Chapter 18
LUCA
I never expected to cast eyes on Christian Duprey in a small town near Rockwell Academy. My blood ran cold when I saw him enter the building with a woman who is obviously under his spell and eager to eat up the shit he feeds her.
Every sensation I possess was on high alert as I observed him, and the most important thing right then was to leave before he recognized me.
Luckily, I excel at removing myself from situations that are extremely bad for my health, and I took full advantage of the moment as soon as we hit the air outside.
Throughout the meal there was only one meal on my mind worth having and as I devour Summer’s plump red lips, it’s as if I died and woke up in heaven.
Once was never going to be enough and I was right. We fit together in the most perfect way and I can’t wait to be her first.
It’s inevitable. I always get my way and popping the cherry of a rival family’s pride and joy is way up on my bucket list.
The fact she’s insanely beautiful and matches my energy perfectly is the icing on the cake.
If it goes well, we could make it more permanent because God knows I need someone fighting in my corner.
It’s okay being the eldest child of the Romano family, but a certain expectation weighs heavily on that title.
I am expected to shadow my Uncle Lucian, who runs the business, and when I graduate there is a position waiting for me by his side.
It’s how I recognized Christian. He has been the subject of much conversation with my family.
After what happened to me as a child, my family is hot on cults and has vowed to tear apart any that exploit vulnerable people.
We are very good at what we do and The Serpent Society entered our radar when news reached my Uncle Lucian that a cult operating in the Midwest was responsible for a twisted initiation process. Kidnap, rape, murder.
A business associate of my uncle’s informed him he lost his son to this cult, who is now serving life for the rape and murder of a fifteen-year-old girl.
That was enough to scent the bloodlust in Uncle’s Lucian soul, and he has spent several months investigating the founder of the cult, Christian Duprey.
Now he’s here at Rockwell and by all accounts, another inductee is being primed to join his sick society.
It will end badly for him because Frankie Majerio happens to value the new member in their sights and I wonder if this could turn out to be advantageous for both of us.
I pull away from Summer and stare deep into her eyes and, reaching out, press my thumb against her lips, cleaning them from my attention. Her eyes burn brightly as I whisper, “Leave your brother to me. The second they open the list for The Claiming, add your name and I will do the same.”
“What if I don’t want to be claimed?”
Her sexy voice betrays her words because Summer is giving out mixed signals. Her body has bent to mine like a flower toward the sun. Her breathing is erratic and her skin flushed, and those sexy eyes are loaded with desire. The soft smile directed my way tells me she’s as into me as I am her.
“Then you had better run fast angel because I’m coming for you, regardless.”
“Do you always get what you want?”
“Always.” I break away with the promise hanging heavy in the air.
“Come. We should leave. I have business to attend to.”
“Business. Concerning that man, I suppose.”
“Of course.”
It’s as if sharpened knives are scratching against my soul when I think of Christian Duprey. He is one sick individual who I want burning in the fires of hell, not visiting Rockwell Academy in search of recruits.
The ride back to the academy is a pleasant one.
Summer is pressed against me, her legs bare as they grip my thighs and it’s as if I’ve died and gone to heaven.
I’ve had girls, women as well. I’ve used them to sharpen my skills and enjoy a training of the sexual kind.
In high school, I was tutored by one of my uncle’s workers.
Girls who made it clear they wanted me were of no interest. Perhaps if Summer was there, my mind would have changed, but she’s here now and every inch my queen.
My Rockwell queen, anyway. She lives in God knows where, and I live in Florida.
It will end at the graduation ceremony, of that I am certain.
Her family will make sure of it, but we have this time to enjoy one another’s company—but first I must remove one obstacle in our way. Her brother.
As soon as we reach Rockwell, I park my bike and it’s as if the demons circle. Summer’s eyes hold a hint of resignation as she whispers, “I should head back to Willow Tree House—alone. It’s probably for the best.”
“Whatever you prefer, princess.”
She hesitates and then impulsively reaches up and drops a light kiss on my cheek and whispers, “I enjoyed our study session, Luca. I’ll see you around.”
Her sexy wink paints a smile on my face and as she heads off, I take a moment to watch her go, admitting a body that will be a pleasure to mold against mine.
To put into practice what I have learned from more experienced women.
I’m guessing Summer is a virgin and one thing’s for sure, she won’t be for much longer.
The first person I see as I head inside The Elusive House is Jesse, and he appears to be on his way out.
We meet at the door and he nods.
“Hey, man.”
“Hey.” I search his expression, noting a weariness on his face that doesn’t match his usual energy.
“Is everything okay?” I raise my eyes and he appears to check himself and sighs.
“Nothing a beer later won’t cure.”
“At the meeting?”
I’m aware that Frankie called a meeting to discuss The Claiming challenge that has been scheduled the week after The Twist ceremony.
I heard they deal with the returning participants who get the chance to stick or twist before the new challenge begins.
It’s a curious club Frankie has formed and yet appears a popular one among the students.
Apparently, not everyone wants in on the action—me included, but it’s the only way Frankie will allow me to date his sister.
“Is Frankie around?” I ask, wanting to put my proposition to him before it gets underway, and he nods.
“Basement. He’s shooting pool with Jack.”
Jesse glances at his phone. “I should go.”
I wonder if his urgency has anything to do with a certain art teacher who I’m aware is dining with the devil right now. Is Jesse meeting Christian today? If so, he is in more danger than he realizes, and I wonder if I should intervene.
He smiles hastily before heading to the door and I decide it’s doubtful any harm will come to him—yet, anyway.
Before I head to the basement, I pull out my phone and dash off a quick text to the WhatsApp group my uncle set up for four family members only.
Christian Duprey is at Rockwell.
I press ‘send’ and wait for the fireworks to blow this place apart.
As I head down the stairs, I catch sight of Frankie and Jack finishing up their game and as Frankie’s eyes meet mine, I sense the mistrust still circling.
“Hey, man. You just missed me beating the shit out of Frankie.”
Jack’s easy smile is at odds with Frankie’s irritated one and I laugh softly. “I would have paid to see that.”
Jack grins. “Anyway, I have an hour at the gym planned before heading back for the meeting. I’ll catch you later.”
As he heads out the way I came, I approach Frankie and whisper, “Can I have a word?”
“Sure.” Frankie points to the beaten leather couch. “I wanted one anyway.”
There is zero animosity in his words. No indication that he is aware of my interest in his sister, so I relax, curiosity telling me he has something else on his mind.
He grabs a couple of beers from the fridge beside the bar. “Here.”
I catch it and pull the tab and as we sit side by side, it strikes me how strange this is. We are rivals—or we will be in the future and I suppose this is no-man’s-land. A chance to play with the enemy before normality interrupts the break.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Have you ever heard the name Christian Duprey?”
Now I have his attention and from his reaction, he is fully aware of what that name involves.
“What about him?” His answer is guarded, and I fix him with an intense look.
“Do you know him?” I repeat my question, expecting an answer, and he nods, distaste heavy in his expression.
“I know of him and I don’t like it.”
“Same.”
I jerk my thumb toward the stairs. “I passed Jesse on the way in. Is he still involved with that art teacher?”
“You ask a lot of questions.” Frankie is guarded and rightly so. I wouldn’t expect any less.
“Listen.” I lower my voice. “I have a certain knowledge of the man and his creation of an organization called The Serpent Society. I also know what that involves and if your friend is involved with Miss Sloane, then he is in danger of signing his name on their membership card.”
Frankie is silent and I wait for him to speak, not prepared to divulge all my information before he acknowledges the subject.
After an awkward silence, he sighs heavily. “Why do you ask?”
“Because Christian Duprey is currently dining with Jenna Sloane at the Ripe Olive in town.”
Frankie’s expression turns to one of horror and he snaps, “What the fuck? Where’s Jesse?”
“Currently heading out, and I’m guessing from the expression on his face, he’s got a date with disaster.”
Frankie wastes no time and dashes out a quick text on his phone and then regards me with a blank expression.
“What do you know?”
“That he is bad news for Jesse.”
Frankie nods and is right to keep up his guard as he says evenly, “What do you suggest we do about it?”
“We take out the source of his recruitment campaign.”
For the first time since I met him, Frankie visibly relaxes and animosity is replaced with curiosity.
“What do you have in mind?” He asks, genuinely interested and setting the door ajar to let me inside his exclusive club.
“I’m suggesting a honey trap, of course.”
He raises his beer to his lips and waits for my plan.
I waste no time in filling him in on my intentions and by the end of it, we are both on the same page—for now, anyway.