SKINSIDE | DARK TABOO ROMANCE

It was a cool party. I learned a lot about the members of Rotten Crown, and to be honest, I quite enjoyed being part of the group. Most of them were similar to me. They were hurt guys who had been dealt a bad hand in life. They had unlucky parents, unlucky marriages, and unlucky lives. Some had lost loved ones due to a difficult life, love, or family. And they all had one thing in common: revenge.

Ray and Alex turned out to be really cool guys. They've been together for over three years, and they're only 23. Both are orphans; their parents were kidnapped and sold into slavery, which is how they met while trying to find the threads that connected these two crimes. They then pursued Lucian, who assisted them in uncovering the truth.

Sean turned out to be not so bad either. He's a widower. His wife's fate is very similar to mine. Some unknown thugs suddenly decided that she was meat for trade and sex. He found her body mutilated in an abandoned factory. I can understand why he's so angry at everyone around him. I felt sorry for him.

For the first time, I felt like I belonged. And it was incredible. Lucian never came out to see us, which didn't surprise me much. The guys told me that he goes to bed early, gets up early, and usually skips events like this. He was an introvert, you see, and liked to be alone. A mysterious bogeyman, in a word.

In any case, I was truly grateful to him.

Several weeks passed. I didn't hear any news from Eugene or Mike. The Gorsky people didn't bother me either. Or maybe no one just bothered to tell me anything. The days passed, but they were definitely not monotonous. From time to time, I trained with Sean or Lucian. They taught me self-defense and how to fight properly.

"You couldn't even slap someone with those chicken wings. What do you eat, air?" Sean laughed at me, clearly trying to provoke me.

"I won't comment on your wonderful eyesight, then." I always answered him, and he snorted in response. He's a strange man; we'll definitely never like each other and never be friends. I'm sure he's only messing with me because of Lucian.

And I'm about to get a brand-new bike because every member of the gang has to have one. I can't believe that soon I'll be tearing through the air at breakneck speed, that soon I'll have the chance to get revenge, that I'll be able to be useful and finally have a purpose in my life.

I was standing next to Ray when one of Lucian's henchmen crept up behind me.

«Gloria, the boss wants you. He says it's important."

"Thanks. I'll be right there." I said goodbye to Ray and headed for Lucian's room.

When I entered his office, I saw that he was holding another glass of whiskey in one hand and rubbing his other hand. He seemed to be thinking about a plan of action in a completely hopeless situation.

"Did you call for me?"

"Yes, hello, have a seat." His voice sounded troubled, and I didn't like it at all. "Do you know this man?"

He pushed a couple of photos toward me, apparently taken very recently, near Eugene's house. In them, Eugene was sitting on that same cozy terrace, reading Edgar Allan Poe, and Mike's chief security guard was sitting on the chair next to him. They were chatting about something, and judging by the expressions on their faces, they weren't very happy with how things were going either.

"Yes, that's Mike's security guard. I didn't know he could talk at all. Lucian smiled slightly, but it didn't stay on his face for long.

"I'm not happy that those two are discussing something. Especially considering the news about your husband and Gorsky. I looked at Lucian questioningly. "Alan's father is very angry, although you can understand him; he lost his son, no matter what he was like. Anyway, according to my sources, he gave Mike a limited amount of time to find you."

"That was obvious; I knew they would be looking for me."

"Yes, but now there's the problem that Eugene is helping them." You do realize that he knows where we are, right?

At that moment, it dawned on me. My husband's people were already here, already in this city, and judging by everything, they would be here any minute. I couldn't think of a single reason why Eugene wouldn't turn me in to them. He was a real scumbag, considering what I had found out. It was only a matter of time.

"I can leave if you want; I don't want to be a pain in the ass for you guys."

"That's not even up for discussion. You're part of our team. But I had to warn you that you're under house arrest for the time being."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said." Don't worry, you'll have company. Alex and Ray will be here 24/7.

«You decided to take several hostages at once?» - I'm outraged by this decision. Just locking me up behind seven locks is hardly going to help much.

«It has to be done, Gloria. I don't think it will be for long.»

I got up silently and headed for the office door.

"I've been in a cage before, Lucian. And I didn't like it so much that I ran away. Don't make me run away from a place I like."

I slammed the door and headed for the barn exit, feeling upset. I wasn't going to run away (yet), but I definitely needed a couple of cigarettes. Sean stood in my way.

"I'm sorry. I can't let you go."

"Are you serious? Get away from me, One-Eye Joe."

"It's for your safety." I tried to get past him.

"Listen, seriously, I want to smoke. What's the problem?"

"Smoke here."

"Anyone is not allowed to."

"You can."

"No, this isn't serious; let me out." I attempted to maneuver around the old car once more, not anticipating that he would effortlessly toss me over his shoulder. "Hey, you idiot, put me down! I'm serious! Ray! Alex!"

I screamed and pounded on Sean's back, just to get him to put me down. My screams brought not only Alex and Ray running, but also other members of the gang. Some laughed, while others stood there confused.

"What the fuck is going on here? Sean, put her down!" Alex approached him and tried to take me away.

"These are the boss's orders." Sean elevated me even more. "I told you, you little chicken shit, eat more. Look how easy it is."

"Boss?" Ray shouted toward the end of the barn, but when he didn't get an answer, he ran toward Lucian's office. "Boss, there's a problem! Sean and Gloria are fighting!"

The Boogieman came out of the office and laughed a little when he saw the scene. I was hanging upside down on Sean's shoulders, trying to leave at least a couple of bruises on his back, while a dozen men laughed at what was happening and Alex tried to pull us apart. He was right; I needed to gain weight, otherwise I was completely useless without a weapon.

"God, why am I being punished with you, Usher? Turn her towards me."

Sean obediently turned, and I lifted my hanging head.

"You want to smoke? Smoke here. If you want to drink, drink here. You have complete carte blanche for all the rules in this barn. But until I decide what to do with Gorsky and Mike's men, you're not leaving here. He turned to the guys. If anyone lets her out, they'll get a punch in the face from me personally, is that clear?»

«Yes, boss.» The guys responded in unison, resembling members of the army.

"Boss, this isn't right."

"I didn't ask you. It's an order." Lucian snorted at Alex. "Sean, take her to her room."

"I hate you," I glared at Lucian. "Let me go, Sean; I can walk myself."

The one-eyed man looked questioningly at Boogeyman, who nodded approvingly. I got to my feet, pushed Sean in the chest, and walked straight toward my room. Okay. You want me locked up here; I'll be here. But you're going to regret this.