Nikolai (Family Secrets Book 3) Read online

  “No, she passed out. I would never hurt a woman, not without sex being involved. I want you to have Luka come and teach that tool she was dancing with a lesson. We need to get her back to the estate, and I want you to find out everything you can about her. Who she lives with.”

  Chapter 4

  Lydia

  I hated living with him and his son. I had to obey their every demand to tend to their needs. If I didn’t, then they wouldn’t hesitate to beat me black and blue. They were both monsters I wished to be free from. My mother died a few years back from a car accident. That was what my step-father told me. I’m not stupid, I have my suspicions that something else happened. I think he killed her. The beatings started months before her death though. He would wait until she went to work, then come to my room to torture me. His son was no better either. The night after my mother’s funeral was when it took a turn for the worse. He showed up drunk after going out to the club with his son. I was awakened by him holding a knife to my throat while his son stripped me and tied me to the bed. That was the night he took away my innocence, but that’s not all that happened. His son had a turn too. James, my step-brother was just as bad as his father.

  Maybe worse.

  “Lydia, come here,” James stood at the door smirking as he licked his lips. I tried to run to the bathroom, but he rushed over and blocked the door. Grabbing my arms, he spun me around and pressed my face in the door. “Not so fast, Father needs a word with you.”

  I hissed in pain. “James, you’re hurting me!”

  “Not as bad as a father is going to do to you.” He pressed his erection in my back. It made me want to throw up the way he thought.

  He stepped I into his office shoved me to my knees. My father chuckled as he blew smoke out of his mouth. “Darling, do you know why you’re here?”

  “N-no.” I already know it’s because I stayed at Anna’s house a few days back. I knew I would be punished for it, but it was worth it. It kept me away from them.

  “James, get her up and bend her over the desk,” My body was thrown across the cold surface and the back of my dress was ripped. I felt my panties being pulled down to my ankles. “Are you ready for it? Ready to be taken up the ass by a dear old friend of mine? Come on in and use her like the whore she is.”

  I tried to scream, but he covered my mouth with duct tape. “Don’t worry, it will only hurt for a second. Well, maybe.”

  Tears streamed down my face as I realized what was about to happen. I would have gladly taken a beating over what was about to take place. He pressed his hands on my ass and spread my cheeks. “I’m going to fuck you the way Nikolai just fucked me.”

  All the blood drained from my face at hearing his sickening voice say Nikolai’s name. The moment I felt the tip touch my hole, he thrust his hips into me. Searing pain was all I could feel as he pumped in and out tearing me in half. My body trembled in fear when James forced me to look at the video feed being recorded. He had the same eyes as Anna’s brother. The man behind me grunted over and over as he fucked me harder. He grunted one last time as he came inside, then pulled out. When he looked straight at the camera, he leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Make sure to tell my son hello for me.”

  “This will make a killing down at the club.” The man mused taking the USB from my father.

  “Take Lydia back to her room and lock her up.” James ripped the tape off my mouth and yanked me by the arm he already bruised. He threw me in and slammed the door locking it from the outside. I had to get out of here and fast. Next time, I might not be so lucky.

  Grabbing a random dress and shoes, I ran to the bathroom and locked the door. I turned on the shower and stripped off my bloody clothes. Jumping in the shower, I washed my body as quickly as I could. I turned the knob and stepped out wrapping a towel around me. I dried off and shakily putting on my clothes and shoes. I put on my coat and stood up on the toilet seat.

  Opening the window, I stepped outside hoping that they wouldn’t catch me. The cold air stung my skin as I ran into the darkness.

  I ran until my legs gave out and collapsed to my knees. When I looked up, I spotted a club and let out a breath. I stepped up to the entrance and stepped in walking up to the bar. “Tequila.”

  After about eight shots, I began to calm down from the previous events. Taking the bottle off the bar, I stumbled across the floor. I was drunk and honestly didn’t have a care in the world. The room spun as I swayed to the music booming from the speakers. I didn’t care that a random guy had his hands all over my body. Just less than an hour ago, I’d been forced to be fucked up the ass by Nikolai’s father and locked in my room. Suddenly, I was ripped away and pulled to someone else. Those fucking eyes pierced in my soul. Nikolai lowered his gaze down to my bruised arm and growled out in anger. “Who the fuck did this to you?”

  Fear consumed me as I backed away from him. “Please, let me go.”

  The last thing I remember is falling into darkness in the arms of Nikolai Vasiliev. When I opened my eyes, I was at his estate in Anna’s room.

  What happened?

  How the hell did I get here?

  Who found me and brought me here?

  “Oh my god, you’re awake! What happened to you?” Anna rushed to my side.

  I whispered to her with tears in my eyes. “Promise you won’t say anything to your brother?”

  She nodded. “Something terrible. I got away from them and ran as far as I could.”

  “Who?” She pushed for more information.

  “My step-father and James.” I let the words slip out and when I looked up I regretted it. Nikolai was standing at the door with clenched fists and a cold stare.

  “Anna, leave us.” She was about to argue with him, but Luka had already grabbed her by the arm gently escorting her out.

  I pulled my knees to my chest and backed away. Nikolai stepped closer and sat on the bed not saying a word. I kept my eyes on him with fear running through my veins. He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I’m not going to hurt you. Please, I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

  “I-I can’t. They will find me here. I have to go.” I started to get up, but he pulled me back to his chest.

  “Who is James? He is the one that put his hands on you, yes?” I didn’t say anything and looked away. I didn’t have to say anything because he already knew the answer to that.

  “I’ll fucking kill him. Kill them all.” He kissed the top of my head and held me in his arms as I cried in his chest.

  Nikolai

  I held Lydia in my arms while she cried and waited for her to fall asleep. Something in my chest ached for her. Is this how it feels when someone you love is hurting? Maybe it’s why they say love hurts. Her breathing slowed down, and I laid her down gently covering her up. I stepped out and looked at her one last time. “Luka, watch the door and whatever happens don’t let her leave.”

  I loosened my tie and slipped it off. I threw it on my desk frustrated when I heard a knock on the door. “What?”

  Vladimir stepped in and cleared his throat. “Lydia lives with her step-father and brother.”

  “Mother?” I questioned.

  He shook his head. “Was killed in a head-on collision. That’s what you’ll read in the papers, but want to know what I found out? She was killed by your father.”

  “What the hell does he have to do with this!?” This peaked my interest.

  “Her mother was in Giovanni’s circle at one time and had an affair with Luca Genovese. His second-in-command. You need to call Giovanni.”

  My head was spinning with questions as I dialed Giovanni. “It’s Nikolai, we need to talk.”

  I could hear the confusion in his voice. “What’s this about?”

  “It’s something I can’t discuss over the phone.” I didn’t want anything getting out if someone was listening to our call.

  “I’ll be over within the hour.” He replied immediately.

  “Bring Luca Genovese, he’s part o
f this too.”

  Giovanni sat in my office along with Luca and sighed. “Are you going to tell me what this is about?”

  I poured us each a shot and slid the glasses across the desk. “This is about Lydia O’Callaghan.”

  Luca’s face paled and he downed his shot. “I knew her mother. Alexis O’Callaghan and I shared a bed at one time.”

  Giovanni glance over to him and sighed. “She used to work for me down at my club as a bartender. Your father busted through the doors and shot up the place. Bastard fucking slit her throat and made Luca watch her bleed out. He was gone before anyone could catch him.”

  “Who the fuck is James?” I need to find the bastard and torture him like he did to her.

  “James is Connor’s son. They are the bastards that kidnapped my princess. Been aching to get my hands on them.” Luca spat with his jaw clenched.

  “Is Lydia your daughter?” I needed to know.

  “I-I don’t know. I’m pretty sure she is, her age fits the timeline.” He was conflicted.

  I shook hands with Giovanni and stood up. “I’ll be in touch and see if you can locate this James. I need to have a little chat with him.”

  He nodded and they both followed Vladimir out the door. I needed to go check on Lydia. Stepping into Anna’s bedroom, I scanned the room for her, but she wasn’t on the bed. I could hear water running from the bathroom, so she must be in the shower. I waited for another ten minutes, but the water was still running. When I pushed the door open, the sight in front of me made me rush to her. She was curled up into a ball under the stream pouring down on her.

  “It hurts so much, I’m sorry.” She held a blade to her wrists and sliced across the skin. There was so much fucking blood and I reached for a towel wrapping it around her wrist.

  “Lydia! Fuck baby, I need to stop the bleeding,” I applied pressure to her wound and picked her up and carried her to the sink. It took about fifteen minutes to stop the bleeding, but it stopped. I inspected the cut and sighed in relief. “It’s not deep enough to need stitches, but I’ll have to put a bandage on it.”

  Stroking her cheek, she flinched and squeezed her eyes shut. “I-I’m sorry.”

  “Baby, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not like Connor and James. Let me help you.”

  “I’m scared, Nik. I’m so fucking scared that if your father sees me here, that he’ll tell them where I am.”

  “My father? What are you talking about?” I knew my father killed her mother, but when has he ever been alone with him.

  “Last night…he hurt me. I was at home when my step-brother shoved me in his father’s office. That’s when your father showed up. H-he…” She clung on my shirt and cried in my chest. I knew exactly what she was going to say. Bastard fucking raped my Lydia.

  “Shhh, I’ve got you now. You’re safe here baby.” I placed a kiss on her forehead and let her break down. I’m coming for you Connor, James, and Mikhail. I’m going to make sure you never hurt Lydia ever again.

  “Your father wanted to give you a message. Said tell my son hello for me right after he told me he was going to fuck me like you fucked him.” It was taking all my self-control to not lose my temper, but I didn’t want to scare her any more than she already was.

  I cupped her face and kissed her on the lips. “Let’s get you some dry clothes. I’ll see if my sister has something for you. I’ll be right back.”

  Chapter 5

  Nikolai

  I didn’t think it was possible to hate my father more than I already did. How fucking wrong I was about that. No. I wanted his blood on my hands and his head on a silver platter. I would feed him to Lucifer, or I would let my tiger have some fun with him first. I haven’t quite decided yet.

  I opened my sister’s closet and pulled out a pair of sweats and a grey shirt. I looked into the bathroom and Lydia looked up through bloodshot eyes. “These are Anna’s, should fit you. I’ll just be right outside the door.”

  I laid the clothes on the sink and slipped out to give her some privacy. Sure, I’d seen her body before. This was different though, she’d just gone through hell. My father had violated her in the worst possible way. My head snapped up when I heard the door open. Lydia walked over to the bed and laid down. I sat at the edge of the bed and pushed her hair out of her face. “If I leave you alone, are you going to hurt yourself again?”

  She shook her head and shivered. “I won’t.”

  I grabbed the blanket at the foot of the bed and covered her trembling body. “I have to go take care of something, but I’ll be back later. Anna will stay with you until I get back. Vladimir will be right outside the door. Then, I’ll take you to my room, so you get something in your stomach.”

  She nodded as I placed a kiss on her temple. Right on time, my sister strolled in with Luka at her side. “Anna, stay here while I take care of some things. Vladimir will be right outside the door.”

  Vladimir nodded as Anna shut the door. I pointed my finger at him and ordered him. “Make sure you check on them every ten minutes. Also search the room for any sharp objects. Don’t need her cutting herself again.”

  Luka gave me a curious glance as we walked away and nervously chewed on his lip. “There’s something you need to see, but I’m not sure how you’re going to react to it.”

  “Just fucking tell me.” It couldn’t be any worse than what already happened.

  He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “There was a video that was delivered from your father.”

  I froze and blinked trying to process what he just said. I couldn’t speak or move. The bastard taped the entire fucking thing. I gripped my head with my hands not wanting to believe it. “No, no, no! Not to my Lydia.”

  “That’s not the worst of it. The video is being distributed throughout every club in the area and even online. I managed to get it before anyone could watch it at your club. There were thousands of copies. Giovanni was informed and destroyed what he could. There are still some out there somewhere.”

  “Fuck! I’ll kill him.” I punched the wall next to Luka’s head. I was beyond pissed off that father had touched her, but even angrier that he recorded it. “Find this James. I am going to have a little chat.” My lips curled up forming a sadistic grin.

  “On it.” Luka stepped out and my mind was already thinking of all the ways I would torture James. I want him to feel the pain he inflicted on her beautiful skin.

  Popping the DVD in the laptop, I pressed play and watched angrily as the scene unfolded. They had her bent over the desk, bare from the waist down. Her mouth had been taped shut and tears in her eyes. My father stepped behind her and hissed in her ear. “I’m going to fuck you the way Nikolai fucked me.”

  My fists were clenched with my knuckles turning white and my breathing sped up. I swiped everything off my desk shattering the laptop. I closed my eyes in attempt to calm down. All it did was make me angrier than I’d ever been in my whole life. “Boss, are you okay?”

  Luka leaned down with a concerned look. “Did you find him?”

  He smirked and ran downtown through his hair. “Stupid bastard showed up at one of the clubs downtowns, so I told the owner to knock him out and bring him here. They should be here shortly. Do I need to prepare Lucifer?”

  “No, this fucker is mine. Let me know when they arrive.”

  A soft knock brought me out of my thoughts. I already knew it was Lydia before he even opened it up. He shot me a glance that said he was taking his leave. She still had on the clothes I’d given her earlier with her hair up in a messy bun. “I-I didn’t mean to interrupt. Maybe I should go.”

  “No,” I blurted out a little too fast. “I mean you didn’t have to.” I rushed to her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

  I felt her body freeze up, but then slowly relaxed. Leading her to the sofa, I pulled on my lap. She laid her head on my chest and looked up. She frowned when she spotted the dry blood on my knuckles. “You’re bleeding.”

  Tracing her bandaged
wrist, I murmured. “Only for you, my love.”

  She brought a finger over my bottom lip and traced it. “You should let me clean that up, so it doesn’t get infected.”

  What is this fucking woman doing to me right now? It’s like she has the power to pull me into her trance. Like she’s hypnotizing me. I feel a twitch in my pants as I let her guide me to the bathroom. She took a rag and wet it under the faucet. I closed the toilet and sat down as she straddled me. I winced when the damp cloth stung my cuts. “Sorry.”

  I kept my eyes on her and watched as she wiped the dried-up blood off my hand. She finished cleaning my wound and placed the rag on the sink. Our eyes connected and that’s when she slammed her lips on mine. The kiss was took taken and fire, just like her. Her arms wrapped around the back of my neck and mine cupped her face. I wanted her so bad, but not l take to this. Not while she was in pain. It was too soon. I pulled away still cupping her face. “Wait. I want you so fucking bad right now, but not like this. You’re still hurting.”