with her pretty eyes.

I grin like a fool and that earns a series of f***s and bullshits from my friends.

"You may run all you want, kiska. But there's nowhere you can go na hindi kita mahahanap. Pinapagod mo lang ang sarili mo." I clucked my tongue while taking careful steps toward her. Every stride is a struggle making my breath heavy and scratchy but I'll be damned to show any weakness right now.

Not when I saw a glimpse of pity in her burned cinnamon eyes. Or is it worry? Kahit ano pa 'yon, gusto kong burahin iyon.

"'Wag kang lalapit–stop!" Bree vehemently shakes her head, umaatras. But I keep moving foward and when I'm just a few steps away from her, she

sidesteps me.

"Inidgo, another step. . . blow that damn De Veyra's head."

"Yes, Master."

Nanlalaki ang mga matang nilingon ni Bree ang puwesto ng tauhan kong nakatayo sa likuran ni Alessio. She shakes like a leaf but strangely manage to plant her feet on the ground.

"Demonyo ka. I'll kill you. I swear!"

You already did when you jumped into that cliff.

"Tell me something I don't know." I taunt instead. Hindi ko inaalis ang tingin sa kanya.

"B-bree, hayaan mo na ako. Run." Sigaw ni Alessio na ikinalingon ni Bree dito.

Ngali-ngali kong hugutin ang baril at ubusin iyon sa ungas. How dare him snatch her attention from me?

I shoot him daggers, na ginantihan rin nito with the same intensity. He hates me to hell and back and the feeling is so f*****g mutual.

On the fucker's right was his weeping fiancee. Karen's shaking and hugging Alessio for dear life. Practically begging anyone's holy to save their asses from me. And to top it all, sabay-sabay na ngumawa ang mga batang nasa kaliwang bahagi ng pew.

Jesus!

Nahilot ko ang sentido. So much drama and noise, nakakaturete.

"Bree, run."

"A-ally? I c-cant. . . you know that.Paano ka?"

"For once, just do what you're told. Just run. Don't look back. And don't ever marry this fucker."

A sinister smile spread across my lips. Humans are funny. They cling to hope no matter how small it is. And if there's none, they'll create one. Just like now.

Just like you, I taunt myself.

Pinaglipat-lipat ni Bree ang mga mata sa akin at sa kapatid. Her lower lip trembled, nanubig ang mga mata. She knows I don't do threats, I deliver. But her stubbornness got the better of her or is it because of a feeling so deep, she's ready to defy me.

"Ally. . ." She steps forward, attempting to bridge their gaps.

I slammed my cane to the ground, and Bree was frozen to place. Abot-kamay ko na s'ya but it seems to me like she's planets away. Matapang n'yang sinalubong ang mga mata ko. Rage dances in her eyes when she regards me.

"Kung ako sa'yo, I'll keep still. I'm so close from snapping, Brethany. Don't test me. Stop playing." The nerve on my temple ticked. Iniisip ko na kung paano ko siya patutuwarin mamaya bilang parusa for trying to disobey me and give her loyalty to others.

"Nakakatuwa ka. Ako pa talaga ang naglalaro? E, ikaw 'tong biglang sumulpot rito, nanggulo ng kasal ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng kape ang nilalak mo para maging ganyan kakapal ang mukha mo? You have the audacity to demand from me gayong ikaw 'tong nagtulak sa akin palayo dati. You pushed me away. As if, I was nothing but a pest to you." Basag ang boses na sumbat niya with a disheartened face that'll haunt me in a million years.

The dormant organ inside my chest tightened at the sight. For a moment, I was transported back to those days when she used to be so clingy to me. . . so needy. So pliant and innocent.

"That's a discussion for another day. And I believe it requires your father's presence." I said coldly, kabaliktaran sa nararamdaman ko para sa ama ng dalaga't sa sakit na dulot ng salita niya.

Unveiled disgust splintered through her eyes. Napamura ako ng lihim. She'll give me one hell of a fight, my Bree. But I'd rather lose my other leg than accept defeat. I'll drag her to the altar kung kinakailangan at isusuot ko ang sing-sing ko sa kanya. By hook or by crook.

"Quit being stubborn. Nauubos na luha ng mga tao sa paligid mo. Let's finish this."

"Ulol! Hindi ako pakakasal sa'yo kaya tigilan mo na ako. Lumayas ka na. Iwan mo na ko ulit at huwag ka ng babalik. 'Di ba diyan ka naman magaling? At least compare sa ibang kabaro mo, you're consistent."

I was stunned for two seconds. s**t. I was never taken aback, sa kanya lang. Hate trickled through my heart because of her words. Sinamantala iyon ng dalaga, walang abog-abog na umigkas ang kamao niya't lumipad patungo sa mukha ko. Nailagan ko iyon ngunit hindi ang galit na paa ni Bree. Tumama iyon sa kanang paa ko.

"Shit." I hissed, swaying while gripping my cane for balance.

"Lev, are you okay?" Jake the good doctor that he is, was quick to help me. B'layd. That hurt like b***h. Kailan pa naging eksperto si Bree sa self defense?

Hinanap ng mga mata ko ang salarin. Parang palos s'yang tumatakbo papunta sa pinaka main door, hindi alintana kung maapakan niya ang gown o masagi ang mga vase na nagkalat sa aisle.

"Lev, Daisy's running away." Elliot's nonchalant voice echoed around the church. Katabi nito si Daxon na balewalang kumakain, watching the whole scene with bored expression.

Later, I'll shoot him or the fucker who gave him peanuts. At adobo pa talaga.

Hindi ako nag aksaya ng oras. I whirled around, grabbed the doctor's gun, and pull the trigger. A loud bang reverberated around us followed by Karen's shrieking voice. I swear the whole church went from crying to silent and then crying again.

Fucking drama.

"Ally?!" Naestatwa si Bree. She whipped her head towards me, aghast. Her gaze was pinned on Ally who was clutching his right shoulder.

"The next bullet will go straight into his heart, Bree. I never miss, that's a fact."

She gulped virtually and then met my gaze. If she hated me earlier, right now I'm on top of Bree's s**t list. She wants to kill me or skin me alive.

Her tears spilled down her cheeks like a silent river. It wrenched my f*****g heart. Seeing her like this. I should be guilty of causing this mess and pain to Bree but I couldn't find it in me.

She made me do it. The monster inside me demands her obedience and this is the only way na alam naming mapapasunod siya.

"You have two seconds, kiska. One."

Sabay na nalaglag ang dulo ng gown niya't mga balikat. The fight was slowly leaving her. Her eyes were on the floor but I can sense that something in her changed. Bree shakes her head and when she speaks, it was broken.

"You're a twisted psychopath in a gentleman's clothing. No. You're Satan himself. Fine, nasan na 'yung papel at pen. Pipirma na ako. J-just spare my brother." Nagtaas siya ng tingin. Mabilis nitong pinahid ang pisngi. Her mask is now on. "You may win right now, Mr. Petrov but don't think for a second na sumuko na ako. The moment you close your eyes, I'll run. Pero sisiguraduhin kong hindi ka na humihinga."

Your hate alone was enough tool, kiska. You're my death and life rolled into one. Gusto kong sabihin but I pursed my lips.

Humigpit ang kapit ko brass-gold na handle ng tungkod ko. I want to open her mouth, pull her tongue and demand her to take back the words.

But I can't and I won't.

For now.

Tinawid ko ang distansiya namin kahit pa kumikirot ang binti ko at tuhod ko. Jake's faint voice echoed on my back but I ignored him. Magsama sila ni Anton–

my stubborn physical therapist, sa impyerno.

It took me ten f*****g steps to be at her arm's length. I reached for her subalit mabilis n'yang tinabig iyon.

"Don't touch me!" Bree snarled. She's looking at me like she wanted to rip my throat apart. It bring a surge of emotion I couldn't control.

Nagtagis ang bagang ko but I never showed her any anger. Instead, I shoved my right hand inside my pocket, tilting my head to the right. Two can play this game.

"My car is waiting outside. You better be there before I reached it or sila ang makikinabang ng mga bulaklak na narito ngayon pati ng misa ni Father." I pointed at the men who were kneeling in front of the altar, Alessio included.

"I already said I'll sign the damn papers! Ano pang gusto mo?"

"Yes, I heard you the first time."

"Then nasa'n na?"

I turned my back to her.

"Mr. Petrov, the papers. Nasa'n?"

Rage sent violence through my limbs. So I'm really reduced to that insulting title–Mr. Petrov?

"Sa villa. Four seconds, Brethany."

"What? What four seconds?"

"Your time to say your goodbyes to anyone here and put your ass in my car."

"What?! Akala ko dito 'yon gaganapin–"

"Three."

"Wait!"

Nilingon ko s'ya. Nakatayo ito sa gitna ng aisle, puno ng mantsa ang gown. She spare a fleeting glance in her brother and best friend's direction before she gulped. And finally– but f**k me it seemed forever, Bree's steps were urgent and heavy as she ran towards

towards the waiting SUV.

Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko nang makitang naunahan ako ng dalaga sa sasakyan. Huminto ito't tinapunan ng tingin ang tarangkahan ng simbahan. Defeat was written on her gorgeous side profile, both shoulders were slummed.

She's broken and I'm the culprit.

What she didn't know is that I'll ruin her some more. Inject my life to hers until all she sees, breathes, and need is me.

I may be her destroyer, but I'm also the one who'll put her together. Piece after piece.

"Barikadahan n'yo ang bawat exit. Make sure that everybody stay there for three hours. And track those fuckers especially the coward Genarro." Utos ko kina Theo saka bumaling sa kaibigan. "I'll see you at the dock, Patricio."

"Sure. Akala ko hindi mo na maiuuwi si Daisy, Tanders. Damn. Naging tigre na ang sugar baby mo." Pang-aasar pa nito bago lakad-takbong iniwan ako kasunod ang pinsan.

"I thought you were going to do the wedding here, Lev?" It was Elliot.

"Over my dead body. My soon-to-be-wife deserves a decent and quiet wedding. Not a bloodbath."

"Then why all the fuss and show?" My cousin pried.

"To show them power. Sometimes you need to rattle the cage and do some shits so the peasants don't get the wrong idea."

"Rattle my ass. Gago m******e na 'yung ginawa natin."

"Kaya nga. So ikaw ang King? Baka King ina." Palatak pa ni Jeru.

I shoot him daggers. The fucker just smirks.

"I am the King. And yes, that m******e should be done. I'm taking back my queen, after all. Stop bitching you fools. Lumayas na kayo. See you sa isla." Pagtataboy ko sa mga ungas.

After waving to Elliot and Jake, I slipped inside my SUV and was assaulted by the intoxicating scent of jasmine, vanilla, and grief.

She so near yet so far. Malayo, hindi ko mahawakan. Nakasiksik si Bree sa gawi ng pintuan, nasa labas ang atensiyon nito. As if the most interesting thing on earth is the freaking garbage can on the side of the road.

I balled my fist and push the button for the glass window that'll separate us from August and Indi. I'll let her be for now. Masyadong maraming nangyari ngayong araw, she must be overwhelmed–

"Sa'n mo ako dadalhin?"

"My villa."

"And where is that? Care to tell me, Your Majesty? Para alam ko naman saan ang bago kong kulungan?" Sarkatiskong tanong ng katabi ko. I whipped around and Bree was stunned when she realized that I'm at her face in an instant.

"Home, kiska. Agrianthropos."

Her eyes narrowed with disapproval. Cause of the pet name I called her or the place, I don't know.

"More like hell." Mataktika itong umatras pero mabilis kong iniharang ang kanang kamay, caging her.

"You can call it what you want. It'll soon be yours." Home for me is where you're at.

Lumunok ito't nagbaba ng tingin. But I catch the tinge of pink that crept to her cheek down her neck. She toyed with the tattered hem of her gown. Cute.

She may fight me all she wants and tell me shits but Bree can't deny the strong pull we have. This feeling. This compulsion to touch and be burned.

"Drop the act. Stop f*****g with my head, Mr. Petrov. You lost all your appeal and effect to me. This–" She pointed between the two of us, "–is your biggest mistake. Kung inaakala mong mapapasunod mo ako sa lahat ng gusto mo, puwes you're way in too your psychopathic head. I'll make it my mission to make your life miserable. Pagsisisihan mo ang bawat segundong sinira mo ang araw ng kasal ko."

So she prefers that fucker over me? Ngali-ngali kong utusan si August na ibalik ang kotse sa simbahan upang kunin ang katawan ng gago. I'll resurrect him from the dead para lang patayin ulit. I should made him bleed. Tortured him. f**k. Talo ko pa ang sinimuraan sa narinig. But I reign in my temper.

"I love to see you try, Bree." I hissed and leaned forward inhaling her sweet scent. s**t. I missed her. "I'll make it my mission to prove you otherwise."

Humalukipkip siya't lalong idinikit ang likod sa upuan. Umismid.

"Why are you really back in my life?"

I never disappeared. Gusto kong sabihin but I pursed my lips. May tamang oras at panahon para sa mga tamong niya. Not now.

"After what? Two years of being ghost, na-bored ka't heto nanggugulo na naman. Wow! Iba talaga sapak mo. Pero ano nga bang pake ko?" She waved her hand flippantly hiding her true emotions from me.

Again.

"You hated me and my DNA, right? Now, you're marrying me. What an odd and impossible monster you are? Make up your mind dude." She chuckled to herself.

"You've changed. A lot." Huli na para bawiin ko ang mga salitang iyon.

Bree pursed her lips but didn't spare me a glance.

Ilang segundong puro buntong-hininga lang ang namayani sa pagitan namin. When I thought na hindi na kikibo si Bree, saka ito nagsalita. Her voice is so icy and somber, I fight the urge to punch the window.

"People changed, Mr. Petrov. From being clean to filthy. . . Then soiled." Her pained voice sliced through me but I remain impassive.

Shit, Petrov.

I balled my fist. There's time for everything. First, I must secure her seat by my side and then I'll f**k everyone else.

Leaning back, I glanced outside the window. My right palm is resting on top of my right knees, tapping it four times. Hindi ko kailangang lumingon para malamang pinagmamasdan ni Bree ang bawat galaw at haplos ko sa sariling tuhod.

The part of me that has a slim chance to heal. A reminder of my mistake.

"There's no such thing as dirty, malysh. Light can seep to the darkness through scars and flaws. Yes?"

"Tantanan mo ako sa pagpapaka Confucius,

Lao Tzu at Atticus mo! Bobie ako sa mga quotable quote mo. I am talking about myself. You don't know what you're getting into. What kind of merchandise you bargain–"

"Zamolchi!" I grabbed her by the throat and pulled her towards me. Magkadikit ang mga ilong namin. She tried to free her chin from my clutch, lalo kong ibinaon ang daliri sa baba niya.

"Let go of me."

"No. I know what I want and what I'm getting into. Stop telling bullshits about yourself. Between the two of us, ikaw ang dapat na warningan ko. But I stripped you all with choices, da? So just to indulge you, I'll give you a tidbit."

"Anong sinasabi mo?"

Tumaas ang sulok ng bibig ko.

"The biggest joke was on me, I'm the first monster with a PWD to walk this earth. No. Limp is the appropriate word."

"Oh, my God!" Bulalas n'ya, sapo ang bibig. She looked at my face then her eyes dropped to my cane and then to my right leg. Unshed tears shine in her orbs. For the first time since this morning, Bree let her guard down. Pity and pain collide in the place where I always find myself lost, her eyes.

"I don't like your pity. Damn it!" Singhal ko sabay bitaw sa mukha niya.

"H-hangal ka. I don't pity you." Sigaw niya't lumayo sa akin. "What a pair we are! A damaged beauty and a limping beast. This is f*****g bliss."

Anger engulfed me but I remain quiet. I chance a glance at Bree's feature and despite what I believe in and our bleak future, I let myself hope.

I hope na aayon sa amin ang tadhana, sa pagkakataong 'to. That despite everything and our dark past, we'll be victorious.

Me and Bree.

Cause I am optimistic that there's love in grief and I hope for forgiveness in pain.