I’ll Burn Anyone (The Challenge Night Series Book 2)

by K. L Mann

  Katherine gets that, our mothers are so alike when it comes to presentations and societal perceptions. Women are supposed to be dressed sophisticatedly for every event. Men are supposed to drop their jaws when they see us. That’s how we were raised, whether we like it or not. Lorenzo will walk into anywhere wearing a half assed black on black suit, but if I don’t look flawlessly put together, mother gets upset. Likewise, Katherine’s mom always made her wear dresses and jewelry when they had company, so she understands where I’m coming from more than anyone else I know.

  But it’s just dinner with Luca and Gio, it should be fine.

  Maybe.

  My hair and makeup are done, Katherine’s dress and diamond cross necklace are on me and all I have to do is slip on some shoes. I sent her a quick picture of the dress on me to prove that her clothes do in fact fit me. I don’t wait for a reply, I just throw my phone into my dress pocket. Stepping into a pair of matte white Jimmy Choo’s, there’s a knock at the door.

  “What?” I yell at it.

  “Marco dropped off your credit card.” It’s Luca’s voice.

  “You can come in!” I yell, grabbing my perfume and spraying my chest and wrists with it.

  The door opens wide and he steps inside, he doesn't close it behind him. Luca is actually wearing a tie, which means it really is a formal dinner. He looks good and it bugs me that he does. I like hating him and thinking of him as gross, I don’t know if I’ll be able to lie about him being ugly anymore. He holds out my credit card even though I’m not close enough to take it. I look at him up and down obviously, walking closer to him to grab my card from his gorgeous hands.

  Hands? I’m whoring for his hands now? Jesus.

  “You look good.”

  He scoffs playfully. “I look better than good, princess.”

  “Whatever you say.” I smirk and snatch my card from his hand, then throw it in my pocket with my phone. “Why didn’t Marco just bring it up?”

  “Gio answered the door, you know how they are with each other,” he brushes off my question. “You ready?”

  I plaster on a fake and convincing smile. “As I’ll ever be.”

  Luca holds his hand out in the hallway, telling me to go first. I start to walk past him out of the room when he grabs my arm.

  I’m pulled into him, our bodies hit together and then our lips too. I’m taken back but my lips hide my shock, kissing him eagerly. My skin heats when I inhale because it tastes so good. My hands wrap around the back of his neck, holding him in place. We both muffle moans into each other, torturing ourselves with lust.

  He pulls his lips off of mine and smiles. “You look good too, brat.”

  My heart thumps in my chest and I want to attack him. I want to throw him back into the room and fuck his brains out for that kiss. That cocky fucking smile and those eyes searing into my skin. The way he makes me feel with one look is troubling. I’m in trouble, so much trouble because I can’t see myself giving up the touch of his lips to mine anytime in the near or distant future.

  “I look better than good, jerk.”

  Luca laughs at my remark as I turn around and make my way to the stairs, they’re faster than the elevator, even in heels. He follows close behind to the entire way, flashes of his skin on mine in the pool rush through my head. I want him again. I want him to show me everything he knows.

  Gio is already in the car, but he’s not driving which is strange. Vito is in the driver's seat, Gio is sitting next to him.

  Maybe he’s going to drink?

  I step into the back passenger seat and Luca sits next to me. The tension is eating at me because I’m still hot with desire from moments ago when we were alone.

  “Good evening, Signorina Vitale,” Vito acknowledges me like he usually does. He always has good manners.

  “Hi Vito, it’s good to see you again.” I give him a genuine smile; he sees it in the rear-view mirror and nods.

  Once I’m buckled in, the journey begins. He drives just as recklessly as the boys do, but I’m used to it at this point. No one talks to me and the music is low, meaning I’m officially bored. Sighing, I pull out my phone and start to mindlessly scroll through Instagram when I get an idea. A scandalous idea that I should shake off, but I don’t want to.

  I have a pretty sizable collection of naughty pictures in my phone. I’ve never had anyone to send them to, but they’ve always made me feel sexy. I want to play a little game of my own with Luca, to turn that ‘maybe’ into an undeniable yes.

  I giggle as I pick the perfect lingerie mirror selfie. My body looks fantastic in it, and I want to make him sweat. I hit send and nearly shake with anticipation. I’ve always been a rule follower. Little princess Vitale, the good girl, but I don’t want to be so boring anymore. I want to have fun. Luca’s phone buzzes in his pocket and he pulls it out casually. Little does he know.

  I feel like giggling again but hold it back as he opens my message. I hear his breathing catch in his throat and my body thrills at the excitement. He doesn’t look at me and I don’t look at him aside from my quick glance. I see him typing from the corner of my eye though.

  My phone flashes with a notification from him.

  Luca: Are we playing a new game? Careful brat, I’ll win and I’ll take your thighs wrapped around my head as my prize.

  My heart flutters and my clit throbs against my panties. He’s a wordsmith, everything he says gets my skin tingling. He might win, but I’m going down fighting, his prize sounds more like a prize for me anyways. I pick out a nearly nude topless selfie where only my hands cover my nipples and hit send.

  Arianna: Ti scongiuro. Voglio la tua testa tra le mie gambe.

  I send this right below the picture, I’m here to win. Luca’s phone buzzes again and he opens my latest message. This time I see him bite his bottom lip, making me smile. I can feel him glance at me, I want to jump on top of him right now. Let Gio watch what he’s missing out on.

  Luca: We’re here.

  I look up from my phone and realize the car has stopped. Damn it, I was having fun. Maybe I can find a way to tease him at dinner too. Hopefully this goes by quickly.

  Gio opens my door for me, and he grabs my hand to help me step onto the curb. He drops it immediately after I’m standing steadily. It’s like my touch makes him recoil. I get frustrated about it for a second until I look around.

  Where the hell are we?

  Every building surrounding us is black with tinted black windows. Nothing looks run down, just terrifying. Even the streets look like painted black bricks. Vito stays in the car, presumably to park. Luca comes to my side and Gio takes that as his cue to walk, knowing we’ll follow.

  He stops a door a few steps down and knocks on it three times. There’s a pause of silence and then the sound of a lock flicking open echoes in the street. The door opens and dark blue light peaks out of it. Luca touches my back lightly, urging me to go inside. My feet move into the doorway.

  The blue lights fill the whole room and pull me into them, like the red lights at Club Lucifer. Luca pushes me lightly so that he can come in behind me. The door closes quietly behind him. Burlesque girls head to toe in sexy but sophisticated silver costumes are all over. Some are dancing seductively while some are serving fancy cocktails on little trays. Classic music with jazz undertones plays quietly throughout the restaurant.

  Some well-dressed couples are eating and sipping down wine, some tables are only filled with men who look engaged in serious conversation.

  “What is this place?” I whisper under my breath.

  Luca hears me and laughs quietly.

  “Lilith’s Lair, Gio owns it with his father.”

  Jesus. Lilith, Lucifer… how many other dark themed businesses does this man operate?

  “What is it with Colombo’s and hell themes?” I mumble back at Luca. I see his lip curl into a smile but he can’t answer before Gio does.

  “Colombo’s are children of Samael.” He chuckles as he sees my facial reaction to
his strange joke.

  Gio likes to make people uncomfortable, and I’m not an exception to that. In fact, I think he may favor making me shiver more than anyone. Over the years it has become a more difficult task for him. It’s hard not to be unflinching toward his dark humor at this point.

  Not wanting to give him any more satisfaction, I change the subject. “So, what are we doing here?”

  Gio doesn’t answer but a sly smile comes across his face. He starts walking further into the restaurant. Luca shakes his head, takes my hand and leads me to wherever we’re going. His hand feels warm and I squeeze it in mine, not wanting to get lost in the chaos.

  Luca leads me through another door and let’s go of my hand as soon as we enter. The room is better lit, but the tone is still blue. An oval poker table with three men smoking cigars and drinking dark liquor in tuxedos takes up most of the room. Gio sits down in one of the empty chairs. Luca sits down in another seat. There’s an empty chair next to him, and he pulls it out for me. Reluctantly, I sit down in it and look around nervously.

  “We’re playing poker? I thought we were getting dinner,” I whisper to Luca.

  “We’ll do both. This happens first, you don’t have to play though.”

  “Why wouldn’t I play?”

  Why would I just sit here and watch?

  Gio starts talking before Luca can answer me for the second time tonight. “Alright gentlemen, as you can see, we have a guest tonight. So, I’m going to recap the rules for her benefit. The game is Hold 'em. We play rounds, never winner takes all. Each round you put something on the line. Money, jewelry, property or favors. You lose something you want back? Make a private bet, bets can only be denied once. English only. Got it?” Gio asks, looking directly at me.

  I don’t get it. I’m utterly confused but I nod anyway. I’m sure I’ll catch up. I know how to play Hold ‘em, Marco taught me but I’m a bad liar and these new rules are confusing.

  “Is folding a loss for the round?” I whisper to Luca.

  “Only if you fold after you put something on the line, so if you’re going to fold, do it before the flop.”

  That part I understood.

  One of the men isn’t playing, he’s the dealer. I have four competitors, Luca, Gio and the other two men. They’ve glanced at me, but haven’t smiled or introduced themselves. The dealer man starts to pass out cards. He has a pen and a notebook next to him.

  Maybe he’s keeping score? Is that a thing?

  “I don’t know what to put on the line.” I admit to Luca. “I doubt these guys want my jewelry.”

  “Don’t put favors on the line unless you’re confident. They’ll add up fast. You can put like four thousand in each round, it’ll keep you safe but you won’t look cheap.” Luca is being nice, actually giving me solid advice.

  I can afford to lose some money. I have savings from gifts and my grandpapa’s inheritance. Katherine also gave me a bunch of it for absolutely no reason. She said her dad would want the people she loves to enjoy it so I couldn’t turn her down. Katherine would 100% play this game, she’d play to win, so I’m going to try and step into her shoes.

  Everyone has cards in front of them, two each. I take a peek at mine, forcing my face to stay neutral. I have pocket tens, a pretty good first hand. Pocket pairs can be deceiving though, they make you feel confident but sometimes they aren’t always safe.

  One of the men I don’t know folds. The other contemplates, looking at his cards again.

  “$3,000.” The man finally decides on his stake.

  Luca gives him a smirk.

  “$5,000.” Luca looks to me to bet next.

  “I’ll meet you men in the middle, $4,000.” I keep my tone casual.

  “Favor.” Gio’s voice sends shivers down the back of my neck. One word. He said one word and stunned me. His effect on me is endless.

  The men we’re playing against don't seem happy with Gio’s confident bet. They’re nervous already, but I’m content. We haven’t even seen the flop yet, how can he be so cocky already?

  The dealer pulls the top three cards.

  There’s another ten and I bite my lip to stop it from smiling. Triples are much more secure than doubles. The next two cards are drawn quickly, there’s no need for calls or raises, our bets are premade.

  “Flip.” The dealer calls out in a low tone.

  I don’t know what he means at first, but everyone at the table reveals their hands. I quickly do the same. There’s a moment where I think I’ve won, but Gio has a straight; 6,7,8,9,10. He bet a favor on a 7 and 9 hand. He’s either seriously unafraid of owing these men something, or he’s scarily good at probability.

  Gio smiles as he’s realized that I had a close hand, but that he beat me regardless.

  “Congratulations, you made $12,000 that you don’t need. Isn’t that kind of boring?” I taunt him.

  Luca and one of the men chuckles.

  “Put a favor on the line then.” Gio shrugs, challenging me.

  “Does it have to be vague or can it be specific?” I whisper to Luca again, not wanting to back down.

  “You can bet a specific favor, but it has to be good. And remember, anyone at the whole table can win so be careful.”

  I smile at him and nod. He’s being very helpful.

  “Why are you two being nice to each other?” Gio raises an eyebrow at us.

  Nerves burn through me.

  “He’s just helping me play. I don’t always have to be mean.” My eyes roll at his suspicion.

  I get it, he should be suspicious. I would be too. Luca and I don’t talk often, and when we do, we’re bickering. But he also has no right to be in my business.

  “She hasn’t played before; she has questions about stakes.” Luca shrugs, reminding Gio.

  He’s a good liar, like too good. I wouldn’t question anything he said.

  Our next round of cards is passed out. I have a 5 and a 6 of hearts, red. There’s a decent opportunity for a pair or straight with the hand, maybe not good enough for betting a favor though. I have to think of something good anyways.

  “Favor.” The man who folded last round calls out.

  “Favor, economic limit.” The other man calls next.

  I look to Luca to ask what the hell that means, but Gio answers my question before I ask it.

  “Economic limit means the favor is money based. Not personal, or business related. You can bet a business limit or personal limit favor too.”

  “Favor, business limit.” Luca calls out.

  The two men’s eyes widen only slightly, like they are excited by Luca’s bid.

  Maybe they need something from him?

  “$12,000, since I don’t need it.” Gio smiles at me as he places his stake.

  Well now that everyone has put in a high stake, I have to as well.

  “Favor, personal limit.” I add my bet last.

  Luca looks at me like I’m nuts, so maybe I should have just folded or put in some money. I don’t have any idea what the parameters of the words I said but I feel safe enough. I doubt Luca or Gio would let the men do anything crazy with it if they’ve won.

  The first three cards are revealed. There’s a 7 and an 8 of hearts, both red too. A red 9 of hearts would guarantee a win for me, but it’s unlikely so I don’t get too excited. The Turn (the fourth card to flip), is useless, just a black Jack of spades. The River is my only hope. My heart beats in my chest as the dealer flips.

  Holy fuck.

  A red 9 of hearts is the last card.

  I’ve literally never been this lucky, I bite my bottom lip to stop my girlish smile from flashing.

  “Flip.” The dealer calls out again.

  I don’t look at anyone else’s hands, there’s no way anyone has a royal flush, there aren’t enough cards, so my straight flush wins. I flip my cards over and can’t contain my smile anymore.

  “Okay, so your weird game is kind of fun.” I giggle, watching all eyes come to me.

  “Well, well,
well. Looks like we have a player,” Luca says, seemingly impressed.

  Gio sort of glares at me, not like he’s mad that I’ve won. But maybe upset that he hasn’t.

  “Good hand.” One of the other men tells me.

  “Thank you.” I smile at him.

  This is thrilling. I like winning. This is way better than a snooty dinner with boring conversation.

  “How many rounds do we play?” I ask as the dealer starts to disperse new cards.

  “Always six.” The man who didn’t compliment me tells me with a smile.

  I want to know their names, but maybe I’m not supposed to, so I don’t ask. Though, I’m not sure how to cash in favors from them if I don’t know them. They seem nice though, despite the tension they have with Luca and Gio. They’re much nicer to me.

  I fold the next round, Luca wins a favor from one man, $10,000 from the other, and a favor from Gio. Though I don’t know why he’d need a favor from his best friend.

  One of the other men wins the next round, but the other one folds and loses nothing. Gio folds too. I only lose $6,000 to the man. I’m still at a $2,000 profit. Luca owes him a business favor but doesn’t seem upset about it.

  Gio wins the next round, Luca folded. Gio takes $6,000 from me, an economic favor from one man and a diamond necklace from the other. It’s apparently worth a lot because he wasn’t happy about losing it.

  The last round comes and I have no idea what I want to bet. I think about folding but it’s the last round so that wouldn’t be very fun.

  The cards are dealt out. I have a pair of queens, a good hand for sure.

  “Favor, limitless.” Gio calls out.

  Shit, there’s another level?

  Immediately the two men fold. They must have bad cards, or seriously think Gio has them beat.

  Luca thinks about his bet for a minute.

  “My Lamborghini Urus.” He smiles at Gio.

  Gio nods at him, like his tipping his hat.

  The tension grows at the table, but Luca and Gio seem like they’re having fun. Luca looks to me first, waiting for my bet. Gio meets my eyes next, staring into me, making me sweat.

  “Favor, limitless.” I can’t help myself from saying it. I have no idea what limitless usually entails but I’m assuming it’s not good.