I Dare You To Meet Me
Chapter 15

What a shitty mood I was in right now. The irritation and discomfort came out in big waves through my body, I was sure that every human being near me could feel it.

But I couldn’t be blamed for anything, after a fifteen hour flight, where I had to share a seat surrounded by a family of five, (three children under the age of ten according to my calculations), where I couldn’t have a moment of peace. The fact that the mother looked at me with disgust and superiority, and the father with lasciviousness, tested anyone’s patience.

I moved as fast as I could away from the people disembarking the plane, and looked for the exit from this maze of people. One advantage of not having to check my luggage, (because my backpack was not big enough to do so), was that I had nothing to delay me and make me live longer with the people who were threatening to run out of what little patience I had.

Before leaving the airport I made sure to exchange the money I had for US dollars. I walked to a cab stand and got into the first one that came my way. Even though it was almost two in the morning, there was a lot of traffic to get out of where we were, I gave him the address of the apartment my mom had left me, and dove into my cell phone for the rest of the ride. Texted Reykon to assure him I was still alive, and another to Sabrina to tell her I missed her a*s and hoped to see her soon.

Reykon texted me back right away saying that his contact was going to have my bike here in two days, and that he would send me the address where I would have to go to pick it up. I thanked him and we continued talking about unimportant things. I don’t know how much time passed when the cab driver told me that we had arrived. My jaw almost hit the floor and I asked him if he was sure he was going in the right direction.

He just gave me an irritated look before confirming it. Not wanting to continue in that car loaded with bad vibes, I paid him and got out. The driver left before I could even enter the building.

What could I say about the place?

It was impressive, simply extravagant and expensive. Just like the life I had before mom died. The building was towering. Glass and black stone structure, it had security cameras and its own parking lot, it was in downtown Los Angeles. And when I walked through the door I felt disheveled, suddenly the abrupt change in my appearance that I had been totally indifferent to before was now very noticeable.

As my boots echoed on the gleaming marble of the reception area, a couple of security agents approached in my direction, and the building’s caretaker soon called the one I assumed was in charge of looking after the apartments.

-Can I help you with something, miss?

The man asked me coldly in English while he looked with disgust at the tattoos on my arms.

-I have an apartment in my name here.

I answered without getting upset by his attitude, the man gave me a look full of skepticism.

-Can you give me some identification and your name, as well as a proof that the apartment is yours? He said with a mocking voice, but his classist attitude changed the moment I gave him my ID and he read my name.

-Miss Kozlov, you, your mother?

-He put the apartment in my name and my lawyer assured me that I could use it immediately. Is there a problem with that? I interrupted, looking at him sternly. The manager shook his head while blushing.

-No problem, Miss. I am sorry for the inconvenience, your mother paid an extraordinary sum of money to keep the place intact until the day of your arrival, a lady comes twice a week to do the cleaning and if you need anything, you can call the reception and you will be attended right away. Do you need a copy of the key?

I denied as I restrained the urge to roll my eyes, silly bootlicker.

-I have the key and a spare copy, all I need is the specific apartment number. I said coldly, f**k, all I wanted was to sleep in a bed, not have smarmy discussions with an idiot.

-It’s the penthouse, top floor, there is no other, so you can’t go wrong, go up the elevator and press the button with the initials PH, you will need to insert the key to take you to the floor, and you will need it again to open the door. Do you need help with your luggage?

-No, I’m fine, good night.

I cut abruptly and went in the direction of the elevator, following the instructions of the bootlicker with few neurons I arrived at the apartment that mom had left me. And tears and nostalgia hit my chest, I didn’t shed any, but I didn’t want to. The place had clearly been decorated down to the smallest detail by mom, I could see even in the smallest corner her exquisite taste and class, from the color of the walls, to the carpets, the flower arrangements on the tables, and the comfort of the armchairs.

Not to mention that the whole place smelled of cinnamon apple, the favorite air freshener Mom had in the house at all times. I didn’t let the sadness get me down, and I hurried to look for the bedroom, for that I had to climb a staircase that led me to the second floor, where there were a minimum of 5 doors, all of them closed. Without the energy to investigate each one, I approached the one that was obviously my room, as it was the largest door and had the letter N carved in the wood.

I opened it and could see a beautiful room decorated in shades of gold and cream, worthy of royalty, a canopy bed and many fluffy cushions, a closet the size of half the room, a door that I assumed led to a private bathroom, a dressing room, a desk with a computer, armchairs and a coffee table, bedside tables on each side of the bed, a screen in front of it, and the most impressive detail, some floor to ceiling windows that showed me the whole city that seemed to sleep at my feet. More than windows, it seemed to be a completely glass wall, a very dark one that let me know that it was tinted, so I didn’t have to worry about my privacy.

After feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of the place, I dropped my backpack on the floor and my body on the bed. A m**n of pleasure left my lips as I felt the soft mattress under my weight, I removed my boots with one motion, and my bra with another. My eyes closed and my breathing slowed.

And as I fell asleep in this place, I could almost forget what had happened during the last years of my life.

Almost.

Until I fell asleep, and I had the same nightmares that tormented me since Nikolai’s death.

(…)

When I woke up it was almost noon, I moved my a*s with heaviness to the private bathroom of my room and took a cold shower that ended up waking me up. I came out with the towel wrapped around my body, and not wanting to put on my dirty clothes, I approached the closet.

I was not at all surprised to see it full. I was sure Mom had tidied up to the smallest detail because that’s how she was, always looking to make my life easier, no matter how hard I made it for her sometimes.

A grimace of sadness moved my lips and I caressed the still labeled clothes she had chosen for me, they were beautiful. And they were definitely in keeping with my taste a few years ago.

But I’m not the same person anymore.

Not wanting to belittle the clothes Mom had picked out. I grabbed the closest thing I could see to my newer self. A pair of navy blue skinny jeans. A white blouse with red details with a deep neckline, but it covered my Nikolai tattoo perfectly. Aside from a set of basic cotton underwear.

I went out looking for my beloved boots and didn’t hesitate to put them back on. When I saw myself in the bedroom mirror I could see how the person I had been and the person I was now melted into one.

The clothes were obviously expensive and brand name. The boots and the tattoos on my arms stood out in stark contrast to the outfit giving me a bad girl vibe.

Still feeling naked, I approached the dressing table, and could see all the makeup carefully arranged. Following old habits, I made myself up as I used to, with the difference that this time I used darker and more striking colors. Colors that highlighted the green color of my eyes, and contrasted with my white skin. I brushed my hair and didn’t bother to do anything to it. When I was satisfied with the result I scanned for any mistakes.

But I didn’t replace any, my reddish brown shadows looked perfectly gradient and matched the liner under my eye, with beautifully shaped eyebrows and stunning bold red lips.

A glance at the clock made me realize it was two o’clock in the afternoon and my stomach quickly demanded food. I walked out of the room putting on my leather jacket and grabbed my ID, money, keys, the two envelopes and the lawyer’s address card. I went straight to the door as I doubted there was any food in the apartment, besides I had never learned to cook despite my mother’s efforts to teach me. I locked the door and walked out with a determined step. I got on the elevator and went down to the front desk.

The guy who was there, the same guy who had called the manager the night before, had the decency to blush when he saw me and opened his mouth to apologize, I’m sure. But I didn’t give him time to do so, because I left the place in a hurry.

I walked through the streets of the city until I came to a coffee shop where I ordered a coffee and a piece of cake.

Damn, this tasted good.

I finished the piece of cake and walked out with the rest of the coffee in my hands. I checked the card with the lawyer’s address on it, and having no idea where to go. I took another cab and gave him the address, the ride was short, no more than fifteen minutes. I paid the fare and got out of the car.

The building was modest compared to the last few I had visited, a couple of floors only and it was red brick, I shrugged without judging the book by its cover and walked to the entrance.

Unlike the law firm back home, the receptionist was most friendly and directed me to Mr. Seitz’s office, after I had filled out the mandatory forms.

When I opened the door I was surprised to see a man in his forties, with a strong, hard-working build, black hair, chocolate eyes and an enviable tan.

He looked more like a model than a lawyer.

I introduced myself to him and handed him the letter that my mother left me with her name on it, the man read it and I was again impressed when tears came to his eyes, he gave me his condolences and told me how much he appreciated my mother, he even told me that he had met her going to the same University that she went to here.

When I told him about the will he told me that it could only be opened in the presence of me and my father. Despite my pleas, the guy wouldn’t budge, leaving me with no choice but to seek out the man I despised most in the world.

Recovering a bit of the grumpiness I had when I arrived in the country. I said goodbye to the lawyer and left the offices. Again I took a cab and said from memory the address of the Black Ravens clubhouse.

It sucked not being able to move on my own, but it sucked even more going back to the last place I had seen the guy who put his s***m in and then abandoned me.

The driver asked me the whole ride if I was sure I wanted to go there. And with a demon that I was, I didn’t want to, but Mom had made sure to leave me no choice.

Eventually the man got tired of my vague and curt answers and just drove on. He dropped me off a block away from the place, for security reasons, according to him.

Cowardice, I told him.

I paid him, and left him a generous tip because I felt sorry for him.

I walked without caring about the looks the men were giving in my direction. The place was the same as when I had visited it when I was sixteen years old. Four stories, white facade, big backyard, large parking lot full of motorcycles of every model, color, or size, large, with a bar in front. And huge men in leather vests with a black crow in full flight and the name of the club on the back. I grimaced as their shouts at me came through.

-Or maybe you’re looking for a little fun? How about you come closer so I can appreciate that body properly?

Many other macho comments were heard, but I kept my face cool. I had a goal in mind and no ape with a caveman complex was going to stand in my way.

I walked through the entrance of the bar and the smell of tobacco, sweat and alcohol hit me like a punch.

My presence became apparent as everyone stopped what they were doing to follow me with their eyes as I made my way to the bar. There I asked the scantily clad girl who was tending the bar for a beer, which she immediately passed me. Little by little the bikers went about their business, but keeping an eye on me at all times. Some were playing pool in the far part of the bar, others were at the tables with a woman between their legs or sitting on them, a few were just drinking while laughing and many others were playing cards and gambling.

My eyes went through each and every one of them, looking for my father’s face, but I did not replace it. What I did replace were black eyes that seemed to scan and light up every inch of my skin. The guy was tall, had long brown hair pulled back in a low ponytail, a trimmed beard. Dark skin, muscles of steel, thick lips, bushy eyebrows, straight nose, strong, square jaw.

And I estimated him to be at least twenty-five years old, tattoos could be seen from his neck to where his black T-shirt let you see, his arms, hands, full of figures, letters, of many sizes and colors. Of course he also had a leather vest, and when I finally noticed that detail, all my curiosity about the amazing male specimen suddenly disappeared.

I definitely didn’t want a biker in my life. With my father gone I had more than enough thank you very much.

Even though I stopped paying attention to him, I could feel his gaze not leaving my body for a second, making me more tense with every passing minute.

But the guy didn’t make any gesture of wanting to come closer, and of course I didn’t either. I was already on my third beer when what was bound to happen when a girl is drinking alone at a bar finally happened. An overly self-congratulatory drunken idiot approached me.

But I am not the same person.

Without wanting to despise the rope he had chosen. I took the most appropriate thing I saw and my most recent personelided. A pair of blue merino jeans. A blouse blouse with red details with deep neckline, but that covers my Nikolei’s tetueje perfectly. Aperte of a set of basic cotton underwear.

I went to look for my new boots and I didn’t hesitate to come back and wear them. When I saw myself in the mirror of the room I could see how the person I had been and the person I was now were melting in one sun.

Le rope ere obviously cereal and of merce. The boats and the tetuejes in my heathers reselteben in clero contreste the etuendo giving me an eire of chice mele.

Feeling still naked, I pulled up the tocedor, and I could see the whole mequilleje cuidedosemente ecomodedo. Following old habits, I wore my make-up as I used to, with the difference that, this time I used darker and more conservative colors. Colors that highlight the green color of my eyes, and contrast with my soft skin. I brushed my hair and didn’t bother to do my hair. When I was satisfied with the result I scanned for any mistakes.

But I didn’t replace any, my red eyebrows looked perfectly shaded and matched the eyeliner under the eye, with beautifully shaped eyebrows and shiny, shiny red lips.

A glance at the clock made me realize that it was two o’clock in the afternoon and my stomach quickly gave up eating. I left the hotel putting on my leather jacket and taking my ID, money, the keys, the two envelopes and the package with the address. I went straight to the door because I doubted that there was food in the apartment, but I had never learned to cook despite my mother’s efforts to teach me. I locked the door and left with determined weight. I got on the elevator and went to the reception.

The guy who was there, the same one who had taken the lock-up the night before, had the decency to blush at the sight of me and open his mouth but apologized for sure. But I didn’t give him time to do so, because he was all ready to leave the place.

I went through the cells of the east side of the city and found a cafeteria where I ordered a tea and a piece of pestle.

Damn, how good it tasted.

I finished the piece of pestel and left with the rest of the cefé in my minus. I checked the terjete with the address of the ebogedo, and having no idea where to go. I took another texi and gave him the address, the trip was short, no more than fifteen minutes. I stuck the old man and climbed down the hill.

The building was modest in comparison to the last ones I had visited, a few floors only and it was made of red brick, I shrugged my shoulders without judging the book by its size and I walked into it.

Unlike my country’s law firm, the receptionist was most kind and directed me to the office of Mr. Seitz, after filling out the obligatory forms.

When I opened the door I was surprised to see a man of about forty years of age, with a strong and tall build, black hair, chocolate eyes and an enviable bronze complexion.

I introduced myself to him and gave him the certificate that he left me with his name, the man read it and impressed me again when tears came out of his eyes, he gave me his condolences and told me how much he appreciated my mother, he even told me that I had met him going to the same university as he did there.

When I told him about the testement he told me that it could only be done in the presence of me and my father. In spite of my pleas, the guy did not give up, leaving me with no choice but to look for the man I despised most in the world.

I definitely didn’t want a biker in my video. I had more than enough of my own despairing stone.

Although I stopped paying attention to him, I could feel how his gaze didn’t leave my body for a second, making me more tense and yielding minute after minute.

But the guy didn’t make any gesture of wanting to bow, and of course I didn’t do it either. I was on my third beer when he finally weighed what he had to weigh when a girl is drinking sunshine in a beer. An idiot, a bored and self-conscious idiot, came up to me.

-Hello beautiful, what’s a princess like you doing all alone in a place like this? asked a mountain of muscle, slurring every word, demonstrating how drunk he was.

-None of your business. I replied coldly.

-Don’t be so surly little doll, we all know what you came here for.

One of my eyebrows arched as I took another swig from the bottle before answering.

-Oh yeah, what did I come here for?

The guy gave me a disgusting smile showing his yellow teeth.

-You want to be a sweet a*s of course, you want a vest with a brother’s letters on it and to be riding on the back of our bikes. So don’t be a hard a*s and come on over. If you’re a good f**k maybe I’ll consider giving you my vest.

The arrogant and confident tone in which he said it made me let out a laugh that earned me the attention of the men in the bar.

-You have a very high opinion of yourself muscle boy, but let me break your heart and tell you that I would rather do a striptease for the whole bar than let you lay a hand on me. I turned to ask for another beer which was snatched away from me before it touched my fingers.

-Can I have my beer,” I asked now with annoyance to the damn biker.

-First you have to give me a k**s in return.

-In your f*****g dreams, give me back my drink.

A glint of anger flashed through his eyes.

-Not until you give me what I want.

I snorted and got up from the bench where I had been sitting.

-As you wish.

I was about to walk to a table when I felt a smack on my butt.

I stopped in my place and closed my eyes trying to replace patience that I didn’t have. And the faint little voice in my mind asking me not to cause trouble disappeared when a second spanking came, and this time accompanied by a squeeze.

My eyes widened and I could see the black-eyed guy who had been watching me clench his jaw and tense up clearly ready to come to my aid if I asked for it.

But I wasn’t some f*****g princess waiting to be rescued. I had been born with two hands in perfect condition to do whatever I wanted with them.

Without thinking I turned suddenly and threw a punch at the biker’s face. The guy wasn’t expecting it, so I could feel his jaw bone give way under my knuckles, the impact was so hard that I knocked him to the ground. Musculitos jumped to his feet while his eyes sparkled.

I signaled him to attack me if he dared, and like an enraged bull he charged at me. Before he could touch me my knee had already crashed into his crotch, my fist reached for his face again meeting his cheekbone with force. Without realizing it another biker attacked me from the side pushing me against the bar, making me lose my balance for a second, a hand held my hair tightly while pulling it and bringing me closer to another biker’s face.

-Wow, you came to the wrong place to pick a kitty fight. The new man full of muscles and long black hair with no beard spoke to me.

-I didn’t come looking for a fight, but you’ll get one if you don’t let go of me right now, biker. I spat with hatred.

-I want to see you trying.

And with that comment something inside me was activated.

That strange cloud that took control of my actions every time I lost my temper and that had appeared as a result of so much loss and violence in my life. The one that my friends had called Medusa because of its cold looks and lack of feelings took control of my body.

With a shake of my head I made sure to give the guy a bloody nose, which made him let go of my hair, with that freedom gained, I gave him a kick that pushed him several steps back. But before I could move a hair, another guy was already in front of me throwing a punch to my abdomen, which I was able to dodge, but I didn’t see the one that went to my face coming, and that made me taste my b***d, letting me know that I had a busted l*p.

I grabbed the arm the guy hit me with and twisted it, let my fist go in his face a couple of times before finally releasing it and walking away. From the bar I grabbed the beer bottle I had been drinking and smashed it into a makeshift weapon. By this time every man in the bar was already closing in on me.

Including the guy with the black eyes and endless tattoos.

The three bikers I had hit were bleeding and looked at me angrily. I’m sure they would have killed me with their bare hands if they could have.

But they didn’t.

Because a presence made itself known just as they were all about to jump down my throat.

-What’s going on here! A man’s authoritative shout was heard, followed by several pairs of shoes approaching.

Soon a tall man, with muscles, tattoos, no beard, short military style hair and green eyes identical to mine approached where we were, but he didn’t so much as glance at me, as he was too busy watching his wounded men demanding an answer.

-Just a little skirt trouble with a bitch with very sharp claws Prez, nothing we can’t fix.

-A bitch could have left them in such a condition, yes, of course I see it’s nothing they can’t handle. Said the man with an ironic voice, and thousands of memories of that same voice filled my memory.

A cold, slow hatred squeezed my heart. And a sharp smile full of disdain appeared on my face, which became bigger when I saw the boy behind him with the same color of my eyes.

-It’s not my fault they’re cavemen who don’t know how to fight.

I said in an indifferent voice and finally got the attention of the man I had been waiting for all afternoon. My father wrinkled his forehead in annoyance and was about to shout something before he saw me, his eyes scanned me up and down taking his time, he stopped for a few moments on the hand in which he was holding the bottle and on my broken l*p. But it was when his eyes met mine that realization dawned on his face. Her eyes widened wildly as she sucked in a sharp intake of breath.

-Natasha. Chills ran down my spine as I heard him say my name, I gave him a hateful look before answering.

-Hi dad, or would you prefer me to call you Hades?

As the words left my lips I could feel the atmosphere change in the previously hostile bar.

Now an aura of surprise and impression surrounded everyone present. Including the boy with the same eyes as me, the tattooed stalker, and the three idiots who had hit me.

The color drained from my father’s face, and I couldn’t help but say in the most sarcastic tone I could.

-Aren’t you going to give me a hug after all these years?

From the look he gave me, I knew I had just unleashed hell, but well, I was ready to play with fire.

And this time, I would make everything and everyone burn with me to the ground.