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"I am not," I quip, wiping my mouth with a grin.
Yeah, I was definitely drooling. But they’re hot as sin. They’ve left a lasting impression on me.
Jenni grins. “So, the Devils, huh?” she says, wiggling her brows and leaning in closer. “They’re untouchable, Journey. Completely out of anyone’s league. But you can try. I know I have. Well, before Elias. My dream boat,” she giggles at that, topping off mine and her shot glasses. “Rumor has it, anyway, that they’re already promised to someone.” She shrugs. “Some big alliance. But my father wouldn’t say,” she says with a slight slur. "Careful with them," she whispers with a grin, eyeing them when our connection finally breaks.
They move forward as one. Shepp and Arrow on either side of Jericho. An impenetrable wall of muscly men. No doubt protecting him from potential harm. Whatever that might be? They're his second and third-in-command and will be as he ascends to the throne his father has created for him. The mafia scene in this town is fascinating. Almost as fascinating as the men walking toward me.
And wait, what did she mean?
"Promised to someone?" I mumble.
"Ah, yeah. Like I was. You remember? I told you," she slurs, taking another shot without me. "The men of this town still have this arranged marriage and remain untouched-bullshit. Normally, we’re not supposed to know until they’re inducted into the mafia. But my daddy told me. You know, you marry her because her daddy is the CEO of some plastic company and remain a virgin for some asinine reason."
Oh, like her dad. Interesting.
"Like you were promised. Right, I remember,” I trail off.
She frowns then, hurt crossing her eyes.
"Not anymore." She shakes her head, downing another shot. I'd stop her from drinking so much, but I don't think she would. Besides, she's teaching me important lessons from a world in which I'm an outsider. Almost. "Once my diploma hit my hand, I was supposed to marry Leighton, you know." She sticks her tongue out in disgust, eyes darting to Leighton LeMaster from across the room. "He'll get initiated into the Viotto Crime Family. Just like them." She nods to the Devils. "It's a big to-do around here. They even have a damn party where they announce the weddings." She rolls her eyes. “Thankfully, Daddy got me out of that with this. So, Leighton is up for grabs and being assigned to someone else.”
I frown, looking at the disgraceful man himself, Leighton. Tall. Lanky. Scraggly teeth. There he sits, laughing it up with three girls surrounding him and his man posse hovering nearby. He'd be somewhat handsome if he wasn't a fucking psycho, who pressures girls into doing shit with him. But have no fear, his daddy, who is the governor, gets him out of every sticky situation he gets into. He's also a part of the Viotto family, just like every other prominent man in this town. There must be something in the water. Or maybe, they’re all after the power of the position.
"I was also supposed to be a virgin," she giggles, breaking out of her sadness with a grin. "But that didn’t happen." Her eyes float to Elias, who greets Jericho with a handshake.
The way he looks at her has my heart reeling for the love they have. Whether it's superficial or puppy love. Whatever. What they have seems to be real.
I blow out a breath. "Good." I flash her my best smile, but it disintegrates at the look on her face.
“Another shot,” I rasp, tapping the countertop with urgency. If I’m going to make it through this, I need more liquid courage.
"That's my girl," she quips with a slur, pouring two shots and overfilling the glasses. She giggles when she raises hers, and I do the same. "Seriously, where have you been all my life?" And we gulp down our next shot.
"I have an office, you know," Jericho's deep voice booms through the kitchen. “But you insisted on meeting here.” He folds his arms across his body, standing stock still and watching Elias with a sharp eye. So cold and calculating. Just like someone else I know. In fact, he’s the spitting image.
I side-eye him standing tall next to Elias as he sends him a death glare. Those dark eyes, turning menacing when Elias laughs in his face. Okay, maybe not a happy meeting.
Elias grins and shrugs. "Your office at the top of your fancy little club. Why would I go there and disappoint the people of Briar Cove? Look at them; they're all pining for your damn attention." He spreads his arms wide in the direction of all the partygoers, dancing and eyeing the devils with lust in their eyes.
Seems I'm not the only one affected.
Arrow and Shepp stay firmly planted at Jericho's side when he scoffs. "Ah, a power play and a show. Genius." Jericho scrunches up his sleeves, pushing them up his veiny forearms. "Why don't we discuss this away from prying eyes?"
Holy hell. Forearm porn. Whoever said the best part of a guy is their eyes, has never seen forearms protruding with veins. It’s a beautiful sight.
“You’re drooling again,” Jenni giggles, thrusting her elbow into my side. “How about we take one last shot and then go dance?”
Dancing sounds about as appetizing as the damn tequila. Do I want to shake my ass on the dance floor? Fuck no. Do I have to? That’s affirmative, which annoys the hell out of me. But fake it till you make it, right? Jenni is my best friend.
“Sure!” I cheer, throwing my arm in the air.
“We’ll be right back,” Elias says, kissing Jenni’s cheek. “Be a good girl,” he murmurs, causing her to giggle more and turn bright red.
“Always. Me and my bestie are going to dance.”
As she says those words, the three devils turn at once to stare at me. Jericho’s jaw tightens, and his nostrils flare angrily, looking me up and down again. Leaning in, Arrow whispers something to Jericho, and his chest deflates.
“Let’s get this over with,” Jericho says, gesturing for Elias to lead the way down the hall to the right of the kitchen.
