17. Luna
SEVENTEEN
LUNA
Every year, the University hosted a party to honor the families that donated all the millions of dollars that funded the school and paid their incomes.
For the past two years, Luna and Finn attended the party alone because their father and mother were never able to make it due to other business requirements. Really, they didn’t want to make the trip down. They threw a check at the Dean and didn’t care about anything else as long as their children remained out of headlines.
Not that it mattered anymore since her parents refused to speak to Luna after what happened at the engagement party. In Reece Kingsley’s eyes, her reputation was tainted and destroyed. He couldn’t care less what happened to her. Her mother also made that abundantly clear when she followed her husband out of the party without so much of another glance at Luna. She couldn’t tell if their silence was a good thing or a bad thing.
The girls attended the party as well, but their parents actually showed up. Well, those that weren’t absolutely horrible. Gianna’s and Allister’s father mingled and talked business with some of the others in the room but not before giving Gianna a kiss on the cheek and Allister a slap on the shoulder. Blair’s mother stood beside her, looking elegant in their matching emerald dresses. Her mother’s skin was slightly tanner than hers, but otherwise they were so similar with their caramel colored hair and deep brown eyes. Her father, on the other hand, never showed up to anything unless it had to do with Blair being recognized for something specifically. Even then, the excuses came too often.
Cecilia’s parents had walked in with her, but now they talked with Augustus’ parents at the bar. Friends since the two were born, the two parental couples were close, which made Cecilia’s life hell when she tried to stay away from Augustus himself.
It was embarrassing not having parents there, but nevertheless, Luna and Finn walked in together. The navy silk of her dress dragged on the floor behind her as she walked down the stairs. She didn’t pick this dress; her mother sent it before she stopped speaking to her. Considering she had no time to prepare otherwise, the dress was the best option. The halter top neckline wrapped around her like a noose and it was purposefully tight on her body until it flowed out at her knees. The back was open, so she wore her hair up. The dress was beautiful, she had to admit.
She didn’t like wearing the color blue though, especially not when it resembled a pair of eyes she was becoming too familiar with, and especially when they darkened like they did now. Valerio stood by the bar talking to Dante, but the moment he saw her, his gaze skimmed her body. She turned away, forcing herself to keep her composure. She knew people would be watching them—they were all the talk lately. Especially after the spectacle at the engagement party.
Everyone latched onto Valerio walking over to her looking undeniably handsome in his all-black tux. She held her breath, her body tensing.
“Luna,” he said, grabbing her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it as if he were some kind of gentleman. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” She pulled her hand away, pretending to fix his tux instead. Her voice got quiet. “I know what I agreed to in that forest, but this doesn’t mean I’m suddenly okay with everything.”
His eyes darkened dangerously. “I never said you had to.”
She went to open her mouth, to call for Finn, but he was already long gone. Valerio wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her along to the bar. “Where are your parents? I saw you only brought that little rat with you.”
“My parents never come,” she told him, ignoring his jab at Finn. “Where’s your father?”
“Who fucking knows,” he muttered. “He’s never attended a school event in his life and he won’t start now.”
“Great future ahead for any children we’ll have.”
He looked over at her with a small smile on his face. “Was that a joke?”
“I think it’s more of a foreshadowing.”
“At least you’re acknowledging a future between us.” He leaned against the bar, motioning for the bartender to come over to them. “I would say that’s considerable progress in our relationship.”
“I think you’re missing the point completely. And this isn’t a relationship,” she muttered. Valerio ignored her, ordering drinks for them. She looked around the room, her eyes catching on Gianna who was walking over to them.
Relief filled her immediately. Finally, someone normal enough.
“I didn’t know you were here,” Gianna told her, a bright smile on her face. “I just saw Blair with her mom and Cecilia is hiding out somewhere. I’m sure you’ll see her eventually.”
“I just got here,” Luna said. “Unfortunately, I was stopped before I could find any of you.”
Valerio smirked, leaning into her. “Don’t sound so bitter about it. You agreed to be my date after all.”
He handed her the drink. The rim was lined with sugar that she didn’t hesitate to lick off before taking a sip of the drink. He watched the whole time and she would have thought it was amusing if the hunger in his gaze didn’t send a shot of pleasure up her spine.
It was easier to pretend she wasn’t attracted to him when she remembered that they were in an arranged marriage she didn’t want. But even that line was beginning to blur more and more as they spent time together.
He had substance and she hated it. Why couldn’t he be like the other assholes in this room that bragged about how much money they had and couldn’t hold a conversation?
Luna turned back to Gianna completely ignoring him. “Would you like to sit and hang out with us?”
“No.” Valerio’s answer was immediate. “I think she has to go mingle.”
Despite the pleading look Luna gave her, Gianna shook her head. “As much as I would like to sit in this weird sexual tension the two of you have going on, I would actually rather be anywhere else. Sorry.” She walked away without another word, shooting Luna an apologetic look.
“Bitch,” Luna muttered under her breath.
“I’m not that terrible of company, you know?”
She sighed. That was exactly what she feared. She swallowed down her entire glass sitting it down on the bar a little too aggressively. “Order me another one,” she told him.
He did just that, giving her a cautious look. “We still have to go say hi to people.”
“I know. You seem to forget I’ve been doing this my whole life. I know how to play nice with people I hate,” she told him.
“Everyone except me.”
She thought for a second. “Well, if I’m stuck with you for the rest of my life, I might as well learn to play nice.”
He handed her the drink once the bartender set it in front of them. She began walking away, but his hand grabbed her wrist stopping her. He frowned, a deep intensity in his gaze.
“On second thought, don’t. I don’t want anything from you if it isn’t authentic. I would rather you hate me but know it’s real, than have you pretend to tolerate me.”
His hand intertwined with hers and they walked into the crowd of people as if what he said hadn’t squeezed Luna’s heart in the most uncomfortable way. She couldn’t understand why he would ever want hatred over tolerance, but as they mingled with people and accepted congratulations, it hit her. They were surrounded by inauthenticity. People smiling and playing nice for the sake of closing deals and keeping their reputations.
There was one thing Valerio had asked of her: honesty.
That felt like the hardest thing to give when she couldn’t even offer it to herself.
Valerio talked with the couple in front of him, but she was long done with the conversation and with her drink. The only interesting thing was their reflection in the mirror that hung on the wall in front of them.
She looked like the spitting image of her mother; so much so it made her stop, her breath catching in her throat. She looked every bit like the dutiful mafia wife standing beside her powerful husband.
Valerio found her lower back, his hand heating the skin. They looked so good together. Every bit like the powerful couple everyone wanted them to be.
A part of her hated it. Hated how much it made her feel like her mother, hated how powerless she felt. Why? She wasn’t even sure herself. Maybe it was the entire notion of their relationship catching up to them. It wasn’t her choice. The foundation of their relationship was built on force, on an arrangement making her feel like she was an object to be bought in the first place.
The other part of her made her feel sick because a part of her didn’t mind standing beside him.
She didn’t mind how he introduced her first and seemed so proud that she was his fiancé. He held her like they were meant to be together, acknowledging how perfectly their bodies fit against each other as if he had always known.
He listened to her talk and cared about what she had to say and it shouldn’t have seemed so groundbreaking, but no man in her life had ever done the same for her.
She was confused beyond belief.
If she gave in and if she tried, what was that saying about her? That she was just willing to accept whatever anyone did to her?
But she had signed the contract this time. She agreed to it. He would have let her go, so why didn’t she let him?
She watched his full lips speak, a graceful smile on his face. Luna excused herself, feeling sick to her stomach. She rushed into the empty bathroom, leaning on the sink as she took in deep breaths. Her hands trembled when she turned on the cold water, soaking her hands first before she patted her face.
Had he actually done it? Had Valerio Vitali actually snuck his way into her heart?
No.
Fuck, maybe.
Her hand collided with the mirror, shattering it. The hiss of pain was immediate and it did nothing to soothe the madness in her mind. Blood leaked from her knuckle, dripping into the sink.
If anyone walked in and saw her with a bloody hand and the broken mirror, they would assume she had lost her mind. Maybe she had. She wished she could blame it on the alcohol, but she wasn’t even sure if it was affecting her anymore.
She turned off the water, reaching for the paper towels to hold against her hand. The door opened, loud footsteps echoing in the empty restroom.
In the shattered mirror Luna locked eyes on the most stunning blue ones she had ever seen in her life. Valerio looked at the mirror, her hand, and then back at her eyes.
In three steps he reached her, his body pulling hers into his as his mouth met hers in a collision that calmed all of the chaos. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer as she opened her mouth for him.
Luna bit his lip, forcing a growl as he lifted her hips onto the sink, running his hands over her legs, pulling her dress up as he did so. His tongue slipped its way into her mouth, forcing her to let out a gasp as she lost herself. Her mind was silent for the first time that night and all it took was his lips on hers. Ridiculous.
One hand wrapped its way around her neck, squeezing gently before he pulled away.
“Are you going to tell me what happened in here?” he asked.
“No.”
“Well, I need to take care of your hand.” Valerio pulled away completely, grabbing her hand in his. His lips were swollen, lipstick smeared on them. His hair was messy, clothes disheveled, but he looked too handsome for his own good. Luna was sure she looked just as guilty now.
“It’s fine,” she told him, but still allowed him to pull the paper towel away and look at the cut.
“It’s not deep but it needs to be cleaned,” he said. “I’ll clean it at your house.”
“We’re done with the party?”
“Do you really want to stay?”
“Absolutely not,” she said. “But I need to tell Finn.”
“He’ll live.”
“You should probably let Dante know.”
“I’m sure he’ll have more fun at the after party.”
“You’re not going?
“I’m not going anywhere without you.”
He helped her off the counter, grabbing another paper towel for her while she attempted to fix her hair. She wiped the corners of her lips, but the damage to her look was done. She didn’t look nearly as put together as she did earlier and she really didn’t mind.
Luna ran her thumb along his lips, wiping the lipstick off.
“What? Not my color?” he asked, cracking a boyish grin.
And for the first time that night she let out a genuine laugh. It made her forget who they were and how their relationship began.
Dare she say that their relationship even felt a little bit … normal .
“Take me out on a date. A real one,” she said, fixing his tie once again. She felt vulnerable even asking for it, but if she was going to make this relationship with him work, this was a start.
“How does next Saturday sound?” he asked, desperately trying to hold back his grin.
She nodded her head, feeling the tug of her lips up into a smile.
“Sounds perfect.”