LEV PETROV (Wild Men Series #3) Book 2

Chapter 11

BREE



I SAW red. Blood. Thick and sticky against my palm and my front.

There's a powerful hand that gripped my heart and crushed it into pieces. I'm shaking, hindi ako makahinga. A wave of nausea hits me as I stare at my palm. My head swirls. Tinakasan ako ng mga salita at ng wisyo ko.

Then when that blood became thicker, I was paralyzed.

N-no. Let him be okay. Please, Lord.

Then it hits me. I need to touch him. Feel him. Check his pulse for my own sanity. Hindi ko alam kung paano dadamahin ang katawan ni Lev na nakadagan sa akin. Hilam ng luha ang mga mata ko'tilang beses akong nagmintis sa pagkapa ng leeg n'ya.

Shit. Ba't ba sa lahat ng oras ngayon pa nanginig ang mga pesteng kamay ko?

Ang malas naman namin ni Lev. We just made a truce and then ngayon heto?

"L-lev. . ." My left palm landed on his hard muscular chest. Then up... up to his corded neck. Taranta kong dinama ang pulso niya.

"No. No. Please, Bree. . . No. August, hospital. Now. Call them, it's a f*****g emergency. I need all the doctors on standby."

A shiver moved through me when I heard that deep yelling voice. His tone is dripping with a feeling I will never dare attach to Lev– fear. Nahinto sa ere ang kamay ko. Kumurap ako't maang na tiningala ang asawa.

The sight that greeted me left me breathless and scared as hell. The striking face of Lev is a picture of terror and menace. His dark blue eyes seemed to turn three shades darker as he stared ahead. I think it's black now, like the night. The vein on his temple is ticking while he's shouting orders. Right now, he's the embodiment of a monster ready to decapitate anyone stupid enough to stand in his way.

I should be terrified right but what I felt was far from it. I was relieved.

He's okay!

Tuluyan na akong napahikbi't kumuyampit sa leeg ni Lev. Then I felt it, his pulse. Fast and strong. Very much alive. Hindi ko napigilan ang pag usal nang mahinang panalangin sa nasa itaas.

"B-bree? Baby, talk to me."

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Wala rin akong pakialam sa mga nagkakagulong tao o sa tarantang kamay ni Lev na nagyon ay dumadama sa buong katawan ko. Ngunit nang maramdaman ko ang panginginig ni Lev, natigilan ako. I blinked in confusion while he's still at it.

Jesus! This big, imposing, and scary man is shaking.

"A-ayos lang ako," itinulak ko siya nang bahagya't tinitigan.

He shake is head vehemently, sige pa rin sa ginagawa. Parang ibang Lev ang ngayon ay nasa harapan ko. As if he's tapped inside his world and we're all white noise. He looks haunted while his eyes are fixed on his bloodied hands.

"F-f**k. You're not. Y-you're bleeding."

"I'm okay. Stop it. Hindi akin 'yan," mahinang usal ko pero nabingi yatang tuluyan si Lev.

Not once did he spare me a glance. Sige pa rin siya sa ginagawa. He checked my head, part my hair. The back of my head. Itinaas ang kanang braso ko, sinipat ang mga balikat. Kinapa ang tiyan ko't mga hita. Kagat-labing pinanood ko ang asawa. Dread and goosebumps filled me.

"Stand up," he ordered almost yelling at me.

Nahihipnotismong sumunod ako. Hindi ko hinihiwalayan ng tingin si Lev na ngayon ay nakaluhod sa harapan ko.

"Right foot," he tapped my shoe. Napilitan akong itaas iyon lalo na nang masipat ko ang naniningkit na mga mata ni Lev.

"L-lev, stop it," pigil ko sa kanya nang walang sabi-sabi nitong tanggalin ang heels ko't masusing ininspeksiyon ang talampakan ko. He did the same on my left foot.

His face is a picture of brutality which is at odds with his touch. His big callused hand is touching–examining the soles of my feet. Pigil na pigil ko ang paghinga sa bawat dampi ng palad niya sa balat ko.

A shudder passed through me as I gazed at him. Salubong ang makapal nitong kilay at nagtatagis ang bagang. Hindi ko alam kung kanino siya nagagalit. When I looked up, na-realize kong halos lahat ng tao sa simbahan ay nasa labas na. They are all staring ag us. Trace and Elliot are talking to the crowd, reassuring them that everything is okay.

Nag blush ako.

"L-lev, please stop."

But he's unperturbed. Its as if ang sole purpose niya sa mundong 'to ay inspeksiyon ang mga paa ko.

But when I thought that he was done with his general check-up on me, Lev did the unthinkable. Pinangko ako n'ya. I yelped. His men and friends protested.

"Master, allow me." It was August.

"No. f**k off!" Galit na singhal ni Lev. He stepped forward and swayed.

Naipikit ko ang mga mata, expecting the hard impact. But Lev's quick, mahigpit akong niyakap. His right hand is holding the back of my head protectively. Ending, naging cushion ko ang matipuno at mamasel na katawan ng asawa habang nakasalampak kami sa kalsada.

He groaned. "f*****g useless."

Mabilis akong napaupo't bahagyang lumayo sa kanya. My eyes flitted from his huge muscled form that is almost sprawled in the middle of the street to his right leg. Nakangiwi s'ya, galit na hinihimas iyon. May awang humaplos sa puso ko sa natunghayan. I want to touch him, assure him that I'm okay. Or better, ask him if may nabali ba sa kanya pero inunahan ako ng poot ko para sa asawa.

He's my enemy. Mag asawa lang kami sa papel. My duty as a wife starts and ends there–

"Meow."

Fudge. Noon ko lang naalala na nasa bisig ko pa rin ang dahilan ng komosyong ito. I'm glad the cat is okay. I need to get him to the ve—

"Thank f**k, you are okay,Bree," Lev cupped my face, walang abog akong niyakap.

My whole body went rigid. Para akong sira na nakatigil sa ere ang kaliwang kamay, I don't know what to do. Isa pa, hindi ako makahinga sa higpit ng yakap niya. Mas madami pa yata akong natamong bali sa yakap ni Lev kaysa sa pagkakasalampak sa kalsada.

"B'layd. Ty budesh' moyey smert'yu." Ibinaon niya ang mukha sa leeg ko. He's inhaling me.

I bite the inside of my cheeks. Humahalik sa balat ko ang mainit na hininga ng asawa at aaminin ko, it stirred something in me. I don't know if I'm disgusted or I like it. Hell, I think a more significant part of me is craving for more.

"I think now I break my bones."

Then that weak and pained sound came between us, again. This time mas malakas. Without thinking, I pushed Lev who let out a groan of protest, mabilis akong tumayo.

My heart melted in an instant when I peered down at the small fur ball I was cradling on my arm. A set of big yellow eyes–the one on the left was more of a grey than yellow, stared at me. He's so black I can't tell kung nasaan banda ang sugat niya. The cat mewls, isiniksik ang katawan sa dibdib ko.

"Wawa ka naman, baby."

"What the f**k is that?"

"A cat. An injured one. Huwag mong sigawan! Oh, God. Lev, may sugat siya. Dalhin natin sa vet." Nakatingalang sagot ko kay Lev, I even showed him the mangled flesh on the cat's left leg. Doon nanggaling ang dugong nasa mga kamay at katawan ko.

Lev eyed the cat as if it was a pest he wanted to squash with his shoes.

Instinctively, itinago ko iyon sa kanya. The cat hissed and clawed my forearm.

"No. You need to go to the hospital first–"

"No! Vet first." I shook my head and look him straight in the eyes with tears gathering at the corner of my eyes. My tone is dripping with helplessness. "Please."

Lev's piercing blue eyes bore into mine. He's weighing how serious I am. And when he found his answer, malakas na napamura. Tumingala't sinuklay ng daliri ang buhok.

"You heard the Madaam, August. Vet. Now." He grabbed the cat from my arms much to my surprise.

"Ako ng magkakarga sa kanya–"

"Let August and Theo handle that creature. You will go to the hospital, Bree. Now." Lev glowered at me, nakataas ang kaliwang kamay.

"No. Give me the cat." Galit na utos ko. I tiptoed, pilit na inaabot ang kawawang pusa sa kamay ni Lev. Pero hangin ang lagi kong nadadakot.

Tila kami baliw na dalawa't nag aagawan sa isang duguan at kawawang pusa.

"Taragis na mag asawa 'to. Wala pang 48 hours na nagsasama ang dami ng pinag aawayan. Tatagal ba kayo ng anniversary? Yuhooo!" It was Trace who seemed amused of my dilemna.

"Back off, Patricio." Lev snarled at his bestfriend, lalong itinaas ang braso.

Gigil na tumalon ako. Trying but failing to grab the poor cat.

May sa lastikman yata ang animal. Hayup!

"Pustahan tayo, guys. Winner takes all what’s in the pot. Call kayo? Tataya ko iyong condo ko sa BGC. Three months lang 'yan." Sabat ni Logan.

Lev growled at his friends.

“Anong akala n’yo sa kasal namin poker? Tang’na ang kukuripot niyo!”

Natawa ang anim sa komento ni Lev pero masyado akong nag ko-concentrate sa pag agaw sa bago kong alaga upang mag react.

"Call. My penthouse in Ayala Ave. Four months sa 'kin." It was Elliot.

"Seven million. Six months for me. Ikaw Doc?"

"Grabe ka naman sa pinsan mo, Jeru. Baba ng tingin mo kay Master. 7M lang talaga? 15M. Pitong buwan lang 'yan. Dax?"

"Kakasa ko. 17M plus iyong new Ducati ko. 8 months."

"Guys, mga kupal kayo. Basta ako malaki bilib ko dito kina Tanders at Daisy. 25M plus iyong 2 penthouse unit ko sa High street BGC. Sampong–

"Wow! Ganon kalaki tiwala mo rito sa dalawa? 10 months?"

"Anong 10 months ka d'yan, Atty? 10 days."

"Shut up, all of you!"

"Manahimik kang taong pugad ka. Kapag nainis ako pa-plantsahin ko ‘yang hair mo!" Sabay naming sigaw ni Lev. Sinamaan ko ng tingin ang mga kaibigan niya na balewaang sumaludo pa sa amin.

“Rawr, Daisy. Takot ako.”

Middle finger ang sagot ko kay Trace na kumindat lang sa akin. Ang hudyo! Tatawa-tawang tumalikod ang mga kaibigan ni Lev at iniwan kaming dalawa sa gitna ng kalsada.

My husband pulled a long sigh and looked at me with the intensity that made my knees melt, and my heart skid.

"Stop it. Ba't ba ang tigas ng bumbunan mo? We will go to the hospital. Ora mismo."

"Ba't naging bingi ka na yata? Sabi ko ayoko." I hissed. Gigil na iniunat ko ang mga kamay at tumalon.

Ngunit anong laban ng height ko sa higanteng si Lev?

"Brethany, you're just wasting your effort. Kung ako sa'yo sasakay na ako sa kotse–shit!" Gulat na sigaw ni Lev nang inis kong apakan ang kaliwang paa niya.

Serves him right!

I dig my heels on his Italian shoes making sure to leave a print there. Umimgos ako't namewang sa tapat ng nakauklong asawa.

"What the f*****g f**k, Bree?" He hissed while looking up at me. Murder was painted on his face. Lev's eyes are spitting fire but I'm too angry to be worried or scared.

"This is my cat. Bleh." Binelatan ko s'ya sabay kuha ko sa kawawang pusa. I run towards the waiting car. "Drive to the nearest vet–"

"Theo, hospital," putol ni Lev sa 'kin. Pasalyang isinara ang pinto ng sasakyan. He's staring at me as of he can't decide kung pipilipitin ang leeg ko o ihahagis ako sa dagat.

I raised my chin. Mahigpit kong niyakap ang pusa.

"Sa vet clinic, Theo." Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Lev. "Hindi ako pupunta ng ospital kung 'di natin dadalhin si Brad sa vet."

"Who the f**k is Brad?!"

"This little one. I already gave him a name kaya hindi ko na siya pwedeng abandunahin."

"Damn it."

"Kung ayaw mo–"

"Fine. You win. Theo, drive to the vet clinic. Iyong katabi ng St. Vincent's."

"Right away, Master."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag.

"Hindi ko alam kung paluluhurin kita o pupurihin for the little stunt you did earlier, Bree." Lev whispered softly on my left ear.

"I-i don't know what you're talking about." I said. Nasa harapan ang focus ko. Para kong magkaka stiff neck.

Shit. He's furious!

"Tsk. Nasa Brioni ko ang narka ng heels mo. I'm keeping score, wife. Kaya huwag ka masyado pakakampante. Sa ngayon, priority na matingnan ka ng mga doctor."

"We agreed."

He c****d his eyebrow. He cupped my chin and clucked his tongue. Pinaraanan ng hintuturo niya ang lower lip ko. Lev’s eyes darkened as he followed the movement of his fingers. Suddenly, I was out of breath. Tila sumikip yata ang loob ng kotse.

"Stubborn as ever. We need to do something with your self-defense skills. Kulang pa."

I was caught off guard with his comment. Alam ba niyang nag train ako ng martial arts last year? How? Tatlong tao lang ang nakaka alam noon. Si Ally at si Dakila. Imposible!

I was about to grill him when he suddenly leaned forward. His right hand was grabbing something on my side. Halos dumikit na ang labi ko sa pisngi niya. Napigil ko ang hininga. Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko sa labis na takot o antisipasyon? Nope. I don't want to pollute my lungs with his mouthwatering scent.

Gosh! Ba't parang may factory ng Le Labo sa katawan si Lev?

"Safety, always. Happy now?" He pulled the strap around my body and buckled it.

Umirap ako. Kagat labing napasandal ako't hinimas ang ibabaw ng ulo ng pusa.

"Why Brad?" He said in a low but accusatory tone.

"Ha?!" Maang na nilingon ko ang katabi. Nakaharap ito sa akin at matalim ang mga matang nakatitig kay Brad.

Mukhang na gets ng pusa ang wala sa lugar na galit ni Lev, lalo itong sumiksik sa kili-kili ko.

Lev growled. Umusok ang ilong.

"The name of that little devil. Saan galing?

"Kailangan ba lahat ng bagay may rason?"

"Answer my freaking question."

"Jesus! Wala, naisip ko lang bigla. Ang cute kaya ng Brad. Alangan namang blackie ang ipangalan ko rito. Pusa ‘to hindi aso.” I hiffed in frustation then added unconsiously, “Surname niya Kitt. Brad Kitt. Cutie.”

Narinig kong mahinang natawa sina Theo at August while Lev is staring at me as if he saw me grow two heads. I can’t decipher the emotion that’s swirling in his cold ocean eyes. I swallowed.

Did he heard the glee on my voice? Or, nakita niya ang saglit na pagsilip ng saya sa mukha ko?

No, don’t go there, Bree.

Naiilang na ibinaling ko ang atensiyon sa labas ng bintana.

"Ang cute ng name ng pet n'yo, Ma'am Bree."

"T-thank you, Theo."

"Mas cute ka kapag wala kang gilit sa leeg, Theo. Focus on the road. Make this f*****g car fly. O, ikaw ang lilipad sa labas." Malakas na tinapik ni Lev ang headrest ng driver's seat.

August scoffed, bubulong-bulong na sinisita si Theo.

"Yes, master. Apologies."

Napailing na lang ako.

"Tyrant and impossible." Bulong ko't hindi na pinansin ang nag mamarakulyong asawa. Ramdam ko ang matitiim niyang mga tingin but I never dare meet it.

I couldn't cause I am afraid that he'll see the fear and the yearning within me. Ayoko man, ramdam ko sa loob ko ang pagbukal ng pag-asa dahil sa ginawi ni Lev kanina. His indiscrabable fear and now, this uncalled for possessiveness.

Yes, I loathe him but I'll be a hypocrite kung 'di ko aamining bahagyang natipak ng mga nangyari ngayong araw ang malaking poot na nakaharang sa puso ko.

Fudge. Gumising ka, self. Delulu ka na naman. Tapos ano, aasa ka't ngangalngal sa dulo? Manahimik ka na.

I gave that inner me an imaginary slap and reminded myself that Lev snatched away my freedom. That alone should enrage any sane human being.

So, kay second chance. f**k you. Isa kang malaking scam.