Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 205: His place in her heart

Lucien’s POV

The radio was playing, I didn’t really care about the song it had on play. My fingers were tapping the steering wheel waiting for Braelyn.

I didn’t go far, even after she told me to leave. I couldn’t bring myself to, not when she looked like she was seconds away from crumbling. My jaw clenched, What did she want to talk to that bastard?

"Damn it!!" I cussed under my breath. Raphael was getting more annoying every damn day. He pulled up a shameless move. Let me guess his chasing her back, grovelling arc would start

He will make her realise it was all a big misunderstanding, and my little Viper, who has a large heart, would understand and forgive him because she probably loves the bastard.

Then what happens to me? If she thinks she can use me and then toss me away like I am nothing she has something else coming for her

My eyes darkened at the thoughts, for the first time, I am glad I bought a private Island. Braelyn would have to learn to fucking love that place if she thinks I would let her go back to that bastard.

I was lost in thought, imagining the dreadful possibility, and barely had time to register the sharp blur of red as her car zoomed past me. My attention snapped back in place, seeing the speeding car. "Where is she going?!"

My pulse spiked, every muscle tensing as I watched her speed vanish down the road. I immediately stepped on the accelerator driving as fast as I could to catch up to her.

She was driving like a bloody maniac, completely reckless and wild. I had never seen Braelyn act this way before it made me scared to my bones.

She was crossing a red light, speeding. She was extremely lucky the police didn’t catch up to her. What did that bastard tell her to put her in this situation?

I managed to get by her side and begged her with my last breath to pull over.

"Pull over!!" I screamed, giving her a quick glance to notice her tears-stained face. She shook her head

"I can’t!!" She screamed back, still driving ahead.

"Viper, I know you are overwhelmed but you can’t risk your life because of him." Dear Lord, I begged her, but she was too stubborn. She shook her head still driving forward. Based on the route she was driving, it was safe to deduce she was heading to Genenieve’s place.

"It isn’t worth it." I pleaded once more trying to get some sense into my head that refused to listen.

"I am sorry, Lucien," she cried, shaking her head, then stepped on the accelerator after rolling up the window. I watched as she drove and followed her to the basement.

I tried to get sense into her head but she truly didn’t want me around. It hurt something in me that shouldn’t be touched. Even when I held her in my arms she didn’t lower her barriers.

"I really hate him," she said more like she was convincing herself. I tried to hold myself together but I was already crumbling.

The elevator slid open, followed by a gasp as a stunned lady rushed out. I couldn’t be bothered about anyone but her

"Please let go." She pleaded again. I didn’t want to. Like hell fuck the game, fuck Raphael, all I wanted was to hold her in my arms. That was the only thing that made sense in my life. Despite this thought, I still let go and stepped back, ignoring my thoughts, which were screaming I should not.

My urges were to flip her over my shoulders and take her home with me. And maybe that was what I should have fucking done, but I didn’t. I freaking let go of her. When did I go so weak? I almost laughed.

"If that asshole tricks you into getting back with him. I might kill him." That was all I could swear. I meant every part of it. Like a fool I watched her leave my sight

The elevator had closed, and for a heartbeat, I just stood frozen, watching the empty lot, the mess of emotions twisting inside me.

Reluctance. That’s what I saw in her. She didn’t want to face this, didn’t want to confront what had just happened, and I couldn’t let her back down...not now, not with everything riding on this. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

My jaw clenched, teeth grinding. I stalked back to my car, every step heavy with anger. At Raphael. At myself. At how little I could control any of this. I had thought I had everything under control. I had miscalculated. She had reacted this way... she had chosen to run. And the worst part? I knew why.

I saw this coming, the subtle shift in Raphael, the edge that loosened around him. The tension, I could see it simmering under his polished surface. I’d kissed her to give him a push, to provoke him, to test the waters. It wasn’t the first time I got on his nerves, but I guess he got to his breaking point.

"Insufferable jerk." I spat

If I had known things would spiral like this... if I’d known the chaos it would unleash, I would never have kissed her, at least not in front of him.

I paused at the lift door, staring at the polished metal, the cold reflection of my own face mocking me. Then I walked back to the car, slammed the door, and started the engine.

I drove out before I found myself running back to Genny’s place. She needed space and I would give her that. For now.

The road was clear, and I sped all the way home, my grip white-knuckled on the wheel. Her voice, shaky, trembling, denying she loved him kept on replaying in my head like a broken record.

I wanted to laugh. After everything, I still came second in her heart. My chest tightened at the thought, anger, frustration, and some wicked corner of desire all mixing into a dangerous concoction.

The villa lights came into view, and I slowed, taking in the unexpected glow spilling from the living room. That didn’t make sense. The house was locked. My housekeeper didn’t stay overnight. Whoever was inside wasn’t supposed to be there. My brows furrowed. Who the hell could break in without triggering the security alarm?

My hand slid into the car compartment, gripping the cold steel of the gun I’d stashed. Every nerve screamed caution. My jaw clenched

Slowly and carefully, I stepped out, my eyes flicking between shadows and corners as I approached the door.

The code beeped, the lock clicked open and I slipped inside, silently like a predator in my own home. My boots barely made a sound on the polished floor as I moved toward the living room, gun raised, heart hammering.

And then I saw it, a shadow at the corner of the room. I fired without thinking.

The recoil jolted through my arms. My shot strayed before I could even process it. A second bullet slammed into my hand, sending the gun flying from my grip.

"Who welcomes family with bullets?" a lazy, sneering voice called out.

Recognition hit me like a punch to the gut. I knew that annoying voice, my gaze settled on the red hair lounging on my seat.

Ivan?

"What the hell are you doing here?" I barked, my voice sharp. "How did you break in?"

I wasn’t expecting visitors from the Orlov family. What do those vipers want?