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I retrieved my business card from my pants pocket and pressed my business card in her hand as I kissed her lips once more. “You will in a few seconds.”
I hurried back inside, sliding my hand into my jacket to touch my knife as Xavier’s soldier strode in the direction of my brother. I reached my brother first. “St. James is here.”
Brocco cursed and asked, “You got a piece?”
“I slipped in a knife.” I smiled to keep anyone watching us from being alarmed. “Let’s go. We’re outnumbered.”
He frowned. “DeLucas, don’t run from a fight.”
“We also know when to pick our battles. We’re near their territory. Let’s go.” I looked in the direction of Xavier, who stood next to Storm to point us out, and her eyes widened. Storm was the sister I’d only heard about. Private schools and then college. Guess she was back home. Maybe temporary. Maybe permanently. If I had anything to do with it, it would be permanent.
“They know better than to harm a DeLuca.”
“His father does, and he’s not here. Xavier is a fucking wild card, and I am way too young to die to prove you can’t touch a DeLuca.” I fingered my knife. Fuck. Why did I think it was possible to actually have a fun night unprotected? I wouldn’t get caught slipping again.
One of St. James’s soldiers blocked our way when we headed for the elevator. I sighed before surprising him with a hard uppercut to his jaw, and his eyes rolled back. I shoved his chest, and he went down, knocking a couple of women down, and the crowd started to panic. Now, two more of St. James’ men rushed toward us from across the floor, and I grabbed my brother by his arm and pulled him out of the club before the crowd went apeshit, and we slid into the elevator. Storm and I locked eyes again from across the club amid the growing chaos, and her lips curved upwards. She was holding my card as the doors closed.
I leaned against the back of the elevator.
“Why you smiling so fucking big? We let St. James punk us.”
“No, we didn’t. We showed them respect by leaving, and no bodies dropped...well dropped forever.” I scoffed, “And they know not to step one foot in Brooklyn.”
Brocco shook his head. “Still, we should have taken one of them out.”
“For what...us choosing the wrong club to party?” Although I was the younger brother by three years, my brother was too impulsive and ready to jump off for any little fucking thing. People assumed I was older because of my easy temperament. We’d been the same height since I was eleven and he was fourteen. I had to fight a lot of battles he started. “We don’t need an unnecessary war. We would win, but some of our men would die for your ego, and that makes no fucking sense, Brocco.”
He jammed his hands in his pocket, and his forehead furrowed before grudgingly saying, “Dude, you’re still grinning. It’s creeping me out. When Gavin smiles, someone dies. So, unless you’re planning on killing me, stop.”
I laughed. “Now, you’re saying I can’t smile?” I knew I couldn’t tell him that I thought I found my wife when she was the daughter and sister of our enemies.
“Fucking right.” He slung his arm around my neck and kissed my cheek like he used to when we were children because my cheeks reminded him of an apple. “You’re just so pretty when you smile.”
“Fuck you.” I pushed him off me, wiping my face as the elevator opened to the relatively quiet first floor.
Brocco laughed, and we headed out into the street. “Wanna grab a pizza from Uncle Joe’s?”
“Always. Maybe we can get Unc to make us a pizza with alfredo sauce.”
We jumped in his parked Maserati and sped off to our next adventure. How was I to know that that night would be one of the last nights Brocco and I would ever be close again? How was I supposed to know that I was struck by a love that night that would ultimately be the downfall of both our families?
Chapter 1
Eight Years Later
Storm
Gavin DeLuca had the face of an angel. Piercing, round, ocean blue eyes that seared souls with the perfection of a nose that the Greeks could have sculpted. Full, heart-shaped lips with a beauty mark gracing the corner when he was clean-shaven. Wild rings of reddish gold curls grew long over his broad forehead. The type of curls that framed his formerly cherub face, he’d probably been mistaken for a little girl while a growing boy. Spoiled by the women in his family and envied by the men, Gavin carried his legacy of wealth and power like a well-worn cloak. Generous. Charming. Benevolent. Wise. A leader for his people. When he bestowed his sun to those he favored, darkness seemed impossible. Yet, a ruthless cruelty lurked beneath his easy smile. The same smile curved his beautiful lips before ending the unfortunate man who erroneously decided to cross him in any way. It’d been eight years since my birthday. Tonight was the first time I’d seen him since I left him seven years ago. He was a different man than the one I knew back then. He was a Don now, and from the stories I’d heard, he’d become a cold and violent man, not the warm and loving man I once knew.
Gavin leaned against the bar with his arms partially outstretched, surveying the club, constantly on guard. He wore all black, his customary color that only made his naturally tanned skin, reddish-blonde wavy hair, and blue eyes more striking. Beautiful women on either side of him clamored for his attention. I watched him from afar, wondering at one point if he would sense me. We’d been together for almost two years, and he had the uncanny ability to tap into my moods. Into me. He knew when to make me laugh or comfort me. He also knew when to give me space and when to hold tight. When to fuck me mercilessly or make love to me gently. I’d been willing to give up my family for him. Willing to give anything he ever demanded of me. He had been my heart beat until he took away my pulse. Now, we would marry in a fortnight against my will. Tonight was the first time I’d seen him since my father and Gavin made an agreement. For the first time in seven years, we’d been in the same space, and my body ached with unwanted excitement that he would be mine again.
“At least he’s sexy and rich. You could be marrying his recently widowed uncle,” offered Petra, my brother’s girlfriend, who walked beside me on our way to join my older brother, Xavier, who partied with his men.
“The fact that I’m being offered to Gavin DeLuca like I’m some helpless virgin is insane. How am I supposed to let him touch me, let alone be my husband?” I rubbed my bare arms, though it was an unusually hot May evening in Manhattan, as we began our ascent to the club's second floor.
“There was a time you were disgustingly in love with him...willing to give up your family for him. Bring back some of those feelings, and you’ll live.” Petra consoled before walking ahead to slide under Xavier’s arm.
I looked back down to the floor and captured Gavin’s intense gaze. Even in the dark club, his blue eyes sparkled like a sapphire with desire, and I knew he still craved me, much like the vampire craved the blood of his victim. I wouldn’t give into the dangerously insatiable lust I still carried in my body for him. Those days were long gone. He killed any hope for us when he killed my cousin, who’d been like a brother, Cain.
