Chapter 9
LUCA
The Wellington twins thought they could outsmart me.
Guess again.
No one had ever bested me, and I was not about to start with Alex and her pain-in-the-ass twin brother.
Alex’s eyes flickered with rage when she spotted me at the end of the bar, nursing a glass of scotch. She had every right to hate me. It was a dick move to take her virginity and leave without saying goodbye.
But duty called.
I couldn’t explain why I had to go, hopeful she would forgive me. Everything I did was for Alex. She was always on my mind.
After learning Alex was in Beacon Bay with her brother, I drove to The River Styx to speak with Morpheus and Hades.
Aiden was desperate to gain the attention of The Serpents, even though they preferred to work alone.
I figured I could have her all to myself if I got her brother out of my way.
His desperation to join The Serpents made it easier for me to lure him into my perfectly crafted trap.
Teeth gritted, Alex stormed over to me with Aiden at her side. “How dare you avoid me and then show up here?”
“I was busy, baby girl. Don’t be dramatic.”
Aiden snarled at me. “I should have known Marcello set me up. Is this a game to you people?”
“Am I not allowed to drink at a local bar?” I raised the glass to my lips and gulped down the remaining amber liquid. “I think the better question is, what are you doing here?”
“Luca,” Alex groaned. “This game with my brother ends now. I don’t know what you and Marcello are up to?—”
“I’m just drinking.” I patted the leather stool beside me. “Sit. You look like you could use a few drinks.”
Aiden got in my face, arms crossed over his chest. “What are you playing at, Salvatore?”
Ignoring Aiden’s question, I flagged down the bartender to order a Cosmopolitan for Alex and a bottle of Heineken for her idiot brother.
I handed both of them drinks. “You don’t think I know what goes on in and around Devil’s Creek?”
“If you’re behind this,” Alex said with fire behind her words, “I will never speak to you again. My brother is hellbent on destroying his life for the sake of his art, and wherever he goes, I will follow. So you better think long and hard if this is what you want for me.”
She knew I had feelings for her. It was impossible not to feel something for her because she was the only one with that power over me.
I didn’t want Alex chasing her brother around Devil’s Creek and Beggar’s Bay, all for the sake of his ego.
So, I had to show Aiden the path that led Alex right to me.
“I have a proposal,” I said to Aiden. “Stop putting your sister in danger, and I will introduce you to The Serpents.”
“Done,” Aiden said without a thought.
I held up my hand. “I’m not done. I will make the introductions, and in return, you won’t interfere with Alex and me. Understood?”
“I haven’t changed my mind about you, Salvatore. You’re no good for my sister.”
“I don’t care what you think about me.” I extended my right hand. “Do we have a deal?”
He shook my hand.
“Aiden,” Alex protested. “What are you doing?”
“Like I can keep you away from him, anyway. C’mon, Lexie. You’re the only one who doesn’t see how this will end.”
She tucked her bottom lip into her mouth, making a pouty face that made me want to kiss the expression from her lips.
I offered my hand.
Her fingers slipped between mine. “If anything happens to him, I will kill you myself.”
I lifted her onto my lap. “Drink up, baby girl. Your brother has some business to attend to while we catch up.”
Glaring at me, Alex sipped her Cosmo.
I pointed behind the bar. “Aiden, I’d like you to meet a few of my friends.
This is Hades.” I motioned to the tall man with thick, black hair and colored tattoos from his neck down.
Then, I nodded at the man beside him, who had dark brown hair, tons of muscle, and even more ink. “And this is Morpheus.”
Hades tipped his beer to Aiden. “You have our attention. Make it count.”
I tapped Aiden on the shoulder. “Get arrested, and you’re on your own. And if you fail their tests, you’re also on your own. Unless you want to reconsider becoming a Knight.”
His nose crinkled at the thought of becoming one of The Devil’s Knights.
It was his birthright, even though he acknowledged none of the money, privilege, or power that came with being a Wellington.
He was the only male heir to a massive fortune, and with that came many responsibilities, none of which he cared to assume.
I had been a member of the secret society since my first year of college and was about to take my father’s place as the Grand Master.
Once that happened, I needed a queen. The Knights had long awaited a new queen, and with Alex at my side and her brother sure to fail, I knew I would have everything I wanted soon enough.
Alex downed the rest of her drink, promising to see Aiden at home. Once outside the rundown bar, I helped Alex into the passenger seat of my Aston Martin Vantage.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” she said. “I’m not kidding, Luca. If anything happens to Aiden because of you or The Serpents, I will slit your throat.”
I flashed an evil grin. “That’s my girl.”
“I’m not your girl.”
“Yes, you are.”
She was always mine, even when she was too stubborn to admit it to herself.