Chapter 19 | Clutching My Pearls
Luca
A t one stage of our lives, we were monsters hiding in castles from the rest of the world. Now, we flaunt a different kind of power, one of wealth and influence. We’ve come a long way if this masquerade ball is any indication, and I can’t help wondering if this is the life our ancestors were fighting for.
But monsters come in so many forms, they’re not just limited to the Supernatural. I stood up to a bully, and it got me in trouble. Clearly, we still have work to do. I don’t care if Storin was from an influential family; he was a dick, but somehow it still earned me the Undead equivalent of a timeout. It’s the only thing that keeps me from running after Jude. That marriage announcement was a low blow, even by Eric Rhodes’ standards. It's clear she knew nothing about it. It helps that Sebastian is with her, but I also know my every move is being watched.
As if my mom knows what I’m thinking, she gives me a sharp look of reminder, and I return a small nod and focus on the Sorcerer talking to me. Tonight, I was supposed to earn my good graces with the Undead and the rest of the families again, and going after Jude will undo my progress. My mom explicitly told me I couldn’t be seen being overly friendly with any of the heirs. I need to prove to the Undead that I prioritize them, something they doubt after how I dealt with Storin. Yet what kind of message would I have sent as an heir to our empire if I had done nothing, and just let him treat me that way?
Privately, Mom admitted that if she was there, she would have done the same, but since she wasn’t, she’s the one that has been repairing the relationships with the other Undead families. Between that and the murders, tensions are at an all-time high, and there was even a rumor that I was responsible. That’s why we decided that me remaining out of the public eye for a bit was a good move until we could gradually win back the trust I had lost. Fear makes people see crazy things.
“Looking good, Luca!” One of the Undead close to my age says to me as she walks past us, and it's hard to keep my smile of satisfaction to myself. Even if things are strained and the highlight of my day is now selecting a ball gown, I’m still Luca fucking De Greer and proud of it. I look incredible in my nude gown, tiered with lots of volume, while still clinging tightly to most of my body. Because I got the shade of the gown right, it almost looks like I’m naked, except that the dress is covered in a thin, black layer of sparkles, and it shimmers in the light as I walk. It's almost scandalous. I fucking love it. It will give these morons something fabulous to talk about.
The timeout hurt me more than I would like to admit. I get it and why it needed to happen, but Tao is such a big part of my life, and to have it ripped away from me so suddenly has been challenging. The Sorcerer excuses herself, and Rogue takes her place and launches into something. I can’t be bothered to think of what, but I try my best to remain polite. I know I’ve met him before, and I know his name somewhere.
Alessandro, that's his name. I think he’s one of Alyssa’s cousins.
Alessandro loves the sound of his own voice as he prattles about the latest gossip in the empires, and I want to die from boredom. He’s not doing the male race any favors, even if he is pretty to look at. He cuts an impressive six feet in his black, silk tux, and his bedroom eyes could easily pull one over on you if that was your kind of thing. Looking at his pretty face would be quite enjoyable, but his voice makes me want to claw my eyes out.
If I just twitched my hand and took control of his blood, I could make all of it rush to his head and explode. That would be entertaining, although it would defeat the purpose of winning back trust. That, and this is what they mean when they say don’t let intrusive thoughts win. It wouldn’t be the worst thing people have seen here, though.
“Really, Dominic was lucky he caught Katalina in time. It could have been so much worse for their empire if things went on any longer. We should all look into our own empires and make sure the same is not happening to us.” I honestly have no idea what Alessandro is on about, but I nod like I’ve been listening the whole time.
Giving him my best false smile, I excuse myself to find anyone to distract me from the brain-meltingly boring company he was. Stopping by the Hart twins, I’m relieved to see I can finally tell them apart. I grin, “When did you girls get so tall? Stunners, both of you. You’re going to break a lot of hearts along the way. Just lay off on the non approved human boys, will you? ”
Raising an eyebrow at Remi, a blush creeps into her cheeks as she catches my hint, so I change the subject. I compliment her voluminous ball gown, the red chiffon so striking against her blonde locks. Reece, by contrast, is wearing a simple satin, black ball gown with a striking cat eye and red lip. The term “old Hollywood glamor” comes to mind. Reaching into my cleavage, I remove a vial of my blood and hand it to Reece, “For your spell work,” I murmur under my breath, and she performs an impressive sleight of hand as I continue with more polite conversation.
“So, what do you think about your brother getting married and expanding the family? That’s exciting, isn’t it?” I ask the girls. Seeing I’ve struck gold, the girls launch into all their ideas and I listen patiently while my mind drifts. The murders are bugging me. While we don’t have many, we keep our weaknesses under tight wraps, and unless you’re from our empire, chances are you won’t know them. Does it even matter though if someone has figured it out? Knowing the Undead are the hardest to kill out of the four families, I would love to know how they’re still getting to us.
Not wanting to spend too long with the twins, I excuse myself and make a point of socializing with other guests like a good little socialite. One of the Druid families mention to me they have some money to move, and I remind him that Tao is there for his every need. Tomorrow, he should go to the club and ask for Silva. I also explain that we only take a small percentage for our trouble, and that’s when I realize I can use tonight to network for Tao.
I’ve never understood the name “Undead”. We’re very much alive. I blame that stupid legend of the vampires that humans came up with, the one that says we’re nothing but reanimated corpses. Gross. We’re born just like anyone else; with a few small differences. Regardless of that, if I’m seen putting the Undead interests first, and funnel that money into more blood donor facilities for us, that’s a great PR move. I learned that from Dad.
Which reminds me of the deal I’ve made, that I also need to get married to further our line. I’m not happy with any of it, but at least I seem to have more choice in the matter than the other heirs do. Knowing Mom’s only goal is for me to secure our family's future helps. It's because I know that which makes me wonder, would she accept a donor? Then I can raise the child without having to marry a man, someone I’m clearly not attracted to or comfortable around. Maybe I could even marry a woman and raise the baby with her, being true to myself and giving the empire what they need. My thoughts flick to Amelia, but I can’t let myself even consider that fantasy.
I’m interrupted with my musings because I’m sure I smell something that shouldn’t be here. At first I thought it was my imagination for having thought of her.
Amelia.
Following the smell, I find a beautiful woman in a green silk dress, and I know if she takes the mask off, I will find matching green eyes. “What are you doing here?” I whisper-yell, incredulous.
“Didn’t Dom tell you? I’m his PA now. This ball was my idea.” I catch her innocent smirk beneath the mask. I’ve had even less time to catch up with Dom and Sebatian while wallowing in my self pity, and it shows how much I’ve missed.
I try not to gape, keeping the hurt out of my voice. “You just left without saying anything, and you disconnected your number. I had no way of knowing you were okay.” Amelia’s body language gets defensive, and a small part of me admits she has reasons to feel this way .
“Now you care?” Her eyes narrow behind the slits in her mask.
Looking around, I realize this is maybe not the best place to discuss this, so I grab Amelia’s hand and lead her to Dom’s office, where I know we will get the most privacy. Noticing she has a slight limp, I ask, “Are you okay?” I point at her leg, and she brushes my concern off with a fall she had the other day.
The door snicks close, shutting off the music behind us and pulling off my mask, I turn to face her, my arms across my chest. “Well? What are you playing at?”
I didn’t realize that this move would elevate my already ample cleavage until Amelia’s eyes dart down to them quickly before darting away again as she tries to remain focused. I lick my lips and shift on my feet. Her bottom lip sticks out petulantly, and it’s all I can do not to cross the small room and catch it between my teeth. “Luca, I’ve told you a million times what I want, and you clarified I can’t have it. So I’m trying to move on. Why is that so hard to understand?”
That’s when the penny drops for me. I was so focused on Tao and our empire that I took advantage of what was right in front of me. I hurt Amelia deeply because I didn’t fight for her. It's more than just sex, though. She was my friend first, and I miss her.
Taking in her standoffish attitude, I’m realizing the gaping hole my life has without her in it. Making a split second decision, and probably taking the riskiest step of my life to date, I push Amelia up against the wall.
“What are you doing?” Her voice is thick, and I can hear her heart thundering.
Meeting her unwavering gaze, I let her see all the longing and regret in my face. “I’m showing you how sorry I am, and how I was an idiot for not fighting harder for you.” With our bodies pressed against each other, she seems to be more affected, judging by her rapid breathing rate as she says, “I thought you said we can’t have anything.”
I groan, tipping my head back. “I know. And I was an idiot. I will talk to my mom tomorrow and start trying to change things. You’re worth risking it all for.”
That’s all it takes for the restraint to snap, and our mouths finally crash together, Amelia’s hands roaming over my curves. My hands fumble with the neckline of her dress, practically yanking it down until it’s low enough to flip the cups and expose those perfect breasts.
I groan, nearly coming at that sight alone. I want to bury my face in them, but there will be time for that later. Kissing across them and down her neck, I leave a trail of fire as I lightly graze her skin with my teeth, making sure my fangs don’t get in the way, and she moans. It stokes something deep inside me, knowing we’ve finally crossed the line. I’m nowhere near done. I will do whatever it takes to pull more of those sounds from her sinful mouth.
Straightening, I hook her leg around my hip with one hand, my fingers gripping her thigh so hard I’m going to leave bruises on them as I lift her dress up and push her underwear to the side with my other hand, and then one finger slowly sinks inside of her.
“Look at me,” I tell her, and she practically smolders, her teeth biting into her full lip as I increase my frequency. Adding a second finger, she gasps, and I’m spurred on by her desire as she clenches around my fingers. Withdrawing my fingers, Amelia gives me a murderous look as if she can’t believe I’ve stopped so quickly.
A devilish grin covers my face as I lift her dress and get down on my knees, telling her, “Maybe me worshiping you on my knees will show you how sorry I am.” My mouth finds her soaked center, and she moans, and my tongue finally tastes her. Amelia grabs my hair, and I welcome the pleasure, bordering on pain as her back arches against the wall as she grinds her hips against my mouth.
Looking up at her from my lashes, Amelia provides a sensual sight, her breasts pulled up from her dress, yet still fully clothed and her breathing heavy with my mouth between her legs. “What if someone walks in?” She whispers.
Removing my mouth for only a moment, “I don’t care,” is all I respond as I find her center again, determined to make this goddess come more than once this evening.