Cruel Summer: A College Bully Romance (Verona Academy Book 1)

by Melinda Terranova

  I hear his breath come out in a sharp swoosh and watch as he smiles in her direction. A well-practiced smile.

  A fake smile.

  “I needed some air.” He steps towards her and hesitantly places his arm on the small of her back as he leads her away, never looking back in my direction.

  The door closes after them and the sound of inside once again muted, I stay on the balcony for a couple more minutes going over what he revealed to me. The jealousy eats away at my insides like acid and I feel the bile rise up into my throat. I collect my thoughts and gather the strength to go find Amber.

  “Where have you been?” Amber twists her body to face me.

  “Outside for some fresh air. What have I missed?”

  “Rumour is they are holding an auction to bid on a dance with one of the hot suitors. All for charity of course.” She grabs my arm squeezing it.

  “Of course. Why else?” Even I can hear the distaste in my tone.

  “I wonder who we can bid on.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

  “I’m not wasting my money.” I take a sip of her champagne.

  “It’s for charity Sum. Don’t be so mopey.”

  “Uhuh,” I mumble as I drink the rest of her champagne in one go.

  “I’ll go get us some more drinks and you better be in a good mood when I get back.” She points at me before she heads to the bar.

  I sit and look around at all the guests having a good time, laughing and dancing. My eyes are transfixed on the blur of the dancefloor when I feel my phone vibrate on the table.

  “You need to bid on me.”

  I stare at the phone. Who the hell is texting me? I look up at Amber standing at the bar waiting for our drinks chatting to someone. I immediately know it is her playing a joke on me.

  “NO.” I reply to the unknown number and watch Amber and the person she is speaking to. Neither moves to check the culprit’s phone.

  I watch as she makes her way back to the table. I narrow my eyes at her but she acts as though she has done nothing sinister.

  “Here, drink this grumpy.” She winks at me.

  “What is it?” I sip the colourful drink.

  “Tequila sunrise. If that doesn’t get you in a better mood nothing will.”

  “I’m in a good mood. I think I’m just tired.”

  My phone vibrates again. I hesitantly pick it up.

  “Please. I’m literally begging here.”

  I look around to see if anyone is laughing at me. I glance at Amber and she is sitting, swaying to the music and sipping her drink. My eyes scan the room again.

  “Who is this?” I text back.

  And wait.

  “Enzo. I’m serious. You have to save me from this miss priss!”

  I stare at my phone screen. Is this a joke? I look around. “How did you get my number?”

  “Don’t worry about that. Are you going to help me? Don’t make me beg!”

  I switch the screen off before anyone can see. My heart jumps to my throat. Why is he texting me?

  “Well? Yes or no?”

  I stare at my phone in disbelief.

  “Summer?”

  I swallow the lump in my throat. “How did you get my number?”

  “I went through Amber’s phone. Please say yes?”

  I stare at my phone in confusion until Amber’s voice interrupts me. “What did you say, Amber?”

  “Is everything ok?”

  I look at her like she is talking gibberish. “It’s nothing important.”

  “Drink,” she orders.

  I take a long gulp of the drink and it glides down my throat. My phone buzzes and I hesitate before reading it.

  “PLEASE!! You have to bid on me. I will do anything.”

  “I don’t have enough money to outbid miss priss!”

  “So you’ll do it?”

  I stare at the words before gazing around the room to see if I can spot him.

  I don’t.

  “Summer.” My phone buzzes.

  “SUMMERRRRRR! I will keep texting you until you say yes.” It buzzes again two seconds after.

  “Stop. Yes I will help you.” I text back, breathing through my teeth in exasperation.

  “Are you ok?” Amber touches my arm.

  “Yes. Sorry, what were you saying?” I squint at her.

  “The auction is about to begin,” she squeals.

  I look to the stage and see the MC standing to the side with the line of suitors waiting their turn to be called onto the stage. I spot him second in line and my stomach drops.

  “I need a drink.” I stand abruptly.

  Amber looks at me for a moment but her attention is stolen as the MC announces the auction is about to begin.

  “Can I have a water please? No, make that a cowboy and a vodka and cranberry please?”

  I drink my shot and thank the barman as I grab my vodka and take my seat.

  “Ready partner?” The text lights up my home screen.

  I quickly grab it and place it in my lap and watch as the numbered sign boards are handed out to all the women in the room. My number is twenty-eight.

  “How much am I bidding?” I text quickly.

  He instantly replies. “How much do you think I’m worth?”

  I look up at the stage and see him smiling at his phone. The bastard.

  “I’m glad you find this funny.” I scowl.

  “I can see you, grumpy.”

  My eyes snap up to see him wink at me before he looks down at his phone again.

  “You’re so annoying.” I fire off.

  “You’re cute when you’re mad.” He replies, I stare at my phone screen.

  “You’re on your own buddy.” I text and look up to the stage to see him smiling at me.

  “Ok serious now. Bid up to fifty thousand dollars.”

  My mouth dries up and I take a long drink. I look at my screen again and then up at the stage. I meet his eyes and he nods. I nod in response as he walks forward towards the MC. I realize I missed the whole first auction.

  “Summer.” Amber elbows me.

  I look at her in confusion. “What?”

  “Enzo is on stage.” Her eyes narrow as she watches him.

  I swallow, drink the rest of my drink and will my heart rate to slow. “Oh, so he is.” I avoid looking at him.

  “Five hundred dollars,” the MC’s voice booms through the room bringing me back to reality.

  “One thousand,” a small voice in the back calls out.

  “Do we have anyone that will offer more?”

  “Ten thousand dollars.” I see the paddle with number sixty on it held up over the heads of the seated guests. There’s a muffle throughout the room as everyone turns to look at who bid.

  “Twelve,” another woman calls out from the other side of the room.

  “Twenty thousand.” Number sixty holds up her paddle.

  I feel his eyes on me but I’m too afraid to look up. Too afraid to bid. I just want to crawl under the table and hide until it is all over.

  “Twenty-two thousand.” A third party joins in.

  “Thirty,” number sixty calls, her voice a little annoyed.

  I take in a deep breath and grab hold of the paddle in front of me. I can see Amber from the corner of my eye enjoying every second of this circus show. I peek up at him and the look on his face says it all.

  “Fifty thousand dollars,” I call out without taking my eyes off him and hold up my paddle. I hear the gasps echo through the room but I do not dare to look anywhere else but at him. My heart is beating so hard I think it may stroke out any minute. It takes everything in me not to run from the room as the ringing in my ears becomes almost too unbearable.

  “Summer.” Amber grabs my arm which is still in mid-air. “What are you doing?”

  “Sold for fifty thousand dollars to the beautiful young woman in the black gown,” the MC announces.

  I stare at him and him at me. I’m too afraid to look anywhere else. I know everyone in
the room is looking at me at this moment. He mouths thank you before he is ushered off the stage to make way for the next victim.

  “Summer,” Amber whispers.

  I turn to her.

  “What are you doing?”

  “He told me to,” I mumble.

  “What?” She squints at me.

  “He told me to bid on him so miss priss over there didn’t win. He’s paying for it, I don’t have that sort of money.”

  “What?” She says louder shaking her head.

  “Shh. I’ll explain later.” I fan myself with my numbered paddle.

  “Summer, what is going on?” Amber whisper shouts at me.

  I drink the rest of Amber’s drink in one go, stand up and drag her after me to head to the restrooms.

  “What. The. Fuck. Is. Going. On?” Amber says each word separately.

  “Don’t look at me like that.” I frown.

  “Well?”

  “How the fuck am I supposed to know? Everyone keeps me in the dark. I have no idea about how your family works,” I shout in exasperation.

  “You’ve got balls, I can tell you that.” She laughs at me as I stand there coming down from my almost panic attack. “I think you just made more enemies than my whole family put together.”

  “This isn’t funny.” I scowl at her.

  “I think it is.” She laughs.

  “He asked me to bid on him to save him from the one in the red dress.” I place my hands on my hips.

  “I know exactly why he asked you to outbid her. She’s a whiny, spoilt brat. But, now he’s going to have to deal with his father.” She raises her eyebrows.

  “Do I have to go back out there and dance in front of everyone?” I whine.

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Can’t you go for me? I’ll hide in here until the last guest leaves. Please Amber?” I beg her.

  “Nope. You did this to yourself. Go get what you bid on.” She slaps my ass and pushes me back out to the gala.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Summer

  Dante and Luca hover outside the entry to the grand ballroom, their threatening glares intimidating and fixated on me. I link my arms in Amber’s for support or protection, or both. I swallow my nerves as we approach them. Dante’s eyes rake over me and a wicked smirk appears on his perfect face.

  “What are you up to, freshman?” Luca’s voice cuts through me.

  “Nothing.” I squirm under his accusing gaze.

  “Your stupidity astounds me.” He shakes his head.

  “Stop it, Luca. Enzo made her do it. He is the one who needs to wear the repercussions.” Amber tries to steer me away from them.

  “Not so fast.” Dante blocks the doorway.

  I gaze up at him, his mouth is set in a thin line and he looks as though he is considering his next words carefully.

  “You will pay for this, freshman. In the most degrading way,” he growls at me.

  “Enough,” Enzo’s voice booms from behind his sidekicks.

  Both Lucca and Dante turn in his direction, wearing looks of annoyance and surprise.

  “I’ll deal with this. You two are dismissed.” His voice is laced with anger.

  The two men stand there glaring at him, unsure if he is serious.

  “Now.” Enzo grits his teeth.

  Dante turns to face me, taking me in from head to toe. “You’ll pay for this, freshman,” he spits before stalking off into the ballroom with Luca storming after him.

  “I’m going to go over there.” Amber scurries after her two cousins, obviously glad to be out of ear shot.

  “What have you made me do?” I worry.

  He takes my hand in his. “Nothing will happen to you. They’re all talk. It’s me that is going to pay for this.” He squeezes my hand.

  “Pay?” I look at him alarmed.

  “Don’t worry about me,” he chuckles.

  Over his shoulder I see an older man approaching, the anger on his face, as he glares at Enzo, is palpable. Enzo follows my line of vision and turns so he is facing the older man, with half his back covering me.

  “Fuck,” he breathes.

  I want to turn and run back to the bathrooms but I hover behind Enzo and watch as the older man comes to stand a foot away from us. His eyes leave Enzo for a moment and regard me with curiosity. He is dressed impeccably in an expensive tuxedo, his raven hair slicked back and his dark eyebrows frame his handsome face.

  “Son.” He gazes at Enzo, eyebrows arched.

  My heart flips in my chest and I feel as though I may vomit.

  “Yes.” Enzo remains calm.

  “Are you going to introduce me to this lovely young lady or are you going to continue hiding her?” His eyes return to me.

  I step out from behind Enzo, swallow my nerves and hold out my hand. “Hello sir, I’m Summer.” I smile at him.

  “Nice to meet you, Summer. I’m Salvatore.” He takes my hand in his and gently squeezes it.

  Enzo snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me against his side. I stand there confused and uncomfortable, but manage to keep the smile on my face.

  “We need to go, the dance is about to start.” Enzo squeezes my waist.

  “About that, son.” Salvatore scratches his chin.

  “It was my idea, she had nothing to do with it.” Enzo looks his father in the eyes.

  “Well, she has everything to do with it, son. The Capelli family are not happy with this turn of events. They have already left and now what do we do?” Salvatore puts his hands in his pockets, waiting for an answer.

  “I’ll fix it,” Enzo spits.

  I stand in silence, watching the two men exchange words, both extra careful not to reveal information not safe for unwanted ears.

  “And how do you suppose you will do that?” Salvatore raises an eyebrow.

  “How the fuck should I know? I never wanted what you had planned in the first place,” Enzo seethes.

  “Watch your language.” Salvatore’s tone is quiet but lethal. “You are well aware of how this family operates. Live with it.” He grabs Enzo’s shoulder.

  “Have I let you down before?” Enzo spits and shrugs out of father’s grip.

  Salvatore’s eyes land on me after that question and I feel like the answer is a definite yes. My heart sinks and I now know that Enzo and I can never be, not in this lifetime or the next.

  “Leave her out of this,” Enzo fumes before taking my hand in his and pulling me after him. My heart stammers in my chest as I take one last look at the most dangerous man in this city and hope I never have to face him again.

  “You should have left her alone, Enzo,” Salvatore calls after us.

  “How much shit are you in?” I look up at him as we wait behind the curtains for the dance to begin.

  His eyes meet mine and he pulls me into him, his hands gripping my waist. “Don’t worry about me, Summer.” He shakes his head before leaning down and kissing me.

  I’m taken by surprise by his very public display of affection. I can hear whispers from the other’s waiting behind us and dare a glance their way once Enzo lets go of me. I come face to face with looks of hostility from the women, they stand and glare at us as though I’ve done them an injustice. I turn to the stage when the MC announces the highest bidders and their winnings are to enter and find their places on the stage.

  Enzo grabs my hand and pulls me onto the stage, a roar of cheers and whistles erupts and fills the ballroom. I swallow my nerves and glance at the guests as the music starts up.

  Enzo’s hand finds my waist and I take in a sharp breath as he twirls me on the spot. A mischievous grin lights up his face. “Focus on me.”

  We begin to waltz around the stage and I notice the other couples stealing envious glances at us. “Why is everyone pissed at me?” I whisper as we circle around.

  Enzo pulls me closer and leans in toward me. “If you haven’t noticed, every made man and his henchmen are in attendance tonight. You outbidding the New York bitch has e
veryone on edge.”

  I stare into his eyes. “No, I hadn’t noticed. I never even knew you all existed,” I confess.

  Enzo chuckles darkly, “naïve little freshman.”

  I glare at him.

  “The other families are wondering what my father is up to, now that you bid on me.” His eyes glow with excitement.

  “But you told me to.” We spin close to the edge of the stage.

  “They don’t know that.” He winks.

  “Please explain.” He leads me to the back of the stage.

  He scans the stage before he speaks. “I have managed to damage the trust between the Providence outfit and the New York outfit. They need us more than we need them, so it’s nothing to worry about.”

  I stare at him in astonishment. He speaks of his families corruption as though it’s normal and not morally wrong. I can never let my dad know what I have entangled myself in, he would have them all jailed without blinking an eye.

  “Say something.” Enzo squeezes my waist as he leads us around the back of the stage.

  “I’m surprised that’s all. My upbringing makes me question your morals.” I look down at his chest.

  “Police are the most corrupt organisation,” He accuses and I snap my eyes up to meet his. “You’d be surprised the things your dad has done to keep his name spotless to the outside world.”

  I am appalled by his accusation. “I don’t think so.” I glare at him.

  His dark chuckle infuriates me and he pulls me into him. “I know for a fact,” his voice is laced with malice.

  “I’m not having this conversation with you. Not everyone is like you and your family.” I try to pull away from him but he holds me firm.

  “Have I angered you, freshman?” His eyes light up with excitement.

  “No.” I look to the crowd.

  “You are fucking adorable when you’re pissed.” He leans into me, his mouth inches from my neck. “I’m going to fuck you tonight.”

  His words send heat to my core and I can’t help but fall under his spell, again. The music fades and the guests all stand to cheer and clap. Enzo holds my hand in his and he bows to the guests which makes them cheer louder. I stand there like a deer in headlights gazing at the table where the other bidder sat, the entire table now empty. A feeling of dread creeps into the pit of my stomach and I try not to think about what I have caused. Enzo pulls me after him, and we escape off the stage.