She's Mine (A Bad Boy MC Romance) Read online

  They weren’t just there to make sure others wouldn’t hurt me, they were there to make sure I didn’t escape. When I was a kid I thought that meant that they didn’t want me running off and getting kidnapped for ransom money but now I just think that my father has something planned for me. I’ve been trying to figure out for years what that is but I don’t know what.

  “To have a real life, to see what’s outside this city. To have a man hold me in his arms and protect me in a way that a bodyguard never could… that’s all I want. Is that too much to ask for?”

  Chapter Three

  (Jack)

  We traded one shithole for another, would it kill us to actually operate out of a building that wasn’t falling apart?

  We were waiting in an old warehouse somewhere about 25 minutes outside the city, waiting for Axel’s uncle to actually show up and give us the info. I was a little pissed off that I didn’t know the details before hauling ass for two hours up to Chicago but I needed that money. Can’t have a real way out of this club without money. I think being so close to being able to leave but being not quite there was really starting to get to me, I just had to stay calm and I’d be free from these jackasses soon enough.

  Chuck, Mike, and our fourth guy Ron were all off having a smoke by the vent unit while Axel was doing something on his phone. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that we were in for something that we weren’t properly equipped for.

  Finally we heard a bike rolling in, it seemed like the sound of that engine was relief for the other guys. The front door opened and Axel’s uncle stepped in, I thought it was kind of telling that I had been in this sad excuse for a Motorcycle Club for at least a year and a half and this was the first time I was ever seeing the guy. Probably just enjoyed living off of the yearly dues and the kickbacks he got from grunts like us.

  “Uncle, you’re here. You got the info for us?”

  “What kind of question is that? You think I’m an idiot of course I got the info for you.”

  I liked this guy already.

  We all gathered around his uncle, anxious to hear about this job he wanted us to do.

  “Alright fellas, I’ve known Petrov for a while know. Over the past few years he’s risen through the ranks and has found himself to be the Don of the Russian mob up here in Chicago, he’s got a big job for us and you better not fuck this up or it’ll be my head on a silver platter.”

  He took out a manila folder, opening it up and pulling out a photo before handing it to Axel. The fellas passed the photo around before handing it to me. It was a portrait, looked like it was professionally taken; a photo of a beautiful girl lying in a field of flowers.

  “Wouldn’t mind having a turn with that” Axel said chortling.

  His uncle raised his hand and backhanded him hard across the face, causing him to stumble before catching his footing.

  “You dumbass if you talk like that you’ll get us all killed! That’s Petrov’s daughter Viktoria, the pride and joy of his entire world, and he wants you guys to make sure that she stays protected for a week while he goes to take care of some business out of town.”

  Of course, that was the catch. Petrov didn’t want us to just help some of his guys throw some of their weight around, he wanted us to protect one of the most targeted people in the city. Might as well paint a target right on your back.

  “Why us?” I asked “I mean why trust us with his daughter, why not get some of his own guys to do it? Wouldn’t it be safer that way?”

  “Rumor has it Petrov is having a couple of issues right now. He’s been having some issues with the Italians and isn’t sure who he can trust. Since him and I go way back he figures if he can trust me then he can also trust my guys so it goes without saying that you all can not fuck this up!”

  “Yeah, don’t fuck this up” Axel repeated with a smug look.

  His uncle looked at him, clearly sick of dealing with his nephew already. “What you think you’re beneath this kind of work? You’re going with them.”

  “What? You’re putting me out there in that kind of danger?”

  “If you do this shit right then there won’t be any danger. Petrov is expecting you at his place at 10 tonight so you got a few hours, get whatever you need through our connections but above all make sure you’re prepared.”

  He took a couple rolls of bills out from his jacket pocket, tossing them to each of us. I counted mine quickly, it came out to more than 2 grand.

  “Not to sound like an ingrate or nothing, but 2 grand each to protect a girl like that? I mean we don’t even know how to be body guards and now we’re expected to go out of our element for this kind of pay? We make nearly as much as this in a few weeks of breaking up meth labs and hocking their equipment. Sounds like a lot of extra risk for not much of a pay increase” I said counting and recounting the bills.

  “That’s where you’re wrong” Axel’s uncle replied “this is just the first payment, you all come through and there’s another 10 grand for each of you.”

  Smiles went across all the guys’ faces, 12 grand total? Now that’s a payday. I still had my suspicions though, 12 grand for work that easy? Looking after a girl for just a few days? There had to be a catch somewhere.

  I looked at the picture of Viktoria again, she really was gorgeous, a young little thing that couldn’t have been older than 25. Can’t say I didn’t blame Petrov for wanting to protect a girl like that but I was still unsure. Unsure about our duties, unsure about this girl, and unsure if I could protect someone after a lifetime of being the aggressor.

  Chapter Four

  (Viktoria)

  “What about my normal bodyguards? You just hired new ones without telling me?”

  “You think I don’t know how you manipulate your old bodyguards? They’ve been around you since you were a kid and still see you as a kid, sure that means they’re not going to try anything but it also means they bend too easily. I’m sick of you tricking them into giving you more time out and about so I got you some temporary protection until I can sort out some permanent guys I can trust” Dad said.

  All my life I’ve been stuck under the protection of bodyguards, this whole “out and about” thing was an exaggeration. At the most they let me take a walk through a nearby park for a little longer than I was supposed to.

  “I just want some kind of freedom, I’m tired of not being able to live my life I didn’t choose to be like this.”

  “I’m not risking you getting kidnapped and then being used against me while I’m gone”

  “Then let me come with you, please” I pleaded, at least a change of scenery would be nice.

  “I just can’t risk that. I’m sorry but that’s just the way it’s gotta be. I got my old friend over at the Iron Horses biker club to send some guys over to look out for you while I’m away.”

  “Bikers!? You trust bikers to protect me more than you trust me being able to fend for myself?”

  “Yeah, I do, and they’ll be here any minute so you better be on your best behavior.”

  I couldn’t even be left in the house by myself let alone go out alone, it just wasn’t fair. It made me feel like I was a child but I had no way out, and even if I did get out where would I go? I have no connections…

  My father’s phone rang and he answered immediately. “Yeah the top floor, you have the code for it right? Ok, see you soon.”

  “That’s them Viktoria, at least try to smile when you meet them you’re going to be spending so much time with them you might as well make a good first impression.”

  I sighed, I really just wanted to get this over and done with. What was the point of meeting the people who were hired to protect me, unlike my last bodyguards who were around almost my whole life in some way or form these guys would just be in it for the money. I wouldn’t have anyone to talk to, they wouldn’t care about what I said, they’d just keep me under lockdown until they got paid.

  The elevator opened and one by one they walked into our home, looking aro
und in awe at all the expensive things dad liked to put on display.

  “Jeez I thought he’d send some bigger guys” dad said as he walked back and forth inspecting my new bodyguards.

  He stopped in front of one guy, the tallest and most muscular of the bunch wearing a plain white t-shirt, a vest overtop, some blue jeans and a pair of boots that looked like they were used for more than just protecting his feet. He had a confident look on his face, I don’t know if he ever did this kind of work before but he seemed like he could learn the ropes in no time.

  “You look… competent. What’s your name?

  “My name’s Jack Mr. Petrov” he replied. His voice was deep and almost boomed across the room, he sounded commanding.

  “Have you ever been in a fight before? Can you hold you own?”

  “Mr. Petrov if I couldn’t defend myself against the best then I wouldn’t be here I can tell you that right now.”

  Dad put his hand on his chin in contemplation, looking at Jack up and down before examining the other men. “You, I’ll put you in charge then.”

  The smallest of the group piped up “actually Mr. Petrov, I’m the leader of-”

  “Are you back talking me?” Dad said as he quickly walked towards the man and got in his face. “Are you questioning my decision on how I protect my own daughter.”

  “Dad I think he was just-”

  “Not now Viktoria, I’m busy” he said cutting me off. He stared down the biker “you’re lucky I recognize you. If you weren’t the nephew of a man that I respect then you would be in a very different situation right now. Still my word stands, this man Jack will lead you all while I’m gone.”

  Jack was the last one I wanted to be put in charge, while he didn’t look strict he looked so confident in himself that I couldn't imagine anyone swaying him from his opinion. If I was going to try and get him to bend a little bit and be more open with the rules then it would be tough.

  I started examining him, he had a rugged look. Stubble covered his face while tattoos covered his arms. I couldn’t tell if they were gang tattoos or his own personal selection because the other men either wore sleeves or didn’t have any visible tattoos. I don’t know why dad asked him if he had ever fought, you could tell just by looking at him that he could hold his own in a fight.

  He had wavy brown hair and had a look in his dark blue-gray eyes that made him seem older than he actually was. I had been around gangsters all my life but no man ever had that look. Jack carried himself a little differently than the other men, I could tell just from the way he lightly swayed back and forth looking at my father that he was a cut above the others. If all else failed then maybe he’d be useful for some interesting conversation to pass the time.

  He looked at me and we locked eyes for a moment. I could feel my heart racing, wondering what he was thinking about as he was looking at me up and down, it was almost as if he was examining me. While my dad chewed out the other bikers Jack was completely indifferent over what he was saying, they all stood at attention like soldiers but he was relaxed like he was in his natural state.

  I looked away from him, trying to make him think that maybe I was just examining him like everyone else.

  As my eyes passed over the other men my curiosity turned to envy. They were their own men, they weren’t forced to be here they could leave whenever they wanted. They knew what it meant to be free from any watchful eye.

  Even after looking at the other men I could feel Jack’s eyes on me, it was almost like a magnetic pull that made me want to stare back at him. I found myself fighting it but I couldn’t and our eyes met again.

  He gave me a cocky smile and I blushed, my guards before had all been so strict that they rarely ever showed emotion.He started staring at my body, going from examining me to outright checking me out. I had been so protected by my dad that I never even had a man look at me like that before, I don’t even think I’ve met a man that had the guts to look at me the way he was.

  Finally he broke our gaze, somehow it left me wanting more. Was I not pretty enough for him? Or did he like what he saw?

  Even if they wouldn’t let me out maybe there was something else I could get out of them, specifically him. Something that I’ve wanted for a long time.

  Dad got another call, answering it immediately. He didn’t say anything into the phone he just listened before hanging up.

  “My men are downstairs, you all know what to do. Keep my little girl safe while I’m gone, watch her like she was your own kid. If anything happens to her I can guarantee you that you’ll regret it.”

  Dad walked up to me and kissed me on the hand “if anything goes wrong you call me, ok?”

  I nodded my head, I just wanted him to leave already so that maybe I could see how far I could push some of these guys.

  Dad walked to the elevator, stepping inside and waving goodbye as the door closed. I was stuck, all alone, with bikers neither of us had ever met before.

  Chapter Five

  (Jack)

  The girl looked pretty in the picture but goddamn she looked sexy in real life, that picture did not do her justice. Take it easy Jack, you’re here to do a job, can’t let a pretty girl get between you and pay day, especially when you can leave the Horses after you get this money.

  I adjusted my pants, I could already feel my jeans getting a little tighter just looking at that beauty.

  She was one piece of eye candy though, some girls you see and it just makes you stop in your tracks. If she wasn’t Petrov’s daughter, and if I wasn’t about to get enough money to leave this excuse for a club, then I would have chased after her harder than any girl I’ve ever met. Forget the photo of her Petrov should have commissioned an entire goddamn painting.

  Our eyes met again and I couldn’t help but check her out, I mean who wouldn’t want to get with the daughter of a crime lord if they had the chance? I’m sure she was starved for it too, I wouldn’t mind getting in bed with her if I had the chance. She had a body to absolutely die for.

  I shook myself out of it, trying to calm down. Just keep your eyes on the prize Jack, just one week of no distractions and doing your job then you can go have any girl you want far away from this city and this MC.

  “So yeah I’m just gonna head out, you guys don’t have to wait up” Viktoria said trying to walk by me to get to the elevator.

  “Whoa whoa whoa” I said stepping out in front of her “If there’s somewhere you’ve gotta be then we’re coming with you. I may not know much about this bodyguard thing but I’m not gonna let you trick me that easy.”

  “Oh you don’t have to do that really, I’ll be fine. This whole bodyguard thing is just a formality really” she replied trying to get past me.

  “Sorry missy but I can’t let that happen. You don’t want your dad getting angry at your new friends do you?”

  She crossed her arms and looked at me, maintaining steady eye contact almost as if she thought I would just break down and let her do what she wanted to do. I leaned down to get closer to her level and held eye contact for a few seconds, I was still blocking her path so our faces were only inches apart. For a girl that spent all of her time locked away she had guts, not even most men would stand up to me like this and the ones that did normally ended up on the ground.

  “I can do this all day Viktoria” I said with a smirk. I really could, I looked down at her body, I could already feel myself drawn to her and I certainly wouldn’t mind checking that out for a little while longer. Like I said before, if I didn’t have 10 more grand on the line then things would probably be a little different.

  She let out a frustrated sigh and stormed off to her room, slamming the door behind her. I’m sure it was just some initial frustration, can’t blame her though I mean she was probably hoping that since we were new we’d let her out of here. Although, that thought was very tempting.

  “Thanks for the backup guys” I said turning to the boys. Viktoria probably hated me now, I was the only one who actually stepped
up and stopped her from leaving.

  “Petrov said to treat her like she’s my own kid” Ron said laughing. “Last I checked I don’t talk to my own kid.”

  “The Ruskie named you as our leader anyway, that means you lead” Axel replied. He sounded salty as fuck but I didn’t care, being picked to run this thing over him was almost worth the extra risk of this job.

  “So what do we do? Just wait around here for a couple of days making sure she doesn’t get hurt?” Chuck asked.

  “Hey that sounds perfectly fine to me, easiest money I’ve ever made” Mike added.

  I was still uneasy, Petrov hadn’t given us the whole picture. At least that was the feeling I got from him.

  “Do none of you guys feel something off about this? Why pay 5 bikers a total of 60 grand to babysit his daughter when we have no experience in this? If she was that important to drop that kind of money on for a few days why not go the extra mile and get a few more of our guys to really make sure she’s protected?”

  “Because we’re the best the Iron Horses have to offer” Axel said laying down on one of the couches.

  “No, us four are the best the club has to offer, you’re just here as a plus one” I replied.

  “Don’t spoil a good thing Jack” Ron said turning to me “maybe he just wants to help us out and toss us a few grand for doing an easy job. It could be because him and Axel’s uncle have such deep ties.”

  Ron could be right but I still wasn’t sure enough. While they all explored the apartment and got settled in I walked over to Viktoria’s room and pressed my ear against her door. I could have sworn I heard soft crying coming from inside but the guys were too loud for me to hear well enough.

  I raised my hand to knock on the door, just to make sure everything was alright but I hesitated. Was it my place to see why she was crying? I mean it wasn’t my job but it would be the decent thing to do right?