Chapter 20 #4
Because when the bell rings, I realize that I’m nowhere close to understanding the material I was supposed to absorb in this lecture.
If I want to pass my exams, I’m going to have to pull some serious all-nighters.
I can’t afford to fail, not when I’m so close to getting everything I’ve ever wanted.
My father was very clear on his demands.
I need to graduate first before he inducts me into the syndicate.
No diploma. No induction.
And from what Marcello has told me, the news of my father’s plans to induct me in May is already causing a stir among the other families.
A woman in the Outfit?
Unheard of.
But my father has a way of persuading people to fall in line.
Under his rule, the Outfit has never been more prosperous or respected.
No boss in the Midwest wants to go against him—not when he keeps them rich, protected, and unbothered.
Even if they talk shit behind my back, they’ll swallow their indignation and keep quiet when my induction day comes.
But all of that means nothing if I don’t get my head on straight and actually graduate.
I can’t spend my time fantasizing about Kirill… or how his hands feel on my body… or the way his smoky clove scent lingers on my skin afterward. He’s a distraction I need to curb.
For both our sakes.
“Stella! Hey, Stella!” a familiar voice calls out from behind me.
“Hey, Izzie! How are you?” I say, turning just in time to see Marcello’s crush walking towards me.
“I’m good. How about you?” she asks, with suspicious looking worry lines on her forehead. “After last night, I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again. I mean, that guy? He was all sorts of scary.”
When I don’t offer a reply straight away, she studies my expression, as if searching for something.
Shit.
I forgot Izzie was in the car with me during Kirill’s full alpha-male meltdown.
“Oh, him? That was nothing. Boys will be boys and all that,” I reply and immediately want to stab myself in both eyes for spewing such patriarchal bullshit.
Boys will be boys?
Ew. Gross. Kill me.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Izzie asks, concern still scrunching her brows. “Your brother seemed upset that you and Frankie stayed behind at that club… especially in that part of town. Not only is it in a sketchy neighborhood, but I’ve heard not the best people frequent it.”
My spine snaps straight.
“The Obsidian was literally dubbed one of the ‘must-visit clubs’ in the paper last month. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but it’s wrong.”
Her eyes widen in alarm and then something shifts in her expression…something too quick to name.
“Sorry. My mistake. I must’ve confused it with somewhere else.” Her smile returns, brighter than necessary. “Hey, if you go there again, maybe you can take me to a show sometime.”
Take Marcello’s crush to Kirill’s strip club?
Yeah… that’s a hard no from me.
“Maybe,” I lie smoothly. “So what brings you to campus today? Meeting your student advisor again?”
“No, just needed to check out some books from the library.” She smiles but I can’t help noticing she’s carrying exactly zero books.
Not in her hands, definitely not in her backpack, since she doesn’t have one on her.
Before I can call her out on the lie, a man in a tracksuit walks directly toward us, eyes locked on me.
“Stella Romano?”
“Who wants to know?” I ask, already bracing myself to grab one of my daggers from my bag.
He hands me an envelope and pulls out a clipboard. “Please sign here, miss.”
“That’s not happening,” I say flatly. “Not until you tell me what I’m signing for.”
“Of course,” he nods quickly. “If you’ll just follow me.”
I don’t move.
“I’ll go with you,” Izzie declares, instantly looping her arm through mine. “This guy looks shady as hell but I’m sure you’re curious as to what he could possibly want with you.”
Despite myself, I’m grateful for the back-up since I know Izzie can handle herself in a fight. Even at my school, I can’t assume safety is guaranteed. Not when I’m the daughter of the most notorious mob boss in Chicago.
But when the man leads us into the parking lot and hands me a set of shiny keys to the brand-new, top-of-the-line convertible parked in the closest spot, I don’t need to ask any more questions.
I already know who’s behind this little gift.
“Oh wow!” Izzie gasps. “Is that your new car?”
I force a smile and nod. “Must be. Marcello probably got tired of driving me everywhere.”
It’s an easy lie. And judging by the way her face lights up, she buys it completely.
I sign the paperwork, and while Izzie keeps oohing and aahing over the car, I take a step back and open the envelope.
Don’t be mad.
I owed you a car since the last one got totaled because of me.
It’s cherry red. My new favorite color. Hope you like it.
—Kill
P.S. You’ll notice on your keychain there’s an extra key.
It’s to my lake house.
If you’re in the mood to give me a proper thank you, I’ll be there at five on the dot.
My home is your home, dusha moya.
I hope one day you’ll treat it as such.
Fuck.
I glance at my watch and see that it’s almost four o’clock.
I should definitely go home after class.
I should go home and study.
But I don’t.
Instead, I tell Izzie I’m taking the car for a test drive, wave her off, and slide behind the driver’s seat.
I let the car purr and then drive out of the lot even fully knowing that my last class of the day starts in five minutes. I skip it without a second thought.
Because the truth is simple…I’m not driving this car for any test drive.
I’m driving home…to him.