Page 95 of Cruel Knots

“As long as you, Damien, and Leon accept me,” I confess. “I’d rather be in a world of violence and blood than be part of a pretentious society that bends to money and power. Give me another chance, Mikhail. I’ll prove what you and your brothers truly mean to me”

“You still can’t forget the past, huh?”

“I’ll never forget the boys I fell in love with.”

With a sudden move, he wraps his arms around me and presses me against his hard, muscular body. His warmth envelops me, protecting me from the chill of the early evening.

I lay my head against his chest, seeking comfort. “Can we start over?” I whisper.

“You’ll have to prove yourself to Damien,” he whispers. His hand rubs soothing circles on my back. “He’s decided to protect you from Callum but I doubt he trusts you fully.”

I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his addictive sweet orange scent.

“You’ll have to prove to all of us that you can accept both Damien and Leon. I was the youngest and they always protected me. They’re the ones who sacrificed their minds and sanity to keep me alive and thriving.”

Stepping away, I stare up at him. “I understand them better now,” I say. “But you’ve got to understand the situation I’ve been in too. I didn’t stay with Callum because I enjoyed a cushy life. My dad is the only family that matters to me. The only reason I want to get away from you guys is to get him away from Callum.”

“Don’t even think of escaping,” he grinds out through clenched teeth. Grabbing my wrist, he forces me to walk down the sidewalk. “We’re buying some underwear and leaving,” he says in a grim tone. “You should know your size, so pick some and get done.”

Shit, I curse internally. The mere mention of wanting to leave ruined his mood. He probably thinks I’m using Dad as an excuse to leave.

Making them believe I’m on their side seems like the biggest obstacle in my way. Will there be enough time to prove myself to them before they completely break me?

27

Lucia

Mikhail has gone completely silent since the moment on the sidewalk when I confessed about my need to go back to Dad. He doesn’t say a word while I buy several pairs of bras and panties. The store I choose is one of the luxury brands I’m used to wearing but that doesn’t seem to faze him.

On our way back, I shamelessly clutch onto him tightly with both my arms, pretending to still be scared of riding the motorcycle. I’m helplessly falling in love with my captors despite them treating me so roughly.

Maybe I’m just as messed up in the head as them.

Leon showed me a side to him that should’ve scared me. The blood and gore were disturbing. I could barely stomach the idea of having sex with three dying men in the same room, but at the end of it all, I still want Leon.

It’s the same with Damien. My disgust for him evaporated the moment I realized who he was and how he got those scars.

Despite hating me, they’ve kept me safe. They got me through my heat without hurting me and despite their hatred, made sure to look after me. Not only that, they’re risking their lives to keep Callum away from me.

Despite telling me they own me, they’re giving me choices I never had.

They may not trust me yet but that doesn’t stop me from loving them.

The bike comes to a sudden halt, throwing me up against Mikhail’s back. Looking up, I see we’re beside the diner I’d mentioned to him earlier.

“Get off,” he says in a heavy, commanding tone.

I awkwardly climb down the bike and fidget with the clasp of my helmet. Mikhail comes up beside me and bats my hands away. With one ‘click’, he unlatches the strap and easily removes the helmet from my head.

Locking our helmets to the bike, he grabs my wrist and pulls me alongside him. I expect him to enter the diner. Instead, Mikhail drags me toward the building’s back.

Overflowing trash cans line the wall here. Smoke from the exhaust pipes wafts over our heads. A few streetlamps illuminate the area but most of it is shrouded in shadows.

“What are we doing here?” I whisper.

He doesn’t answer but suddenly, he’s pushing me against a wall, his mouth crashing onto mine, his tongue invading through my open lips. He drinks my gasps of surprise while his hand slides up my thigh.

“You can’t leave us,” he grates through clenched teeth. “Ever.”

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