Page 15 of Love to Defy You
“I know, but I insist.” Enzo holds a hand to his heart. “After all, a friend of Mikhail’s is a friend of mine.”
“I don’t need any more friends.”
I glance between Alek, whose murderous rage is licking at the edges of his dangerous persona, and Enzo, who is surprisingly unaffected by Alek’s wrath. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone stand up to Alek like this before.
But we’re attending Weltner College, a university that attracts wealthy and high-profile students from around the world. Heisn’t the only person whose father is—was—the leader of a country. Mikhail is the son of a Russian oligarch. Josie is the granddaughter of an earl, and Enzo is “well-acquainted” with the Prince of Lichtenstein, whatever that means. Alek is among his equals here. He doesn’t hold the same hierarchical power he did at the President’s Academy, where everyone quivered under his venomous gaze and palpable authority.
Enzo clears his throat. “Anyway, Mikhail, good to see you.” He shakes his hand. “Josie, great to see you as always. Aleksandr, Willow, I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”
“You’d better hope we don’t,” Alek warns.
Enzo gives a polite nod and walks away, leaving the four of us in an uneasy silence.
Mikhail sighs. “Why’d you do that, bro? Enzo Messina is one of the most powerful guys on campus.”
Alek glares at Enzo, who chats with a server at the bar and hands her a credit card. “I don’t care who he is.” He knits his brows together. “Wait... Messina? As in...?”
“Yes.” Mikhail nods.
“Um, excuse me.” I tread carefully to avoid drawing Alek’s ire to me. “What’s the big deal? So, he’s ‘acquainted’ with the Prince of Liechtenstein. Who cares? I didn’t even know it was a real country.”
Josie throws her head back and laughs. “Oh, that’s savage.”
“Lichtenstein is a real country,” Mikhail explains, his face relaxing into a broad grin. “In fact, Lichtenstein has the wealthiest monarchy in Europe.”
“Even richer than the king of England?” I ask.
Alek folds his arms. “More than double.”
“Okay, impressive,” I concede. “But Enzo isn’t royalty himself, right? So, what does it matter?”
Mikhail shares a look with Alek. “Well, see, Enzo’s mother is, um...”
“Enzo’s mother is known as the Sicilian Whore in elite social circles.” Alek slides into the booth beside me and rests his arm on the vinyl upholstery behind me. “She’s known for chasing after high-profile men with power and wealth. Often royals.”
“And Enzo’s mother went after the Prince of Liechtenstein?” I ask.
Mikhail takes his seat beside Josie. “She’s still with him... as his mistress. He’s married with children, but it’s an open secret that he prefers Amalia Messina’s Sicilian pussy.”
Josie smacks his arm. “Don’t be vulgar.”
He rubs the spot where she hit him. “Anyway, the prince provides Amalia and Enzo a very cushy lifestyle. It’s been that way for years. So, while Enzo isn’t related to the prince by blood, he certainly has his ear.”
“Lichtenstein shares a border with Switzerland,” Alek explains to me. “So the prince is very influential in this region and has extensive real estate holdings.” His words hold a bitter edge.
Mikhail leans across the table. “Look, Alek, I know you’re not one to admit you’re wrong, but he’s someone you want to get along with.”
“Nonsense.” Alek huffs. “He better stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of his.”
Mikhail chews on his lip as if he wants to say something else, but then he shakes his head. “Anyway, do you guys want to head to another bar? I know a place down the road with one of the best mixologists in Europe.”
“You two go ahead,” Alek says. “I need to have a chat with my girlfriend.”
Alek’s dark tone turns the air frigid. Everyone else at the table bristles, and when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, it sobers me up.
“Right, well... good luck with that.” Mikhail gives me a pitying look before standing up and offering his hand to Josie. “Come on, babe. Let’s get you drunk.”
“Yes, please.” Josie puts her delicate hand in his and slides out from her seat. “I’ll see you around, Willow.”
