Only a moment or two later the elevator dings once again. That was a short ride down. Confused, I look up at the dial indicating the floor we are on. 20? I turn to Daveon. "Why did we stop here? I thought we were going to go to our apartment?"
He enters a code on the panel. "We are." The doors open to a luxurious loft. He pulls me out over the threshold as I stare around.
"You mean we live in the building with Nico and Liliana now?"
"I figured it was safer than anywhere else, and you don't have to be watched over here. Plus this way you can spend as much time as you want with Liliana while I'm away. I know you've missed her probably as much as she has missed you." My heart does a little flutter at his thoughtfulness.
“So you moved here for me?”
He nods instead of speaking. I turn looking around. It’s beautiful, large and spacious. “It’s not the penthouse but it should have anything you would need.”
“Does Liliana know?” I can’t keep the grin from my face.
“Yeah she does, but I asked her not to say anything to you.” I begin wandering through the place. It looks massive with the open concept flooring. As we walk to the balcony, I open the door stepping out, the smell of chlorine wafts to my nose. As I look around I see the cause.
“We have a pool??” I squeal, looking at him with astonishment. In the corner is a small rectangular pool in-set into the ground. The water is glassy and calm as the low orange glow of the lights dimly illuminates the surface. He comes up behind me grabbing me by the waist as he runs his hands over my curves.
Leaning down, he takes my ear into his mouth nibbling around it. “Do you know how fucking amazing you look in a bikini? After spending that day seeing you in that damn bikini when you were visiting New York, I decided I wanted to have the opportunity to see it whenever I wanted.” He spins me to face him.
“You know we could have just gone to the beach or something if you wanted to see me in one.”
“Yeah but then that would mean every other man there gets to see you too.” He leans down again brushing his lips over my neck as he moves them across my skin. “And that is a problem for me.” I push away from him, a mischievous grin on my lips as I back towards the pool.
“So since we have it all to ourselves. Is a bikini really necessary?” He watches me with hooded eyes as I reach down pulling my shirt up and over my head. Slipping my shorts off I push my discarded clothes to the side as I turn, diving into the pool. As I break the surface I open my eyes, looking up at Daveon, who is still standing where I left him, unmoving. The lukewarm water moves smooth and serene as it laps against my skin.
“What, don’t know how to swim, Hercules?” I taunt him, breaking his trance. He quickly peels out of his clothes before jumping and cannonballing into the water. I giggle as a wave splashes over me when his large body breaks the surface. With the water choppy and the lighting low I struggle to see him under the surface. When he still doesn’t come up I spin around. What the hell? I hear as he surfaces, water sloshing around him, behind me. Grabbing my waist he pulls me back to him. He spins me moving us to the edge as my back hits the rough concrete. Looking up to meet his gaze, his eyes mirror the dark hooded expression from earlier.
“Ever been fucked in a pool?” A smart ass comment is about to spill from my lips before he silences me growling out. “It was a rhetorical question, but the answer to that had better be a fucking no.”
“And if it’s not?” I say, wanting to prod at him.
“Then whoever he is, better hope it was the highlight of his life because that will be the end of it.” The dark edge to his voice tells me he isn’t bluffing, and for some sick reason it turns me on. I wrap my legs around him, feeling his body wet and slick beneath mine.
“Then I guess it’s a good thing he is non-existent. I would hate for Hercules to become the villain.”
“Darlin’, he always was the villain.” Grabbing my face he pulls my lips to his as he claims them. Moving against me with the soft caress of the water surrounding us.
***
It’s around six when Liliana arrives with Nico in tow. “I don’t know why we had to come so early, you should have stayed upstairs and relaxed.” Nico grumbles to her as she leads him inside.
“Hey, you didn’t have to come down. You’re the one who insisted on having to accompany me, I told you I was going to come down and help her. Go have a drink with Daveon. You're being suffocating.” She lightly shoves him towards the balcony.
“Fine.” He grumbles before walking past. I raise a brow at her and their odd exchange.
“Everything okay?”
She waves her hand around. “Yes, he is just being ridiculous and overbearing all of a sudden.”
“All of a sudden?” My voice is unbelieving at her choice of words. “Trust me that man is always overbearing and ridiculous.” I laugh out.
“More so today than usual. So what do you need help with?”
“Well, the caterers are here so they are working on getting food and everything put out, so maybe just help me grab some wine, liquor and glasses?” She follows me into the kitchen where I pause and look around. “Soooo, I don’t really know where everything is yet, so we may have to search for it all.” We begin opening cupboards in search of glasses and I see Liliana dragging a chair up to the counter. She climbs onto it to open a couple that she couldn’t reach when an angry voice behind us lashes out.
“Lil, what the fuck are you doing?” Whirling around we see Nico tense behind us.
“I am looking for something.”
“Get off the chair, why didn’t you just come get me? You could have fallen for fuck sakes.” He walks over grabbing her by the waist as he lifts her off, setting her on the ground. She rolls her eyes so hard, I worry they might get stuck in the back of her head.
“You had better stop it Nico, this is absolutely ridiculous!” He narrows his eyes at her before turning and opening the cupboards she was trying to get to. As he opens one I see the glasses.
“That one!” I say pointing to the glasses. He grabs them down before turning to Liliana.
“No more climbing on shit, just come get me if you can’t reach something.” He gives her a stern look before storming back outside to Daveon.
“Okay, so you're right he is being a bit excessive. What the fuck is his deal?” She takes a deep breath shaking her head.
“Who knows.”
***
Other guests begin to show up a little after eight. Most of which I have no clue as to who they are, but Daveon stays by my side, introducing me to each and every one.
I notice as another large man, similar to Daveons physic, arrives. Instead of a semi-formal attire he has on a plain dark grey shirt. Both arms are covered in tattoos. I notice the beautifully designed lotus flower inked over his hand as he clasps Daveon’s shoulder. “It’s been a while brother.” Daveon says to him.
“Yeah, almost long enough to miss your ugly mug but not quite.” He retorts back blandly.
“Gianna, this is Ciro. Ciro, this is Gianna.”
“Giving him hell, I hope?”
“Every day for the rest of my life it seems.”
Daveon places a hand over his chest, feigning offense. “You say that as if you’re not head over heels and looking forward to this union.” I roll my eyes and catch sight of Ciro doing the same. He seems awfully serious, even in his banter there isn’t any playfulness to his expression or words. His eyes look void of light and emotion as he watches us, though I can still tell he is close to Daveon. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Daveon.
Maybe they really are brothers? His hair is pulled back from his face in a low bun and his ears and nose are pierced. I can see his tattoos running up the side of his neck in some kind of tribal design before disappearing down his shirt. I feel Daveon shift beside me as he leans over, close to my ear. “Careful darlin’, I would hate to have to break his nose because you wouldn't stop ogling him.”
Ciro must have heard
as he cracks his knuckles in his opposite hand. “I would love you to try it, I’ve been looking for a good fight lately. Everyone I am sent to is so cowardly and pathetic it's not even fun anymore.” I panic at the thought of them going at each other here. I grab hold of Daveon’s arm as his hands bunch to fists.
“It was nice to meet you Ciro. I’m sure we will see you around, there is liquor in the kitchen if you would like to help yourself.” I smile politely before jerking Daveon’s arm back, urging him to follow me. I pull him down the hall into one of the guest rooms before pushing him in and closing the door behind us. “What the hell was that about?” I ask spinning around to face him. He reaches out grasping my wrist in his hand a little tighter than he probably realizes, though I don’t jerk away.
“I should ask you the same thing. I will tell you now I won’t tolerate you pining over other men, especially while I'm standing right here.” His voice is tight with anger and though I can’t see him in the dark room, I can feel the tension rolling off him.
“Would you cut the fucking testosterone overdose? You're acting like a primitive caveman. I wasn’t ogling him. Hell sakes.”
“So you were eye fucking him for what reasons? That man is practically a brother to me Gianna.”
“That is why I was staring at him, if you haven’t noticed he looks oddly similar to you. I was trying to figure out if you were actually brothers, not lusting over him. You may share similar features but that's it. I’m not attracted to him, I’m attracted to you asshole, and for some inexplicable reason I actually care about you and I want you. I’m not going to go lusting after someone else, so you can drop the caveman act and stop beating your chest like an ape.” His grip on my wrist loosens as he leans forward placing his hands next to me on the door, boxing me in.
"Say it again." He commands.
“Say what?” I ask, being coy.
I feel his breath over my temple as he speaks. “You know exactly what I want to hear.”
"I want you, Daveon. Not any other man, just you."
His body hums with approval. "Good because you're mine." He dips low as he takes my lips, possessively staking his claim. Pushing into him I suck on his bottom lip, running my tongue along it before grazing it with my teeth. Instantly he pushes me back holding me an arms length away as he groans. "We should go before I decide to bend you over and fuck you till you scream my name so loud that every one of our guests knows damn well who you belong to."
"Well, I'm not oppos-"
"Get your ass out of the room." He points to the door shaking his head. Turning, I walk to the door as his hand slaps down over my ass. Whipping around I glare at him.
"What the hell was that for?" I reach back rubbing the sting away.
"A reminder."
"Of?"
"That every part of you is mine."
20
GIANNA
When we arrived back, I noticed more people had shown up. During introductions I catch sight of Marina entering with a man beside her. Why does she have to look so good all the time? My jealousy peeks up and out at seeing her regardless that she came with a guy. As she makes her way towards us, the man splits off making his way to Nico.
"Love the new place looks a lot better than the other one." I bristle at her innocent comment.
Of course she's been inside his apartment.
"You look stunning by the way. I know of a couple of shops around town that you would probably die for. I'll take you sometime." Though the fact that she and Daveon had slept together digs at me, I can't help but want to like her. She is right. I would probably die for the shops she goes to.
"Are you gonna be paying for this shopping trip because I know those clothes you buy aren't fucking cheap?" Daveon says, and I instantly want to poke at him.
"Why don't we go to lunch too? Know any five star places?" I ask her, goading him.
“No fucking way, keep talking like that and you’ll be put on a budget.” I flip him off at his retort before turning back to Marina. She has a mischievous grin as she watches us.
"I like you. We should go out, you, Liliana and me. We could do it as a bachelorette party. I know of an amazing club that would be perfect."
Before I can say anything Daveon responds for me. "Yeah, I don't think you two should be hanging out together, especially at a club, and there is no way Nico is gonna let Liliana go."
"Wanna bet? I'm not the Familia's top negotiator because of my good looks, Daveon.” She stops to ponder. “Or maybe I am.” She shrugs. “Anyway there is a reason Nico sends me, not you, to work out arrangements with the families." She places her hand on her hip.
"No, I'm not gonna bet you. I still owe you for the last one." He grumbles.
Speaking up for myself, I roll my eyes at Daveon. "Well, I think it's a great idea. Let's do it." A bubble of excitement fills me at being able to go out and have a girls’ night.
"Sounds good, I'll get everything set up and be in touch." She blows me a kiss before walking away.
"I really don't like the idea of you two going out together. You're enough trouble without Mar's help."
I look at him and give him my best attempt at puppy dog eyes. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior." He rolls his eyes at me.
"I don't think you know what best behavior means."
"Guess we'll see." I spin away from him to go get a refill on wine. I get the sudden urge to pee as I refill my glass. Making my way down the hall I hear hushed voices coming from an empty room.
"I don't need you watching over me Elijah. I'm pretty fucking sure I can take care of myself."
"You're not invincible, despite what ye think. You're so infuriating, you're too damn stubborn for your own good."
"Then stay out of my business and it won't bother you."
"You are my business, and I swear on Donn Marina, the next man ye fuck will end up in the morgue."
"You say that as if I fucking care. I'm not new to seeing death, it doesn't phase me. Do what you want to them." She pauses before letting out a seductive laugh. "Or are you trying to make this into a sick and twisted game of cat and mouse? Because I'll bet anything that I can fuck more men than you can kill. Choose wisely Elijah, because I never lose a bet."
"Nobody wins all the time. At some point you're bound to lose, and when ye do it will be to me." His voice is low and hard, causing chills to run down my back. I quickly make my way past the cracked door to the bathroom, shutting myself inside. Not wanting them to know I was standing there listening to them argue. Though I am not entirely sure if I should call that arguing. Based on the way they were talking, I couldn't be sure if they were going to pull a gun on each other or get it on in our guest room against the wall. I shake my head in the mirror.
And I thought Daveon and I had issues.
By the time I leave, they too are gone from the room as I pass. Grabbing my wine I walk out on the balcony where everyone is standing. Well, everyone I care to talk to. I can’t help but notice Marina and Elijah are standing a good foot or more apart. I also don’t miss that while Marina is pointedly ignoring Elijah, his eyes are fixed on her. As if he doesn't see anything or anyone else here. Directing all his focus on her, and he doesn’t look too thrilled over their conversation earlier.
My curiosity is burning over it all, and as soon as Elijah steps away I can't stop myself from asking. "So what's the deal with you and Elijah? Does he belong to the Familia?"
She shakes her head. "Nothing is going on with us, and no, he isn't."
I’m confused at her words. "I'm sorry, he's not? Nico actually let him come here?"
Her laugh is musical and soft. "He works with us. He is our inside on the law enforcement side. He helps brush things under the rug for us and things of that sort."
"Oh, okay.” I nod, understanding. “So, if you're not together why did you come together?"
"We didn't." She snaps. Her voice taking on a bitter edge. "He happened to show up at the same time I did. I swear he does that shit on pu
rpose, he is such a bossy prick. If Nico wouldn't be fucking livid, I would have probably killed him already. Lord knows I have thought about it more than once." Like her, I don't see that Elijah has come back out and is walking close enough to hear. "He oversteps his power with me and my patience is wearing thin. He acts like he has some kind of authority over me."
I only notice Elijah when he walks past us and pushes Marina’s shoulder, knocking her off balance as she teeters before stumbling into the pool. I gasp as I stare wide eyed at what just happened. He squats down beside the pool as she pops back up. Soaked and as pissed as the day is light, she all but murders him with her eyes. I have no doubt if he was within arms reach, she’d have pulled him in and drowned him in the pool.
"I do have authority over you Marina, be wise to remember that." My mouth physically drops open at what I just saw, and with those few words he stands back up. Walking to me he tilts his head as he passes. "Congratulations on the engagement." I watch as he leaves the loft before my attention is pulled back to Marina and the sound of splashing as she gets out of the pool. Hauling herself onto the ledge she sits. Looking eerily calm, as she unstraps her heels. When she catches me staring at her, she bursts.
"That mother fucker ruined my new shoes!" She grinds out in a high pitch voice.
That is what she is pissed about? I shake my head as I go to her. "Here, you can borrow some of my clothes."
***
As promised, Marina is able to by some miracle, convince Nico to allow Liliana out. Though how, I don’t know because he has been so overprotective lately it’s been suffocating just to be around and I’m not even the one it’s directed towards.
Meanwhile, Daveon is being his own special brand of possessive as I get ready to go out. “No fucking way you’re wearing that tonight.” He eyes my outfit with a stone hard expression.
“Daveon, seriously this is the third one you have said that to. I’m not fucking changing again.”
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