23. Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Eden
“ W hat the hell is that?” I ask, staring at the Halloween costume Zoey had picked out for me at Spirit Halloween.
“Oh God,” Luca sighs, covering his face with his hands, while Aiden stops the slow rock of Zoey’s chair to get a good look at the ensemble she’s holding up.
“It’s a sexy nun,” Zoey says proudly, lifting the skimpy costume with a grin that makes me want to disappear into the floor.
“Aiden is going as Clyde, I’m going as Bonnie, and Luca can go as—”
“If you say a priest, Zo, I’m going to vomit,” Luca interrupts, his hand resting on my thigh. My nails dig into my palm, resisting the urge to brush his hand away.
Roman’s words echo in my mind. Play along with the idea that Luca and I are something close to exclusive, and it’ll keep my father’s suspicions at bay .
I give Luca’s hand a small squeeze, ignoring the buzzing of my phone, undoubtedly more texts from Roman. After yesterday, I peered out my window before bed and saw Roman’s 4-Runner parked outside, just as he promised. The sense of safety his presence gives me is something I can't shake, no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise.
“So, where do your parents think you are tonight?” Zoey asks, as her mother laughs at a rerun of Friends in the background.
Roman called last night to explain Seth’s involvement with my father, painting him as an even bigger monster than I could have imagined. When Zoey said she was staying with her mom tonight, I jumped at the chance to be away from home.
“Actually,” Aiden says with a grin, “he thinks we’re trick-or-treating with Luca.” Zoey’s nose wrinkles at that.
“Like, actually trick-or-treating? At our age?” She laughs, giving us all a once-over.
“He thinks we’re handing out candy,” Aiden adds, but his voice falters, and I catch the unease in his eyes. The mention of my father makes my stomach churn. It’s not just about the lies we’re telling him; it’s about the darkness that lurks beneath every interaction with that man.
Zoey, ever oblivious to the weight hanging over us, just grins wider. “Well, it’s one night to forget about all that, right? Let’s just have fun and be stupid for once.”
Fun. Stupid. I can’t even remember what that feels like. But tonight, I’m supposed to pretend. I’m supposed to wear this ridiculous costume, sip cheap drinks, and laugh at dumb jokes. I’m supposed to act like Luca’s hand on my thigh doesn’t make my skin crawl because that’s the role I’ve been cast in tonight .
I force a smile and take the costume from Zoey, holding it up in front of me. “You’re evil, you know that?”
Zoey laughs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “You’ll thank me later when every guy at the party is drooling over you.”
“Right,” I mutter, though the idea of anyone other than Roman looking at me like that makes my stomach twist. I sneak a glance at my phone again, the notifications from Roman piling up. But I can’t deal with that right now.
Luca leans in closer, his breath warm on my cheek. “You’ll definitely turn some heads,” He murmurs, his hand sliding a little higher on my thigh. The gesture should make me feel something—anything—but it only reminds me of how different his touch is from Roman’s.
I shift away slightly, masking the movement as reaching for my phone. “I should probably let my mom know we’re leaving soon,” I lie, needing an excuse to break the tension building in the room. Luca’s attention is starting to feel suffocating, and I don’t want to deal with it right now.
Zoey, blissfully unaware, just nods. “Alright, but we need to leave in ten. I don’t want to miss out on the good drinks before they’re gone.”
As I turn away to “text” my mom, I can’t help but glance at the message notification that’s still glowing on my phone. It’s Roman, as I expected. But instead of opening it, I shove the phone back into my pocket. Tonight, I’ll play the part Zoey’s laid out for me. I’ll be the sexy nun, the carefree teenager at a Halloween party .
But Roman’s shadow looms large over everything I do, and I can’t escape the feeling that this night is going to be anything but normal.
I close my eyes and count to ten, jerking my arm away from Luca when his fingers graze my scars.
“Sorry,” I whisper instinctively, snapping my eyes open to his downcast expression. “I’m still getting used to... touch.”
Your touch. I’m still getting used to your touch.
“You’re fine, Eden,” He murmurs, giving me a reassuring nudge, but the slight tremor in his voice betrays his hurt. It makes me want to reach out and smooth things over, but I just can’t. Not right now.
“So, if we’re not handing out candy, what are we really doing?” Aiden asks, his tone a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Luca grins, a mischievous spark in his eyes as he reaches into his bag, pulling out two large flasks. The sight of them fills the room with an unexpected tension, a reminder that we’re not kids anymore, that tonight is a step into something darker, something more dangerous.
“We’re going to a party,” He says, his voice laced with excitement. “And we’re doing it in style.”
Zoey cheers, grabbing one of the flasks from Luca’s hand, her enthusiasm infectious but almost oblivious to the undercurrents in the room. “Finally, something fun!” She exclaims, already unscrewing the cap and taking a swig.
But I can’t shake the unease that settles in my chest. The party, the costumes, the alcohol—it all feels like a distraction, a way to forget about everything weighing on my shoulders. But Roman’s presence lingers in the back of my mind, and I know he wouldn’t approve of this. Not the drinking, not the party, and definitely not the way Luca’s hand seems to keep finding its way back to my thigh.
I force a smile as Luca passes me the other flask, the metal cool and heavy in my hand. “What’s in it?” I ask, twisting the cap off and giving it a cautious sniff.
“Something strong enough to make you forget about everything,” Luca winks, his tone playful, but there’s something darker hidden beneath his words.
Forget everything. If only it were that easy.
“Here’s to forgetting, then,” I say, raising the flask in a mock toast before taking a small sip. The liquid burns its way down my throat, and I try to ignore the way my heart skips a beat at the taste of rebellion.
Aiden looks at me, concern flickering in his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything. He’s always been the one to look out for me, to worry when I do things that feel out of character. But tonight, he’s letting it slide, maybe because he needs this escape just as much as I do.
“Come on,” Zoey says, tugging on my arm with a grin. “Let’s get out of here before your mom decides to call and check in on us.”
I nod, sliding my phone back into my pocket, hoping the messages from Roman don’t pop up while Luca or Aiden are watching. “Yeah, let’s go,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel.
As we head out, I can’t help but glance back at the house, my stomach twisting in knots. The flask in my hand feels heavier with every step, the night ahead promising more than just a simple Halloween party. It’s a night that could change everything—one way or another.
After hurriedly throwing together Luca’s pirate costume and squeezing into Zoey’s risqué nun outfit, the cold air brushes against my exposed skin. The thin white fabric barely covers my thighs, and the white fishnet stockings do little to keep me warm. My hair is curled, a white veil perched on my head, and my lips are painted in a deep red lipstick that matches the cross around my neck. Luca’s eyes linger on my body, and I feel my cheeks flush with heat.
“Oh, stop it, Eden, you look sexy,” Zoey smiles, her short black bob and white shirt the tamest parts of her outfit. Her push-up bra accentuates her already perfect figure, and her ripped black jeans show off her curves in all the right places.
“Can you imagine if our dad saw me like this?” I say, catching Aiden’s gaze as he finally looks my way.
“I think he’d kill you, then kill me for letting you wear it,” Aiden sighs, his outfit making him look like a young mobster. Zoey did a fantastic job styling his hair.
“He won’t yell at you while I’m here,” Luca says proudly, still unaware of the true extent of my father’s wrath.
We pull up to the party house, the loud music already blaring through the neighborhood. The tall, pointed roof of the cathedral is visible just a few blocks away. The front lawn is scattered with people clutching red solo cups, some already sprawled out on the grass.
“This is fun?” I ask, the smell of alcohol and poor decisions hitting me like a wave.
“This is what normal is supposed to look like, Eden,” Zoey says with excitement, linking her arm with mine. “One night of pretending we don’t have the most insanely religious parents.” She laughs, sliding out of the back seat. My phone buzzes again between my breasts, but I ignore it.
Aiden and Zoey are already making their way up the front lawn, eager to join the chaos.
“Whose place is this, anyway?” I ask Luca, who’s still sitting in the driver’s seat.
“One of my buddies from school. He didn’t finish his last semester, so he’s doing trade school locally. His parents are on vacation, so he’s got the place to himself.”
I watch as someone pukes over the railing of the deck and raise an eyebrow at Luca.
“Clearly, they made a good choice,” I say sarcastically, my phone screen lighting up again.
“You’re popular tonight,” Luca smiles, but my heart sinks when I see three missed calls from Roman. That can’t be good.
My thumb hovers over the screen, the temptation to call him back gnawing at me, but I tuck the phone under my thigh instead, forcing a smile at Luca.
“It’s just my mom,” I lie, tucking the phone under my thigh. “She’s drunk,” I add with a forced smile, but Luca’s eyes stay fixed on my lips.
“So, are you ready to—”
Before I can finish, Luca suddenly leans over the center armrest, cups my face, and kisses me. His lips are warm, but the lipstick smears, and I instinctively pull away, covering my mouth with my hand.
“Luca, I’m sorry, I just—”
“What are we doing here, Eden?” He interrupts, his voice tinged with frustration. He keeps his gaze forward, not looking at me.
“What—”
“You drag me along to spend time with your parents and friends, but every time we’re alone, it’s like you resent me touching you.”
“I’ve explained it to you, Luca. A lot of messed up things happened to me at school that I’m still trying to come to terms with—”
“Are you sure none of it has to do with a certain priest?” He challenges, Roman’s name clearly hovering on the edge of his words.
“Luca. I told you, what happened between you and Father Briar was because of my dad,” I whisper, reaching out to him in an attempt to reassure him.
But he grabs my wrist, his eyes dark with something that looked like obsessive anger. “I looked at your phone while you were changing, Eden. Roman Briar has been trying to reach you all night. Tell me why the hell he needs to talk to you when your dad has no reason to worry about what you’re doing,” Luca says, his grip tightening around my wrist, his voice trembling slightly.
“You looked at my phone?” I ask, dread tightening in my chest, the image I sent Roman flashing in my mind .
“Only what was on the screen,” Luca mutters, avoiding my eyes. “I even answered once. The line went dead silent when he heard my voice.”
“What... what did he say?” I ask, the pit in my stomach growing deeper.
“He said your name. Then, when he heard my voice, he went quiet,” Luca snaps, his jaw clenched tight with anger. “Is Father Briar manipulating you, Eden? Getting you to do things—”
I can’t let him finish that sentence. Without thinking, I move over the center armrest, crawling into his lap, desperate to shut him up. My hands grasp his cheeks, and the skirt of my costume hikes up, leaving nothing but fishnets and my lace panties between us.
“This is what I want,” I whisper urgently, my heart racing. “My dad asked Roman to keep a close eye on me. When he heard your voice, I’m sure he assumed I was doing something I shouldn’t be,” I lie, my stomach twisting as I feel Luca harden beneath me.
“So now, he’s probably freaking out. He’ll tell my dad you answered, and I’ll deal with it later,” I continue, my voice soft but firm. “So stop overthinking, and at least make the punishment I’ll get when I get home worth it.”
I press my lips to his, silencing him with a kiss that lingers longer than it should. His hands find my waist, pulling me closer, and his tongue slips into my mouth, tasting like toothpaste and vodka. His grip tightens, bruising my skin as he kisses me until I can’t breathe .
“Luca, that hurts,” I mumble against his lips, but he doesn’t stop. His mouth trails down to my chest, and he clamps down on my breast with his teeth, muffling my scream with his hand.
“I thought you liked it rough, Eden.” He growls, panic rising in my chest.
He’s really fucking drunk.
Yanking me back toward him, he kisses me again, but I can’t breathe. My side and breast throb, and I try to pull away.
Someone bangs on his truck, forcing him to stop, his too-tight grip finally ebbing from my sides.
“Get it, sister!”
He wipes the smudged lipstick off my face. “Fucking sexy as hell,” He mutters, nudging me off his lap. “But not convincing enough.”
I land back in the passenger seat, staring at him in disbelief as he slams the door shut and heads toward Zoey and Aiden.
Shaking, I try to process what just happened. My hands fumble for my phone as it lights up again. This time, I answer quickly, my voice trembling.
“Luca, you little fu—”
“Roman?” I whisper, fighting back sobs. “Are you home?”
“Eden?” Roman’s voice cuts through, sharp and concerned. “What’s going on?”
Words are lost to me as I try to suck in air but fail miserably.
“Is it Luca? What did he do?” Roman’s voice is gentle, but edged with tension.
“I tried to convince him like you said,” I sob, my words tumbling out. “And he grabbed me, wrapped his hand around my throat— ”
“Where are you?” Roman’s voice tightens, the sound of music growing louder in the background.
“Some fucking house party,” I sniffle, glancing at Saint Michael’s behind my shoulder. “I could walk to you and be there sooner—”
“No!” He exclaims, panic clear in his tone. “Stay where you are. Are you in a car?”
“Luca’s,” I sob. “But I don’t know when he’ll—”
“Lock the door, Angel. I’ll come get you as soon as I’m done handling some things,” He says, his voice cryptic and urgent.
“Roman, don’t make a scene with Luca—”
“I’ll handle him another time. Right now, my only focus is getting you safe,” He says firmly. “Do you trust me, Eden?”
His question hangs in the air, and I bite my lip before whispering, “Yes.”
“Then stay put, and I’ll be there soon. Thirty minutes. Don’t you dare leave. For the love of God, Eden, listen to me.”
“Fine,” I lie, trying to sound convincing. “I won’t leave this truck.”
He breathes a sigh of relief before clearing his throat. “Why are you even at that party?”
“Zoey made me. She bought this ridiculous costume, and half the party is puking on the lawn—”
A loud knock on his end cuts me off. “I have to go,” Roman says abruptly, and the line goes dead.
My phone’s screen darkens, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Before I can gather myself, Aiden’s voice shouts my name, his hand banging on the window.
Opening the door, I meet Aiden’s confused gaze. “What the hell are you still doing in here? Luca is pounding some drinks—”
His words trail off as his eyes take in my smudged makeup and tear-streaked face. “What... What’s going on, Eden?” He asks again, but this time, a sob escapes my throat.
“Luca… he—”
Aiden doesn’t wait for me to finish. His expression hardens as he turns on his heel, moving faster than he arrived.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I leap out of the truck, tucking my phone away as I sprint after Aiden. My heels slow me down, but I push through the crowd of drunken people, my heart pounding in my chest. I burst through the front door, shoving past people to try and get to my brother but it’s too late.
“Get the fuck up!” Aiden’s shout echoes through the living room.
Luca is slumped on the couch, a woman sitting next to him, her arm draped over his shoulder. My lipstick is still smeared across his face, a glaring reminder of what just happened. Zoey, who had been mid-throw in a game of beer pong, stops and looks at me with confusion.
“What’s this about, Aiden—”
“I said get up,” Aiden shouts, grabbing Luca by the front of his shirt and hauling him to his feet. “And apologize to my sister for fucking groping her in the car because you aren’t man enough to try that shit in front of me.”
Luca stumbles, his eyes widening in surprise as he looks between Aiden and me. “Grope her?” He scoffs, pushing Aiden’s hands off him. “She came onto me. I was just trying to talk to her, and she started dry-humping my lap seconds later—”
“Bullshit,” Aiden snaps, getting in Luca’s face. “I wanted to believe all those rumors about you being a jackass were fake, but clearly,” Aiden sneers, wiping my smeared lipstick off Luca’s face with the back of his hand, “given you’re coated in my sister’s makeup and she’s been crying, you’re a fucking liar.”
“Is that true, Luca?” One of the boys in the crowd of people asks, giving me a sideways glance. “Did he pull some shit with you—”
“Oh, don’t fucking ask her,” Luca snaps, his words slurring. “She’s a fucking sneaky whore,” he slurs, waving his finger up and down at me. “And clearly loves the attention.”
The room goes silent, all eyes snapping to me. Aiden and Zoey look bewildered, and anger burns in my chest.
Ignoring the whispers, I take a step toward Luca, pushing Aiden gently to the side. Luca meets my gaze, his eyebrows raised in a taunt.
“Maybe I am a fucking whore,” I hiss, my voice low and venomous. “Maybe I’m not. Either way—”
I drive my hand across his face. The slap echoes through the room, and Luca staggers back, crashing into the couch behind him.
Both Aiden and Zoey stare at me, wide-eyed, as the room erupts in shouts and whistles. Some of the men at the party pull out their phones to record, but Zoey is quick to make them put them down.
I take a step back, my heart racing, anger still coursing through my veins. I let the noise of the party fade into the background as I turn on my heel and walk out of the house, my feet moving on autopilot.
As I step outside, the cold night air hits me, and I spot the tall, pointed roof of the cathedral in the distance. My mind is a whirlwind, but one thing is clear—I need to get away.
I drag a small, sharp rock across the side of Luca’s truck as I pass by, the screech of metal on metal a small, satisfying revenge. I don’t stop to look back as I make my way into the night, my mind already miles away from this place.