Filed to story: Bound by Honor (Aria & Luca) Drama Story
“I know you’re not stupid. But stupidity’s got nothing to do with it. Emotions follow their own rules.”
How would you know? I wanted to ask but kept the words to myself. As ridiculous as it may sound, Growl was perhaps my only alley at that party tonight. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Trish and Anastasia, even though I hoped we’d still be friends and they’d help me.
Cosimo’s house was smaller than Falcone’s but he, too, had a fountain in his driveway, although smaller than Falcone’s. When Growl and I entered the house, every pair of eyes zoomed in on us. Conversation died down, only to pick up a moment later, but this time behind held-up hands and with stolen glances in my direction. Everyone was talking about me. Heat rose up into my head, but I forced myself to stand tall and appear relaxed despite the urge to flee. Growl put his palm against my lower back and for a moment the gesture actually managed to relax me, but people quickly noticed the touch and I could almost hear their nasty words. I took a small breath and let Growl push me further into the room. Small tables with appetizers were spread out in the large living and dining area. I supposed Cosimo had chosen the same caterer as Falcone. He seemed very keen on imitating his boss in every way possible anyway.
And though everything seemed like a cheap copy of Falcone’s party, I caught myself wanting to be the hostess. This was supposed to be my engagement party. The happiest day of my life, at least for outward appearances. And now…
My eyes registered Anastasia and Cosimo at the end of the room, near a huge golden Champagne cooler. Anastasia wore a new floor-length silver gown that made her look like a princess. And beside her stood Cosimo in a dark suit, one arm wrapped around his fiancée’s waist. Bile rose up in my throat and the smile plastered on my face turned painful. I needed something to drink. Something strong. Growl seemed to read my mind because a moment later, a glass with red wine appeared in front of my face. The other women drank champagne or white wine, so I was surprised by his choice.
“Red is supposed to calm people down. Maybe you too.”
I could have kissed him then. I’d have never expected something as thoughtful from a man like him. But my moment of peace was short-lived as we made our way toward Falcone who acted like he was the host of this evening, making grand gestures with his arms and laughing the loudest while the people gathered around him tried to act like he was actually saying something funny.
I took a big gulp of wine, praying it would calm me quickly before I did something that would prevent me from ever getting the chance to see my mother and sister again. I couldn’t lose it tonight. There would be time for revenge one day, but not at this party.
Growl’s grip on my back tightened when we stopped in front of Falcone as if he was trying to warn me.
“Nice party, boss,” Growl commented.
Falcone smiled broadly. “Not my party, sadly. Cosimo did a good job. He’s trying to impress his little lady.” Finally, his cold eyes settled right on me, boring into my own eyes, triumphant and taunting. My fingers tightened on my glass but I forced my face to remain calm. I doubted I was successful. Practically every inch of me was burning with hatred, with the need to make this man in front of me suffer.
“I hope you are as happy for your friend and Cosimo as everyone else,” he said falsely.
Say something. Say something. But all I could think about was if it was possible to smash the glass and cut Falcone’s throat with one of the shards before any of the men around us would come to his help.
Growl would probably be the first to save his boss.
“I’m happy,” I forced myself to say but the words sounded fake even to my own ears. Falcone sneered, then he turned back to Growl. “I’m surprised you managed to tear yourself out of bed. But even you, my Bull, need a pause now and then, eh?” Falcone clapped Growl’s shoulder in a gesture meant for buddies. “I hope you’re still satisfied with your gift. Otherwise there’s still another sister for you to try if you grow tired of this one.”
“Talia? Where is she?” I blurted before I could control myself. The triumphant expression on Falcone’s face told that he’d gotten what he wanted. He knew exactly where to push my buttons. He wouldn’t give me the answers I wanted.
Growl squeezed my side in warning again but it was too late. I pressed my lips together and had to fight back tears. Falcone was a worse monster than Growl.
“I won’t grow tired of Cara,” Growl said.
Falcone’s smile turned lewd as his gaze traveled the length of me. “That good, is she? Maybe I should have kept her for myself then.” He laughed.
Growl didn’t say anything. His face was stone, and his grip on my waist painful. I glared at Falcone, hoping he could see the promise in my eyes.
You will die.
His smile widened only, but my resolve was set. I wouldn’t stop until that man was lying at my feet dead. I hated blood and death, but I would watch every second while the life drained out of his body and relish it.
Growl seemed to sense the growing danger. “We need to go to the happy couple now.”
“Yes, you should,” Falcone said but his eyes never left me.
I shuddered when we had walked a few steps away from him.
“You need to be more careful,” Growl murmured.
I glanced up at him. His gaze was set straight ahead, expression stony. People watched him with fear and revulsion, but he didn’t care. The only man who could control Growl was Falcone and that scared me senseless. “Don’t give me to him.”
Growl frowned down at me. “What are you talking about?”
“To Falcone. Don’t give me to him,” I whispered.
Realization flashed across Growl’s face, then determination. “Never. You are mine. He won’t take you away from me.”
“Are you sure? He’s your boss. He could tell you to give me to him.” It was a surprising twist of fate that I preferred being Growl’s possession, but anything was better than belonging to Falcone.
“You are mine,” Growl repeated and then he stopped and I noticed that we’d arrived at the end of a line of people who were waiting to congratulate Cosimo and Anastasia.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Cara
I exhaled slowly. I needed to get a grip. I’d nearly lost it in front of Falcone. At least in front of my treacherous asshole of an ex-fiancé I wanted to keep my cool. He didn’t need to know how broken I was. Anastasia was busy not looking my way but even she must have realized that I’d arrived at the party. Everyone had fallen silent at our arrival after all, and Anastasia had always had ears and eyes for gossip. But her ignoring me gave me the chance to sort my thoughts and calm myself. I sipped at my red wine. The alcohol was starting to relax me. It wasn’t surprising that so many people in our circles were alcoholics. This life could often only be tolerated drunk.
Cosimo’s eyes briefly came to a stop on me and I froze with the glass against my lips. Slowly I lowered it, but then Cosimo looked away. His face had been emotionless. There hadn’t even been pity or anything really. He truly couldn’t care less about me. Why that still surprised me, I wasn’t sure. After all, he’d acted no different when he and Falcone had come to my family’s house to ruin our lives.
There was only one couple in front of us now, and my palms became sweaty with nerves. This was perhaps my only chance to talk to Anastasia and find out the truth. Growl leaned down, his warm lips brushing my ear and I couldn’t stop myself from remembering how his lips had felt on other parts of my body. I shivered.