Page 31 of Dark Souls
Be Nice!
“N ope. Not happening, Princess.” My dad was in full Alpha mode as he paced around the large dining room table that most of my family were sitting at. How he wasn’t dizzy by now was beyond me. Frustratingly, my mother was still in Heroux with Lorcan and Leif, and she was the only person who could calm him when he was like this, but I had to at least try to make him see my point of view. “It was bad enough to find out you went to that first event without telling me and now this? You want to go again? Tomorrow night?”
“Dad, you need to trust me on this. The person I am trying to help works for the club, but he isn’t free. He is… trapped somehow. But he can make sure I stay safe at the events. And I will be in a disguise and I have a new ID.”
Luka had sent my new ID this morning. Tonight I would be Raven Darmont. I’d decided on my backstory already. An English orphaned vampire who had never belonged to a clan but had made millions as a dominatrix for submissive humans who liked to be tortured. It was perfect.
“You will never be completely safe in The Underground , Princess.” My grandpapi just had to put in his two cents as I groaned and dropped my forehead on the table. “The type of people that are members there have no morals and wouldn’t think twice about ending someone’s life if they even looked at them the wrong way.”
“Bit like you then,” I mumbled, which earned me a glare.
“I have morals, Ilaria. They just become a little warped when it comes to protecting the people I love. I fight the darkness within me every day, so I can be better, but the members of that club thrive in theirs. Socialising with people like that will only—”
“What?” I snapped, daring him to finish his sentence. “You think I will become like them? Just say what you are all really afraid of. You think I will end up like Lucius, right? That I am not strong enough to stop myself from turning evil?”
“That’s not what I meant—” He tried to continue, but my dad interrupted, leaning his hands on the table opposite me to project his full dominance in the room.
“Then why this obsession with a club full of deranged and sadistic supernaturals, Ilaria? Because it sure seems like you are desperate to hang around with them. You are a royal princess! If people found out what you are up to, how do you think it would look?” My dad argued, his green eyes swirling with gold, showing his Alpha presence.
“I don’t give a shit how it looks. I don’t give a shit what people think. I never have,” I argued, slamming my hands down on the table. “But you are right. I am a royal princess, which means I have a duty to protect and help those who need it. So I am doing this. You can’t exactly stop me. I am an adult and can make my own choices.”
“And I am your father, your Alpha, and your King so you cannot disobey my orders!” he roared.
“I am not a wolf! This alpha crap doesn’t work on me!”
“Let’s all take a minute and calm down,” Grandma Maddy said, placing her hand on my dad’s shoulder and pushing him into a chair. “Look. Ilaria is right. She has the right to make her own choices. Ezra, you and Ruby worked so hard for this exact reason. To give your children and all supernaturals the freedom to be who they are and unite all species to live peacefully. If Ilaria believes this person that she is helping isn’t free, then it is part of our duty to help them or to at least allow her to. You raised her to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, so let her do that.”
There was silence in the room until my uncle cleared his throat. All our eyes darted to him as he sat at the end of the table with Sienna on his lap. He had remained uncharacteristically quiet since all the arguing began.
“I say let her go.”
“What?” My grandpapi, Dad and I all said in disbelief but for very different reasons.
“She can handle it. She proved that at the last event. I don’t like it and would rather she took up crocheting as a hobby, but this is Ilaria we are talking about. Sienna and I can make sure she is as safe as possible with SIA training, so I say let her go.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at him as Sienna weaved her hand into his hair with a proud little smile on her own face. Pretty sure I had her to thank, too.
“Fine.” My dad huffed, and my eyes widened with shock. That was too easy. There was a catch coming. I could feel it. “But I want to meet him.”
“Who?” I asked, my heart thundering.
“This person who you are helping. The man who is involved in the club but isn’t free. I want to look him in the eyes and hear him promise that no harm will come to you under his watch.”
“I agree.” My grandpapi nodded.
My lips parted. Oh fuckity, fuck. There was no way. Just the thought of Dad and Grandpapi in the same room as Heathen or Luka had sweat breaking out on my skin. “No. He has to remain anonymous. No one can know he is helping me from the inside or this could all go to shit.”
“Ilaria.” My dad used his commanding tone that told me he would not budge on this. “Either I meet him or Grandpapi puts a spell on you to keep in the castle until the event is over.”
“You wouldn’t!” I glared at my grandpapi, whose lips twisted into a devious smile.
“Oh, I would.”
“Urgh! You two together are the worst!”
“That’s our job, Princess. So, when are we meeting him?” Grandpapi asked, folding his arms over his chest with a smug smirk. I glanced up at Grandma with a pleading look, but she simply shrugged, knowing even she didn’t have the power to change his mind on this one. I was screwed.
There was no way of contacting Heathen. And to be honest, he was way more of a wild card than Luka. So my only choice was to ask Luka to come and act like he was the one who needed help. But convincing him to do that would not be easy. I pulled out my new phone from my pocket and texted my old one.
Don’t flip out. But I had to tell my family about The Underground events and membership. I won’t lie to them when I am walking into a dangerous situation. They have a right to know what I am up to, but don’t worry, they have no idea you are my mate or anything about you.
…OKAY
I inhaled a shaky breath as I lifted my gaze over my phone at my dad. He was staring expectantly, waiting for an answer.
I told them someone from the inside was helping me to gain a membership, but your identity had to remain a secret. I said you’d make sure I stayed safe at the events, but they don’t believe it. They won’t let me go unless…
UNLESS?
You need to come here and meet them. They want to look you in the eye and know they have your word that I’ll be safe. My dad and Grandpapi have a little ‘Keep Ilaria safe’ club, you see. They are hell bent on ruining my life.
I stared at the phone. He’d read it but didn’t reply. Shit.
Please?
“Shall I start working on that spell?” Grandpapi chuckled. I cursed under my breath when there was still no reply. I knew there was no way Luka would agree to this. Dammit, why did I have to do the right thing and tell my family my plans? I should have just lied, deceived and gone behind their backs.
The phone vibrated.
TELL THEM I’LL BE THERE WHEN THE SUN SETS.
Oh fuck.
“How many have they had now?” I groaned, fidgeting with the sleeve of my black dress as I watched my dad and Grandpapi sitting in armchairs by the open fire in Grandpapi’s office drinking whiskey and smoking cigars. They were far too relaxed, laughing and joking as if they were planning all the ways they could embarrass me to no end tonight. I, on the other hand, was wound so tightly I felt like a spring.
Grandma pulled my arm down from where I had ripped a hole in the sleeve with my nails and squeezed my hand instead. “I am sure tonight will go smoothly. They just want to see who they are trusting with your life.”
“Why don’t you sound convinced?”
She peered back at the two men and I didn’t need to read her mind to know what she was thinking. They were unpredictable. And so was Luka. Which made this whole situation a disaster waiting to happen.
“It will be fine,” she repeated with a nervous smile.
A knock on the oak door had us all pause and one of my grandpapi’s guards walked in. “There is a rogue vampire demanding entry at the gate. He said he is here to see you, Mr Romano, but won’t give his name.”
“Send him in,” Grandpapi answered and the man nodded and left. My heart flipped. Oh crap, was this really happening? I felt sick. My hands started shaking as two of the most intimidating men in my family stood up and walked over to my grandpapi’s sofas, taking a seat with their whiskey in hand. Both their demeanours had instantly changed. The laughter and the easy atmosphere between them had dissipated and they were both projecting hostile and lethal auras. They sat in silence, staring at the door and waiting.
“Urgh, no.” I stormed towards them, pointing my finger in their direction. “Be nice!”
“Of course we’ll be nice,” my dad said in a deep drawl that showed his wolf was at the surface.
“Unless he gives us reason not to be,” Grandpapi added.
I lifted my hand to my forehead. What had I done? This was going to be a car crash. Another knock came on the door and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I spun around just as it opened and the same guard stepped inside, followed by my mate, who was surrounded by at least four other Romano guards all glaring at him suspiciously.
My mouth dropped open. The man looked fucking delicious. Wearing smart trousers and a tight-fitted black shirt with the sleeves rolled up his tattooed, veiny forearms, the material fit his athletic form perfectly, giving his muscles definition and oozing strength and power. Every time I’d seen Luka, he’d always been wearing a grunge-style outfit. Ripped jeans, baggy tees, leather jackets or hoodies, and it suited him. But I couldn’t deny that this whole supermodel model vibe was giving me life. He was the picture of authority and sex appeal. And damn, did he wear it well. He’d even styled his hair back. Just knowing he’d put this much effort into his appearance to meet my family had my icy heart thawing a little.
His red eyes slammed into mine, but he kept his expression blank, soulless and stern.
“Close your mouth, you’re drooling,” Grandma whispered with amusement in my ear. I shut it and stepped back immediately, remembering there were more than just the two of us in the room. His eyes swerved from me and landed on the two men poised on the sofa like gods.
My gaze darted between them as they both sized him up while he stood there, completely unperturbed. He radiated confidence and I couldn’t help but feel proud that their attempt to intimidate him was falling short.
Grandpapi nodded for the guards to leave.
“Forgive us for our lack of a warm welcome. But without your name, it’s rather hard to do.”
“My name isn’t important,” Luka replied. “And I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome by any means. But you invited me here, so here I am. Though I would prefer this meeting to remain confidential.”
“And it will,” my dad answered. He stood up, walking towards him and I held my breath. He held out his hand and introduced himself. “Alpha King Ezra Black.”
Luka shook it firmly, while my grandpapi continued to stare daggers at him from the sofa. Ah, so that’s what this was. They were playing good cop, bad cop. The oldest move in the interrogation book.
“Which would make you Arius Romano, I presume?” Luka directed his attention towards the bad cop and my grandpapi narrowed his heterochromia eyes.
“The one and only.”
“I knew your father,” Luka stated. I gasped in shock. Everyone seemed to pale at the information and even my grandpapi looked taken aback. How? Or the better question was, how old was my soulmate exactly? Because my great-grandfather was killed forty-four years ago.
“Can’t say I liked him much.”
“Well, that makes two of us,” Grandpapi said, still eyeing him with distrust. “Take a seat.”
Luka and my dad took their places on the sofa and Grandma and I joined them. I chose the chair the furthest away from Luka as possible and tried to avoid staring at him. He was too hot to handle, and I couldn’t give away that I had any kind of desire for this man at all.
“So,” my dad started, looking from me to him. “You want my daughter’s help?”
Luka didn’t look at me but kept his gaze locked with my father’s. He didn’t answer and I gritted my teeth. My gods, he was infuriating. Couldn’t he just be vulnerable for one minute? Show them the side of him he showed me yesterday. I needed him to get them on his side.
“Why her? How did you even meet her and realise that she would be the right person to help you? And what exactly do you need help with?”
“Dad, this isn’t a game of twenty-one questions. I told you, he can’t tell us anything about himself or his situation.”
“Because he’s trapped?” Grandpapi said with a disbelieving scoff. “Trapped how? A spell? Because I don’t sense one on you. Or is that the lie you’re feeding my granddaughter just to get her to fall for your act? What exactly do you want with her?”
Luka remained silent. My heart thundered.
“I’ve never been a patient man so this is your last warning to start talking. Why do you want her to join your club for the evil and twisted so badly?” Grandpapi leaned forwards on his knees, his eyes flashing red, then purple, as he glared at Luka.
“I don’t want her there at all,” Luka finally spoke. I snapped my head towards him, my blood boiling. “But she is stubborn and won’t take no for an answer. She would find her way into the club one way or another, so I realised helping her gain a membership with a fake identity was the safest way.”
Grandpapi sat back, thinking over those words. “I know a little about your club. I know that in order to gain a membership, you must pay a considerable monthly subscription, which funds the most immoral and sadistic acts at your events.”
“That’s true,” Luka answered, and I groaned, hiding my face behind my hands.
“So you expect her to pay for a membership? Because if not, how do you think she will get away with this undetected? Surely a free member will raise questions. So let me guess, you’ll be asking us to fund it?”
“I’ve already thought of that,” Luka replied with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “You know your late father, Lucius Romano, was a member of the club long ago, before I even started working there. He was one of the largest benefactors, actually. His account is untouched since his death and still holds millions of pounds.”
“What?!” I shouted, looking between Luka and Grandpapi. How was I only just finding out about this?
“When you refused to take his place as a VIP member after his death and wanted nothing to do with it, I shut down the account and moved the funds into shares. I have transferred some of those funds back to pay for Ilaria’s membership for the next few months. It is technically her inheritance as a pure-blooded Romano, anyway.”
Grandpapi rubbed his chin as we all sat in silence, digesting that information.
“What is your role in the club? If you have access and manipulation over the accounts and memberships, you must be pretty influential,” my dad stated.
“I run the events. I approve of the memberships. I ensure members keep to the rules.”
“Which are?”
“Don’t fuck with business. Don’t speak about the members or what happens in The Underground .”
“Breaking your own rules, then?” Grandpapi chuckled without any warmth. “You still haven’t answered the question. Why do you want Ilaria’s help?”
Luka peered over at me for the first time and I gulped at the sinful look in those dangerous eyes. “Because… someone I care about is in trouble. Ilaria can read minds and help,” he started, before tearing his gaze away from mine so I could finally breathe again. He cared about Heathen? That was news to me. “She is the only one I can trust with this.”
“Say we agree to this. How exactly do you suppose you will keep her safe at these events?”
“She’ll be under my protection. Discreetly, of course. No one will know who she really is. And if anyone fucks with her. They die,” Luka said the words with such conviction but also chilling calmness. The two men exchanged glances between them.
“Hang on a minute. You’re all talking like I can’t take care of my—”
“Is that a promise?” Grandpapi interrupted, and my mouth dropped open for the third time today.
“It’s a fact,” Luka answered. “I understand your concern. I don’t want her to risk her life for my problems. If I ever feel like she is in any real danger, I will revoke her membership immediately. And if any harm ever comes to her under my watch, I give you permission to kill me.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grumbled, dropping my head in my hands.
“Deal,” Grandpapi said immediately, standing up. “Bind in blood?”
Luka stood up too and my eyes bulged as he bit into his palm with his fangs in agreement.
“WAIT! What are you doing?” I shouted, diving forward just as my grandpapi elongated his own fangs and did the same. They grabbed each other’s hands in a fierce grip before I could get between them, their blood mixing in the most sacred of acts for vampires as my hands clawed into my hair. A blood oath between vampires was a fate set in stone.
When they let go, Luka nodded at both my father and Grandpapi with respect and stalked out of the room. I tried to go after him, but Grandma grabbed my arm and held me back. I realised then how it would look if I had so reluctantly fought the urge.
“So, did you really believe all that?” my dad asked my grandpapi as my legs gave way and I slumped down onto the sofa. It was over and it went better than expected. Apart from the blood oath thing. “That he’d kill to keep her safe?”
“Did you not see his eyes?” Grandpapi stated and I lifted my head to find him already looking at me. “He has no humanity. Which makes him ruthless. If she is truly under his protection at the club, she’ll be safe. But…” I gulped when he narrowed his eyes at me. “He may keep you safe from others but a vampire with no humanity is not someone you can ever fully trust, Ilaria. Be careful.”
I nodded in agreement because I knew that was what they wanted to see. That I wasn’t being na?ve. But they didn’t really know the truth.
“Good. I feel much better about this now.” Grandpapi smiled with cheekiness as I glared at him. “A man willing to place his life in a blood oath for my granddaughter is someone who has my respect. But if he fucks up, I am bound to complete the oath and kill him. So win, win.”
I turned to stare at my Grandma with alarm as her face paled.
“Let’s hope he never fucks up then,” she muttered.