Chapter 16
Watching her leave with those fuckers from the Diamonds Frat makes my blood boil. They know not to touch another frat’s property, only, Monroe isn’t a House of Dacre member, she merely lives here under orders from my father. She’s technically free for the taking, not claimed by anyone. But thanks to my own sick obsession with her, I’ve made sure everyone knows not to fucking touch her.
Stalking back inside after I watch the Range Rover disappear down the driveway, Rome shoots me a death glare. He knows all too well this is my own doing. He’s pissed, and rightly so. She’s his best friend and he can’t have her because I said so. I know it’s wearing on him. He’s been obsessed with her just as long as I have. I’m forbidden to have her but I just can’t seem to stay the fuck away. My obsession borders on the line of depravity and I’ll do whatever it takes to touch her and taste her. That’s the thing with us men. We throw out all our morals and allegiances when it comes to a woman, especially a forbidden one. Deep within my high walls lurks a sick monster with needs I’m too ashamed to reveal. I knew early on in my life that there was something wrong with me, and that I didn’t fit the normal standards for society.
My family has tried to fix me over the years with psychological assessments and medications, only I hate the way the drugs make me feel less like myself. I like the turmoil in my brain, I like the impulsive ways I react. It’s me. I don’t want to change and I certainly don’t want anyone in my life that can’t handle me at my worst. My father, the head of the New York chapter, has learned to let me live my way, he at least finds my unhinged ways an asset to the family business. He’s the opposite of me, always in control and has his finger on the pulse.
I roam my gaze over the frat members lounging about sipping on expensive whiskey, smoking pot and relaxing. How calm and serene their lives are. Such a simple college experience filled with parties, studying and fucking. If only my life was this uneventful. If only I wasn’t the heir to the Vitiello Kingdom of corruption. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the kill as much as the next guy on my father’s team, but it’s the political and business side of it that gets to me. That’s where my boys, Chaser and Rome, step up and fill the gap I’m not interested in. They’re the ones organizing deals and making sure things run as smoothly as they can with my unhinged ways. They accept my chaotic thoughts and run with it, picking up pieces I’ve left scattered behind me. They thrive in their roles in my father’s organization and I know we make a lethal team when we put our minds together and work out a game plan for whatever task my father has assigned us.
“Sin,” Chaser calls my name over the music. I turn to face him; he’s holding out a tumbler filled to the brim with my favorite whiskey. Bless him. I love this guy more than anything. He always knows what I need when I’m stuck in my own head.
He closes the distance between us, handing me the tumbler. “Cheers.” I salute him and take a sip.
“Here.” He takes my hand and turns my palm face up, dropping his air pods into my hand. “You look like you’re about to gun us all down.”
“The thought has crossed my mind.” I wink at him. He knows I wouldn’t lay a hand on him or Rome, even though Monroe calls out his name in the middle of the night, but the rest of these guys are fair game. “I’m going upstairs. Keep Charlotte down here, I can’t fucking stand her near me.” I place the air pods in my ears and retreat upstairs to stew in my own space.
I’ve been awake for hours, waiting patiently for her. It’s past three in the morning and it takes everything in me not to drive across campus and collect her from their house. I don’t care for rules and me turning up uninvited is water off my back.
Pacing my room, I’m sure the creak from my floorboards is driving someone up the wall on the level below me, but they’d be stupid to say anything. They know the consequences, and this means I’m free to do as I please to whomever I please.
Cooped up in my room on my own is doing nothing for my sanity and I decide to go downstairs and find something to eat. I forget to eat on the best of days, and when my brain is overloaded, I can go days without food. Either Rome or Chaser usually make extra when they’re cooking for themselves and bring me a plate, making me eat.
I climb down the stairs louder than necessary and stalk across the dark house to the kitchen. I love it when there’s no one around. If I could, I’d live here with only my boys and Monroe, and not have all these guys here disturbing me. But that’s not part of the college experience apparently and so here I am in my own personal nightmare, sharing my space with a house full of others.
Opening the refrigerator, I pull out some sopressa slices and gouda. Nothing like good old fashioned motherland snacks. Unwrapping the butcher paper, I shove three slices into my mouth, not realizing how hungry I am. I slice off some cheese and chew it like an animal, lucky it’s dark and no one is around to see me. I hear the slow creak of the front door, thank you Lord for old houses and their creaks and noises.
Making my way toward the front entrance, I watch her in the dark, closing the door as slowly as she can, trying not to make her arrival known. I sneak closer until I’m standing behind her as the door clicks closed.
“Holy fuck!” She jumps when she turns around, grabbing her chest.
“You’re home late.” I stare down at her, barely able to see her features in the darkness of the night.
She tries to step to the side, but I mirror her movement, trapping her between me and the door. “Sin.”
My name on her lips does things to me that are unspeakable. The fact that there is slight irritation to her tone gives me goosebumps. I love it when she’s angry. “Monroe.”
“Why are you waiting up for me?”
“Oh Monroe, you have so much to learn,” I scoff.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
She tries to step around me, but I extend my arm and she bumps into it. Wrapping my hand around her, I squeeze her flesh and she whimpers from the pain. “Not so fast.” I guide her back to stand in front of me. “You living here is going to come at a cost. It’s not a free ride anymore, Monroe. My parents may have had the guilts for what happened to yours, but I don’t give a fuck.”
“Go to hell, Sin.” She lifts her hand ready to slap me, but I catch it before she makes contact.
Holding her wrist in my hand, I push her hard into the door, making her hiss in pain. If only there was enough light to see the fear in her eyes. “That’s no way to treat your brother, let alone the head of the frat you’re living with. Now, what are you willing to do as payment for this free ride you think you can keep living on.”
Struggling against me, she tries to free herself from my clutches. “I’m not doing shit.”
“That’s where you’re mistaken. Rules are rules, baby.”
“I don’t follow your rules,” she seethes as she tries to push me away with her free hand.
I grab her other wrist between my fingers and push both of her hands against the door beside her head. “Looks to me you have no choice here.” I lean down and brush my lips against her ear. “You’ll do as I say as long as you’re living here. If I say I want to fill your pussy with my release and then lick you clean, you’ll say yes, sir,” I whisper ever so low against her skin that I feel the heat radiate off her instantly.
She struggles against me but doesn’t say a word.
“If I tell you to get on your knees and suck me until my cum coats your precious little tongue, you’ll say thank you, swallowing every last drop. You don’t get to say no, Mono.”
She stills then and I wonder what torment is going through her head. “Isn’t that what Queen Charlotte is for?” Her words come out rushed and harsh.
“Sounds like someone’s jealous.” I chuckle before I stand back up to full height and tower over her.
Trying to get her arms free, I can feel the sudden anger in her movements, and I know I hit the nail on the head. “Like fuck I am. Let me go, asshole.”
“Does it bother you that Chaser, Rome and I all fuck her sweet pussy as we please. That we use her and not you for our sick fantasies?” I’m loving the jealousy I can feel through her skin as it permeates the small space between us. It’s palpable and I know I can rile her up even further. “All those years of trying to seduce my best friend to fuck you and take your virginity didn’t quite go to plan, now did it? Now he’s here living out his best college years with all the pussy he desires on tap. You were never good enough for him.”
“Too late for that.” Her barely whispered words feather through the air, almost lost in the darkness.
“What the fuck did you say?”
She angles her face up to mine and through the darkness I can see her eyes gleam with I’m not sure what. Defiance maybe. “I said, it’s too fucking late to take my virginity!” She growls at me, her hatred almost chokes her.
I can’t help but chuckle like a lunatic. “As if anyone would be stupid enough to touch you.”
“Fuck you! I fucking hate you!”
“No, you don’t. Let’s be real here, Mono. Your pussy is probably throbbing for me right now.” I wish she could see the grin on my face at this point. “You’re so cute when you’re angry.” Stroking my hand down her cheek, over her jawline and wrapping it around her throat, I squeeze a little warning. “Listen carefully. If you’re found to be in another frat house without your so-called bestie, I’ll personally slit her throat and make you watch. Understand? There are rules, Mono, and you will abide by them or pay the cost.”
She freezes under my restraint, not even bothering to hit at me with her free hand. The pause in her breathing shows me she heard my threat loud and clear. I lean down and grab her wrist, making her flinch.
“What have we here?” I pull her sleeve up to reveal a plastic covered, fresh tattoo.
“Don’t fucking touch me.” She tries to pull her arm out of my grip but I’m too strong for her.
I turn her hand over to reveal what looks like rosary beads wrapped around her delicate wrist. They’re just visible in the darkness, their shadowy coloring making her wrist hauntingly beautiful. “Your permanent cross won’t protect you.” I chuckle darkly and let go of her hand.
“What the fuck do you know, asshole?” She exhales loudly and rubs her fresh tattoo with her hand.
My jaw tightens in irritation at the thought of her getting this permanent ink at another frat house. I allow a beat of silence to pass before I lean down so my lips are near her ear. “Be careful in the dark. Bad things hide where you can’t see them.” Turning on the spot, I leave her leaning against the door before disappearing upstairs.