7. Christina
Christina
7
No. Absolutely not. This is not happening.
I think I might pass out. I can’t breathe. The only thing anchoring me to reality is my mother’s hand pressing against the small of my back, keeping me present, urging me forward.
My feet refuse to move.
This has to be a bad dream.
“Christina,” her voice fades in and out. I can’t hear what she says next over the sound of blood rushing to my head.
Just close your eyes and count to ten. This isn’t real. It can’t be.
I blink several times, hoping to wipe away the scene in front of me, but the tall, handsome man doesn’t fade away. He’s staring at me like he’s seen a ghost.
Shit.
My thoughts turn back to that night, and I feel my face flush.
That night in the club was one of the greatest nights in my entire life. I could barely stand afterward, my legs and mind shaky. But Nico and Enzo took care of me, just like they promised.
They found Julia for me, and even got us a car home. Perfect gentlemen.
Who ate me out and made me come while screaming in a back room….
When I got home, I realized Nico had saved his number in my phone. I’ve contemplated texting him a hundred times, but no matter how many times my finger lingered over his name, I never pressed it. Never took him up on his offer to take me out. I didn’t want to ruin something that had become so… perfect.
That night has become something of a favorite memory. Best tucked away, private. Forgotten.
Until now.
“Here, let me help take her upstairs. She looks like she could use some quiet,” someone else offers. It’s his deep, soothing voice that draws me back in. “I’ll make sure she’s all right.”
Enzo. He’s here too. Oh, my god.
I blink, desperately hoping that I’ve imagined it all, and whoever those words belong to is someone that I’ve never met, let alone had sex with.
Think, Christina. Get a grip on yourself.
But, when I open my eyes, the world before me swirls hot. My knees shake and my legs give out.
Strong arms wrap around my body. A familiar smell of smoke and bourbon comforts me before I remember that it shouldn’t.
“I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with her—”
My mother sounds embarrassed, not concerned and that makes me irrationally angry. Instead of responding, I curl myself tighter into Enzo’s chest as I feel him take the stairs.
If she thinks I’m embarrassing now, wait until she finds out why I’m acting this way.
Oh god, what would people say? She can never find out. No one can. I hide my face against his body.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of her, Father is in the formal dining room waiting for you,” Nico says. “We have dinner if you would like anything.”
His voice sounds farther away. Then, a second set of footsteps echoes behind, and I know that the dream has become a nightmare. I’ve never had a one-night stand. So, naturally, the first time I do, the universe punishes me.
And I’m going to be confronted with my consequences whether I’m ready or not.
Enzo is careful to hold me so that I don’t jostle against him as he walks down what feels like a ridiculously long hallway. We turn and he opens a doorknob, bringing us into a dark room. A few more strides and he sets me gently on a bed.
The lights are flipped on, providing harsh clarity to the situation I’ve gotten myself into.
Nico stands against the doorway as Enzo drops to his haunches before me, his gaze fixed on mine.
“Hi there, princess. Are you okay?” He asks, worriedly. His hands rest on my knees, heating my body against my will.
I bite my lip nervously.
I’m getting déjà vu. Everything about this is so similar to that night. Pressure weighs down on my chest as I take in the reality of our situation.
For the first time, regret takes hold of my thoughts – tainting my memories. I can’t believe I let this happen. I can’t believe the universe could be this cruel. I can feel myself spiraling deeper into shame and regret as I pull my knees to my chest. My mind exploding with thoughts of disaster.
I had a sexual encounter with my new… stepbrothers? At the same time. Holy shit. If anyone finds out…
Wrong. This is so wrong.
What if there were cameras in that room?
Oh, god.
This cannot be happening.
“Christina, princess,” Enzo says, tentatively. He pushes some of my hair behind my shoulder.
“Christina, look at me.”
I shake my head.
“Christina.” He tucks two fingers beneath my chin and lifts my face to look at his. “It’s going to be okay.”
“None of this is okay,” I say, my lips trembling, looking at the man I let go down on me. Oh my god, what am I going to do?
“You’re right,” Nico interrupts, walking over to us. His voice holds none of the calm, soothing baritone that Enzo does. I shiver at the sound. He is harsh. Determined. “It wasn’t okay.
It was fucking amazing.”
“Amazing?” I laugh, bitterly. My eyes narrow on him, hating how he’s even more handsome than I remembered. This man is insane. “That was—” I start.
Nico cuts me off, his handsome face twisting into something terrifying as he towers over me.
“If you say that was a mistake, I swear to God, Christina, I will spank your ass red.. And then make you come until you tell the truth.”
I blink. The words I wanted to say are officially lost in one startled breath.
I don’t know Nico well. Hell, I don’t know Nico at all.
But he looks serious. And I know he’s open to using violence…. The idea should be appalling, but a tell-tale heat pools between my thighs as I shift beneath the weight of their gazes. He doesn’t scare me, neither of them does, not in the way they should.
Spank the words out of me? Why is that so hot when he says it?
A little thrill runs down my spine at the thought of letting them do just that.
Spank me.
Take me again.
Use me.
But I keep those thoughts all to myself.
It can never happen again.
“Good girl,” Nico says, a smirk spreading across his face. “Now do us all a favor, and keep your mouth shut.” He taps Enzo on the shoulder and gestures for him to follow. “We’ll give you some time to adjust, Angel. But let me make something very clear.” He pauses in the doorway, his height filling the frame. “Just because our parents decided to get married, doesn’t mean that we’re done with you. I waited for weeks for a text from you and now the universe has brought you to my door and I’ll be damned if I let you go again.”
I can’t tell if that’s a promise or a threat, but either way – my core clenches again.
Shit. I’m in over my head.