Hidden Monsters (Volkov Bratva Book 4)

by London Miller

  It was time to go.

  Disappointed, Alex thanked Mr. Grey. She could see the pity in his eyes—even he wasn’t this hard on her—but turned away before he could give her any words of encouragement. That would only embarrass her further. She followed Anya down to the idling car, slipping into the back and staring out the window as they started off.

  “Do not embarrass me again.”

  Alex never could understand how an error on her part would embarrass her mother, but even still, she nodded. She would find a way to be the best there was.

  No matter what.

  6

  ____

  Free

  Though her memory of that night was still hazy, Alex found her way back to the compound, this time a little more sure of herself. Snow was easy enough to find, seated at the bar with a girl standing between his legs, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Neither noticed Alex’s approach until she was upon them.

  “Snow?”

  His gaze snapped to her, that grin of his spreading as he looked her up and down, rudely pushing the girl to the side as he reached for her. “Didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”

  Neither did she, but even after just one time, she already missed the high that his pills had given her. “Do you have a second?”

  “For you? Plenty.”

  He hopped down, grabbing her hand as he led her through the back hallway toward his room. Alex ignored the curious glances sent in her direction.

  In his room with the door closed, Snow slipped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer as he leaned down to kiss her. Frowned, she turned her head, pushing against his chest.

  Laughing, he stopped, but he still held onto her. “You were a lot more fun the last time you were here.”

  Yeah, when she was high. “I’m just here to buy, not to get in bed with you.”

  That got a little bit of the arrogance out of his eyes. “Yeah? And what makes you think I’m going to sell to you?”

  She pulled out a wad of cash. “Because I have the money.”

  Snow plucked the bills from her hand, counting through them before pocketing the cash. Disappearing back into the bathroom—where his supply was undoubtedly—he was back there for a couple of minutes before reappearing with a small baggie.

  She attempted to grab it when he held it out for her, but he pulled his hand back when she got close.

  “You know, I’m willing to accept another form of payment. You can keep your money.”

  Alex forced a tight smile, grabbing the baggie before he could move his hand again. “No thanks. I have plenty of money.”

  Though plenty was a bit of a stretch since she was living off her savings. Of course, Mishca had money and the only thing she had to do was ask, but if he knew what the money was for, he’d cut her off before she even asked.

  “Hey.” He grabbed her arm before she could exit the room, jerking her back almost painfully. “Next time you come here, check your fucking attitude.”

  Snatching her arm free, she didn’t bother offering a response as she left as quickly as she came.

  ____

  The beauty of a penthouse apartment, especially one in this particular building, was that there were no neighbors, so when she blasted music at two in the morning—or later since it was pitch black outside—there was no one to call and complain to management. Not that one could really complain since the owner of said building lived in this penthouse, but while he and his wife were out of the country, Alex made good use of it.

  When Luka had first called her and told her of Mishca’s request, she hadn’t taken him up on it, preferring the sanctity of her own space. But after a night of drinking by herself and running out of her own supply, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to raid her brother’s supply. Leaving Snow’s compound, she’d had ten pills—apparently at twenty-five dollars a pop—but now she was down to seven and it hadn’t even been four hours yet. At this rate, she was definitely going to be back like he’d said. She needed to pace herself better.

  Bass bled through the speakers, a lyrical voice singing of broken promises and desperate dreams, and Alex was on her way to feeling great. Not just because the music was intoxicating and she particularly enjoyed this song, but because of Snow’s magic pills that were working their way through her system. She had tried many things in her life, but they were nothing like this. The high she was on was something that she couldn’t adequately describe, no matter how hard she racked her brain for a description.

  But that had been a little over four hours ago when she had taken them, and now she wanted to keep this feeling going for as long as possible, and the only thing that stood a chance next to those pills was alcohol, and lots of it.

  Guzzling down the last couple of ounces of vodka, Alex tossed the bottle in the sink, hunting through Mishca’s liquor cabinet for something better, knowing he kept an impressive stock. But that wasn’t what she wanted, not really. After her last visit with Snow, she wanted to avoid him and the truth he’d been saying. How arrogantly she had walked away from him because in the past, she had been able to ignore the urges and use when she felt like it.

  And despite the combination of alcohol and the pills, she still wasn’t as high as she wanted.

  Alex fingered the Mercedes’ keys, turning the USB-like device over in her hands. If there was a single materialistic object that her brother loved, it was his car. He took immaculate care of it, making sure it got detailed at least twice a month, and if he knew she was even thinking about driving it, he would shut the idea down.

  But…he was out of the country and what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

  As fast as the elevator would carry her, she went down to the parking deck, occasionally pressing the unlock key until she spotted the twin lights flashing in the darkness. Climbing in, she fitted the key, smiling when it purred to life.

  Back when she was fourteen, Mishca had taught her how to drive during one of her trips back to the States, but with her schedule, she still didn’t have a license, which only made the thrill of this that much sweeter.

  She easily steered the car out onto the street, weaving through traffic as she headed for the bridge. She didn’t know where she was going, only that she wanted to get out of the city and go as far as the car would allow her…or at least until she needed to stop for gas.

  Rolling the windows down, she laughed as the cold air hit her face, whipping her hair back behind her. She, at least, did keep both hands on the wheel, blinking constantly to clear her vision as she narrowly avoided colliding with a parked car. But luckily, the further out of the city she drove, the fewer cars there were populating the street, and when she took a turn off the interstate on one of the exits she glanced at before taking, there was hardly a car in sight.

  With her hand on the gearshift, the wind whipping her hair back, Alex laughed, the sound drowned out by the roar of the engine. Even as the needle continued to creep up on the speedometer, she only pressed her foot harder on the gas, feeling the transmission shift.

  As she sped by, she only took her eyes off the road for a split second, the chime of her phone stealing her attention, but in those few precious seconds, she didn’t realize that she’d begun drifting into her left lane, and was only jerked back to attention when she heard the blare of a horn.

  Gasping, she jerked the wheel, nearly missing hitting the truck that was now speeding down the street.

  Still speeding, she glanced in her rearview mirror, blood pumping through her so fast she could hardly breathe. Laughing at the close call, she was ready to call it a night on the speeding because she had finally accomplished what she’d sought out. The adrenaline was just as heady as anything she had taken.

  But as her eyes dropped back to the street and an animal that she could hardly make out darted out in front of her car, she jerked the wheel, slamming her foot down on the brakes. The car spun round and round as she tried to right herself, the guardrail looming ever closer…

  7
r />   ____

  Fragile Emotions

  “You’ve never taken me out on a date,” Natasha commented thoughtfully, running a brush through the long locks of her wet hair. She’d only just gotten out of the shower when Luka arrived, and she’d seemed embarrassed by his appearance in her room—they normally kept a strict schedule, but she didn’t complain.

  Luka had already taken off his boots, collapsing back with a groan, rubbing his tired eyes. It had been a long day of making sure shit went smoothly while the boss was out of town, and while doing it, Luka remembered exactly why he never wanted to move any higher in the Bratva. While he was nothing more than glorified muscle, he preferred it. He would rather stab someone in the hand and demand payment than be forced to ask nicely.

  At Natasha’s soft statement, he blinked his eyes open, staring over at her though she couldn’t see this. There were times when she had hinted at wanting something more from him besides their arrangement. Small things at first, asking him to stay for just an hour longer, asking about his life outside of his duties. There was once someone very much like Natasha who he’d cared for, but in the end, those feelings he had entertained had only caused everyone involved more pain.

  He wouldn’t—couldn’t—make that mistake again, not just with her, but with Alex, too. He was already prone to irrational urges where Alex was concerned, so it was best if he didn’t pursue anything with her, not with his needs.

  And if he were being honest, that girl from so long ago didn’t inspire half of what Alex did.

  “Why would I do this?”

  She frowned, her brush strokes pausing, but only for a second. “Because you like me and that’s what normal people do.” Natasha turned on the delicate stool, the hem of her nightie riding up, revealing creamy flesh that, because of the conversation they were having, did nothing to entice him. “You’re not ashamed of me, are you?”

  A hint of vulnerability was present in her eyes as she asked this. He had never given much thought to how she felt about her occupation, taking her own thoughts on the matter at face value. Nobody forced her to be there. If she had no issue with it, then neither would he, but it was becoming abundantly clear that she was beginning to care what he thought of her, and with that, it was clear she wanted more.

  But that question also brought up thoughts of his mother and what she had done to provide for them during the years when he’d had her. If he were not ashamed of her, then he couldn’t be of Natasha. But that didn’t mean he was looking for anything more than what they were doing now. He’d made himself clear on that.

  “No, but I don’t see what one has to do with the other.”

  “Then why don’t you take me out?”

  Scrubbing a hand down his face, he thought about calling it an early night. “I’ve never taken a girl out, and I don’t see myself starting now. I see no reason since I’m only fucking whoever it is.” The last comment was meant to stop her line of questioning more than it was the truth.

  No, he had never dated a girl, but only because his life had never provided him an opportunity.

  His remark had the desired effect as she grew quiet and turned back to the mirror. The room was silent for a long while until his phone began ringing. Luka sighed, already contemplating shooting the fucking thing and it was only day two…until he read the name.

  He hadn’t spoken to Alex since the day before the boss left with Lauren, partly because she was avoiding him and partly because he was upset with her. To others, he gave half-truths, or just evaded what he couldn’t talk his way out of, but he never outright lied. With Alex, he was always honest, even when he could shield her from something that would ultimately hurt her. But learning the truth outright was far easier than being served a lie. Unlike Mishca, he didn’t think Alex was weak or needed to be coddled like a child.

  Even when she acted like one.

  Touching his finger to the screen to connect the call, he put the phone to his ear. “Yo.”

  “Luka?”

  He sat up at the sound of her voice. With just one word, he could tell she’d been drinking, was probably out partying even though she was banned from Mishca’s clubs. But even if that were the case, that still didn’t explain why she sounded so scared, or the fact that his hand was itching for a knife so that whoever had done this to her would know they’d messed with the wrong girl.

  “Where are you?”

  “Off Highway 29. I…I fucked up and I didn’t know who else to call, but—”

  “How far out?” He was already reaching for his boots.

  “I don’t know.”

  Cradling his phone between his shoulder and ear, Luka pulled the laces tight, tying them off. “Who the hell are you with?”

  “No one. I-I kinda took Mish’s Mercedes…”

  He paused. “What the fuck.”

  “Luka, I—”

  “Stay there. Don’t do shit. Don’t say shit. I’ll be there soon.”

  He didn’t wait for a response—pocketing the phone as he stood—searching the room with his eyes to make sure he wasn’t leaving anything behind.

  “Where are you going?”

  Luka was so agitated that, while he probably wouldn’t have told her before, he spit it out. “Alex fucked up. I have to fix it.”

  “You know…you always go running when she calls.”

  If he’d been really paying attention, he might have heard the jealous note to her tone, but at that moment, he was too busy concentrating.

  “I gotta go.”

  “Can I go with you?”

  He paused at the door, looking back at her. Sometimes, Alex wasn’t the only one he was brutally honest with. “Hell no. Alex hates you. And it’s not your place.” Not to mention that while he chose to ignore it, it was because of him that she did.

  “But you may need someone to run interference in case the police are already there.” She’d obviously made a correct assumption from what little Luka had said. “You don’t know what’s going to be out there by the time you make it. I could be useful.”

  There was a slim possibility she was right—and he really didn’t work well with law enforcement—but if it was only Alex, Natasha would only make the situation worse.

  He didn’t know why, but Luka found himself nodding.

  “Okay.”

  8

  ____

  Like a Broken Heart

  Despite the smoke and the serious damage to the front end of the car, Alex was fine though she knew once Mishca got back and saw the result of her impulse decision, he was going to be pissed, and he might very well take it out on her. He really did love his car.

  Thankfully, at this time of night, the highway was rather empty. She was sitting on one of the guardrails—not the one she had slammed into—staring over at the car, an unlit cigarette in her hand as she waited. She felt awful, seeing what she had done, but her hands weren’t shaking because of fear, but the adrenaline still racing through her.

  She remembered the power she’d held as she raced down the long stretch of road, easily pushing a hundred and twenty. It was like the faster she went, the more she wanted to conquer higher speeds, to see just how fast and far she could go, racing away from the problems she wasn’t ready to face. It had only taken a blink, a quick second when her eyes weren’t on the road, for her to start the domino effect. She had swerved for several feet—a miracle that the car hadn’t flipped over—before she had slammed into the railing, the airbags deploying instantly.

  If anything hurt her, it was those.

  The powder had been suffocating and it took every ounce of strength she possessed to get out of the car since she could barely move.

  Alex didn’t know how much time had passed as she sat out there alone, still feeling the effects of whatever she had taken though not as strongly.

  Twin headlights and a strong sounding engine made her turn her head, relief filling her when she saw the now familiar Wrangler fast approaching. She hopped down, circling the rail as h
e came to a screeching halt, killing the engine. He was at her side in seconds.

  “Luka—”

  He reached for her so fast that she was afraid he was about to hit her, but instead he held her face, forcing her to meet his angry gaze. They drifted from her face to the rest of her, as though he would rather visually confirm that she was fine rather than take her word for it.

  She had never seen him look so furious, nor did she ever think she’d seen fear in his eyes. Not when he was going out to do his job, or even when he’d come back covered in blood, but he was showing it to her now?

  As she attempted to pull his hands from her face, she tipped her head up so he had a better look at her, and as his eyes narrowed, she knew that he knew.

  “You been drinking?”

  The question was so low that she couldn’t mistake his anger for anything else. As she swallowed, trying to think of a good excuse, he dropped his hand.

  “What the fuck were you thinking?” He hissed gesturing back to the car.

  “I didn’t think—”

  “No shit you weren’t thinking!” he snapped back, his voice rising. “I’m used to you doing shit, but you could have fucking killed somebody. Fuck, you could have killed yourself!”

  Alex flinched under the onslaught of his anger, but it was nothing she didn’t deserve. He was right, and she should have never gotten in the car, but she hadn’t thought she was too far gone to get behind the wheel.

  “I’m used to having to clean up whatever shit you get into, but this is the last time you pull this shit, understand?”

  It wasn’t because he was yelling at her that tears formed in her eyes. It was that she felt foolish, and more than anything, she felt like the child that he was always accusing her of being. Luka was very vocal with his anger, and demonstrative, gesturing out wildly around them, but his movements drew Alex’s attention to his Jeep as a door slammed shut.