4. Chapter 3 Soren
Ibrush off the ash that still clings to my pants, but the gray powder only digs deeper into the material, ruining it further. I shake my head, frustrated with my entire day.
“Pasello, what the fuck is wrong with your sister?” I yell at Jude. This is not the first time she’s pulled a wild stunt like this, and once again, I can’t figure out why the fuck Ginevra is like this. My focus is still on where his sister drove off in her shitty car. My legs are stiff, gluing them to the concrete, and every muscle strains in my body. Why does it have to be like this between us?Always at each other’s throats. A burn with a prickling sensation scatters over my scalp. Fuck! I’m pulling my hair out. I glance over my shoulder and Jude gives me a look. I can’t let him see how close I am to losing it. So, with considerable effort, I force myself to calm down and allow my hands to fall to my sides.
The entire side of my car has white streaks marring its red color. It’s not the paint job that is killing me though. It’s the way she smiled at me after she had done it. Her look was as if she was saying what are you going to do about it? People have disappeared for less than what she did. I would love nothing more than to throttle Ginevra’s neck.
Walking around my car, my fingers trail over the rough indents along the side. I shake my head, my lips pinched into a point.
“You know her. She thinks she’s above everyone.”
My eyes glide up to my best friend. His feet shift and his pupils are pinpricks. He’s fucking high. I was so focused on Ginevra that I hadn’t noticed it before. He sniffs, his nostrils flaring before the back of his hand wipes under his nose.
“We both know she doesn’t have a fun bone in her body,” Jude adds, his stance unsteady.
I close my eyes briefly, my fingers rubbing at my eyelids before I pin him with a look. “You’re using again.” I tilt my head, watching his reaction closely. We’ve been down this road before and his response will let me know how far down the rabbit hole he’s gone again.
“It’s not an everyday thing. It was one time.” He’s admitting it, so it’s not that bad yet. I’ll have to deal with this tomorrow. I’m already late meeting my fiancé, then we have the family meeting.
“What’s the emergency you called me about?”
His hand cups the back of his neck. “I need to borrow an inch,” he answers, referring to the thickness of money he needs. His movements are short and jerky while his tone is casual, like he’s asking for a beer.
“You’re fucking kidding me. My casino gets bombed and you have me race over here for that?” Spit flies out of my mouth as my voice increases. “My father was almost killed by the Armato family.”
Jude gives me a look as if to say who gives a shit? The reality is, an attack on him, is an attack on the family. It has to be dealt with. If only the Armato’s had better follow through. Now we have to start the motions of war.
“If Alesso sees you acting like that, you’re going to have problems.” I point at him.
“Sorry. I meant no disrespect.” His hands go up in surrender.
Jude and his sister are complete opposites. Ginevra refuses to accept anything from us, while her brother doesn’t stop taking.
I walk up and hit him upside the head. “Don’t disrespect the family.” I lower my voice. “You never know who’s listening, and my father already looks at you as a liability.” Cyrus is Don, but none of us can control our father. He’s a loose cannon with a lot of friends in high places. If it looked like we allowed a rival to take our father out, the other families would retaliate. Loyalty is everything, and family is next to God.
“If I give you money, you’ll just snort it up your nose.” I honestly don’t have time for this bullshit. My brothers and I have meetings lined up for the next few days dealing with this shit storm.
“Trust me, it’s not for that. It’s an investment. I can return the money in five days.”
My lips twist as I open my car door, and I lean into it. If I give Jude money again, my father will kick my ass if he finds out, but if I don’t, he’ll just take Gin’s money. I’m stuck in limbo for a second. My father is right; Jude doesn’t know how to manage money. He burns through it the moment it’s in his hands. He’s supposed to be helping his mom and sister, and I don’t think he does. This money should be going to Mrs. Pasello. Fuck it. I can deal with my father if he finds out. It’s better than this dipshit taking money out of Gin’s pocket.
I slip into my car, opening the console, and take the roll of cash I have. “If I don’t get this back, I can’t lend you any more,” I warn, tossing him the cash that’s rolled together with an elastic.
Jude catches it midair with a grin on his face. “I owe you, man.” He kisses the money and holds it out toward me as a quick thank you.
“Don’t go and get me in trouble for doing you this solid.” He sniffs again, the back of his hand brushing under his nose. “And Jude? Don’t call me over again for money, because you’re not going to get it.”
I slip into my car before I change my mind, reversing out of the driveway. I get halfway to where I’m meeting Karissa when my phone rings through my Bluetooth.
“Hey, Atticus,” I greet my brother. “Did you contact your person about this not hitting the media outlets?”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s all handled. We’re good on that front, but Cyrus and I need you to come meet us. Eva is on a date with some douchebag.”
My phone buzzes on the dash, and I see they’ve sent me their location. I lean my head back, wishing there was more time in a day. My cheeks puff out as I blow out a deep breath. Something is going to have to go, and I know it’s meeting up with Karissa. This is the third time in a row, and I haven’t seen her in a month. Not that it bothers me. I have my entire life to get to know her.
“Are we sure it’s not her betrothed?” I’ve met the guy three times. He has all the right connections. He’s a little older than who I would have picked, but I think Eva could learn to love her life. Our grandfather could have done worse.
“It’s not,” Atticus replies flatly.
Fucking Eva. She knows that her marriage has already been arranged. Father would murder her if he found out. We can’t be fighting wars on multiple fronts when we’re dealing with the Armatos.
“Soren, stop trying to get out of this. This is family business,” Atticus scolds me like I’m a small child.
At the next light, I quickly do a U-turn, and get honked at in the process. It’s not like they could wreck my paint job any more.
“I’m on it. Who wants to call Karissa? Cyrus?” Both of my brothers laugh, not responding, as they hang up.
“Text Karissa,” I speak to my Bluetooth. “Family business came up. Raincheck?”
I roll up to the restaurant and get out, tossing my keys to the valet guy as my phone buzzes. Karissa is trying to video call me. I quickly decline before walking into the building.
The sweet aroma of tomatoes and garlic reminds me I haven’t eaten all day. My stomach grumbles at the idea of food. I look around, not seeing my brothers. How the hell did I get here first?
The first thing I see is Ginevra, on a date. Her family doesn’t have the same rules as we do for Eva. She’s allowed to go out and date, just never does. Or so I thought.
I watch as she looks more relaxed than I’ve ever seen her. She is stunning when she smiles. I can’t tear my eyes off her. She’s so ridged and grumpy each time we run into each other. They keep talking and my pulse accelerates for no reason.
My feet take a step toward them. Her bright emerald eyes sparkle with happiness, and I hate that she never looks at me like this. Each time I see her, there’s this attractive pulse that draws me to her. I force my feet to stop moving. I don’t know what to do with these thoughts about her that continue to linger in my mind. I’m about to be married in four months. Ginevra is nothing but my best friend’s little sister.
Fuck. I’m staring down the barrel of a gun, being forced to marry because of a clause in my inheritance, and here’s Gin being so damn temping without even knowing what she’s doing. I force these thoughts about her away. Nothing can ever come of it.
A hand clasps over my shoulder. I’m ready to throat punch whoever it is, but as I look over my shoulder I see my brothers, Cyrus and Atticus, are behind me, and I’m forced to pivot.
“Where’s Eva?” I ask, knowing I need to deal with my family before Gin.
Cyrus points in the opposite direction of Ginevra. The three of us walk in unison toward our sister. The air in the room changes and I can feel the tension and stares of the other patrons as we make our way to Eva. All three of us men are broad shouldered and tall, it’s hard not to stand out in a place like this.
Eva looks up, and the moment she spots us, whatever she was saying dies on her tongue as her eyes widen. The tool she’s with glances over his shoulder, not understanding the trouble he’s in. He better not have touched her, otherwise, he’s not living to see tomorrow. There are certain rules women are expected to abide by in our life. Eva’s life, love, and virginity all goes to her arranged husband. The contract was signed in blood the day she was born.
Eva takes a sip of her water, her eyes cast down, refusing to look at the three of us. That’s fine. She knows what’s coming, and she’s not even trying to defend or save the guy.
She’s been actively rebelling against the marriage since the day she met him three years ago. Before then, I think it was more of a fairytale, a possibility that might happen one day. Their meeting made it too real for her and she decided she didn’t want it that very day. For the first time in her life, my father told her no.
I grip the asshole’s shoulders, pinching to bring him to his feet.
“Hey, Eva, who’s your friend?” I ask.
Her eyes dart from her date to me. I hate seeing her eyes moist with unshed tears, but she knows the rules. Grandfather arranged this while he was Don and there’s no getting out of it. My brothers and I have looked into it. With the Armato family up our asses, we need to keep our allies close.
The guy tries to speak and I remove my one hand and wrap it around his throat, cutting off his oxygen to stop him from talking. I can feel a multitude of eyes searing into my back as the restaurant watches with interest, but not a single person does anything to stop us.
“He’s no one. You know that, and I know that.” Her voice is a low whisper.
The asshole is wheezing, making it hard to hear my sister so that I have to step in closer, with the guy in tow, to make out her words. “Then why are you forcing me to be mean?” The question slips from my mouth before I have a chance to rethink and take it back.
“She’s obviously enjoying a date, you radiated dolphin.” That sweet voice comes from behind me and, without thinking, I shove the asshole to one of my brothers and his gasp for air takes over the room for a second before I’m spinning on my heels.
It’s none other than Ginevra. I study her for a moment, her cheeks flushed, before I look behind her, seeing a pompous freak in a second-hand suit watching from their table.
I take a step toward her and she takes a step back, but she refuses to look away. Her spine steels, looking like she’s ready for war.
“Leave your sister alone,” she bravely challenges.
I tsk, taking another step, and her stride falters.
“Have you been drinking?” I demand, my eyes narrowing in on her.
“Soren, that’s none of your damn business.” She rests her hand on her hip, her attitude on full display.
“Jude is my best friend, which makes you my business.”
“Get off your high horse and go back to the hole you came from.” She steps into me and her pointy little fingers dig into my solid chest. “Stop bullying Eva.”
I can feel my left eye twitch as my anger rises. No one ever speaks to me this way. Especially not in public. She’s lucky I don’t bend her over my knee and spank that cute ass of hers. She has no idea what she’s talking about.
“Maybe we should talk about the payment plan you’re going to come up with to fix my new Porsche,” I snarl, looming over her. All thoughts of the family disappear as my undivided attention zeroes in on her.
“I did you a favor. It was ugly.” She has the audacity to argue, refusing to step down. Her perfume infiltrates my senses, and wreaks havoc on my brain and ability to think straight. She is wearing the same scent she wore on her sixteenth birthday party. It was the same day I began to notice her. Since then, I’ve had to constantly remind myself she is off limits.
I bend down, my lips at her ear. “Do not disrespect me in public.”
Her strong posture wavers when she looks around the room as if realizing we’re the center of attention for the first time. I follow her gaze, seeing my brothers have taken Eva and her so-called friend out of the restaurant.
I take that finger that’s still poking into me and nip at the tip just to fuck with her. Immediately, she attempts to take her digit back, but I hold on to it for two more seconds before I allow her to steal it away.
“Get your purse. We’re leaving.”
Her head snaps back, her glare on full display for me to see. “I’m in the middle of a business meeting.”
I glance at the second-hand suit guy. He looks unsure and hasn’t even tried to interrupt us. He’s a loser, a lawyer, by the looks of him. People like that are blood suckers. I make a mental note to find out if he’s on someone’s payroll.
“Nope, the meeting is over. Let’s go.” I walk past her toward the table I saw her at. This is not a meeting; it’s a weak attempt at getting into her pants. Gin is too na?ve to realize.
“Soren,” she calls after me, the anger hot in her voice. The way she says my name has my pulse speeding up.
Her date stands as I approach, but I ignore him, grabbing Gin’s purse.
“Hey Gin, I’m sorry to do this, but I have to race off to meet a client.” He looks at me, and I instantly realize he knows how I am. “Will you be okay? I can walk you to your car.”
“She’ll be fine,” I answer for her.
She glares at me, pursing her perfect lips before she gives her date her full attention.
“It’s fine. He’s my brother’s best friend.” Tension makes her voice thicker, raspier than normal. “You can get me caught up on the new case when you have your next free moment.”
It shouldn’t bother me, but I don’t want her looking at him. I want her to keep those gorgeous eyes of hers on me. It doesn’t matter the reason for it.
She reaches for her purse and I clasp my arm around her dainty wrist. I wait, making sure the lawyer walks out in front us before I pull her toward the exit.
Gin is at least moving with me and I’m not having to drag her out of there. I’m oddly disappointed that she doesn’t make a bigger scene. I would have loved to toss her over my shoulder.
I don’t have to ask for my car, it’s sitting there. Opening the door, I place her in the passenger seat before jogging over to my side.
“What about my car?” She crosses her arms across her chest.
“It’ll be in your driveway by morning.” I grunt. I should demolish the death trap.
She makes a little shrill sound, turning to look out the window.
It takes me less than three seconds to put the car in gear and race out of there.
Gin refuses to talk to me when I try to explain myself. She’s silent, looking out the window the entire time.
My fingers continually twist around the steering wheel, as I try to control my rage. I don’t even understand why I’m angry enough that my blood is roaring so loud I can hear it. My entire body amps up, preparing for a fight. This is never good.
I park in her driveway, blowing out a breath when she opens the door before slamming it shut behind her. This girl needs to be taught a lesson in manners. The image of her naked ass over my knee as I palm her ass flashes through my head. She’s Jude’s little sister.
I step out of the car. “You can at least thank me for the ride,” I call to her retreating back.
She stops mid-stride and slowly turns around. “Excuse me?” She steps closer and I’ve never seen her so furious. Her face is red, eyes wide, and those red lips of hers mould into a tiny point. She’s breathtaking.
“You’re. Welcome,” I reply slowly, for full effect. My heart is pounding like a bat against my ribs.
Her eyes grow unnaturally large at my comment. Her entire body freezes and I watch her eyes turn from a bright emerald to the color of dark, stormy weather. We stand there staring at each other, her chest rising and falling as fast as my pulse.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!” That sweet honey-like voice is quickly replaced with that of a crazy lady. Her beautiful features contort into something evil and alluring. I can’t take my eyes off her.
Her smaller frame runs at me at full speed. She barrels into my torso like a linebacker, and I have to catch her by her shoulders so she doesn’t bounce off me and hit the ground. I hold her upright, but her tiny fits continue to smack at my chest. Pound after pound, her knuckles beat on me while she screams like a banshee.
“Soren, if I could, I would kill you right now!”
I’m left staring at her pretty eyes and the way her face scrunches up with misery. Gin’s not a violent person; she’s actually quite the opposite. What has gotten into her?
“This isn’t you, Gin.” My voice comes out softer than I’ve ever heard it.
“You embarrassed me, Soren. That man you insulted is my boss!” she screams, her fists never stopping. Her breathing is labored, her hair coming out of her ponytail, and she has a slight line of sweat coating her forehead.
“Secondhand Suit?”
Her hands stop trying to flatten me. “Why are you such an asshole? I was trying to make a good impression.”
I place my hands in my pockets and shrug. “I’ll get you a better job.” Problem solved.
She takes a step back and whips her purse at me. “You don’t get it. I want that job!” It feels like she has a brick in her purse. My muscles are not ready for it and I’m forced to take a step back.
Did I cross the line?My heart twists uncomfortably. No. She’s Jude’s sister, and I was protecting her. That guy is an asshole.
She fumbles with her purse. Fuck, she’s going to hit me again. I brace my muscles not to flinch by flexing them.
I scratch my head, not knowing where this all went wrong. “Listen, Gin, a boss would never take you to a romantic place like that if he wasn’t shady. It’s a fact of life. Every table had candles and the paper named it the number one place in the city to propose.” That’s a weird fact to remember.
“Yeah, no one would ever want me. I get it.” She huffs, looking defeated.
“I didn’t say that. I just said your boss wants to fuck you.”
She digs into her purse, and I feel bad for being the one having to break this to her. I’m not trying to be an asshole.
I look back up at her and a cold jet of liquid stings my face like a motherfucker. “Fucking hell, Gin!” My eyeballs burn like they’re in the depths of Hell. I fall to my knees, using my hands and shirt to dry my face. Every nerve is on fire.
“What the hell did you do?!” I slam my fist to the ground, hitting the concrete. Pain ricochets up my hand and into my arm and the sharp blow takes my breath away. My eyes and hand burn with needle-like pricks.
“It’s called bear spray.”
I’m a proud man, but not proud enough to deny my eyes are watering like a little girl crying. Freezing water covers my back before the pressure of it hits my face. My eyelids squeeze tight, and still that water makes its way into my sockets.
I slam my hand down a bunch, trying to beat the agony away.
I want to die.
Literally.
“Why?” I holler.
“You ruined my day. It’s only fair I ruin yours, too.”
The liquid finally stops trying to tear into my eye sockets and I stand, my vision blurry. The garden hose lies on the ground in front of me. I can barely open my eyes to see. She squeals as I stalk toward her, her sounds leading me closer. She is not going to get away with this.