Nine
Bianca
T hat is a monster rock,” Aubrey said, eyeing my diamond with wide eyes when we stopped in the courtyard before lunch. “It had to cost hella money.”
“Ivanov has it. Word in the halls is Stella is livid. I’d watch your back if I were you, Bianca.” Emy shot me a sympathetic look.
I’d briefly glimpsed Stella and her posse three days ago in the halls.
It was the same day as the face-off with the kings.
The rich bitches hadn’t even glanced in my direction, but I knew Emy was right.
I’d heard the rumors. Stella was gunning for me.
She thought she and Hail would be married, but I’d come along and ruined her dreams.
And no one fucked with Stella Monroe’s dreams. The brunette looked like she could rival the devil. I’d never spoken to Stella. I’d seen her hanging on Hail’s arm during one of those bullshit parties David liked to throw, but I’d managed to make myself scarce that night.
Fortunately, I’d had no further issues with the kings.
I hadn’t seen them at lunch anymore, and Levin, who was in my econ class, hadn’t been there, but I’d seen him in the courtyard.
Something about him dragged me in, but he also terrified me.
Out of all the kings, Levin was the one who was the hardest to read.
He was quiet. Intimidating. His keen blue eyes were always taking everything in as he silently watched.
Chills had rushed up my spine when we saw one another earlier.
I pulled myself away from the memory of his eyes on me and focused back on the moment.
Hail managed to rearrange his schedule so we shared a morning class, which sucked, but it was better than him being in all of them, so at least he wasn’t always around.
Had he been, I might be inclined to throw myself off the astronomy tower just to get the hell away from him.
On the other side of that was Vincent Valentino also being in my class that hour.
It set me on edge, wondering when the two would clash.
“What was the proposal like?” Aubrey asked, drawing me back to the moment. “I mean, no one even knew Hail was seeing you. It came as a total shock.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird people our age are getting engaged?” I asked, ignoring her proposal question.
They didn’t need to know I was forced into it, or that the night of my engagement the men had threatened me and hurt me. That I’d been exposed and treated like a piece of meat. There was nothing romantic about my engagement.
Emy shrugged. “Not really. People like Hail are expected to. It’s a way to carry on a family legacy. And everyone knows the Ivanovs are into some crazy shit. Hail is set to take over his father’s business someday.”
“And what business is that?” I ventured delicately.
Emy and Aubrey exchanged quick looks.
“You mean you don’t know what you’re marrying into?” Aubrey frowned.
“Honestly, this whole thing kind of came as a shock to me,” I muttered.
“Wait. Weren’t you two dating all summer?” Emy pressed.
I bit my bottom lip. “Uh, yeah. It just happened fast.”
“Well, Hail’s dad heads the Ivanov clan.” Aubrey cleared her throat.
I stared back at her, not having a clue what she was talking about. She cast a hasty glance around the outdoor commons before leaning in.
“He’s a freaking mob boss. Bratva, girl. Russian mobsters.”
I couldn’t even speak. I had no idea that was what he was. I’d just thought he was a rich douchebag.
“And the De Santis clan are their rivals. Italiano . That’s why the lords and kings hate one another so much. Dominic’s father is the kingpin for their crime syndicate. There’s lots of bad blood,” Emy added in a whisper.
“Jesus,” I hissed. I peered around and hauled in a calming breath.
I already knew De Santis was mafia, but I hadn’t really stopped to put two and two together.
What were the chances of finding a De Santis at Bolten?
Pretty damn high it seemed. He might have information about my dad, considering the rumors of the gambling debt.
There was no way I’d get to ask him though now though.
Hail was headed toward us with Tate in tow. Tate was just as gorgeous as Hail. But I knew he had to be just as toxic as Hail, Fallon, and Drake were, the remaining members of the lords. I’d managed to keep my distance from the three of them. Even Hail had been leaving me alone for the most part.
“Bianca,” Hail said. His eyes swept over Emy and Aubrey. “Ladies.”
“Hi, Hail,” Aubrey said, her hands shaking slightly.
Emy only stared at him, her lips parted. Whether it was in fear or awe, I didn’t know.
“I need you with me for lunch today,” Hail murmured in my ear as he leaned in, his hand on my waist. “Come.”
“See you guys,” I said wistfully, waving to the girls.
Aubrey gave me a shaky smile, and Emy waved back.
“Why do I need to sit with you?”
“Don’t question me,” Hail snapped back, giving my side a painful pinch.
I yelped at ache he left behind.
Tate chuckled darkly. “When are we getting a go at her?”
I froze as Hail sat down. He reached out and tugged me down onto his lap, kissing my cheek, his hand riding high on my thigh. “Mm, maybe after I break her in.”
“I’m not fucking your friends,” I snarled.
Tate’s eyes darkened. “You’ll do as you’re told, you fucking slut.”
Hail let out a soft laugh which did nothing to calm me. “Maybe we can all fuck her. We’ve never done that before.”
“I’m game,” Tate said immediately, his dark eyes drinking me in.
I cringed away from him as Fallon and Drake joined us.
“What are we talking about?” Drake demanded, sinking onto his seat. His sandy-colored hair fell into his brown eyes, and he did a ridiculous looking hair flip to sweep it away.
“Fucking Hail’s new toy.” Tate licked his lips.
I ground my teeth as I shifted my gaze away and met Fallon’s hazel-eyed stare.
He hadn’t said a word to me yet. He probably towered over me by a foot when we were side-by-side.
His dark hair was windswept. He ran his fingers through it as he offered me a quick smile.
He was a beautiful guy, but he had to be just as shitty as Hail and Tate were.
He surveyed me for a moment before shaking his head.
“Nah. She doesn’t look like she’d like that.”
Hail snorted. “It doesn’t matter what she likes. If I say you guys can, feel free to tear her pussy apart.”
I shook my head, desperate to get the hell away.
A squeak of pain escaped me as Hail wound his fingers through my hair and tugged my head to the side.
“I’ll start breaking her in tonight. How does that sound, rat?”
My bottom lip trembled as he kissed my neck, his fingers still tangled in my hair. That was when the kings walked past. Of course. They had to have heard everything.
Levin locked eyes with me. It was like the courtyard all over again. Intense. Terrifying. I knew he didn’t give a shit about me, but I silently pleaded with him for help. He sat at the king’s table and cocked his head at me, the first form of communication he’d ever given me aside from his stare.
“ Help,” I mouthed. If anyone could help me at Bolten, it would have to be one of the kings.
He frowned and glanced at Dominic. I let out a whimper as Hail bit my neck.
Dominic lifted his gaze to mine and said something to Levin. Vincent peered over his shoulder at me before nodding to the guys.
Please come over here. Even if it’s to fight. Anything.
I watched as they got to their feet and sauntered toward our table.
Yes!
“What the hell do you want?” Tate demanded as they stopped.
Dominic’s gaze landed on me as Vincent spoke, “I’ll give you a hundred for an hour with your chick.”
Hail let out a soft laugh and released me. “Not a chance. Go eat my leftovers, Valentino.”
A muscle popped along Vincent’s jaw, but he remained quiet.
“Five hundred,” Dominic called out, eyes still on me.
“The fuck is your problem, De Santis?” Hail lifted me off his lap and sat me in his seat as he rose to his feet. “I said my girl isn’t for sale. Did you already forget our previous conversation about you staying the fuck away from what’s mine?"
“Then free?” Dominic plowed on, completely ignoring the rest of what Hail said.
Hail went to snap, but Dominic turned to Tate and Fallon who glared back. “If you’re offering to pass your girl around to your guys, I figured I’d at least throw you some money. But I’ll take a go for free.”
“Bianca fucks only me,” Hail snarled at Dominic.
Dominic took a step back and nodded to me. “Maybe tell her that. She looks terrified.”
My face heated as his eyes locked on mine again.
“Don’t tell me what to do—”
“I’m not. Only suggesting it.” Dominic spun around and walked away, Vincent and Levin behind him.
Levin glanced back at me, an unreadable expression on his face. Like he was torn between helping me and throwing me in front of a semi truck. It didn’t matter. He’d saved me, for the moment at least.
“Let’s go. We’ve got shit to do. We need to bring De Santis down a peg or two.” Hail glared after the guys as they left the dining hall. “Bianca, scamper off and find somewhere to be.”
He didn’t need to tell me twice. I got to my feet and started to leave, but he grasped my hand and gave me a pointed look.
I forced a smile onto my face before pressing my lips to his.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he murmured in my ear before releasing me.
“Can’t wait,” my voice shook, causing him to smirk before nodding for his guys to follow him. I didn’t give a shit where he was going or what he was doing. As long as it wasn’t around me was the only thing that mattered.
I watched as they left. When I spun to go in the other direction, I came face-to-face with a nightmare.
Stella Monroe and Vanessa St. Claire.
“Hey, slut.” Stella’s dark eyes traveled over me.
“Hey yourself.” I made to go around her, but she reached out and shoved me back. I fisted my hands and tried to remain composed.
“You may think you have Hail wrapped around your finger with your fake tits and blonde hair, but he’s mine. I’m the one fucking him when you aren’t there.” She smirked down at me like her words hurt.
“First off.” I smoothed down my skirt. “My tits aren’t fake. I can show you if you’d like. And second, keep fucking him. He’s all yours. I don’t give a shit.”
Her smile slipped off her face as she stared at me. “Everyone cares if their man is getting screwed by another woman.”
“Sorry, honey, not me. Maybe I’m into sharing. That’s probably why I’m wearing his ring and not you.” I shouldered past her, causing her to stumble into Vanessa as I strode away.
I hated being that bitch. Acting like I wanted Hail in the first place made me gag. But I’d be damned if I’d let some rich bitch push me around. In fact, I was sick of both the kings and lords.
Yeah, the kings had come to my rescue, but there was always a cost. What I needed was to be the queen of this place so people bowed to me instead of trying to make me cower.
I just needed to figure out how to get there because it meant everything for a lot of people.
I was never going to get answers about where my father was if I didn’t.
I needed to get close to De Santis. His family name always came up when it concerned my dad.
If he couldn’t help, no one could.