Craved by the Wrong Volkov

Lucien’s POV

The hallway was silent, and the faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air. My gaze was locked on the figure lying on the bed. She was barely alive. Even if she died, I would have dragged her back from the gates of hell.

A phone notification drew my attention. I sighed and glanced at the screen. It was 3 a.m. now and I was running on pure adrenaline. There was a recent text notification from Lynn. I was surprised she was still awake.

I tapped on the screen to see the message.

Lynn: Don’t push yourself too much, Lucien. Please come home before you collapse.

It was a simple message, but it still made me smile. The feeling of having someone waiting for me made it feel less like a villa and more like a home.

My fingers moved across the screen to reply.

Lucien: I might not return until it gets bright. Please go to sleep. I know it might be hard. Amelia has been moved under restricted remand, and Natalia is currently in the ICU. The entire ward is on lockdown.

I gave her a brief breakdown of things. The typing icon appeared. I was worried she was still awake. Was she thinking about Raphael, or was everything weighing her down? I wanted to lie next to her and hold her in my arms, to remind her she wasn’t alone.

But I had things to handle.

Lynn: I am worried about you. Take care, Lucien.

Lucien: I will. Try going to bed. I love you.

Lynn: Love you too.

The last reply popped up. I felt someone standing beside me. I didn’t turn. I could already see his reflection in the glass.

"I didn’t expect you to leave your family to come over," I muttered. From the reflection, I could see the familiar face and red hair, Ivan Orlov.

Ivan’s face remained blank. His gaze was locked on Natalia’s body. "I had to see things for myself, although I am not happy leaving my family," he said, and I almost paused. Ivan had changed a lot. Love really changes people.

"She isn’t escaping. At least now we know the truth, and she will pay for it," I replied. Ivan nodded.

The Orlov family sent him to make sure Natalia was taken care of. Although the Orlovs were not primarily from this country, they still knew enough top players in the government.

"She wouldn’t have the chance. I am happy this Chapter is closed," he muttered. Then I felt his eyes shift to me. Unlike Lynn’s jade-like eyes that had a calming effect, Ivan’s green eyes were always predatory. Despite all these years, and the fact that he was just a year older than me, his gaze still gave me goosebumps.

"So what do you plan to do to her? If you are interested, I heard the Voss family needs human test subjects..." Ivan casually mentioned, as if we weren’t talking about a human life.

"I had no idea the Voss family did something so immoral," I blurted out, and Ivan smiled.

"Let’s just say the Orlov family runs the facility, and the Voss develops the drugs." A chill ran down my spine. He sighed, tucking his hands into his pockets. "But in the end, the final decision is yours."

I nodded. I already knew what was best for Natalia and Amelia. "Someone crazy enough to assault her son isn’t sane enough for a regular prison." Ivan’s smile widened, understanding my words.

"I guess you have this handled then." He paused. Something complicated passed across his gaze before he spoke again. "I heard about your paternity..." My breath caught. News really travels fast.

"Did Ronan tell Granny?" I couldn’t help but ask.

Ivan shook his head. "We caught the mercenary who loves to talk," he explained. My eyes darkened. They had already captured him so fast. "It’s funny that the annoying nephew was always your brother." There was a teasing tone in his voice.

"Too bad he is dead."

I turned around. "Let’s stop talking about an unpleasant topic," I said, walking down the hallway past the security guard guarding Natalia. Ivan followed after me with a shrug.

My mind went back to the moment Raphael took that stab wound. Maybe if I had moved fast enough, he would have still been alive. My heart ached with a silent fear.

I always knew that Lynn had a soft spot for Raphael. I was scared his death would scar our relationship. A heavy breath escaped my lips as I tried to push away those thoughts.

"By the way, congratulations on being a father. It makes you seem less of an asshole," I joked, and Ivan’s lips twitched. Back when we met at that poker game, he and his wife were going through a rough patch.

They seemed to have gotten over it, and his wife gave birth last year.

A genuine smile crossed his lips at the thought of her. "Thanks. Betty says the same thing," he joked, and a soft laugh escaped me. Probably the first since everything went to hell.

*********

Over an hour later, I left the hospital, but I didn’t head home. Not yet. I still had some matters to take care of.

My car arrived at a villa I knew of but had never really visited. I had no reason to, but for a long while, I knew about Ronan’s second villa.

The engine shut down, and I stepped into the cold. It was late. I didn’t knock and just input the passcode Ronan gave me. I was certain he was expecting me.

Inside, it was quiet. The moment I stepped in, I heard something crack under my feet. I froze for a moment and narrowed my eyes. It was dim, but I could faintly see the wreckage around me.

I didn’t know what to feel. Was he mourning Raphael or something else? The door shut behind me. I pulled off my coat and held it as I proceeded inside.

I didn’t know where I was heading, but I followed my instincts.

My footsteps echoed in the silence. I felt a faint sense of worry. Did he send the housekeeper away? I made my way upstairs and noticed a door left open, with dim light spilling into the corridor.

I walked towards the room, and the strong stench of alcohol and cigarettes greeted me. A dry cough immediately drew my attention to the figure leaning against the wall, smoking and staring blankly outside.

I took a step inside. A raspy voice spoke up. "I wasn’t expecting you to come this soon," Ronan finally said, glancing my way. Staring at him, I felt a swirl of emotions. He was the elder brother who dismissed my existence in the past, and now that role had changed.

"I needed answers as soon as possible. It is not every day you discover your entire life might have been a lie," I said, walking towards him. I stood in front of him, then squatted to his level without a word and put out the ember of his cigarette with my gloved hand. It burned for a moment, then died.

"And also, I want to make sure you don’t try ending your life before giving me answers."