Twenty-Eight.
Ashlee
Everything was perfect. Ethan had spent a few days helping Mags move most of his things into our house. He had more furniture than we had space for, but we'd fitted the things he needed in, and best of all, his TV. It was larger than mine, so we moved mine into the bedroom.
They'd both started working again yesterday, but both woke me up to say bye. It was bliss.
It was New Year's Eve and tonight was the party at Mario’s club. I was looking forward to it, plus Hannah and Grace were both on their way around right now. It was late afternoon and my men were still out, but we planned on getting a few pre-drinks in before heading out.
I was wearing the short silver dress that Mags had bought me, its shimmering fabric clinging to my curves and plunging daringly open at the back. I felt a thrill run through me as I thought about the night ahead. I revelled in the way the dress made me feel—confident, powerful, irresistible. Making myself look sexy for them both was a game I loved to play, and the stakes were high. The look on their faces was priceless every time, a mix of surprise and raw desire that sent a shiver down my spine. The desire in their eyes was intoxicating, a drug I couldn't get enough of.
The doorbell rang and I rushed downstairs to answer it with a grin, yanking it open to find my two best friends standing there.
“Hey, girl!” Hannah grinned. "Let us in, it’s freezing.”
I chuckled, stepping aside for them. They both had short dresses on as well, and neither of them with coats even though it was icy outside.
Why ruin a good outfit?
I grabbed a bottle of wine along with three glasses and then we went to the sitting room.
“How was your Christmas?” Grace asked while I poured us drinks.
“It was great. We went to Ethan's parent's house. How was yours?”
"Was good,” she replied. "The usual. My grandparents came over.”
"For once, we had nobody around. It was nice and quiet,” Hannah said. "So, Ash, what did your men get you? Did they spoil you?”
“They both got me nice things,” I said before taking a sip of wine. "This necklace, dress and shoes. A laptop and some perfume. Mags gave me that photo of us both as well.” I pointed to where it sat on the side.
“And what did you get them?”
“Erm, a few little things. Whisky and tattoo vouchers.” I felt my cheeks blush. My other gifts were a little cheesy and they were special for us. "Ethan asked Mags to move in with us though.”
"Really?” Hannah asked, her eyes widening.
“Yeah.” I grinned. "They moved his stuff in earlier this week.”
"And you all sleep in the same bed?” She raised her eyebrows.
“Well, yeah, although Ethan has a new bigger bed being delivered in a few days.”
“Lucky bitch,” she said. "They are both fine.”
I couldn't argue because they were. Going to sleep with them both in only boxers each night was like a gift from heaven.
We were two bottles down by the time they both walked in. "Sweetheart,” Ethan said from the doorway with a grin.
I turned my head and waved. "Hey!”
He done a come hither motion with his finger, summoning me over like a pet.
And I obeyed, like a good intoxicated girl.
His arm slipped around my waist, his lips pressing to mine softly. "You look divine.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“I’m half tempted to bend you over that sofa and fuck you raw,” he whispered in my ear.
“Ethan!” I slapped his arm.
“What?” He laughed. "Anyway, I need to get changed.”
He planted a kiss on my forehead and then left the room.
“Where's Red?” Mags sound from the hallway.
“See her after. We need to get ready.”
“Oh, come on. Let me see her.”
"No, move.”
I laughed as I heard them both down the hall, taking my seat again and grabbing my glass.
It didn't take long for Ethan and Mags to come back down, both of them wearing suit trousers with white shirts open at the collar.
“Definitely a lucky bitch,” Hannah muttered.
"Han,” Graced hissed.
I was too busy staring at my men to care because I was a lucky bitch. They both looked hot, and I rarely saw Mags in a suit.
“Have you fed Luna?” Ethan asked.
“Huh, not yet.”
“I’ll go and do it,” he said. "Luna, come on girl, dinner.” He changed the tone of his voice to call her.
It was adorable seeing him being a cat daddy. Luna had free run of the house now that she wasn’t so tiny.
“Red, come here.”
I was on my feet, trying not to wobble as I made my way towards him.
Magnus grabbed my hips, pulling me in for a deep kiss. "Fuck, you look delicious,” he groaned. His hand cupped my ass as he bent me back, his tongue forcing it's way into my mouth.
He turned and pushed me up against the wall as he devoured my mouth, his hand squeezing my ass more firmly.
“Guys, the girls don’t want to see this.” Ethan broke up our make-out session. "And we need to go.”
“Fine,” Mags growled. "But she’s dressed like a goddamn treat.”
"I agree, but if we don't leave now, I’ll have her bent over the sofa.”
That didn't sound too bad to me.
“Yeah, can you not?” Hannah muttered.
I glanced at them, my cheeks blushing. I forgot that they were here for a moment.
It didn't take long for us to arrive at Raptors, Mags driving with Ethan beside him while us three were all squeezed into the back.
Ethan had his hand on my lower back as we approached the door, the length of the queue taking me by surprise. It was safe to say that it was busy tonight.
“Mr and Mrs Prezello, the boss is expecting you in the VIP area.”
Ethan nodded, standing aside to let Hannah and Grace past. "They’re with us.”
He gave me nudge to follow them in, keeping close to me as we entered the main room. Music and flashing lights instantly met us alongside a blast of smoke.
“You know where we’re going, up the stairs,” Ethan said, taking my hand and leading me to the stairs.
Mario, Luca, Blake, Rose and three of her friends were all sat around with drinks when we stepped into the vast open space on the area.
“Ah, finally,” Mario said. "You’re late, brother.”
"One of the collections was a little... complicated, if you get my drift.”
I looked up at him with a frown. I knew exactly what he meant. He had to kill someone because they didn't have the money.
I had to remind myself that it was who he was. I accepted every part of them both, even if I didn't like the killing. He was just doing his job.
“Don’t look at me like that, Ash. You know how to is.”
“I know,” I said. "It's fine. I love you, Ethan, regardless of that.”
“Good.”
Mario chuckled. "Hannah and Grace, don't you two look nice.” I noticed that he was only looking at Hannah.
“Dovresti smetterla adesso. Non sarai mai in grado di domarla,” Ethan muttered.
“Lascia che sia io a giudicare.”
“English, please,” Hannah snapped.
Mario burst out laughing.
“You heard her, Ro.”
“You started it.”
“Red, let’s sit down.” Mags slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me away from Ethan and the others.
"They bicker a lot, don’t they?” I mumbled.
Mags sat and pulled me down onto his lap. "Yeah, they have for as long as I've known them.”
“You have no idea,” Luca added. "Considering that Mario is the oldest, he’s always been very playful and flippant.”
“And Ethan is quite the opposite,” Mags added.
“They’ve always been close, but they do bicker a lot. Ethan’s always gone to Ro for advice and comfort. He can just be immature at times.”
I glanced over, finding Ethan engaged in a hushed conversation with a waitress, his intense gaze intimidating her. Meanwhile, it was impossible to overlook Mario’s antics. His grin stretched wide, a devilish gleam in his eyes hinting at trouble. His eyes were full of charm, his laughter echoing through the room, making everyone around him both captivated. It was sometimes hard to remember that beneath the playful exterior laid a dangerous man who could kill without mercy.
"He keeps flirting with Hannah. He doesn't realise that she’ll eat him alive,” I said.
Mags barked a laugh. "Ash, you have no idea what he’s like. He’ll eat her up first.”
“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that. Hannah is...well, Hannah. I’m not sure whether I like it.” She had no idea how much trouble it was being involved with his family. Danger seemed to be around every corner. But then again, they knew that now. They’d seen enough.
“Sweetheart, I’ve ordered you a whisky and coke.” Ethan sat beside us.
“With a mixer?” I raised my eyebrow.
“Yes, you need to slow down. We still have three hours until midnight and you’ve already had a few drinks. Don’t think that I can’t see your eyes swimming a little.”
I released a sigh. "Fine.”
“That's my girl,” he purred.
Hannah and Grace took a seat around the other side of the table with Mario moving to sit beside Hannah.
Our round of drinks arrived quickly, and I sipped my mixer while the men started chatting.
Eventually, Rose stood with her friends. "Ashlee, do you guys want to come and dance with us.”
"Definitely.” I tried to jump to my feet but Mags held me tight.
“Mags,” I growled. “Let me go.”
“Fine, but be careful, Red. If anyone touches you, I’ll fucking kill them.”
“It’s just a dance,” I said.
“Rose will look after her, won’t you, babe?” Luca said.
"Of course,” Rose replied.
Magnus reluctantly released me, letting me join Hannah and Grace with Rose and her friends.
“This is Sara, Karen and Maggie,” Rose introduced. "As you know, this is Ethan's wife, Ashlee, and Hannah and Grace.”
We made our way to the stairs. "And what’s with Magnus?” Karen asked.
“It’s complicated,” I answered.
"She's with them both,” Hannah said bluntly.
“Like I said, it’s complicated. It works for us, however unconventional it might be.”
"They both love her to death,” Rose jumped in.
“That much was obvious,” Sara said. "But hey, whatever works for you. We aren't judging.”
"I mean, have you seen them? She’s lucky to have that sandwich.”
“Hannah!” I shook my head while the others just laughed.
We all found a spot on the dance floor and began to dance. The music throbbed through the room, a relentless beat that took over my body, making me feel alive. It was exhilarating to let myself go, the alcohol sending a pleasant buzz through my veins, making every movement feel fluid and intoxicating. The crowd surged around us, bodies pressed together in a sensual rhythm, the heat of the moment intensifying with each pulse of the bass.
Above us, lights flickered and flashed, casting an almost hypnotic spell, while bursts of smoke added a mysterious haze, cloaking us in a veil of intrigue. The air was electric, charged with a mix of sweat, perfume, and raw energy.
After a few songs, I turned around, losing my bearings for a moment. Then a man slammed into my shoulder almost knocking me to the ground. His hand suddenly pressed something into mine, his other grabbing my waist to steady me.
Then he walked off without a word. I opened my palm and saw the note, my eyes scanning around for any sign of him. When I opened it up, the bold words staring back at me made my skin crawl with the colour draining from me.
He was never going to leave us alone.