Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
Party Night
I walk a little faster and fumble with my key card for the security door three times before I manage to get it to scan, and the glass finally parts for me to enter. I’m in such a rush that I knock into someone else coming out, and the books I’m carrying go flying from my arms.
“Woo, watch it!” I groan as I watch my papers scatter all over the foyer.
“Sorry,” I say as I go about picking up the work I slaved over the last few hours at the library.
“Gen?” I glance up at Valentina from the floor.
“Are you okay?” She bends down to help me pick my life up off the floor.
The irony isn’t fucking lost on me.
“No, I don’t know. I’ve been feeling like I’m being watched. I know I’m followed by Dad’s guys, but this is different. I feel eyes on me all the time.” A shiver runs down my spine even now, and I glance around my surroundings, finding no one looking at us at all.
“You need to take a break. You’re paranoid on a new fucking level.” I sigh and nod.
“You’re right.” We finish gathering my things and head up to our room.
“Bet that party is sounding even better now, huh?” she laughs at her teasing while I try to hide the dread it causes me.
“I don’t think being in a room full of strangers in costumes is the fix for my anxiety, Val.” I just want a show and my bed, but she’s going to drag me to the damn thing because she always gets her way.
“You always come up with an excuse, Genesis, but you end up thanking me after.” I groan and flop onto my bed.
She’s right, and I hate it.
“Why are you stressing me out about a party that’s tomorrow?” I rub my eyes and yawn.
“Tomorrow? Gen, what day is it?” I sit up slowly and glance at her face.
It’s full of concern, and I can see that her nursing brain has engaged.
“Friday,” I answer with confidence.
“Sweetie, it’s Saturday. The party starts in a few hours.” I shake my head.
“No, that can’t be right.” How did I lose a whole day!
“You need this more than I thought. UP!” She grabs my hand and drags me to our bathroom.
“Get in there, wash and shave everything. You need to get drunk and laid. The order I’ll leave up to you.” I frown as she turns on the water for me like I’m six.
“Wow, how gracious of you. Thanks. Can I pick the boy, too?” She shrugs.
“Boy, girl, doesn’t matter.” Ugh, I pull my shirt off and drop it in the laundry.
“I wish I could be so sexually liberated. But remember who my father is. I’m expected to be a virgin for the mafia boss he marries me off to.” She rolls her eyes.
“That ship has sailed. I’ve seen the size of your vibrators.” I slap her ass and then push her out of the bathroom.
“RUDE!” I slam the door in her laughing face.
Ten minutes later, I’m out and wrapped in towels.
“Did you shave?” Val’s eyebrow raises in question and doubt.
“I waxed a few days ago.” That seems to satisfy her enough to move out of my way.
When I go to sit on my bed, I find a whole outfit laid out for me.
“Seriously?” I glare at the tiniest jean skirt known to exist, a sheer white crop top, and a belt with so many rhinestones on it that I’ll be visible from the moon.
“Your boots and hat are by the couch.” My head whips around to where she said, and I curse.
“Did you get a mechanical bull for me, too?” I walk over to my dresser for underwear, which she conveniently left out of my omnibus.
“Oh! Wear the bridal set I got you.” I open my mouth to protest and quickly shut it.
The white lace set will work well, and the thong might not cover much of my ass, but considering my cheeks are going to be on display, I might as well flaunt what I’ve got.
I let the fabric caress my fingertips and think about how I narrowly escaped from that unwanted marriage and how my luck is probably up. Next time Alfonso calls me to church, I know it’ll stick. He made it perfectly clear, and I am not brave enough to say no twice.
When I turn around with the set in my hand to get dressed, my cousin lets out a loud howl, making me cover my ears. I glare at her while she waves my hat over her head.
“Thatta girl! Yeehaw!” Fuck my life.