International Bestselling Author Harley Wylde

Copyright ©2025 Harley Wylde

Yulia

 

The wind whipped my hair across my face, stinging my eyes as I stood at the edge of the school grounds. My heart pounded, each beat a reminder of the choice before me. Memories flashed through my mind — cruel hands, mocking laughter, endless fear. I closed my eyes, willing the images away.

This was it. The end.

My fingers trembled as I gripped the knife tighter. Just one cut and it would all be over. No more pain. No more shame.

I took a shaky breath. “Prosti menya, sestra,” I whispered. Forgive me, sister.

The blade glinted in the fading sunlight. So sharp. So final.

I pressed it to my wrist.

A roar split the air.

My eyes snapped open. In the distance, a motorcycle engine growled, growing louder. Closer.

I hesitated, the knife hovering above my skin. Who would come here? Why now?

The engine’s rumble filled my ears, drowning out the frantic beating of my heart. Despite myself, I turned toward the sound.

A flicker of… something. Not quite hope. But curiosity. A momentary distraction from the abyss.

I lowered the knife, just slightly. My mind raced. Should I wait? See who it was? Or finish what I’d started?

The motorcycle drew nearer. Any moment now, it would crest the hill.

I bit my lip, indecision paralyzing me. The wind continued to howl around me, urging me forward. But that sound… it called to me. Promising… what? I didn’t know.

For just a moment, my despair lifted. And in that moment, I chose to wait.

The motorcycle crested the hill, its rider a dark silhouette against the blazing orange sky. My breath caught in my throat. He was massive, all broad shoulders and muscled limbs, his leather cut emblazoned with a patch I couldn’t quite make out.

He dismounted in one fluid motion, his boots hitting the ground with a heavy thud. My fingers tightened around the knife as he strode toward me, his pace urgent but measured.

“Easy now, darlin’,” he called out, his voice a low rumble that carried on the wind. “Why don’t you put that knife down?”

I shook my head, taking a step back. “Stay away,” I warned. “I don’t know you.”

He slowed his approach, hands raised placatingly. “Name’s Hawk. I’m with the Reckless Kings. I was sent here to help. A few of my brothers are waiting nearby to make sure we don’t run into trouble.”

My mind reeled. The Reckless Kings? How did they know? Why would they care?

“No one can help,” I whispered, more to myself than to him. “It’s too late.”

Hawk took another careful step forward. “It’s never too late, sweetheart. Trust me on that.”

I laughed, a bitter sound that surprised even me. “Trust? I don’t even know what that means anymore.”

His gaze met mine. “Then let me show you. Just… put the knife down. Please.”

My hand trembled. Part of me wanted to believe him, to grasp at this lifeline he was offering. But the fear, the pain of the past years, it all threatened to drown me.

“I can’t,” I choked out. “You don’t understand what he did to me.”

Hawk’s expression softened. “Maybe not exactly. But I’ve seen enough pain in this world to recognize it. You’re not alone, Yulia. Not anymore.”

My name on his lips startled me. How did he know? Who sent him?

As if sensing my thoughts, he added, “Your sister’s worried sick. She asked us to find you.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “Oksana?”

Hawk nodded. “She loves you. Let us help. Let me take you somewhere safe.”

The knife slipped in my grasp, my resolve wavering… The knife clattered to the ground, and my legs gave out. I crumpled, expecting to hit the cold earth. Instead, strong arms caught me, steadying me against a broad chest.

“I’ve got you,” Hawk murmured, his voice a low rumble. “You’re safe now.”

I trembled, my body wracked with silent sobs. Years of pent-up fear and pain poured out of me as Hawk held me, his grip firm but gentle.

“Can you walk?” he asked after a moment.

I nodded weakly, not trusting my voice. Hawk kept an arm around me as he guided me toward his motorcycle. The machine loomed before us, all gleaming chrome and sleek lines.

“Ever ridden before?” Hawk asked, swinging his leg over the seat.

I shook my head, eyeing the bike warily. “Nyet… no.”

He extended his hand. “First time for everything. Hold on tight, okay?”

With shaking fingers, I grasped his hand and climbed on behind him. The leather of his cut was smooth under my palms as I wrapped my arms around his waist. I heard three more motorcycles and noticed the men were also from the Reckless Kings.

“Ready?” Hawk called over his shoulder.

“Da,” I whispered, tightening my grip.

The engine roared to life, vibrating through my entire body. We took off, the world blurring around us as we sped away from the school grounds. Away from my nightmares.

I pressed my face against Hawk’s back, the wind whipping my hair. Part of me still couldn’t believe this was real. That I was escaping. That someone had come for me.

“Where are we going?” I shouted over the engine’s rumble.

“Somewhere safe,” Hawk called back. “Our compound. You’ll be protected there.”

Protected. The word sent a shiver through me — of fear or hope, I wasn’t sure.

As we rode into the gathering darkness, I clung to Hawk, to this stranger who’d become my unexpected savior. My mind raced with questions, with doubts. But for now, I let the roar of the engine drown out my thoughts, focusing only on the road ahead and the promise of safety it held.

Tears stung my eyes, instantly whisked away by the biting wind. My chest ached with each ragged breath, emotions churning like a storm inside me. Gratitude and terror warred for dominance.

“You okay back there?” Hawk’s voice barely reached me over the engine’s roar.

I nodded against his back, not trusting my voice. My fingers dug into the leather of his cut, anchoring me to this surreal moment.

The scenery blurred past — trees, buildings, flashes of light. My mind struggled to process it all. What would happen to me now? Who were these men? Could I truly trust them? Even though he’d said Oksana sent them, maybe I shouldn’t have trusted him. And yet, why else would he have known my name or where to find me?

Before I could spiral further, the bike slowed. We turned onto a gravel road, the change in terrain jolting me from my thoughts. Ahead, a large compound loomed, encircled by a high stone fence.

As we approached, the gates swung open. The sudden cacophony of noise and activity hit me like a physical force.

Motorcycles revved. Men shouted greetings. Music blared from somewhere. The scent of gasoline and cigarette smoke filled the air.

Hawk pulled to a stop, and I reluctantly loosened my death grip on him. My legs trembled as I dismounted, nearly buckling beneath me.

“Welcome to your new home, sweetheart,” Hawk said, his voice gentler than I expected.

I blinked, overwhelmed by the sea of leather-clad figures surrounding us. Some eyed me curiously, others with open suspicion.

“Who’s the girl?” a gruff voice called out.

“None of your damn business,” Hawk snapped back. He placed a protective hand on my shoulder, steering me toward a large building. “Let’s get you inside.”

I stumbled along, my heart pounding. “I… I don’t understand,” I whispered.

Hawk’s grip tightened reassuringly. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters for tonight.”

As we entered the building, the noise faded. I took a shaky breath, trying to center myself in this strange new world.

A tall man with dark, tousled hair stepped forward from the shadowed interior. His presence commanded attention, but his eyes… they were unexpectedly gentle.

“Yulia,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. “I’m Kye.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “How do you know my name?”

He smiled, the expression warming his features. “We’ve been expecting you.”

My heart stuttered. “You have?”

Kye nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’re safe here, Yulia. I promise you that.”

Something in his tone, in the steadiness of his gaze, made me want to believe him. I felt the iron bands of fear around my chest loosen even more.