The sound of music and loud laughter hit me, and I was able to dissect just how many people were down there. Twenty or more, maybe? As we emerged from the stairs, my eyes flared and unease filled my belly. I gazed around, slowly taking in the setting.
Red L.E.D lights hung from the ceiling, and wide couches were spread out around the room, along with a mini-bar on one side of the room and a long pool table on the other. Smoke lingered throughout the air, tingling my nostrils. Music was playing low from a speaker somewhere in the room, though I couldn't exactly tell where.
Eli was sitting on one of the couches, a pretty blonde girl on his lap as he enjoyed a slice of pizza and a beer. He was surrounded by a group of people, each of them in their own world, smoking and laughing together. They sort of looked like teenagers enjoying life, and it took me a moment to realize I was their age, too.
I averted my gaze and paused as my eyes landed on the pool table again. Amo lined his stick up with the balls and narrowed his eyes in concentration, taking his time to shoot. He ended up shooting three balls into the top left corner pocket, including the cue ball. "I hate this fucking game." He threw his arms up into the air and shook his head, cursing low under his breath.
"Nah, the game just hates you." Nico laughed, getting ready to shoot next, but as if feeling my stare, he picked his head up and sent me a wicked smirk. He still made me feel weird, and out of all of them, he was the one I didn't trust the most. I had a feeling he wanted to murder me.
I heard Knight's laugh coming from across the room, where he was playing a drinking game with Levi and two other young-looking guys. Seeing them all like this, it was the most fascinating thing to me. Just the other day, I'd witnessed a man get killed at their hands-- even if they weren't the ones doing the killing. The Cosa Nostra was their life, and it was hard for me to remember that they were all young. Crime and illegal dealing in the underground wasn't all they did.
I finally noticed Ronan sitting on the other couch, a deep frown on his face as he watched some race on the flatscreen TV mounted on the wall. There was a girl sitting close beside him with her hands fisted together, looking like she wanted to strangle someone. She looked about his age, with porcelain-like skin and the lightest shade of white hair I'd ever seen. His eyes connected with mine, and with a small smirk, he nodded towards me in acknowledgement. I winked back, waving my hand back and forth.
"Where's the bathroom?" I turned to Luciano, who was still standing behind me with his back leaned against the wall. He was watching me, the expression on his face cold and bored looking. He looked past me and gazed around the room, and I watched as the butt of his cigarette glowed bright red as it hung loosely between his lips.
His gaze landed on me again, but he was silent as if he was thinking over something, and then he tipped his chin towards the empty hallway to my right, "Down there." His tongue swept out, wetting his bottom lip, and I got the glimpse of silver coming from his piercing. Lord, help me.
"But where—"
"I'll show you." I whipped my head around and stared wide-eyed at Nico, who was suddenly right beside my shoulder, a little too close for my liking. When his hazel eyes met mine, he smirked. He was aware of how uncomfortable he made me, and he liked it.
"Ah," I clicked my tongue to the roof of my mouth. "You know what? I think I'm good." I gave him my sweet little smile. The one I knew he hated.
"One might think you don't like me, kitty."
"Now what would give you that idea, Nicolas? Who wouldn't like you?"
"I don't know. I'm lovely." He shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest.
I couldn't help the smile I cracked. When I looked over to Luciano again, he was simply watching me. His face was dead of any emotion, but he seemed to be deep in thought as he stared at my face, at my cheeks, my lips. My heart had lodged itself to the bottom of my ass, my skin erupting into a million little goosebumps. His dark eyes finally shifted to Nico, and I watched, almost amazed, as a silent conversation passed between the two of them.
During my time here, I'd realized that the two were close. I wouldn't even call them best friends, because it was more than just that. It was like a brotherhood.
With a chuckle, Nico glanced at me again and gestured to the hallway. "Let's go." And only because I really had to pee, I stepped aside and followed him. The hallway was long, dimly lit, and narrow. I stared at the back of Nico's head with deep distrust, wishing I could get into his head. Though, I'm not sure I'd be happy with what I found inside. "Staring isn't gonna make me disappear." He said, still facing forward. I could practically hear the grin in his voice.
I hummed lowly, "Okay, so what do I have to do, then? Pour holy water on you and shove a cross in your face?" I paused. "Or do I have to call a priest?"
His shoulders shook as he laughed, and he stopped in front of a door. "I doubt that'll work, but you can go places with an imagination like that." He opened the door, revealing a large bathroom.
I rolled my eyes. Go places like where? Hell?
When I went to step inside the bathroom, he reached out and grabbed the doorhandle, blocking me from entering. With a sigh of irritation, I stopped and tilted my head back to meet his eyes, my face blank. "Listen, I can either be your best friend or your worse fucking nightmare, Sam." His change of tone made me frown, and the expression on his face was suddenly cold and a wee bit scary. "I don't trust you, but the choice is yours."
I didn't trust him either, but I had a feeling his reason for not trusting me had very little to do with how we first met and a lot to do with something entirely different, as if he knew something I didn't.
"The choice is mine?" I repeated, somehow managing to make my voice sound bored and neutral. Nico didn't scare me, but I was wary of him. He was like the anxious calm that washed over an angry sky before everything went to shit and it rained down on you.
"Always will be." And then he removed his hand and walked away without sparing me so much as a glance.
I was taught to determine just how dangerous a person was from the way they held their anger inside them. Nico held his quietly.
I walked inside the bathroom and shut the door behind me quietly, the air conditioning breezing through the vents, causing me to shiver. My hair tickled my skin as it fell down my shoulders, and I picked my hands up and gazed down at the bandages covering my palms. I attempted to make a fist, trying to determine my level of pain.
It wasn't anything I couldn't sleep off.
I turned towards the sink and glanced up at my face in the mirror. My long dark hair was disheveled and messy, sticking up all over my head. I loosened my ponytail and quickly re-did it, laughing at myself because honestly, I was pathetic.
And I couldn't really do anything but laugh.
I'd felt so much in the past few hours— few years, that I'd adapted to not feeling anything. I liked it that way. I had to be strong, even if I was faking it. And lately, I've been scared. I acted like I knew what I was doing but I really didn't.
I quickly used the restroom and did my best to wash my hands. Wiping my hands on my shorts, I then slipped out of the bathroom into the empty hallway. I could hear the music playing, the bass tingling my feet. I also realized, with a small sigh, that I was still in my socks. No shoes. I'd wondered if any of the people who saw me earlier had asked themselves, Which mental institution did Spade pick her up from?
Flipping the hood to Luciano's hoodie over my head, I was about to continue walking down the hallway when another door opened, and out popped a brown haired male with his pants hanging low around his waist as he tried to buckle his belt. When he spotted me, he paused, taking a moment to rake his eyes over my body. And then he smirked, "Well, damn. If this is the reward I get after getting high and being constipated, I think I'll do it more often."
He was a pretty guy. Gorgeous even. His features were gentle and almost woman-like. He had a small nose, plump lips, soft skin, and long eyelashes that framed two different colored eyes. Brown and blue. No tattoos in sight, but a few piercings. I stared at him, almost fascinated.
"What reward?"
"A sexy chick like you, obviously." He was obviously not just high and constipated, but drunk too. I bet he couldn't even see straight.
I laughed huskily, "Oh, well sorry to disappoint, but I'm not a girl."
"What?" His mouth dropped open. I smiled cheekily, watching with amusement as he dragged his hooded eyes back up my body from my socks, a hard frown on his face. "Not a girl, huh?" He muttered.
"Nope, all male over here." I gestured to myself. "I've got a purple penis with pretty little sparkles on the tip. It's pierced, too." I deadpanned. "I can whip it out for you?"
I saw him visibly relax, laughing throatily as he sagged against the wall. "Sure. I don't know what you were trying to accomplish there, but boys do it for me too, princess."
I cocked an eyebrow, "Really?"
"I don't discriminate. I just like sex." He shrugged.
"Huh," I paused, scrutinizing him with a grin. "Sounds like you're asking for an STD. This is why we say no to drugs."
"Perhaps. We say perhaps to drugs."
I threw my head back and laughed.
"I'm Wolfe."
"Samantha." I replied.
He barked out a laugh and his eyes widened as if he was realizing something. "Oh, so you're Sam?" He pointed his finger in my face and I swatted his hand away, scowling. "I've wondered what you'd look like. I mean, I'd thought Spade had gone batshit crazy-- more insane than usual," He paused, running his tongue over his bottom lip. "But damn, I think I understand now."
I stiffened. "This isn't the way to get into my pants."
"Then what is the way?" He grinned, and it made him looo boyish. "Do I have to be flat out fucking scary and insane, and perhaps go by the name Spade? Because it turns out all the girls love that shit. And I'm not going to lie, he's one gorgeous motherfucker."
I sighed loudly. "You know, you're very annoying. Are you like this sober, too?" I cocked my head to the side.
"Nah. I'm quiet when I'm sober. Mean, too."
"I bet." I said dryly.
Wolfe tipped his head back and looked at the ceiling, his hand gripping the door handle tightly. I watched him carefully, and he kept his eyes up there as he said, "Don't tell anyone I'm crashing here."
"My lips are sealed." I acted like I was zipping my mouth closed, and then I threw away the key.
He dipped his head down to stare at me, and then he cracked the door open behind him. I couldn't really see inside, but I was almost sure it was a guest bedroom. "You better get back before they start looking for you." He opened the door wider and then stepped inside the room, shutting the door with a grin before I could respond.
I stared at the door for a few seconds, and then with a shrug, I turned around and continued walking. When I emerged from the hallway, my eyes immediately landed on Spade. Like a damn magnet. I couldn't really blame myself, because anyone with good sense and two eyes could look at everyone here and point out who ran shit. He was feral, and it was obvious in the way he carried himself.
He was seated on one of the couches, his legs spread wide as he ran his thumb over his bottom lip, eyes trained on me.
I swallowed.
I hated the way he looked at me, as if he was peering inside my soul. It was almost as if he could see past my exterior and was clawing his way deeper and deeper inside until every little ugly part of me was raw and open for him to see. And the worst part? Instead of shoving me away and being repulsed, he was challenged.
As if he wanted to see just how far he could push me.
Even when I tried to look away, his eyes clinging to my skin caused me to seek him out again.
He didn't look happy, and I guess in his defense he never really did, but he didn't really look angry either. He was just...empty and cold. He was gorgeous, making me really believe the devil came in all shapes and forms. His beauty was just a guise to hide the darkness that swam underneath the surface.
I forced myself to look away from him, and I glanced at the girl by his side, at her hand on his knee. I stared longer than intended, suddenly feeling as though cotton was on my tongue. She had her body pressed against his side, as close as one could get.
The butt of his cigarette glowed an angry red as he inhaled, and I watched him, our eyes locked in some intense, heated stare down.
He raised his eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes.
I glanced at Eli, who was sitting near. There was an ashtray with sorted lines of snow on the coffee table in front of him, and I watched as he rolled up a hundred-dollar bill and used it to quickly snort a line. When he looked up and our eyes met, he sat up straight and patted the free seat next to him.
I weighed my options, knowing there was no where else to sit. So with a shrug, I walked over and sank down on the couch right next to him. He side-eyed me, casting a glance towards the bandages on my palms. "You okay?"
I looked up at him, seeing how dilated his pupils were. His eyes were brown, but right now, they looked black. "Yeah." I paused. "You?"
He grinned. "I'm peachy. You want some?" He gestured to the snow in front of him and before I could decline, another voice beat me to it, "No." That was all that was said, one word, but it held so much authority and displeasure that even Eli hesitated a little. Spade's voice was cold and detached, and when I looked over at him, his jaw was clenched hard.
"Okay, then. Can she at least drink?" Eli asked sarcastically, laughing.
"Yes, she can." I answered for myself, because, well, I was a big girl and I didn't have to ask permission to do shit.
"I'll be right back. You good with beer?" Eli stood up.
"Yep." I nodded with a smile on my face, indulging in this game to piss Spade off as much as Eli wanted to.
"How about you, Nissa?" He nodded at the girl beside Spade, who shook her head with a seductive smile.
"No, I'm fine."
Eli nodded, winked at me, and then left. But soon as he was gone, the girl turned her head in my direction to glare at me.
"If you're going to stare, Nissan, at least introduce yourself." I muttered without looking at her.
I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth, rolling my piercing back and forth between my teeth.
"If you're going to stare, at least introduce yourself." I muttered without looking at her. I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth, rolling my piercing back and forth between my teeth.
"It's Nissa." She growled.
I shrugged.
The girl scowled at me, but before she could respond, Eli was back, plopping down on the couch and removing her face from my line of vision. He handed me a cold beer, already opened, and apparently he had one for himself, too. "Thanks." But I didn't drink any yet. I just stared down at the bottle, my hands sweaty and wet.
Spade remained quiet, not seeming to take any interest in anyone anymore. His arm was draped over the back of the couch, and he sucked on his cigarette with a frown on his face. He looked bored, a little pissed off, but lost deep in thought. That was, until Eli opened his mouth again, "Is Sam supposed to be coming with us to Boston?"
Spade's hard eyes snapped to Eli, his jaw ticking. No one spoke, and the air shifted, so I took a sip of the beer in my hands and cleared my throat, "What's in Boston?"
"Charity event." Spade inhaled the smoke from his cigarette before blowing it out through his nostrils.
I looked at him, surprised he even decided to speak. I cocked my eyebrows, a little wary, "And I have to go?"
"Haven't decided yet." He rasped, flicking his zippo on and off.
"Why would I have to go in the first place?"
"You don't get to ask questions, angel." His eyes met mine, and I was taken aback for a second. So dark and brutal. "You just do, yeah?"
I scowled at him. I hated this. Hated how I was supposed to do whatever it was he told me to until my brother's debt was paid. I hated it all. Instead of answering, I just tipped my head back and took another large sip of beer.
"Levi's step-sister, Dove, can help you pick out a dress. I heard you two were friends. It'll give you both something to do." Eli offered.
"Oh, so I can't ask questions but I can pick out my own dress. How nice." I said, my voice dripping of sarcasm. "And here I thought, you'd want to dress me like a hooker again."
Eli laughed beside me.
I gritted my teeth together so hard that my jaw started to ache painfully.
On the bright side of things, I'd get to see Dove again. The worse part, though? I'd have to endure another night like the last, and hopefully not be mistaken as a whore this time and have to wash another man's blood off my skin.
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