by S. C. Ellen
A sense of overwhelming happiness swells in my chest. He remembered. “When do we leave?” I ask, not trying to mask my delight. I can’t believe I’m finally going to see it in person!
“Our flight is at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, and we return at midnight the same day. I’m sorry it’s a short trip, but it’s a trip, nonetheless.”
“But what about my job?”
“I already put in a request with your boss to take it off, and she had no problem with it.”
My cheeks hurt from how hard I’m smiling. He always thinks of everything. I’m not too disappointed over the day trip either. Of course, I’d prefer to stay there a couple of days to take in everything the city has to offer, but I’m grateful anyway.
“I heard New York is absolutely beautiful this time of year! The decorations, the Rockettes, and the Rockefeller skating rink. I can’t wait!”
A hint of apology flashes across Carson’s gaze. “We won’t have enough time to do everything since I still have business to attend to, but we’ll figure something out.”
My smile wavers for a moment. Of course, we’re only going for business, it was always about the business. “Yeah, we’ll figure something out.”
I won’t hold my breath, though, it’s better to prepare myself now for disappointment rather than when I’m there, watching all the happy people enjoying the holiday season with their loved ones.
We dance in silence for a few more songs until dinner is served and we all take our seats.
My father and mother joined us at the head of the table, while Carson takes the seat next to me. Mindless conversation flows all throughout dinner, and it isn’t until the dessert is served that suddenly the lights dim, and a spotlight hit the center stage as Father Salvatore regards the crowd. “If I could just have everyone’s attention for a brief moment,” he bellows into the microphone. The crowd grows silent, and everyone respectfully turns to the attention of the priest. “I just wanted to thank you all for coming out to the annual Christmas Gala this year. We are overjoyed this holiday season, not only in celebration for our Lord, but for the miracles this season seems to bring.” Father Salvatore clears his throat, and takes out a small card from his pocket, reading it off. “Speaking of miracles, we wanted to thank this year’s contributor for granting us the largest donation we have ever received that will go toward funding a new nationwide, non-profit organization that helps troubled youth get the attention and care they need to live a successful and deserving life. The parish and I send our greatest regards to the man who donated over one million dollars to the foundation, Mr. Carson Granvil.”
My eyes widen at the priest’s words and lock on Carson. There’s a brief moment that passes between us where a hint of his soul appears, and I see the unrestrained compassion it holds. Of course, it’s gone as soon as he regards the crowd that is now erupting into earsplitting cheers and applause. I know why he donated so much to the foundation. It’s because he knows exactly what the effects of a tortured, young mind can do to a person later on in life.
He stands from his chair, acknowledging the crowd with a brief nod, and I can’t help but stare in awe of him. He must have felt it, too, because he turns to me with eyes that hold a building desire that I know match my own.
Once the crowd calms down and everyone takes their seats again, my father places a reassuring hand on Carson’s shoulder. “You did good, son. I know your money will be put to great use in saving many young lives from following the same path that life has dealt them. I will make sure of it.”
Carson nods, “Thank you, Vin. I know I wouldn’t be half the man I am today without you. It was the least I could do.”
My father’s wrinkled expression softens, and they both clink their glasses together in salut.
Lance suddenly appears at the table with a familiar-looking brunette hanging off of his arm. My eyes squint together, remembering the last time I set eyes on her, and how she looks like she’s lost more weight than the last time I saw her. Like the past few months have not been kind to her after I got roofied and nearly kidnapped.
“That was awfully sweet of you, Carson,” Nina sings, running a dainty hand across his shoulder. My eyes stay glued onto her as she makes a pathetic display of flirting again. Her poorly manicured fingers rub along his shoulder blades, and I want to immediately rip them off of him. “Just as sweet as Lance inviting me to join him tonight. Isn’t that right, Lance?”
Lance stares at her with a wide-eyed expression, totally oblivious to the fact that she’s obviously all over Carson. “It’s my pleasure, Nina.”
She giggles with fake amusement, taking her hands off of Carson—finally—and placing them on Lance’s chest. “Quite the gentleman you are, sweet Lance. So different than the ones I messed around with before, isn’t that right, Carson?” Her hazel eyes are bright with mischief as she looks back at Carson.
His expression is unreadable as he regards her, and I silently wish I could have had a better look at what his eyes are showing. “Was there something that you needed, Nina? Otherwise, I have other pressing matters to attend to.”
Her expression turns angered, “Why do I need a reason to speak to you, Carson? You never complained about my presence before.” I can’t help it, I laugh out loud at how pathetic this girl is. Does she really not see how sorry she looks? Her eyes suddenly glance off of Carson, and lands on me, holding a look of pure and unadulterated hatred. “It’s because of her, isn’t it? She is the reason, isn’t she, Carson!” Her tone is starting to draw attention in our direction. Thankfully, however, my father had excused himself a few minutes prior to speak to another one of his business associates.
I open my mouth to say something, but Carson’s menacing tone stops me. “Lance, I suggest you take Nina home. Now.”
Lance looks at him in question, still oblivious to what was even going on in front of him. He’s so lovesick over Nina he doesn’t even realize she’s only using him to try and make Carson jealous. “Uh, yeah, man. No worries.”
My eyes follow them as Lance guides Nina toward the exit. Before she leaves, though, she gives me one last scathing look that sends a message to me.
I send her one back that tells her ‘Bring it on’.
Alayna
I stare at the door, long after they left, just waiting for Nina to come back for another go.
It isn’t until I hear Carson’s voice at my ear that I finally snap out of it. “Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, mio angelo.”
I pick up my wine, feigning innocence with the shrug of my shoulders. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His eyebrows cock together in amusement. “Oh, you don’t, do you?”
“Not a clue.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Alayna.”
“I never claimed to be a good one.”
His hand reaches for my thigh under the table, sending a spike of heat right to my core. “Don’t compare yourself to her, Alayna. You’re a diamond amongst measly gems.”
His words comfort me, but that doesn’t stop the plaguing question that slips from my mouth. “But you fucked her, didn’t you?”
He removes his hand, and his expression darkens. “Yes, I fuck a lot of women, Alayna. It doesn’t ever mean anything. Don’t mistake me for that kind of man.”
A gasp escapes me, and I can’t help it, a hurt-filled expression fills my features at his words. The times I let him have me never meant anything to him? Is that what he’s saying to me?
His face contorts in a grimace, “Alayna I—”
I get up from the chair, stopping him from saying anything else. “Just don’t, okay?”
He tries to reach out for me, but I dodge his attempt. “Alayna, would you just—”
A man steps in front of me with his wife, blocking my view of Carson, and greets him. “It’s Carson, isn’t it? My name is John Landle, and this is my beautiful wife Crystal. We just wanted to introduce ourselves and hopefully work together on some land opportunities I ha
ve…”
I take that as my moment to escape. I make my way toward the deserted hallway, and into the restroom. Thankfully, it’s a single stall, so I’m able to avoid running into anyone who might ask questions I don’t have the answers to, and I can be alone for a few minutes.
I stand in front of the gold-trimmed mirror, letting out a long sigh. I should have known better than to fall for a man that I knew could never share the same feelings back. It was pathetic to even try, and I’m a fool to believe that I could ever change him. The worst part about it is I can’t even blame him for it. He warned me time and time again that we would never work. That we were nothing more than a business transaction.
My life would be so much easier if I could just accept that, push him away, and never think anything more about him, but I know I can’t. My heart won’t let me think otherwise about Carson no matter how bad I want it to. I hate the way I feel about him, and I hate even more how I can’t do anything to stop it.
As my reflection stares back at me from the restroom mirror, I can see the truth in my expression that I can’t deny any longer. I’m undoubtedly in love with Carson, and it’s completely hopeless.
Still, a naïve part of me wants to believe otherwise. I know I got past his heavy guard and knocked down some of his strong barriers, so doesn’t that count for something?… Anything?
Turning on the faucet, I let the water run cold and place my hands under the stream. It cools me down just enough to ease any strained expression left on my face. Once I’m finally ready to head back into the dining room, I open the door of the restroom, and find Tessa standing outside of it looking like she’s been crying.
I immediately go to her. “Does this have something to do with what you and Jase were talking about on the dancefloor?”
Tessa sighs, catching a few of her tears with her thumb. “He told me he loved me. And I told him I loved him back, but I couldn’t be with him because of who he is.”
My heart breaks, not only for her, but for my brother, as well. Their relationship is as doomed as mine was.
“Oh, Tessa, I’m so sorry.” I hug her and let her cry on my shoulder.
“I hate this, Alayna, I hate this so much. I know there’s only one way out of this life, and it’s not because of love.”
She’s right, the only way out of this life is death, no matter how bad you want out. There’s no such thing as escaping or running away. Once you made the oath or were born into this family, you were pledged forever.
“Have you ever considered just accepting it? Accepting him?”
Tessa turns to me, her expression one of anger. “I would never be okay with what he does. That’s no way to start and raise a family. I can’t have my father’s fate happen to Jase one day. We both saw what that did to my mother, she’s been deteriorating ever since. Not to mention Liliana’s father.”
I understand exactly what she means, but what does that make me? I’d have no problem being with the person I loved if roles were reversed. Would that make me selfish? Or naïve? I know the chances I’d be taking, but isn’t that what love is about? Taking chances?
“The worst thing about it is that I know deep down Jase doesn’t want this life. It was forced upon him, and he can’t stop it. He’s used to it now, but sometimes I sit and think what if we were normal people? What if he wasn’t the son of a mafia boss?”
I stop her with a shake of my head, “You can’t afford to think like that, Tessa, it does no good to think about the what ifs. This life is all he knows, and all we know.” I pause before continuing, “Have you at least tried to move on?”
She laughs bitterly. “Of course I have, but it all comes back to him. Everything comes back to him.” She winces slightly, and it’s at that moment where I understand her completely.
A minute passes before she gives a swift shake of her head, clearing her thoughts. “You should go back to the party, Al. I think you have enough to deal with as it is. I don’t want my own soap opera adding to it.”
I roll my eyes, “You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember, Tess. Your problems are my problems, and I’ll always be here to help you through them, no matter what I’m going through.”
She wraps me in a tight hug. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Al.” After a few moments, she pulls back and straightens out her dress. “Now go, I’ll meet you back inside once I’ve cleaned myself up.”
“Meet me by the bar when you’re finished. I’ll have five rounds of shots with your name on them. You deserve it.”
She chuckles, “Damn right I do!”
I’m about to make my way over to the bar when I hear a commotion coming from the front entrance of the hall. I hear the sounds of a few men grunting, followed by complete silence. I’ve had enough excitement for one night, so I take that as my cue to run back inside the party and mind my own business. I’ve almost reached the bar when my heel gets caught on the bottom hem of my dress and I nearly go flying across the room. A strong, masculine hand catches me before I fall right on my face, steadying me.
I look up at the man, gratefully, but halt in my tracks as I take all of him in. He’s built the same as Carson but with a bit more of a height advantage. He has a thick neck, with a head to match. His midnight hair is styled to perfection. His eyes are a mystifying shade of blue, with one accompanying a faint scar that starts across his right eyebrow. He has a hint of stubble around his full lips, and is dressed well in a tight, fitted black suit.
He’s the kind of man you want to be seen around because the air surrounding him is one of wealth and fierce dominance.
“Easy, beautiful.” The man’s deep, heavily accented voice flows out of him and creeps into my bones, causing a sudden dread to fill my senses. I know exactly where that accent was from, and it wasn’t one I’d ever expect to run into again, especially here.
The Russian man holds onto me with a dangerous look in his eyes, and fear has me swaying in my heels once again.
“I’m sorry. I should be getting back…” I begin, trying to remove myself from his grasp, but he only holds on tighter.
“Nonsense. You look like you were headed to the bar. The least I can do is buy you a drink, yes?”
“Uh… Sure. Thank you.” I only agree because something tells me this man isn’t used to hearing the word ‘no,’ and I don’t want to be the first one who told him so. Not to mention, going back inside of the party meant someone was bound to see us, and can hopefully save me from him!
He grins, and I can silently hear the “good girl” he doesn’t voice but is evident in his expression. He wraps a hand around me and leads us to the bar. Once we reach it, he turns, waiting for me to tell the bartender what I would like. My eyes are silently asking for help, but my mouth tells the worker to go with a simple Cosmo, and he orders himself a glass filled with nothing but ice and vodka. He mindlessly tips the bartender with a wad of cash and clinks his glass with mine.
“Za zdorovye…to health,” he says as we both take a sip of our drinks.
“To health.” I tightly smile back, willing my hand that is holding my drink to stop shaking so much.
He of course notices, and cockily leans on the bar edge, enjoying my panic. “Now tell me, with a beautiful face like that, it has to come with a beautiful name to match, no?”
I look around the room, trying to make eye contact with someone, so they could free me from this man. I am about to scream for help at this point before the Russian man gives me a look of warning that says, Don’t even think about it.
“My… My name is Alayna, and you are?”
He has a small smile playing on his face as he introduces himself. “Maksim, but you can call me Maks. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alayna.” He takes hold of my hand and places a gentle kiss on it.
I nearly die right there.
“It’s a pleasure, as well…Maks.” I lie, nervously biting on my lip.
He comes dangerously close to me and tugs at my bottom lip with his thu
mb. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“W-why’s that?” I whisper, too caught up in my fear and the intense air emanating from him that I am having a hard time registering what I’m actually doing.
He pulls back with a smirk, “Because your boyfriend looks like he’s about to commit murder.”
“My boyfriend?—” Before I have time to finish that sentence, Carson is right there in front of the man, giving him a glare that would have any man cowering in fear.
Except for this man, this man looks amused.
“Ah, if it isn’t Carson Granvil. To what do I owe this rude interruption?”
My stomach drops. “You two know each other?”
“You can say that.” Carson glances over at Maks with a look I can’t distinguish. “And you should know better.”
Maks put his arms up in surrender. “What? It was just some innocent fun, was it not?” A smirk appears on his face. “This is mutual ground if I remember correctly?”
“Shouldn’t you be in Russia fucking off somewhere?”
Growing more anxious with each passing second I take a deep intake of air,“Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?” I inadvertently ask out loud.
A terrifying sneer works its way across Maks’s face. “Did I forget to mention, beautiful? My name is Maksim…Maksim Vasiliev.”
My stomach drops for the second time tonight at the mere mention of his full name. “You mean…”
His eyes are now dilated to the point of black, and his expression turns sadistic at my realization. “Yes, Printsessa. Vasiliev. As in the most powerful and feared original bratva the world has ever seen, and I’m their leader.”
Alayna
“What are you doing here?” I ask, not caring if I sounded rude or not. This man is the enemy. How dare he come here and trap me!
“Hmmm. I think I like her, Carson. I might have to keep her for myself.” Maks knows exactly what game he’s playing. He’s trying to get under Carson’s skin, and Carson falls for it. He pushes me behind his back, shielding me from him.