18. The Invite
Chapter 18
The Invite
B ellagio - Las Vegas, Nevada
April 17, 2018
(4 Days Before Death)
You have to let me take control. I’m asking nicely.
“Promise you will behave,” Dolly responded telepathically.
I swear it. We have Russell in here. He needs me. And I need you. We both know that we can’t do three brothers at once without each other. Plus, Domencio and I… we have a connection… I can work that in our favor.
Darlene. I don’t think what happened with us in Domencio means he is connected to us. I know I said...
Trust me, damn it. Now!
Dolly closed her eyes.
Darlene let go of Lucio’s hand. She stared directly at Sebastiano, appraising him as well. “No one invited you to dinner.”
Lucio cleared his throat. “You’re early, brother.”
Sebastiano stared at Darlene but spoke to his brother. “I was nearby. Marcello will land tonight. I wanted to check-in. Seems like I came just in time. Domencio said your friend was in trouble. She looks well to me.”
“She’s fine. Domencio exaggerates,” Lucio replied.
Domencio smirked, “A picture is worth a thousand words so I don’t need to speak.”
“Why don’t we meet up later this evening? Wait to talk for when Marcello arrives—?” Lucio began.
“We will not wait,” said Sebastiano. He took a step toward them, and Darlene took a step forward. Lucio clasped her hand and pulled her back to his side.
“Well hello. I’ve heard so much about you. My name is?—.”
Sebastiano winced. Domenico and Raven stiffened with eyes squeezed shut in reaction. Darlene smiled. She tossed her long hair, now cascading to her waist, over her shoulder. She spared only Tristan and Lucio. It sent a clear message to the others about who they were up against.
The power her sister summoned shocked Dolly. It worked—Darlene repelled each of them with a sharp, stab of discomfort in their minds and chests. And then she twisted the blade deeper into their vampire psyches with ease. Dolly was impressed. Darlene relished using her psychic energy on these supposed tough guys, though she felt a brief pang of sympathy for Domenico. Even with her sister’s strength, the brothers stood their ground. If they had been lesser vampires, they would have crumbled to their knees. She couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment that they remained standing.
Darlene let them go. Behave, Lucio said to her telepathically. Let me handle it.
She released Domencio first. But she wanted Sebastiano and his consiglieri to feel her, know what she was about.
Darlene!
“Okay, Lucio,” she mumbled and pulled back.
Sebastiano touched his brow. “Impressive. Where did you learn this parlor trick?”
“Your mama!” Darlene seethed.
“That is enough,” Lucio commanded. She turned her anger to him. She met his hard stare and glared. But looking into Lucio's eyes too long melted a part of her that would forever belong to him thanks to Dolly’s obsession. Darlene wanted to hurt him like the hurt he gave her. In fact, she still plotted her revenge, but she would not do it in front of his brothers. Dolly wouldn’t allow it. So, she just glared.
“Stand down, and don’t do anything else,” Lucio commanded.
Do what he says, Darlene. This is not the way. You’re revealing too much too soon. Think about it. Said Dolly.
“Who is he?” Darlene pointed at the man near the door. Tristan stood on one side of the door now and Raven stood on the other. Sebastiano stood before them. Lucio just stared at Darlene to make sure she understood he was in control.
Come to me , Lucio commanded.
Russell glanced at Charmaine and they both watched to see the dynamic between Darlene and Lucio. To Russell’s surprise, Darlene rolled her eyes and stepped even closer to Lucio’s side. She took his hand in hers, and winked at Domencio. Lucio leaned over and kissed her cheek. The public show of affection for her melted a little of the resistance in her. She behaved.
Sebastiano observed her obedience and his brother’s affection. There was no need to hide it any longer. The pain in the room for the vampires lifted. But everyone knew from just a brief sample of discomfort the power Darlene and Dolly wielded.
“Like I said, my name is Sebastiano. I’m the third brother of Domenico and Lucio. Our youngest brother, Marcello, is the special one,” Sebastiano said. He followed her gaze and glanced back at Raven, who leaned against the wall, and leered at Darlene. “Oh, him? He works for me. His name’s Raven. He’s harmless. Now, let me guess.” Sebastiano closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, then tapped his temple before he looked back at his brother Domenico. “This must be the Darlene, you told me about. You’ve certainly left an impression on my brother. I understand why now.”
Darlene smiled—not at Sebastiano, but at Domenico. “You like it?”
Domenico’s brows lowered in response; his gaze hardened.
“We’re not doing this here,” Lucio cut in, and severed the connection between Darlene and Domencio. What baffled him wasn’t Darlene’s behavior—he knew his little minx was toying with him—but his brother’s response to her felt different. Why did Domenico keep looking at her like that? Lucio wondered.
Meanwhile, Charmaine did her best to stay invisible during the drama. She wasn’t.
What are you... came a whisper in her left ear. She glanced at the men by the door, locking eyes with Raven. He was the one who spoke, and she felt the subtle caress of his reach inside her mind, pulling her toward his deep blue gaze. Tall, goth, and mysterious—those words fit him perfectly. His dark hair brushed his shoulders, a striking contrast to his pale skin. Kohl eyeliner framed his long-lashed eyes. He wore an all-black suit, gloves included. She had to summon her strength—she didn’t have to walk straight into his arms.
Who are you... whispered another voice in her right ear, drawing her gaze to Tristan. He, too, stared, but his eyes captivated her in a different way. Though his face was unreadable, there was warmth in his eyes that beckoned her. His thoughts brushed hers, and she felt her heart flutter. He reached deep inside her mind, and she almost let him in completely. Somehow, she found the will to resist—but it was slipping fast.
Eyes, eyes, eyes, everywhere…
“You okay?” Russell asked.
“Huh?” Charmaine snapped out of the trance. She felt as if both men had just undressed her with their eyes. She glanced at them—they were still staring. Russell frowned instead at Sebastiano, deeming him the threat.
“Yeah, I’m okay, sweetie. I’m okay,” Charmaine mumbled.
“You want to talk, Sebastiano? Let’s do it in my office. It’s just below this floor. Darlene, you and your family can order dinner for the suite. I’ll be back soon.”
Sebastiano remained unmoved.
Lucio glared at his brothers, and they knew he was ready to start World War III right there.
“I won’t ask again,” he warned.
Sebastiano exchanged a glance with Domenico, then looked back at Lucio. “I think Raven should stay with Tristan, make sure our guests have everything they need.”
“No!” Darlene snapped. All eyes turned to her. “All of you, get out. I mean it. I protect my family.”
Sebastiano chuckled. Domenico smiled. He flashed a hint of his ruby fangs. Darlene liked that smile, but she held her ground. “You too, cutie. Out.”
“She’s feisty. I like her,” Sebastiano said with a curt nod. “As the lady wishes. Let’s find somewhere a little further than your office. I have a headache.” He laughed, and patted Domenico’s arm as he walked out, the door held open by Raven. Before leaving, Raven gave Charmaine one last lingering glance. Domenico stood there, staring at Darlene, unable to move.
“Draca got your tongue?” Darlene teased.
Domenico opened his mouth to respond, but Lucio cut in. “Move on.” Then, telepathically, he warned Darlene, Don’t test my patience. You know better than to push me.
Don’t boss me around, Lucio. I’m not your pet anymore. You made your choice, she replied aloud, letting everyone hear. Domenico paused at the door, intrigued by her defiance, casting another curious glance her way.
Darlene crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. “Sorry. Just go away, or I’ll misbehave right here, right now.”
Lucio smirked, winked at her, then left with Domenico. Tristan was the last to go. As the door closed, Charmaine let out a deep sigh.
“Good Lord! Who... what was that?” Charmaine asked, still shaken.
“Those are his brothers?” Russell asked.
“Not all of them, but yes. Hi, Charmaine,” Darlene said.
“Hi... um, Darlene?” Charmaine asked.
“Yes. Don’t act like you don’t know it’s me.” Darlene rolled her eyes.
“You made them leave. I can’t believe it. You, did something to them. I saw it. How did you do that?” Russell asked, a flicker of hope in his voice.
“Don’t celebrate,” Darlene warned. “It’s hard to do anything when they’re together. My little push won’t stop them if they really wanted to hurt us. They left because they chose to. In a blink, they could’ve killed you both and taken me prisoner.”
Alarm reddened Russell face. She could have taken it easy on her brother, but she needed him to understand the danger. “We’re trapped. We wouldn’t even make it to the elevator if we tried,” she said.
“So, what are we going to do?” Russell asked.
“Let me think. Shut up, Dolly. I’m thinking!” Darlene paced.
“There’s something you should know,” Charmaine spoke up.
Darlene looked over at her. “What? Say it.”
“When you left… I, you won’t believe this, but there were…”
Not now. Don’t reveal us to her yet. It’s not a good time. Liora warned .
“Oh, we were, uhm, thinking of staying with you, Darlene. Me and Sonya,” she quickly covered. “Sonya is here too. She’s staying at Circus Circus with me.”
“Okay. Well, call her and tell her to come here. That blonde one. The one Lucio calls Tristan. He kept staring at you,” said Darlene. “That can’t be good. He sees everything. I’m sure he’ll be checking in on where you are staying and how you got here. Sonya is safer with us.”
“Yeah, I will try to reach her,” Charmaine agreed.
Darlene sat down in a chair. “Well, I need time to think. You guys order whatever you want. We will be here for a while.”