Page 44 of Sins of the Orchid

Today might be the day I killed my little brother for leaving Amore Bennetti alone, yet again!

CHAPTER14

Amore

Iwas having a great time. Adriano left me with a friend of his, Marco. He was funny, easygoing, and a great dancer. He was also gay, so it made my time with him even more fun. I didn’t have to worry about him having ulterior motives or flirting with me. We spent the next six songs dancing together and lip synching.

About two songs ago, Adriano spotted a blonde bombshell and disappeared. A slight disappointment washed over me since it was my last night in the States before I left for Italy, but I couldn’t say I was surprised. Adriano was a notorious skirt chaser. There were too many temptations here, and he couldn’t resist. Besides, Marco’s dancing was a thousand times better than Adriano’s, not that I would say that to my best friend. Either way, it worked out.

The song by Lilyisthatyou came on and I let it all out. I shouted the lyrics, twirled, and moved, uncaring of everything. I knew Marco wasn’t attracted to me, so I took advantage of practicing my sensual moves. It was probably an epic failure, but it didn’t bother me.

‘You only get better with practice’, my grandma always said. And I intended to practice and be good at it.

Okay, so maybe she was talking about drawing and designing, but I applied it to this as well. It was liberating to dance like nobody was watching. Marco was, but he didn’t care if I swayed my hips or ground clumsily against him.

“If you want to keep your hands, get them off of her.” A growl sounded behind me, the icy tone of it sending a chill down my spine. I could hear the threat in it even through the loud music, startling me to a stop. “Or I’ll cut them off.”

I whipped around and saw Santi’s furious face glaring at me and Marco. Just like that, the good time evaporated, and my stomach dropped. He wasn’t supposed to be here.

“S-Santi, what…” My voice trailed off at the thunderous glare he shot my way. I was underage, yes, but I hadn’t done anything wrong. Just dancing.

Santi’s angry eyes came to me. “Your dance is over!”

Where in the fuck was Adriano? Every single time DeAngelo wasn’t with me, some shit happened.

I scoffed with fake bravado. “You don’t get to dictate that.”

He wore a suit with his jacket unbuttoned, showing his black vest that hugged his big, strong body. Light scruff covered his jaw, and his thick, dark hair matched his dark expression. He was just as intimidating and breathtakingly handsome. His presence demanded attention, and we had plenty of it now. Everything about him screamed power, wealth, and sex appeal.

My hand shook as I raised it and tucked my hair behind my ear. Warmth curled low in my stomach, but I ignored it.

“My club,” he said darkly. “My rules.”

Okay, he had a point there. But I wouldn’t go down that easily. “I was just dancing with a friend. You don’t need to be a dick.” Instantly heat warmed my cheeks because an image of his dick flashed in my mind. Or at least, the way I pictured it would look. My hands grew clammy, feeling self-conscious.

Surprise flashed in Santi’s dark gaze at my bravado and his jaw tightened. Maybe I was pushing my luck a tad bit too far.

“The girl is not dancing with anyone but me,” Marco chimed in, attempting to push Santi away. I would commend him if it was anyone else. Santi didn’t even budge from his spot. Marco was nuts if he thought he could beat Santi Russo. The look Santi gave him—pure murder.

“Nobody touches her,” Santi snarled. “And if you want to get out of this alive, I suggest you get your hands off her. Now!” Marco didn’t move and Santi continued in a hard tone. “I am seconds away from cutting them off your body. Now get fucking lost.”

I shoved my body in between the two of them. “Are you nuts?” I snapped at Santi. “This is Marco. He is Adriano’s friend from college.”

“I don’t give a shit.” Santi’s hands came to my shoulders, and he literally lifted me off the ground and moved me over. Like he was moving a piece of annoying furniture out of his way.

Before I could blink or say another word, Santi’s fist flew through the air, punching Marco right into his face.

My mouth dropped, watching Marco’s body in slow motion drop to the ground. When Santi went to make another move, I grabbed his hand.

“Stop, Santi,” I shouted, my eyes frantically searching for Adriano. “Marco is a friend.”

He shook off my hand and readied to punch Marco again. This time, I jumped on his back, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Get off of me, Amore,” he hissed, fury fuming off his body. He easily peeled my hands off him and moved me out of the way, ready to land another punch at Marco.

“Jesus, fucker.” Marco spat blood onto the floor and guilt swelled in me. “You’d be eye candy if you weren't such a jerk.”

Santi glanced to the side, and I followed his gaze. Renzo and another guy were there.