The Wolf and The Lamb

MADONNA

  

  My back slammed against the cold brick wall so hard I couldn't breathe. The alley was dark and wet and smelled like garbage. I've never been so scared, four men surrounded me, breathing down on me, the wild looks in their eyes promising to assault and slowly torture me in the worst way possible.

  

  I tried to run but there was nowhere to go.

  

  "Please," I begged. Tears pored from my forehead, stinging my eyes. "I don't have any money."

  

  The talloest one laughed. He had a scar running down his face that made him look even scarier. "We don't want your money, sweetheart."

  

  His hand shot out and grabbed my hair. I felt extreme pain in my scalp as he grabbed my hair. I screamed but it was cut off by a slap from another man.

  

  "Nice and quiet now," Scarface whispered in my ear.

  

  I fought against them as they started dragging me deeper and deeper into the alley. Here the streetlights were burnt out and it was so dark, I couldn't see. My legs scraped against the concrete as they pulled me mercilessly. I kicked and twisted but they were too strong. One of them grabbed my arms and pinned them behind my back.

  

  This was it. This was how I was going to die. I stopped fighting then, but then a gunshot cracked through the air.

  

  Everyone stilled. Their grip on me loosened as they looked around trying to discern where the sound of the noise from. There was a clang noise from the alley and we all looked to see a fall and authoritative man standing there. He was tall and dressed in an expensive black coat. Smoke drifted from the gun in his hand.

  

   

  

  "Let her go," the man said. His voice was calm, but danger rolled off him in waves and I shuddered to my bones. Even i knew that being with this thugs was safer than being with that man.

  

  Scarface laughed but it sounded nervous. "This isn't your business. Walk away."

  

  The man raised his gun and fired again. The bullet hit the wall right next to Scarface's head. Pieces of brick exploded everywhere.

  

  "That was a warning," the man said. "There won't be another one."

  

  The men looked at each other and I saw that there were seriously considering abandoning me here. There were some muttered whispering among them and I heard the name Volkov fall from ones lips. Scarface shoved me forward and I fell to my knees. "She's all yours."

  

  The four of them ran past the man in the black coat and disappeared into the street. I stayed on the ground trying to catch my breath. My whole body was shaking.

  

  The man walked toward me and put his gun away. When he got close enough, I could see his face clearly under the dim light. He was younger than I expected, maybe in his late twenties. His good looks made my breath catch in my throat. I was more scared of his piercing eyes than anything.

  

  "Are you hurt?" he asked.

  

  I shook my head. My throat was too tight to speak. I backed up against the wall. He reached down and offered his hand. I ignored it. He kept it still, my rejection not stinging him. I decided to take it, after all he hasn't done anything to harm me.

  

  "You should be more careful," he said. "These streets aren't safe at night. Go home."

  

  He started to walk away. I scrambled for words to say to hold him back, this was the only chance I got. I had been searching for weeks trying to figure out how to get inside the Volkov family. Sergei had sent me here with one mission. Get close to Adrian Volkov and kill him. That was the only reason I was in this city pretending to be homeless and sleeping in abandoned buildings. I had to be slick about trying to find them out because they had spies everywhere, and if word got out that someone was asking unnecessary questions I could end up dead.

  

  But standing in front of me wasn't Adrian. This had to be his brother Ethan. I had seen pictures of both of them during my training. Ethan was the front of the family, the one who went for galas and TV shows. The billionaire boss who ruled Chicago's corporate world with an iron fist of tyranny. Adrian was the monster who did the family's dirty work.

  

  Still, Ethan was a Volkov and that meant he could get me inside.

  

  "Wait," I called out, my voice shaking, I wasn't sure of this but...damn it, there was no other options.

  

  He stopped and turned around. His eyebrows quipped, questioning me.

  

  "I don't have a home," I looked down at my feet, faking humility and fear.

  

  There was silence and I dared not raise my head, hoping my facade would work.

  

  Slowly, he took steps to me and abruptly tipped my chin. His eyes shine as he looked me over tangled hair down to my dirty clothes and worn out shoes.

  

  A small smile appeared on his face but it didn't reach his eyes.

  

   

  

  "You're perfect." He mused, darkly. "What's your name?" he asked.

  

  "Madonna." I stuttered.

  

  "Well Madonna, today is your lucky day." He pulled out his phone and made a call. "Father, I'm bringing someone home. Prepare for an announcement."

  

  He hung up before whoever was on the other end could respond. Then he gestured toward the street and I saw a black SUV that was not parked there before.

  

  "You have an option, you can come with me," he said. "I'll give you shelter, food, and safety, everything you need. You'll never have to look over your shoulder for men stalking and trying to assault you ever again. You'll be under my protection."

  

  My heart started pounding. Was it this easy?

  

  "Why would you do that?" I asked. I had to make it seem real. A normal homeless girl would be suspicious.

  

  "I want to," he said simply. I expected him to say more, but that was it. He didn't care to give me an explanation. He turned and resumed walking towards the SUV and I followed him.

  

  As soon as we pulled away from the alley, the reality of what I had just done hit me. I was in a car with a member of the Volkov family: one of the most dangerous mafia clans in the city. If they found out who I really was, they would kill me slowly.

  

  But I had trained for this. I was going to take everything from them, as they took everything from me.

  

  We drove in silence, and then we turned down a long private road. The main house loomed ahead of us and I gulped. It looked like something straight from a horror movie. It looked so formidable, like if I got in and got trapped, I could never get out.

  

  The iron gates opened automatically as we approached. Ethan drove through slowly. I pressed my face against the window trying to take in everything; guard posts, camera positions and possible exits. Sergei had taught me to always pay attention.

  

  As we passed through the gates, Ethan suddenly turned to look at me. The slimy smile on his face made my blood run dry.

  

  "One condition for my generosity," he said. "You'll marry me in three days. If you dare refuse, I'll personally take you in front of those men and watch them devour you in front of me."

  

  My eyes popped. This wasn't part of the plan. I was supposed to work as a maid or a servant. Something that would let me move around unnoticed in the house, and possibly get me closer to Adrian.

  

  Ethan was still smiling but his eyes burned through me. "I'm waiting for an answer, Madonna. Yes or no."