Page 25 of The Diávolos: Part One
“Eli,” I say, extending my hand to shake his. “Is everything ready for the night?”
“Yes, sir. We’re all set,” he replies.
I nod. “Make sure to man the doors a little extra from now on. I want all the bouncers on high alert. I’ve already spoken to them, but keep an eye out for any unwanted guests.”
Eli acknowledges my request and I dismiss him.
Ever since taking over for my uncle, the threats against me have escalated. It’s only a matter of time before there’ll be a target on my back. No one fucks with theDiávolos, but it doesn’t mean they won’t try. I’d love to see it, though.
A brave man is one who can look the devil in the eye and not quiver. But no one truly understands what it is to face the devil until they do.
I head upstairs to my office and make a few calls to check on my associates. A not-so-friendly reminder that I’m the new Godfather, and I’m here to stay. I might not be as physically present these days, but I will never let them forget who’s boss. I still haven’t publicly announced the takeover, but those who need to know who I am already do. It’s customary to throw a party when a new heir is ordained, but that won’t happen until I complete my plan. I have to solidify my relationship with Angelica and steal her away from right under her father’s nose.
The goal is for her to fall for me. Once I start introducing myself into her life, she won’t know what hit her, and she won’t be able to deny me. I’ll manipulate her into going against her father. From what I know, their relationship is already strained, so I assume it won’t be that hard. Once she’s under my spell, I will marry her and rule the entire East of Cebrene. The Port and Cebrene Harbour will be mine, and I will be able to control half of the city. I will destroy her father’s empire from the inside out, take over his territory, and kill him. There will be some backlash, especially from my side, but I don’t give a fuck. They will listen to their boss, and if they don’t, they will suffer the consequences.
Only then will we celebrate, not only to announce myself as the new Godfather, but to declare the union of the Vasilakis and Kouvalakis families.
After making my rounds, I go back downstairs and settle in the VIP section at the back. Seb and Greg follow me and perch themselves at the side of the booth. Dion and Xander join me several minutes later, back from a visit to our warehouses to check up on our workers. I ask Julieta, one of the servers, to bring us a bottle ofouzo. She comes back moments later and pours me a glass on the rocks. I take a sip of the alcohol as I look around, and my eyes drift over the dance floor and fall on someone familiar.
Angelica.
Dion starts talking about God knows what, but I can’t focus on anything but her. He’s updating me on our affairs and his voice is muffled, not only from the blaring music, but from my laser focus on the girl who has stolen every ounce of my attention.
She’s standing at the bar with Aria Kastellanos, her best friend since kindergarten, and daughter of Peter’s second-in-command, Philip.
A couple other women join them, and a bunch of douchebags surround them like hyenas. Angelica is smiling and laughing. One of the guys hands her a shot and she doesn’t hesitate to pound it back, her face twisting at the taste of the alcohol. Her body seems loose and fluid, and I notice her shoulders subtly moving to the sound of the music, her eyes closed, a provocative smile on her lips. Is shedrunk?
The group heads to the dance floor, screaming at the top of their lungs to what seems to be their favorite song. I take a good look at Angelica. She’s wearing black, knee-high boots; a short, red leather skirt with a slit on the side, showing off her delectable thigh; and a black, plunge-neck, cropped blouse tied right under her breasts, her pebbled nipples poking through the fabric. I can see little beads of sweat forming on her chest from where I sit, and I want to lick the skin from her neck all the way down to the folds in between her legs.No, Evan. Fuck.
I run my hand across my mouth and lean forward, putting my elbows on my knees as I watch her every move.
The more I see Angelica, the more my mind screams at me to stay away from her. I worry I’ll want to keep her for myself and not just use her. Every time she rocks her hips, I feel my cock throb. I have to hold myself back from going to her when all I want to do is drag her to my office upstairs, lift up her skirt, push her panties to the side, and fuck her brains out on my desk with those boots on. She has somehow found her way into my head and it’s fucking me up.
Dion snaps me out of my daydream. “Bro, what is up with you right now? You look like you’re about to pounce on some prey.”
“It’s Angelica,” I say dryly.
“Oo skatá.”Oh, shit,is all Dion manages to say. He looks straight ahead and sees her with her friends, his eyes lingering a couple seconds longer on her blonde friend.
“Did you know she would be here?” he asks.
I shake my head.
I refuse to acknowledge the way I feel. Again, I must remind myself that I cannot fall for her. I wish I could fuck her out of my system, but that would do the complete opposite. If I get inside her, I know nothing would be the same.
There is one major problem, though. The whole purpose of this plan is to get her to marry me, and if she does, I’llhaveto fuck her. I don’t even trust myself to wait until then.There’s no way out of this.
I take another sip of my drink and turn my attention back to Angelica. A guy approaches her from behind and whispers in her ear. I feel anger churning in my chest. Damn it. Every man is a threat to me and my plan. If anyone gets in the way of my revenge, I will have to get rid of them, and I don’t care if I leave a trail of blood behind. I have a one-track mind when it comes to Angelica. Procure the goods by any means necessary.
She smiles and presses herself against him, thrusting her hips back into his crotch. My jaw clenches so hard my bones feel like they’re about to shatter. I squeeze my hand around my glass, picturing it’s his throat. Whatever has been holding me back from going to her now hangs by a fucking thread.
At that same moment, she turns around and we lock eyes.
“I’ve been reckless, but I’m not a rebel without cause.” –Angelina Jolie
Iam in a state of euphoria.
I feelgood. My insides are tingly and the lights in the club are so dizzying, it seems like the whole world is spinning.
