Page 45 of Hostile Devil
“As tempting as that sounds…” I begin, because right now, getting away from the Souzas for a while is just what I need. “I was about to call my—”
Fabian holds out his hand. “Come on. Just one drink.”
“Blue eyes!” Luke wanders into view, a cigarette tucked behind his ear. “Who is this guy and where exactly does he think he’s taking you?”
Wonderful.
As if the paid goons sticking to my shadow weren’t enough of a pain in my ass, now I have Matheus’ frat boy best friend to deal with.
“I know him from school.” My wish of slipping away unnoticed had become impossible. “We’re only catching up. Don’t let us hold you back. Lung cancer is waiting for you through that door.” I smirk.
Luke joins us, keeping a respectful distance between me and him. But Fabian on the other hand, he crowds him with his height and smoky aura. “Come on, India.” He holds his elbow outward, signaling for me to latch on to it. “Take a walk outside with me. Mat’s preoccupied with a dirty blonde and I’d appreciate some company. You belong next to men, not boys, right?”
Fabian pushes off the wall, his expression tight. “You call yourself a man?” he admonishes. “Have you even hit puberty yet?”
Luke chuckles under his breath, his stance remaining perfectly casual. “Ask your mother. She wasn’t complaining last night when I railed her on your bed.”
“Oh, my God,” I groan. “This is pointless. You’re just as bad as they are.”
“Mommy came pretty hard. I bet she’s still thinking about me.” Fabian clenches his fists, taking a step into Luke. “Boy, I wouldn’t if I were you,” Luke warns, low and threatening. “Our good friends behind us don’t like trouble. And they sure as fuck don’t like you sniffing around girls who don’t belong to you. If security gets a hold of you, you’d end up crying to mommy and she doesn't have time for whiny little boys.”
“Jesus, Luke, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“Yeah, buddy, you’re not doing a good job of charming thegirl,” Fabian taunts. “I don’t think she’s impressed.”
“I don’t need to impress Indy. I’m not trying to get into her panties.” Luke removes the cigarette from behind his ear and flicks open his zippo. “But you––” The tip goes up in flames and he inhales. “You’re out of your league.”
“Oh, please,” I hiss at him. “We’re only friends.”
“This guy is not your friend.”
“Really,Luke?” Fabian says his name with a mocking tone and cocks a brow. “So, I can’t do this?” His chest bumps into mine and his strong arms engulf my shoulders. “It’s a shame you continue to surround yourself with assholes,” he says next to my cheek, his breath hot and his fresh cologne strong.
“Motherfucker,” Luke growls. “I think someone has a death wish.”
“Excuse me, sir!” A suited man marches across the foyer, heading straight for us. “You can’t smoke in here!”
While Luke puts his arm around the hotel employee's shoulders and points out that he is indeed already smoking, Fabian grins at me, the slow smile a little sinister. “Family, right?” He winks. “Who needs them? See you around, India.”
He pockets his hands and pivots in his dress shoes, ignoring Luke on his way past. What a shitshow. If I’d known this afternoon was going to unfold like this, I would have happily stayed home with Leo. He’s a kid and there’s less drama with him than these grown men.
A pang of guilt nips at me. I love Dré and I totally understand why he’s throwing his weight around. Especially when Giovanni can be so… distant at times.
As if sensing the uncertainty within me, the phone vibrates, and the screen lights up. My heart pounds and a giddy flutter turns wild in my belly. Stepping out of earshot, away from noisy guests, I push through a set of doors and into a corridor, aware of the guards following in hot pursuit.
“Hello,” I answer, all breathy and relieved.
Loud bangs, like rapid fire, charge down the phone line, competing with Giovanni’s voice. “I missed your call. Are you okay?”
“Did you know he’s planning to put me on a jet to Sicily later? That I’m not going home to you,” I report, making sure not to mention names.
More shots are fired in the background and someone yells. “What the fuck did you just say? He seriously thinks he can steal you out from under my fucking nose?” The gritty texture to his voice turns harsh, like a blizzard in a never-ending winter. “Is he for real?”
I flinch when a door slams behind me. “Everyone is here. We’re all supposed to leave together.”
Looking over my shoulder, Matheus prowls a few feet away. He drags a hand down his clean-shaven face and blows out a heavy sigh.
“I don’t know what to do.” I continue, turning away again for privacy, my voice low. “Ugh… Dré thinks he’s taking care of me in his own crazy way.”
