Chapter Fourteen
Casper, The Kinky Ghost
Everly’s POV:
It’s been two days since the events that unfolded at the docks.
Blake has been radio silent since. I think I traumatized him, poor guy.
The guys have been a huge part in helping me work through what has been going on in my head after reliving the events.
Laying in my bed, the door swings open to present my mother.
She strides in and sits beside me, adjusting the covers as she does.
“Dominic Mikaelson called to give his congratulations on completing the mission. Your father offered to host a dinner tonight to celebrate. Dinner will be at six o’clock.
” She says in one breath, seeming flustered by the news.
She fixes her hair while looking around the room.
Well, that fixes the absent Blake issue.
“Mom, are you okay?” She chokes on her scoff as she looks at me with a heartfelt look.
“I should be asking you that.” She brushes hair from my face. I lean into her hand. My family has never been afraid to show our love or physical touch.
“I’m okay or at least I will be. Now go, I need to get all dolled up.” I laugh while gently smacking her with a pillow. She giggles along with me.
“You mean to get ready for your new boyfriend?” She asks with wiggling eyebrows.
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I deadpan.
”Yet!” She points out. I toss another pillow and this has her scrambling for the door. I laugh at her obnoxiousness before heading to the shower.
Once finished, I sit in front of my vanity to get my hair and makeup ready.
I choose a natural face look and pin the nondominant side of my hair back with a delicate clip.
Heading to my closet, I pick out a simple light blue dress with spaghetti straps.
I don't bother with shoes as I’m home and will have no use for them.
I head downstairs and meet my mom in the kitchen.
She dances around the room to some acoustic piece as she readies dinner.
I love to see her so carefree. She deserves it.
Having gone through so much in her lifetime, seeing her at peace makes my cold heart melt just a little.
She notices my presence with a startle. I giggle at her reaction.
“What are you making?” I ask.
”Skewered salmon steaks, a butterbean and garlic purée, with charred summer greens for the main course.
For the appetizer, I made whipped ricotta crostini with walnuts and salted honey.
I also made apricot-pistachio crème br?lée tarts.
” She smiles as she describes each item.
Food is my mother’s passion. She has always been an artist in the kitchen.
She occasionally makes classic dishes but for the most part, she created something new with each meal.
“Wow, you’ve outdone yourself! Everything looks and smells amazing.” I cheerfully give her praise. My mouth waters as I look down at each platter.
The sound of a knock behind me cuts my drooling short.
Walking to the door, I pull it open to find Dominic standing before me.
His navy blue suit fits him impeccably, as I take notice of the area in which he was shot the last time I saw him.
Next to him is a blonde woman in her forties.
Rubies dangle from her ears, accentuating the red dress she has on.
She’s beautiful. Her eyes are a soft green that reflect the peaceful presence she carries.
Just past her stands a younger woman, roughly around my age.
She is just as beautiful, with long mahogany hair and the same eyes as her mother.
Her soft green dress that pairs perfectly with her eyes lightly moves in the breeze.
That’s when my view finds him, Blake. Standing behind Dominic, he’s fitted in an all black outfit.
A black dress shirt with rolled up sleeves and black slacks, paired with black loafers, has him looking delectable.
I smile politely at them before making space in the doorway.
“Hello, won’t you come in?” I beckon formally.
As if I didn’t ask, they would just stand at the door all night or eat their meals on the porch.
I internally laugh at the thought. I hate formalities, it’s all so stuffy.
I wish we could just cut the shit, but no, this type of society requires formal matters.
“Thank you, Everly. It’s lovely seeing you again and thank you for helping me in my time of need.” I wave his pleasantries off.
“No need to thank me. I was just doing what had to be done.” I offer a smile and wave my hand in an inviting manner to beckon them inside.
As his parents and sister pass me, Blake stops in front of me.
As if to wait for me. I give a small smile and shut the front door.
He reaches out to me and I place my hand in his.
Looking down at our hands, my mind quiets at the contact.
He has this calming effect. Like no matter how bad things get, he could make it all go away with just a touch. It’s profound and cosmic.
“How are you? I apologize for my lack of communication. I had some business to attend to.” It’s vague but direct. He’s being truthful but is leaving something out. This peaks my interest but I don't push the matter for the sake of a peaceful dinner.
“I’m doing better, thank you for asking. I apologize for any upset that night may have caused. I’m sure it wasn’t the easiest to hear.” I say while avoiding eye contact. He laughs, like really laughs. I whip my head up in utter shock.
“I am-sorry. It is just- that you said - “upset” me.” He continues to laugh while making air quotes with his fingers.
I just stare as his laughing subsides. This was not the reaction I had expected from him.
I look over to find confused expressions painted on the faces of his family to match my own.
“That was funny. I do not get upset, Everly. What you told me was horrific but I was not upset. I was enraged. Horrified even.” He says while putting a hand on my arm.
“Yes, well I’m happy to hear it. Shall we?” I nod towards the kitchen. Blake loops my arm around his, settling it into the crook of his elbow. Such a gentleman-like gesture.
We walk like this into the kitchen and catch up on the conversation between my parents.
Our families occasionally eye us with suspicion.
Sometime later, we excuse ourselves to the terrace.
It’s a cool night which helps with the growing heat between Blake and I.
I decide I am going to rip the bandaid off and ask him the question I have been dying to know the answer to.
“So, I've been meaning to ask you something.” He turns to me with a curious look, lifting a brow and smirking.
“Last year, I was attacked by someone. This person is a member of your mafia. He goes by the name Ghost.” He coughs a bit and looks out to the garden.
“We do not speak of him.” He says quickly. I raise my eyebrows at him.
“So you know him?” I ask him with a little too much excitement.
“No, no one knows him. No one knows what he looks like.” He says shutting the conversation down with just his tone. There’s a long silence before he speaks again.
“It is said that if you even mutter his name, he will appear.” He adds. I nod as a thought crosses my mind.
We head back inside just as everyone walks towards the formal dining room.
We find our places with my father and Dominic each at the end of the table.
My mother and Blake's mother sit across from each other. Blake and I sit facing one another. His sister and my brothers sit toward the end of the table. Just as I take note of the open seats, the guys waltz in wearing Sunday’s best attire.
They find their places, casting hello’s to everyone.
My phone buzzing in my lap causes my attention to pull away from the group.
I subtly pick it up reading the text on the screen.
Unknown: Missing me, Little Siren?
My heart rate increases while I look around the table, as if any of them could read the words on my phone. How the fuck did he get my number? I quickly send a text back.
Everly: What if I do?
He responds immediately.
Ghost: I’d make you miss me a whole lot less.
Everly: How?
Ghost: First, I’d slide my hands up those soft thighs of yours. Feeling every inch leading up to that pretty pussy. Then, I would take you with my mouth. Oh, you’d like that. The way my tongue-
“Everly, No phones at the table.” My fathers stern voice cuts through my attention.
“What?” I’m practically panting. My cheeks are on fire and my panties are soaked. I press my thighs together to release some of the pressure. I lick my dry lips, to moisten them.
“Everything okay?” My mother asks from next to me.
“Yes, sorry.” I snip out.
Looking up from the table, the guys cast confused or concerned looks.
It’s not until I look across the table that my world stops.
Those amber eyes bore into my soul. I’m already so flustered, that just Blake existing is excruciating.
I offer him a small fake smile and give my full attention to the meal placed in front of me.
Putting some in my mouth, my taste buds explode.
A soft moan slips from my lips and there’s a startling bang on the table.
I look up to find Blake still watching me, except this time there’s lust in his eyes.
“My apologies.” He says to the group.
I keep watching him as he adjusts in his seat.
He gathers a small amount of food on his fork before placing it on his tongue and closing his lips around the fork slowly.
We keep eye contact as he chews. I lick a small amount of sauce off of my finger and he gulps in response.
Below the table, I raise my foot. Slowly, I glide it up the length of his legs until it rests between his thighs.
He closes his eyes as I feel his erection grow beneath my foot.
I begin slowly rubbing him while appearing entirely normal to the rest of the party.
“I would like to formally introduce my family, if that would be alright, Roman.” Dominic says while standing. My father nods his head in approval. I drag my eyes, and foot, away from Blake reluctantly.
“This is my wife Savannah, my son Blake, and my daughter Scarlett.” They wave or nod as they are each presented.
My eyes cast over to the guys and there’s an odd look on each of their faces.
James has his fists clenched, while looking down at his meal intently.
Lucas is blushing while gulping water dramatically.
A nervous habit of his is unwavering thirst. Ryon is the one that pulls my attention the most. He sits entirely still, just staring.
I follow his line of sight and it lands on Scarlett, Blake’s sister.
How odd. Realization comes to me that each of them find her attractive, but what is strange about this information is the fact that they have never reacted to someone like this.
Even as children. Well this should be interesting. May the best man win, I guess.
“Welcome. This is my beautiful wife, Natalia. That is my lovely daughter, Everly. My oldest son, Anthony, sits next to her. At the end is my youngest, Dillon.” My father announces the party. We all offer similar pleasantries as the Mikaelson family just did.
“My apologies. Who are they?” Dominic asks while pointing at James, Lucas, and Ryon.
“Oh, let me introduce to you my best friends, or extended family if you will. This is James, Lucas, and Ryon. They are my second in command, life long friends, and most trusted advisors.” I give a beaming smile while looking at each of them.
“I see.” He nods. The lack of approval is evident on his face.
“I would like to thank you all for joining us, despite our family histories. To see we have come so far as to create an alliance between our children, is wonderful. Cheers to forgotten history.” My father raises a glass in a celebratory manner.
A chuckle comes from the other end of the table.
Turning, we find Dominic to be the source.
“Forgotten history? You believe our family could forget what yours did? Going behind our backs to align with the Russians. You think that is forgettable?”
“We only partnered with the Russians because your grandfather had a loose tongue. He would sell information to anyone with money.” My father corrects his story in a matter-of-fact tone. Dominic is visibly agitated by my father’s words. He begins to stand while raising his voice.
“That is an utter lie and you-,” before he can finish, I stand while pulling the holstered gun attached to the bottom of the table and point it at his head.
“You better choose your next words carefully, Dominic. What a shame it would be to ruin my mother’s good tapestry.” Dominic freezes his movements and stares at me in bewilderment.
“Sit down, Everly.” Blake’s cool tone draws my attention across the table. He now stands with a gun in his hand pointed at me. What a turn of events. In an instant I remove the gun hidden in my thigh holster and point it at him.
“You would really shoot me, Amoure?”
“Oh sweetheart, I’ll drop your pretty ass before you have time to pull the trigger.
” I stare him in the face without offering a single emotion.
He cocks the gun just as two low vibrative growls echo off the walls.
Token stalks in from behind my father while Hela approaches behind Dominic.
Both bare their teeth while snapping at the air.
“Coucher.” Blake says and Token immediately lays down. The hair on the back of my neck rises and my eyes go wild.
“Oh sweetheart, how silly to use a French dog against the French.” Blake says to me, pointing fun at my earlier words.
“Too bad that won't work on her. The thing about female dogs is they are loyal to themselves and their family only. She would rip your throat out without a second thought.” I smile devilishly. Casting my sights to Hela inching forward, sights set on Blake.
“My god, do you look breathtaking right now. So powerful and disobedient.” Blake makes some grunt noise that’s short of animalistic. I'm stunned in my place. He smiles at me before looking at his father.
“Sit down before you make me shoot my future wife.” I practically laugh at his words. We are so depraved. I would bet money that this turns him on. Dominic huffs at his words in protest.
“This isn’t the first time you have defied me when it comes to her.” Dominic growls. My head whips in his direction as I absorb his words. Does he mean the dance? Maybe his father told him not to dance with me because of us being enemies. That idea makes the most sense.
“And it won’t be the last, I can promise you.” Blake chuckles while looking at my still confused expression. I smirk back and we both slowly stow our weapons before sitting down again.
“Hela, Dejalo. ” I command absentmindedly. She responds immediately, turning to walk back to where she came from.
“Let’s not lose our heads now. An alliance is one thing, but marriage? That’ll never happen.” My father spits in disgust.
“Respectfully sir, when it comes to your daughter, there is not a human alive that could control her. She is a siren” Blake looks at me with admiration. Like a prized collection piece. Something so profoundly important, you would die for it. I smirk at his truthful words.
“Regardless of our history, we are not the same people. The world is different now. We should move forward as such.” I say in an attempt to dissipate the residual tension. Everyone nods in agreement and we go back to light discussion and eating.
Soon enough it's time for the night to end. Blake hangs back for a few moments to give me a special thank you for dinner. This meant groping me by the coat closet and leaving me with swollen lips. He threatened revenge for my wandering foot as well. Smiling like a giddy school girl, I head to my room and dress into a red silk two piece set. Climbing into bed and under the covers, my thoughts travel back to Ghost’s texts and Blake’s words about him.
Just saying his name would make him appear.
I can’t deny that my interest has peaked. Grabbing my phone, I send him a text.
Everly: Ghost?
Ghost: Yes, baby?
Everly: I miss you.
Ghost: Then we must rectify that.
Launching from my bed, I go to my balcony doors and open them wide.
I nearly squeal as I get back in bed. Hours pass and he never shows.
Frustration builds as I go to the doors and close them.
Walking over to the edge of the bed, I lean forward and bare my weight on my arms. Hanging my head in frustration, I accept that he is not coming tonight.
How silly I was to think he would just drop everything to come to me.
As a last ditch effort, I use Blake’s words as motivation.
“Ghost.” I whisper so quietly, even a mouse wouldn’t be able to hear it.
“Little Siren.” His voice startles me. I whip around to find him standing a foot from me.
“You came!” I say more to myself than him.
“Always.” He speaks with finality.
Launching myself into his arms, straddling his waist as I wrap my own arms around his neck to support me. We both giggle at the action. He engulfs me in a hug I don't ever want to end.
“Will you play with me tonight?” I ask him, hopeful.
“What kind of games, naughty girl?” He asks inquisitively. By the movement of his mask, I can tell he’s smirking.
“Do your worst.” I say while slightly rolling my hips against him.
“With pleasure.” He growls before throwing me off of him. I squeal mid air and land on the bed with a huff.