Devotion

Chapter 8: That's What They All Say

Antonio, the man I'm supposed to basically seduce, sits hunched over at the bar drinking what appears to be whiskey. His short chopped hair is covered by a stereotypical pirate hat, but his outfit is just regular casual clothing. It's abundantly clear that he isn't enjoying the festivities as much as the other guests, so maybe I can use that to my advantage.

Sitting down on the stool next to him, I chew on the inside of my cheek debating how to casually strike up a conversation. My social experience when it comes to the opposite sex is limited. In high school I went to a handful of house parties, but after my parents died I kept everyone but Greg at bay. It felt easier to not get close to anyone because when they eventually left it wouldn't hurt as much.

"Not much of a partier?" I play with the pearls around my neck drawing attention to my chest. I have a feeling that a bit of cleavage and booze will have him singing like a canary. Antonio turns his head scanning me up and down, the eyepatch that I assume is part of his costume covers his right eye.

"You could say that." He lifts his glass up to his lips downing the rest of its contents. "Did your friends ditch you?" He smirks raising an eyebrow, his dark eyes staring me down. Did he see me with Felix? Oh god he probably saw us kiss. Wait, was the kiss part of Felix's plan the whole time. My heart drops at the high chance that all of that was an act for him.

"You could say that." I meet his smirk head on using his own words against him. "What about you? Did you come with a date?" I rest my elbow on the bar top placing my chin in my hand so I'm fully facing him now. He's relishing in the attention I'm giving him. It's clear in the way his breathing gets deeper, and the cocky smile that takes over his face.

"I like to keep my options open." He chuckles darkly, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I've argued with Felix countless times, sat across from Donella as she contemplated killing me, but Antonio as this emptiness in his eyes that scares me shitless.

"As you should." I giggle swallowing the bile that rise up my throat at my words. If I were in a club completely unaware of who Antonio was it wouldn't take more than one glance before I was out the door putting as much distance between us as possible. He's a different kind of dangerous, and I feel as if I'm testing fate just by talking to him.

"Let me buy you a drink." He raises his hand flagging down one of the numerous bartenders zipping around collecting drinks for the sea of tipsy partygoers. A red flag goes of in my mind reminding me of the small pill burning a hole in my bra. I need to be extremely careful of what drinks I except and who they are from. If it isn't Antonio to spike my drink a party thrown by a mafia leader is to have an endless list of potential predators.

"I should probably pace myself." I lick my lips adding a bit more of a sway to my movements to appear inebriated. He flags down the bartender anyway ordering two shots. Internally freaking the fuck out, I scan the crowd for Felix or Lucia. Hell I'll even take Donella if it means getting out of this.

"Here you go." Antonio slides one of the glasses to me with a sinister glint in his eye. If I drink the alcohol not only will I be jeopardizing my safety, this mission, being able to return back home, but also the promise I made to myself years back. "To Halloween." He cackles raising his glass, and I do the same taking a deep breath.

"Shit!" I yelp intentionally spilling my drink all over my chest and dress. Grabbing a few napkins off the bar top, I dab furiously at the mess I made praying that Antonio fell for it. "Aww I really liked this dress." I add a nasally effect to my voice further portraying the completely drunk look. Although I have never been drunk myself I've seen plenty of others.

"Here let me help." He stands up out of his chair swaying a little while reaching for more napkins. His eyes haven't strayed from the extra bit of cleavage peaking out from me pulling at the dress, so his motives of "helping" doesn't fool me.