Chapter 5
Hesitating inside my bedroom door, I listen for any sounds of the guys in the main living area but hear nothing. They must be asleep from their late night of who knows what. I heard them coming back to the apartment around four this morning. The distinct sound of a giggling female voice as they made their way to their respective rooms made me irrationally jealous. A small part of me, deep within my heart, was hoping it wasn’t Rome bringing a girl back, but I have no claim on him. It’s not like we’ve ever been anything more than best friends, so I don’t know where these feelings are coming from.
Dressed in my bikini and a large unbuttoned white shirt to cover up, I open my door and scurry to the elevator. Hauling my bag over my shoulder, I press the button in the hopes no one catches me. The doors ping open, and I step inside and ride all the way to the ground floor, the speed of the elevator always has my head spinning.
I pull my sunglasses down as the doors open and I nod to the staff member manning our elevator doors this morning before I head to the pool area. It’s already scorching hot and it’s barely nine in the morning. The summer in Europe this year is almost unbearable. I find our private cabana by the outdoor bar and see that it’s already set up with towels, a silver bucket of ice, an assortment of drinks and a platter of fresh fruits. I spot a basket with sunscreen, face mist and handheld fan that sprays water. Perfect. I won’t have to leave my spot for a few hours.
Unfolding the black and white striped towel, I lay it over the sun lounger to stop my tanning oil from staining the white cushion, pull off my shirt and drop it onto the seat next to mine. Grabbing my book out of my bag, I sit my ass down and relax back into the cushion. I can see myself spending every minute of this week right here in this spot.
Cold drips of water sprinkle over my heated bare skin and I gasp awake in shock. “What the hell!” I sit up in anger only to be met with both Chaser and Rome laughing their asses off.
“Have a nice nanna nap?” Rome sits himself on the sun lounger next to mine and squashes my shirt.
Chaser drops himself on the end of my lounger and hands me a bottle of water but not before drinking a few mouthfuls first. “Hydration.” He winks.
“Thanks. And I wasn’t taking a nanna nap.” I have a drink of the chilled water and it feels good sliding down my throat. “I wouldn’t be so tired if I wasn’t woken up at four in the morning by you lot making so much damn noise.”
Rome glances at Chaser and gives him a silent look before his gaze returns to mine. “Yeah, that was Sin and his friend.”
“Friend. I can imagine what this friend is like.” I’m irritated for no reason, and it makes me want to scratch at my skin. “I’m going for a swim to cool off. Who’s coming?” I get up and push past them before diving into the pool. I have no problem being in my bikinis in front of these two, they’ve never once made me feel less beautiful because of my size and weight. I’ve piled on some weight this last year and Sin likes to remind me all the time.
The cold water feels like magic as it cools my skin and I dip under again to get my hair out of my face. When I resurface, the guys have both jumped in after me and are shaking the water out of their hair.
Fidgeting with my bikini bottoms to adjust them so they don’t dig into the flesh on my hips, I feel a hand over mine and I look up to see the mischievous grin on Rome’s face.
“Don’t even think about it.” I glare at him as his other hand lands on the other side of my waist.
Before I can try to wriggle out of his grip, he launches me out of the water and into the air before I come crashing back down into the pool. My boob falls out of my bikini top and I stay under the water until I have her back in her place. I come up for air to see the boys laughing at me.
“Warn a girl next time.” I splash Rome in the face as he comes toward me humming Jaws music.
“You know it’s tradition, Mon. I do it every year.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me under the water with him.
Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his torso and my arms around his neck and hold on to him. This closeness is nothing new, we’ve done this thousands of times, but why all of a sudden does it feel different? Slowly coming to the surface, still wrapped around each other, he stares into my soul.
Holy heck how am I supposed to concentrate when he’s looking at me like he is? So intently that the rest of the world falls away and all I can see is him.
Chaser clears his throat and the moment is gone quicker than it appeared. Removing myself from Rome’s hold, I sink back under the water and swim over to Chaser, splashing him as I come up above the surface.
“Hey!” He laughs as his hair falls in his face. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?” he asks me.
Rome moves closer to us but just bobs in the water waiting for my answer. “I’m probably going to order room service and watch a movie in my pajamas.” I wipe the water from my eyes.
“It’s the Annual Banquet Gala. We always go matching and together.” Chaser pouts at me.
Rome moves so he’s shoulder to shoulder to Chaser. “You promised to always go with us.” He pulls the same goofy look as Chaser.
It’s hard to say no to these two at the best of times, but when they’re both shirtless with the sun glistening off the beads of water on their skin, I find it harder to say no. I must be getting heat stroke or something. “Guys!” I whine like a little kid. “Come on, don’t look at me like that.”
“Please?” Rome steps into me and towers over me, his dark gaze locks onto mine and I can’t help but get a fuzzy feeling inside me.
Rolling my eyes at him I reluctantly agree. “Fine, but I’m leaving early.”
Rome pushes me under the water, and I manage to play punch him in the dick as I try to swat his hand away from me. I come up laughing as he hunches over and pretends like it hurts. “You’re going to injure our children here.” He holds on to his balls and steps away from me.
Chaser jumps at Rome, gets him in a headlock and wrestles him backward into the pool. My gaze catches movement at the other end of the pool and I spot Sin and his latest fuck buddy making out disgustingly near the doors for all to see. He has his hands on both her ass cheeks, massaging them, not giving a fuck about anyone but himself.
I can’t help but be drawn into their R rated display as they devour each other, sucking face and groping parts that shouldn’t be groped in public. Sin’s eyes find me in the pool, and he continues to kiss her but keeps his gaze on me the whole time. My insides tighten and a feeling of having a front row seat into his mind at this moment makes me unable to look away. I’m trapped in his sinister stare, pulled in by his hypnotic gaze as his hand slides up under her bikini top and cups her breast.
Movement around me ceases to exist, the noises and splashes of the pool mute as my heartbeat pounds in my head. Tension and the foreign feeling of desire pool in the pit of my belly, slowly making their way to the aching between my legs. Sin winks at me from across the pool before he detaches himself from his fuck buddy, grabs her hand and drags her back inside.
“You okay there, baby cakes?” Chaser swims up to me and follows my line of sight. “You look a little flushed. Here, let me cool you down.” He laughs at me, splashing my face with water.
“Fuck off, I’m fine.” I push at him playfully.
He nods mockingly. “Sure, you are.” He winks, then looks at Rome as he swims toward us.
Rome grips me around the waist, pulling me into him and making me look at Chaser. “Are we all going tonight or what?”
Rolling my eyes because I swear they never actually listen to shit I say. “I already agreed. You have a mind of a goldish.”
He nuzzles into my shoulder, sucking on my skin and no doubt leaving a mark. “Didn’t want you to change your mind after watching Sin so intently,” he whispers into my neck, causing goosebumps to spread down my arms.
“He doesn’t get a second thought let alone the privilege of me changing my plans because of him,” I rebut. But in all honesty, watching him with that girl evoked a feeling of carnal need and want. The fact that no one has ever touched me like that makes me want it even more and I’ll be damned if I go off to college with my V card intact.
Rome squeezes me into him, and I swear I feel his hard dick pressing against my ass for a split second. “Good to know.” Rome lets go of me but not before squeezing my skin extra hard one last time and swimming to the far end of the pool where lanes are cordoned off for laps.
Looking at the time, I know we’re going to be late for the arrival of the special guests at the Banquet Gala. I’m glad Sin had disappeared for the remainder of the afternoon and we three had the apartment to ourselves. We spent the rest of the day watching old school movies and eating junk food.
I walk across the room to the floor to ceiling window that overlooks the marina. The luxury superyachts all lined up ready to whisk away their owners once they’ve emptied their pockets to line Papa V.’s. The twinkling lights lining the boardwalk sway in the breeze as tourists wander up and down the wooden planks gazing at the spectacular view. Even late at night this view never gets old. I’m in no mood to mingle and put up the fa?ade of being the grateful orphan in front of all those rich and connected guests, but I promised the boys I’d go with them as tradition holds. This may be our last one for a few years while we get our own lives in motion.
Glancing down at my black halter neck, silk dress, I wonder if it’s too revealing for the Gala. It drapes over my curves, showing off my huge boobs and ass. I never know what to wear, even after years of attending these sorts of functions. Mama V. always shops for me for these occasions, and I guess if she picked this out, then it must be appropriate. I straightened my hair, and it sits to my waist, covering my bare back. My diamante studded Gucci stilettos are the perfect addition and add a little bit of me to my outfit.
Footsteps echo through the room and I turn to see the two boys in their sharp tuxedos heading toward me and my mouth literally drops to the floor. I don’t know what happened between last year and this year, but they are looking mighty fine. “Damn boys, you both look like distinguished gentlemen.”
Rome eats up the distance between us, his gaze rakes over me and pauses on my cleavage before his eyes collide with mine. Draping his arm around my neck, he pulls me into him, his large hand lands just above the low cut of my dress. His touch sends heat over my skin as I wrap my arms around his waist.
“We both know we’re far from gentlemen.” He grins down at me and a glint of mischief dances behind his dark eyes.
“I never said you were, I merely stated you look like one.” I squeeze him into me and get a shake of his head in response.
“You two can continue your flirting downstairs. Our parents will skin us alive if we’re late.” Chaser waits by the elevator.
Rome lets go of me, takes my hand in his and leads me to the elevator just as the doors open. Ushering me through the doors, I catch Chaser grinning like an idiot behind me at Rome as I move to stand next to him.
“What’s so funny?” I nudge Chaser in the arm and watch Rome step through the doors and press the button to go down to where the Gala is being held. The insecure part of me automatically thinks they’re laughing at my choice of dress.
Chaser presses his lips together, holding in a chuckle and failing. “Just Rome checking out your derriere.”
“Fuck up, dude.” Rome slaps Chaser in the back of the head.
“You can’t blame the boy. Your ass and your tits look fucking delicious in that dress. Just telling it how it is.” Chaser watches me for my reaction, his wide grin makes me smile.
I feel my cheeks coloring and I need to fan myself. They have never been this forward with me before. Yes, we flirt and muck around with not so innocent accidental touches, but neither of them has said anything in line with this.
Moving slightly so I can look up at Rome, I catch his dark gaze on me, fuelled with raw hunger and need. “You could keep your word, you know.”
Rome’s eyebrows furrow, forming a deep crease and his demeanor changes instantly. “Don’t fucking start.”
Lacing his arm around my waist, Chaser yanks me into his side. “Blue balls here is having a hard time as it is. Stop tormenting him,” he whispers into my ear.
Rome’s posture stiffens, looking up at the mirrored ceiling of the elevator, he lets out an animalistic growl just as the elevator doors open. Without waiting for us, he takes two large steps and strides away into the crowd.
“What the fuck is his issue? I’m the one getting rejected,” I scoff as Chaser pulls me out of the elevator to join the guests.
The already opulent ballroom is decorated with white flowers and crystal chandeliers. Ice sculptures are dotted around the room and gold candelabras hold flickering candles, making the room seem like it was plucked from a fantasy romance novel.
“Let’s get some drinks.” Threading my fingers through Chaser’s, he lets me drag him to the nearest bar. His hand in mine feels different, almost like it was meant to be there all these years. A scattering of butterflies flickers through my stomach as his words in the elevator echo in my mind.
Pulling a chair out for me, Chaser’s eyes linger on my décolletage. They take in the delicate gold chain that sits just above my breasts with the gold horn that I removed from my mom’s neck as she lay dead on the floor. I can see something is on the tip of his tongue as his eyes trace up my neck and connect with mine, but he doesn’t speak his thoughts, he simply sits himself next to me.
“Two White Russians.” He holds his hand up to the server behind the bar.
Leaning into him, I can’t help but smile at his order. “You’re going to drink my favorite with me even though you think it’s a girly drink?”
“If you tell the other two, I will have to resort to terrible torture methods.” He laughs and drapes his arm around my shoulders.
“My lips are sealed.” I take the tumbler placed in front of me and sip the cool milky liquid.
Chaser downs the drink in one swallow before glancing at his phone screen. “Stay here, something’s come up.” He kisses the side of my head before he disappears to take care of something I’m positive has to do with Sin.
I enjoy my own company; I’ve gotten used to being on my own with my thoughts. After my parent’s murder, I used to sit inside my room in the V. mansion and only come out for dinner. It took months of therapy and gentle coaxing from Mama V. for me to finally feel comfortable joining the rest of the family. Sin would ensure I knew I wasn’t welcome, and at first I took it to heart, but as we got older I didn’t let it bother me. I knew he was fighting his own demons. To this day I don’t know what hurt he is hiding, no one talks about why he is the way he is, we just accept it. I hope he manages to heal eventually, as carrying your torment and misery around with you every day gets fucking exhausting.
The barman approaches me and places a bright pink drink down in front of me. “From the gentleman down the other end of the bar.” He smiles before carrying on with his work.
Craning my neck to see who sent the drink, I scan the far end of the bar but can’t see anyone I recognize.
“Looking for me?” A deep seductive voice has me twisting in my chair to glance behind me.
Nickolas Marietto towers over me, his lips quirk up into a cocky grin. “You wish.” I spin back around hoping he’ll go away but secretly wishing he doesn’t.
I get my wish when he takes the seat Chaser vacated minutes ago. “So, they allow you to roam on your own?” He watches the barman as opposed to looking at me when he’s speaking.
“How does someone that looks like you have such unintelligent things to say?” I roll my eyes at the back of his head. It’s such a turn off when guys throw backhanded insults.
He turns to look at me, his fiery glare rooting me to the spot. “You think I’m hot?” His tongue darts out and moistens his bottom lip.
“Case in point,” I quip. I don’t want to admit even to myself that his purposely casual lip licking makes my insides clench.
“I’m just teasing. I’m sorry, let me introduce myself. I’m Nickolas Marietto, your brother’s rival.” He winks and holds out his hand to shake.
“That’s twice I’ve warned you to stay the fuck away from her. The third time I will kill you. Do you understand?” Impatience bites at Sin’s voice as he drops his cigarette in Nickolas’ whiskey.
Sin seems to have appeared out of thin air and I’m speechless at his words. Not the kill part because I wouldn’t put it past him to actually murder someone, but the warning part. Who the fuck does he think he is?
I watch as Nickolas’ eyes widen in amusement. Grabbing his drink with the floating cigarette, he salutes me before leaving me sitting here with this psycho.
“What the fuck!” I growl in anger. I want to throw my glass at him, not just the drink in it, the whole thing. I grind my molars in agitation as he stands there like he has every God given right to control my life.
Silence hangs heavily between us as we eye each other off. The noise of the Gala muted from the rage that’s brewing inside me. Part of me is stunned he has the audacity to think he can dictate who speaks to me, the other part is secretly turned on. It’s fucking toxic and makes me want to hurl at just the thought of it.
Sin leans into me and I freeze at his closeness. “I do what I want, Monroe.”
Standing up as thoughts of violence burn through me, I stride off to find a quiet place I can sit in peace. But he follows one step behind, herding me to my hiding place. I don’t bother trying to lose him and I don’t know what game he is playing right now but we are gaining the attention of the other guests. I barge through a set of doors into an unused hallway hoping he won’t follow but like everything in my life, the opposite happens.
Out of nowhere he grips my hips and slams me against the wall, his irritation and turmoil directed at me as he glares down like I’m the worst thing in this world. His pupils dilate as he breathes through his emotions and I stand there in shock as to what he’s about to do. It’s like being in the clutches of an untamed beast, his next move unpredictable. I’ve never seen such wild hatred behind his eyes and it’s both exhilarating and frightening.
Pushing himself into me so I’m trapped between him and the wall, nostrils flaring, he stills and the air around us turns to bone chilling levels. A calm black sea of hatred envelops us, and I can’t help but think there is a dangerous undercurrent of hostility about to break the surface.
“Did you get wet watching me this afternoon? I bet your pussy ached for me to finger it.” Pressing his hips harder into me, the buckle of his belt digs into my flesh while his sardonic and twisted smirk has me swallowing hard.
“You wish, psycho.” I struggle against him, his fingers tighten around my hips to stop me from moving.
“I don’t want you, Monroe. But I sure as fuck know you want me. I know you think about me when you’re fingering yourself late at night, wishing my fingers were playing with your tight little cunt.” His lips vibrate against my ear and his dirty words do sick forbidden things to my insides evoking crackles and sparks where they shouldn’t be.
“You’re delusional. I’m the one thing you can’t have and it fucking eats you from your rotten core outwards. I’m not fucking blind. I see the way you look at me. The way you mask your sick infatuation with hatred. I wouldn’t fucking touch you if you were the last man on this earth,” I grit through clenched teeth. My anger pulsates making my heart rate spike.
Manic laughter spills from his perfect mouth, the vibration through his chest plays an erratic beat against my palms. The tightening of his muscles as he laughs at me has me wanting to explore his skin. Maybe I’m the sick one for having these forbidden thoughts. His sadistic gaze crashes into mine and unease drips into my bloodstream. Now that I have all of his attention, his heavy gaze extinguishes my moment of bravery. Provoking Sin is a big mistake and I’ve just been caught in his signature icy glare. Fuck.
Shaking his head ever so slightly he watches me for a pause before he leans down and places his cheek against mine. “If I wanted you, I’d have fucked you already.” The arctic tone of his words splinter through my confidence leaving shards of ice sprinkled around me.
Stepping away from me and leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake, he gives me one last murderous glare before exiting through the doors. The cold brick wall kisses my back in support while my brain tries to process and gather my scattered thoughts. Confusion gives way to embarrassment as I replay my reactions to him, hoping I didn’t make my innermost thoughts too obvious. He’ll never let me live this down. Smoothing over my dress with my sweaty palms and taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I make my way back into the party to find a dark corner to hide in for the rest of the night. I hope I don’t cross paths with Sin again.