Hidden Monsters (Volkov Bratva #4)(123)

It was like nothing had changed.

Luka knew without a doubt that Lauren had heard every word he’d said back during that fateful day, and yet she stood in front of him and acted like it didn’t matter. He didn’t know what he had expected otherwise. Anger, maybe? Disgust? But there was none of that.

“Later.” His first promise of the day, and as she smiled in response, he knew he had made the right choice.

____

He hadn’t been sure what the meeting Mishca had been referring to was for, but as they arrived at the familiar brownstone that was the home of Clorick, the only person sanctioned by the Bratva to administer tattoos, Luka knew.

“You do know what this means, yes?” Mishca asked him as he climbed out of his car, buttoning his jacket as he went. “You can wear…that,” he said gesturing to Luka’s jeans and T-shirt, “on your own time. But on mine, put on a damn suit.”

As they were allowed in by a large man who looked like he had done nothing more in his life than lift weights, Luka couldn’t help but think that before now, this was everything that he had never wanted. He was happy as an enforcer. He thrived in it. But now that he was being appointed a Captain…he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more.

Clorick had been around for a few generations, longer than most, and was beginning to look it, but everyone, even Luka, treated him with the utmost respect.

Luka entered the room, climbing up onto the table as Clorick entered, that familiar black kit tucked beneath his arm.

“Never expected to see you on my table,” Clorick said casually as he unlocked his case, pulling his tools free before going back in for a pair of black latex gloves.

Luka smirked but didn’t respond immediately as he glanced at the tattoo machine that looked nearly as ancient as Clorick did. While he wouldn’t say he was necessarily a tattoo snob, those that covered the majority of his body were quality work. He didn’t want shoddy stars, even if they held a different meaning.

“You sure you know what you’re doing?” he asked, grateful that the old man did at least pull a clean needle out.

There was probably no one else in the history of the Bratva who would question Clorick who, despite his rather modest life now, had been revered for his viciousness many years ago—not to mention that anyone who was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of his talents were happy to just be there.

Clorick, who’d heard rumors of Luka, took it in stride, ignoring the question entirely.

It was Mishca who, as Pakhan, stood watch with his arms folded across his chest. “Careful. He may put a dick on your knees. I, for one, do not want to have to explain that to anyone.”

As the buzz of the machine filled the room, Luka looked back at Mishca, a man he had both grown to respect and care for.

Noticing the look, Mishca frowned, pushing off the wall. “Don’t get sentimental on me. Those aren’t just for your protection.”

No matter how contained Luka’s past had been before, all of his secrets were out now. He knew that while those closest to him could look past what he had done in the past, there would be others who weren’t so accepting.

Some would be bold enough to mention it in passing since they could do no more now that he had his stars…but they wouldn’t be as careful around Alex.

These stars not only represented his position but also meant exactly what he could do to someone who dared speak against him.

And that kind of power…it made him happy.

Despite his words, Mishca looked thoughtful for a moment. “She told me, you know. About how you helped her. I’m in your debt.”

“Poor choice of words,” Luka said with a smile, still staring up at the ceiling as Clorick moved on from his chest to his knees. These would be the worst.

“Yes, well…I won’t be regretting them for some time, and while it pains me to say this—you have no f*cking idea—I’m sure you’re going to busy for a while.”

“Oh?”

As Klaus had, Mishca pulled free an envelope, setting it on a chair nearby. “Alex called Lauren and told her she got her first lead role. I figured at least one of us should be there to see it. You have two weeks to do as you please. After, you report to me. The only thing I ask…” Mishca looked surprisingly vulnerable as he got to his feet. “…Bring her home, if only for a while.”

When he turned to leave, Luka asked, “Is it true you haven’t spoken to her since that day?”

“Two months after she left for Paris, she came back to visit Lauren, only because she begged. I happened to come home early. It didn’t matter that I was happy to see her, she wouldn’t even look at me.”





52

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Welcome Home





Having stared at that board for more than ten minutes in shock, Alex had been too elated to remember that she was still angry with her brother. The first thing she’d done when she had seen her name next to ‘principle’ and her role was to call Lauren. Seconds after her sister-in-law had answered the phone, her excitement had spilled over and she’d shared the good news. Only after she had ended the call did she consider the fact that Lauren would share this news with Mishca.

Back when she was just a little girl dreaming of making it onto the big stage, he’d promised that he would watch her perform, no matter where she was. She didn’t doubt that. No matter that he knew she wouldn’t want him there, he would be exactly where he said he would, Lauren and Sacha as well.