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FOUR
Shane
W
e have confirmed that Melanie Atwood, this year’s candidate running for the governor of California, Dedrick Atwood’s daughter, and Theo Ledford, the son of our current governor, are getting married.” I heard a familiar voice of the lady from the news and put away the weights before I sat down on the training bench, breathing heavily after the killer workout. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and reached for the remote to turn the sound up. “The engagement party is to be held this Saturday in the private estate of Mr. Atwood. We wonder…” She kept talking about Melanie and Ledford, but I couldn’t focus. I saw her picture on the TV screen hanging on the wall in the gym I had in this house I’d just got the keys to a few hours prior. I assumed I’d stay in LA for longer due to my task, and I wasn't the type to stay at hotels. Cameras in every corner of the building, nosy staff or guests. Not my thing. But this information hit me like a wrecking ball. Were they getting married? She hadn’t mentioned anything. Besides, the last time I saw her, she didn’t look like someone about to get engaged. I knew every other woman wouldn’t stop rambling about the upcoming engagement or wedding. White dress and all this shit. But not her. She instead looked like someone who just heard a death sentence.
I ran up the new, shiny granite stairs to my vast bedroom. I could get used to this place. It had everything I needed and a stunning view of the soothing, sunny beach—something I didn’t have back in New York. I looked across the room for my phone. In my twenty-five years of existence, I could never get used to having it around.
“Boss?” I heard my right-hand man’s deep voice.
“Callan, I need you to get me an invite for Melanie Atwood’s engagement party.” I went straight to the point. I wasn’t the one to waste my time on superfluous courtesy, even if Callan was not only a member of our Mafia but my most trusted friend.
“How do ya think I can do that?” He scoffed. He was the only one of our men who wasn’t shitting his pants in front of me, and I liked that. I think that’s why I blurred the boss-subordinate line with him. “That’s fuckin’ impossible. They’ll never let ya in. Should I remind ya, you’re a freakin’ Vergoossen?”
“I don’t care how you do that. You do that,” I said, unfazed. “Or you’re out.”
I heard him sighing heavily before he replied, “Fine. Consider it done.”
I smiled, amused he took me seriously, and I ended the call. I threw the phone on my king-size bed’s black silky duvet and headed to the bathroom for a long, cold shower.
~••~
The week had passed in a blink. I got caught up settling in my temporary new home and enjoyed the night charms of lustful LA. I felt like I was on a vacation I’d never had. No rules, no duties. Away from the dark side of my life. I glanced over at my reflection in the mirror and ran my fingers through my hair, putting it back into place. I wore a black tailored suit over a slightly unbuttoned black shirt, revealing my two olive branches inked above the word PURE on the front of my neck. No tie. I grabbed the keys to my Bugatti and headed down the stairs to the garage. I got in the car and soon enjoyed my favorite sound of the running engine–music to my ears.
“ELLIOT WRIGHT.” I looked straight into the butler’s eyes, who nodded before searching for the name across the guest list.
“Welcome, Mr. Wright,” he greeted me with a polite smile. “Have an unforgettable evening, sir.” I knew Callan wouldn’t fail at finding a way to get me in.
I nodded my head, smirking.
Sure as fuck it’s going to be an unforgettable evening,I thought as I walked past the older man, entering the gleaming entryway of Atwood’s residence. I was greeted by a long-legged gorgeous brunette who fetched me a glass of champagne. She smiled alluringly before leading me to a grand and opulent, lofty room with round tables decorated with white flowers and a live band playing classical music in the background. I drank the sweet and bubbly liquid in one go and put the empty glass on a silver plate that a walking-by waiter was holding. I squeezed through the crowd of overdressed people to the back of the room and rested my body weight on my left arm, leaning against a wall shimmering from the crystal chandeliers spiraling down the high ceiling. I put my hands in the pocket of my pants, not too elegant of a move, but I was bored as fuck.
People around me were chatting and laughing, jamming my own thoughts. Suddenly, the hall fell silent, and everyone gasped. And I saw her.Melanie, accompanied by her to-be-fiancé, his hand on her back. The guests started clapping, and she blushed. Her gaze dropped to the ground, and she nervously played with her fingers. I couldn’t grasp why she seemed so timid. I thought she’d be used to such show-offs by now. Besides, she looked stunning. Breathtaking. She wore a black, long dress, glimmering in silver, perfectly tightening her slender body, and with a sexy high cut on her left leg. She had her platinum waves half up, half down, with two shorter strands left loose on each side of her beautiful face. Her long, sparkling nails perfectly matched the white-gold rings, bracelets, and a double-layered long choker falling right into her cleavage, bringing attention to the deepVneckline embracing her round breasts. My cock stirred against my zipper, and I straightened up.She looked like a fucking goddess that I’d die to fuck.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” Ledford said, wearing a shit-eating grin. “It is a meaningful evening for us. I’m going to ask my beautiful girlfriend, Melanie, one of the most important questions, and we want you all to be here with us when it happens.” I narrowed my eyes as I watched the golden boy giving the speech proud as a peacock. He pulled Melanie’s body closer to his, grinning like a Cheshire cat, but she… She seemed upset as if it was a performance, a shit show in which she was forced to participate.
Melanie hesitantly looked around the room until her gaze met mine. Her gleaming yet sad eyes grew wide with pure shock and confusion. It was apparent the sight of me had taken her aback. Suddenly, everything around me was a blur. It felt like there was only Melanie and me, staring into each other’s eyes like hypnotized, helplessly trying to break the invisible, electric attraction between us. She bit her lower lip involuntarily, and her chest was moving up and down heavier and slower.
“Enjoy your evening, everyone! We’ll gather here again at eight!” Theo exclaimed, and the guests applauded before the band started playing music and everyone was off to dance.
I rushed toward her. My gaze never left hers as I approached her. I could sense her heart beating faster and stronger with every step I took. Her petite body was quivering.
“Hello, Miss Atwood,” I said, nodding slightly and smiling. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Melanie was rooted to the spot. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but no words would come out of her mouth. She just kept glaring into my eyes.
“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced to each other, Mr.…?” Ledford slid his hand around Melanie’s waist as if my presence alone felt like a threat to him, and I smirked.
I switched my attention to him. “Wright. Eliot Wright,” I said, unfazed, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed a puzzled expression written all over Melanie’s beautiful face. “May I say your date looks ravishing?” I stated, looking back at the face of an angel.
“She does,” he replied dryly. “Excuse us, Mr. Wright, but I need a moment alone with my fiancée.”
“Future fiancée,” Melanie cut him off, and it was the first time I’d heard her soothing voice this evening. Ledford’s face went red. He clenched his teeth, seething. I barely refrained from laughing.
“Melanie—” He started, but I cut him off before he could continue.
“May I have this dance?” I said, loud and clear, my gaze fixed on Melanie’s as I reached my hand to her.
“With pleasure.” She rested her slim palm on mine, and I smiled, unable to fight the urge to run my thumb over her soft skin.
