“I don’t know why you married me. You must have been so disappointed in me.”
I opened my eyes and smiled at him. “I’m going to go to sleep, okay?”
“Where would you like to go on our honeymoon?” he asked.
“You don’t have to take me away. I’m fine. I don’t need any special treats.” I closed my eyes and welcomed the darkness swirling up to get me. I’m way too tired, and all I want to do is sleep.
Sleep would make everything better.
Andrei
Lottie made a lot of noise. She banged against the doors, cursing everyone out, and I have to say, I didn’t know the woman at all, but it even sounded like she wasn’t used to using those big words.
Ive shook his head. “You want me to take her?”
Ivan nodded. “Yes. It will keep things interesting.”
Ive looked ready to throw up. No one would believe he’d kept people prisoner before, torturing them.
All of Ivan’s brigadiers had a reputation. Ive was a deadly son of a bitch. I’m not sure where Ivan found him. There were always so many rumors surrounding our lives. There was rarely ever truth about us.
One of the rumors about my initiation was that Ivan found me on the street, bleeding, nearly at death, and I begged him to save me, to do anything to end my miserable existence. Then of course was the rumor that I went hunting for Ivan and turned on my father, to finally take over the family. All of it was bullshit. We all had our own stories to tell.
Ivan saw my potential as a brigadier, and I saw his as a Pakhan. The rest is history. There were a few more details, but they were pointless.
“What is it with you and keeping things interesting?” Ive asked. “You do know she’s the bastard daughter?”
“Yep,” Ivan said.
“And you want me to what? Kill her?”
“Not kill her. Keep her company until I give you other instructions.” Ivan smiled. “Trust me, you’re going to want her.”
Ivan was up to something and I had a feeling I would be glad I was already married.
The steel cage contained Lottie. The small window that had bars across it helped us to hear her, but the cell she was in was way too big. It was narrow but tall.
Ivan nodded at his men to open the door, and this time, Ive stepped forward. The food we had sent her the past couple of days had gone uneaten.
With the door pulled open, Lottie tried to make her escape, charging out of the room, but we all saw that coming, so Ive captured her in his arms. She struggled against him, but he easily had her arms pinned behind her, with a fistful of her hair, as he shoved her back into the room. He threw her onto the bed and she spun around, glaring at us.
“What the hell do you want?” she asked.
“Well, my dear, I have to say, we want you,” Ivan said.
She looked at all of us, and I noticed how her breathing deepened. “I don’t know what this is about, and I swear whatever is going on here, I can’t help you. If it has anything to do with my dad, then you’re looking at the wrong person. He will never help me.”
Fear sparked in her eyes, and it looked good on her. Her lip quivered. With every second that passed, she seemed to withdraw into herself, terrified.
Scaring young women did nothing for me. I had always been the kind of guy who went after men bigger than me. That was where the real pleasure came in.
Ivan took a step toward her and I watched as she visibly flinched, but I also noticed something else as well. She seemed to freeze. Her chest stopped moving. Her gaze was on Ivan, and her body looked rock solid, as if she was nothing more than a statue.
“Ivan?”
“Lottie?” He reached out and she merely closed her eyes, tensing up, as if expecting pain.
I didn’t like this.
Ivan pulled back and stared at her.
“Do you have anyone?” Ivan asked. “Anyone at your clubhouse we can call?”
“Please, just let me go.”
“Not happening, Princess.”
I looked toward Ive who merely shook his head. He’d not wanted to make the journey as he was still dealing with the Cartel issue. Ivan was well and truly alive, but there had been a ripple effect everywhere. We were still dealing with the repercussions. Just like I was handling the Evil Savages MC. It was a long process, but I was the one who held the power, and it wouldn’t be long until they fell in line. They wouldn’t have a choice.
“I’m not a princess,” she said, opening her eyes. “I’m nothing more than a piece of trash.”
“A piece of trash who is taken care of,” Ivan said. “Name of who I can call. It might save your life.”
Seconds passed.
“Rage.”
“Good.”