17. Arianna
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ARIANNA
A kiss of death.
Fire licking at my body.
A bloodied hand in mine as terrified screams surrounded us.
They weren’t my screams. They weren’t Gianna’s. They were our mother’s and Hannah’s.
My vision blurred, our limbs stained with blood and heated by hell threatening to take us below the earth’s core and into the arms of Hades.
Gianna and I were frozen, helpless, trapped, and the underworld awaited.
I was prepared to go, but I refused to let my baby sister die like this.
Horror seeped into my veins as I struggled to extinguish the fire that engulfed us, inching closer, prepared to cover her body with mine. I shifted us, and out of nowhere, a blast blinded me.
It was too late.
Another scream as I came to terms with our new reality. We would both die.
“I love you,” I thought I said. My lips moved, but if there was a sound, it was drowned out by the crackling of flames. “I’m sorry, Gianna.”
She squeezed me as tightly as I held her, but we didn’t scream, didn’t join our mother in her wailing. We couldn’t see her, but it didn’t matter. We heard her just fine.
Suddenly, a body crashed into us. Then two. Three.
I jerked out of the dream, drenched in sweat, and my lips pressed together to muffle my whimpers. My heartbeat hammered in my ears, wildly and uncontrollably as those dripping red images floated through my mind.
I stared at the ceiling, the only sounds in the dorm room were those of my labored breaths and Francesca’s soft snores.
The clock next to me read 4:00 a.m. I sighed.
I slid out of bed, knowing the only thing that would distract me was stargazing. Silently tiptoeing around, I grabbed my yellow sundress, panties, a pair of socks, and my yellow slides. After a quick shower, I changed into it and made my way out of the room.
Once I stepped out of the building, I paused for a moment and closed my eyes. The night’s cool breath caressed my cheeks while the rustle of the trees in the distance moved like shadows.
I took a deep breath, letting the late-summer air fill my lungs. Instead of going directly to the planetarium, I walked through the sleepy streets, feeling my muscles loosen already.
Physical exhaustion became almost a must to keep the nightmares away. Unfortunately, sports had never been my thing, so I’d always resorted to long walks like these.
My feet were almost too loud on the paved road as I made my way through campus. D’Arc’s dorms were on the far side of the campus, while the academic buildings were held across the property.
The library was at the halfway point, situated on a cliff and looking over the vast horizon of the Atlantic Ocean. It truly was the most beautiful campus. It was only natural that we’d all flocked to it.
But it wasn’t without danger. It required skills to navigate so many different criminal organizations in one place without starting a war. It was the reason Matteo studied here but also took economics classes online through Harvard. Many others did the same. It provided them with the best of both worlds, preparing the young men—and women—for the power role they would step into.
“Hey. Arianna, right?” I jumped, my scream piercing the darkness as I whirled around and came face-to-face with Fallon DiLustro.
“You scared the crap out of me,” I breathed out, bringing my hand to my chest.
She chuckled softly, her blonde curls bouncing. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I’m just not used to seeing anyone up and about so early.”
“Why are you up and about?”
“Ice-skating practice.” She lifted her shoulder, her bag open, revealing a glimpse of white leather and laces. “It’s a pain getting up so early, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
I smiled. “I bet. Readying for the Olympics?”
Her mother and grandmother were both Olympic skaters, so it wasn’t exactly surprising Fallon had followed in their footsteps.
“Something like that.” She shifted her bag to the other shoulder. “And you? Meeting a boy?” She quirked a brow, studying my outfit.
I laughed awkwardly. “No. I just have a big weakness for nice things. Gucci, Valentino, and Dior are my three favorite lovers.”
She chuckled. “Expensive taste.”
“Hence my extra-curricular activities,” I teased. I couldn’t quite recall how my twin and I started breaking into safes, making stealing money our hobby. At first it was fun to prove we could do it, and then… Well, who could say no to extra money? Of course, sometimes it backfired and Dad would have to come to our rescue. Like when we caused an international incident in Italy.
She grinned. “You’ve been taking a break lately. I’m disappointed.” She gestured with her hand, bringing her thumb and index finger together. “Just a little bit.”
“Can’t have that. Don’t worry, my breaks never last long.”
“Well, when you’re back in business, consider the DiLustros’ club. It can prove lucrative.”
It was my turn to laugh. “No, thank you. I’m adventurous, not suicidal.”
“I see the DiLustro reputation is getting worse.”
I shifted on my feet, letting the silence wrap around us.
“Well, I better go. I’m hoping to catch a few galaxies. See you around.”
“Good luck,” she called out as she made her way toward the ice rink, and I continued on my way toward the library where I used my card to open the door, then once more at the planetarium.
It wasn’t until I stepped inside it, the stars glittering overhead, that I finally felt like myself. Lowering to the cool, marble floor, I crisscrossed my legs and tilted my head up to the dome.
As usual, my mind wandered to the only man who’d ever set my body aflame. It had been impossible to forget his words from the last time we crossed paths, and the reckless part of me wished he’d follow through on his promise.
He better, after implementing a widespread hands-off law on campus.
I scoffed, the soft sound traveling through the newly built room and bouncing off the walls.
“I guess hell will freeze over,” I murmured to the stars twinkling above me. Then, as if approving my decision, a shooting star erupted and went soaring across the sky.
I closed my eyes and pictured Matteo, his unapologetic face. Even when he stole my first kiss and I broke his nose, he wasn’t sorry.
Because that was who he was.
He went after what he wanted, ravaging and claiming. It was our stolen moment that remained our secret all these years later. I hated that I’d kept it from my twin, but I couldn’t break our pact.
I had no choice but to wonder how his lips would feel on mine. I should hate myself for wishing for it. For picturing his big hands on my skin. For fantasizing about him deep inside me.
A carnal urge to explore his proposition had clawed at me ever since the night at the bonfire. I couldn’t rid my mind of him even if I wanted to.
And I wasn’t sure that I did.
Over the last four days, I found myself wishing he’d find me. I found myself looking for his shadow and those hazel eyes all over campus.
I pictured those eyes on me, heated and intense.
My cheeks burned, but I ignored it all as I slid my fingers beneath my dress, dipping them into my silk panties. The first brush of my fingers and the idea of Matteo watching me was enough to spike heat in my veins.
A soft moan slipped from my lips as I circled my clit, picturing his eyes on me. The harder I teased my clit, the stronger the pleasure built in my core.
A soft rustle filled the space mere feet from me and I froze, my eyes snapping open.
“Starting without me, Ari? I’ll have to punish your tiny cunt, but you’ll let me, won’t you? Because you’re a good girl.” His eyes grew hot, locked on the sensitive, throbbing spot between my legs. “Because you’re my girl.”