Rafael
There’s a reason I avoid my father’s parties. Not only does it mean I have to mix with people I don’t like, but it also means I have to feign not being bored.
This party, however, is worse than every other party I have been to, ever. Because the girl I’m obsessed with is getting glances from every man in the room, creating an aggressive need inside me, which threatens to spill over at any minute.The veins on my forehead pulsate, and my muscles are coiled so tight they’re painful. As soon as I can get her alone, I’ll punish her little ass for forcing me to feel so goddamn riled.
Eyes scan her small frame up and down, each trying to figure out who she is, and I smile internally, imagining they’re trying to guess if indeed she is just a schoolgirl.
“I think they all think you’re here by mistake, a naughty little schoolgirl.” Rocco flicks his finger through her ponytail, causing it to sway, and I growl in his direction while holding her tighter against me.
Ellie’s cheeks redden, and I can’t lie, the splash of crimson across her skin only adds to the innocence of her costume.
“Rafael looks like he’s going to explode,” Rocco mocks while pointing his beer bottle toward me, releasing a baiting chuckle when I deliver him a scowl in warning.
“Aren’t you enjoying the party?” Ellie tilts her head up to me, and I scan her face for all seriousness.
Fuck me, she’s being serious.
“No.”
She rolls her eyes, and I want to tan her ass for the action, but I won’t give everyone that view of my girl, so instead I grit my teeth.
“I like your costume.” Ellie turns to face Rocco, and I immediately tense with jealousy at her attention on my younger brother. His teasing gaze meets mine, and he licks his lips as if about to say something he knows will aggravate me further, but I give him a shake of my head. He does not want to fuck with me tonight. I already feel like ripping someone apart. I’m teetering on the edge of insanity. Even I worry I’m unable to control it.
“It’s not a costume, he always dresses like that.” My baritone voice sends a shiver over her as I tilt my head in his direction.
“Oh, I thought you came as a biker.” I grind my jaw at her analogy, the use of the word biker stinging more than she could understand, given I never told her a damn thing about my brother Ricardo.
“Nope, not a biker. But I love to ride. Hard.” Rocco’s eyebrows dance, and I have an immense need to cut them from his smug face. Provoking me is not a good idea. It won’t end well.
“I’m pretty sure I just saw Jade go outside.” Ellie points toward the patio. “Can I go see?” The fact she asks for my permission forces my cock jump in delight, and her brown eyes lift toward mine, seeking approval.
“I’ll watch from here. Behave.” Then, as much as I want to kiss the top of her head, I refrain from doing so, conscious of the guests watching my every move. She waits for me to do something, and I hate the fact disappointment mars her pretty features before she glances away with hurt in her eyes.
She slips away, and I immediately feel her loss and hate the way she left without my reassurance. Just another reason I’m so infuriated at having to be here.
“I wouldn’t have acknowledged her either,” Rocco adds, drawing my attention to him. He leans back against the wall, his eyes flicking over the crowd. “Too many fucking vipers.”
“I saw Robert here earlier. What does he want?”
Rocco scoffs. “Money, what else?”
“Have security follow him. I don’t like him hanging around our father’s house. Then get rid of him before I lay eyes on him again.”
“What? You mean you don’t want to welcome our stepbrother home?” Rocco chuckles.
Ignoring him, I change the conversation. “Have you seen our father?” I quirk a brow at my brother. I’m slightly disappointed I haven’t been able to introduce him to Ellie yet. After all, she is the future mother of his grandchildren.
“He had a blonde on his arm and went into the games room.” I chuckle, knowing my father is probably balls deep in some girl right now.
The man might be a grandfather, but there’s no slowing him down.
My gaze latches onto my girl outside. Poor little doll looks lost as she searches the crowd for Jade, my brother’s addiction.
My attention is drawn to a figure watching my girl with interest, and when he pushes off the wall and follows her, anger pierces through my chest, creating a protective adrenaline so strong I’ve no choice but to push my way through the crowd toward him. Fury builds with each step. If he touches one hair on my little doll’s head, I’ll rip him apart until there are only unrecognizable remnants of his existence.
Nobody hurts my little doll.
Nobody but me.