Page 19

Distance and Mistakes.

M usic thumps through the walls of the Fortress, a building I haven’t been in since its extension and renovation. Heading to the bar, I spot Darcy in a skintight champagne dress with jewelled tassels falling from mid-thigh, her blazing hair curly and wild. She waves me over, and I smile.

“I thought Dante would keep you home for this one.” She chuckles, ordering hard liquor.

“Unfortunately, when you’re a Della Torre, you need to act like one, so I’m here.” I shrug, ordering myself an espresso martini and looking around the room. She picks up on my nerves and leans on the bar, facing me.

“He’s not here yet,” she says, taking a sip from her glass and I sigh.

Taking in my surroundings, I notice everything and everyone reeks of wealth. Years and generations of wealth. The men with their expensive suits and watches, the women with their icy jewellery, the reflections of tiny rainbows dancing through the space as the light reflects off their frost. If you were to look at them, you’d believe it if they told you they were good men because they dress the part, speak the part, and play the part. They hide in plain sight so well that it’s hard to differentiate, but I know better. I know this is how they prefer to be seen because it’s easier to blend when you conform to what society sees as a goal they want to achieve.

Everyone wants to be rich.

Everyone wants to be able to afford to live without worrying about when their next paycheck is coming. But most of all, they crave the finer things in life. They crave the life itself, lusting after it like it will somehow magically fulfil their happiness and erase their loneliness.

“Ah, there they are.” Darcy gestures with her glass to Nicholas, who walks in with Rafael and Ezra, with Jackson behind them. Nicholas places a soft kiss on her cheek as he reaches over and orders a drink for himself.

“We leave tomorrow morning.” Nicholas gazes deeply into Darcy’s eyes, making the room slightly uncomfortable. “I’m not spending another second away from our happiness. Especially not on this fucking island.”

She smiles sweetly, placing her hands on his chest as Rafael clears his throat. “I see the shoes fit.”

“Creepy how you know my shoe size.”

“If you think that’s creepy…” He trails off when Ezra steps up beside him. The man terrifies me with just the way he stands, tall and intimidating.

“So, when does the fun begin?” he asks, pulling out his phone to check it, but Rafael doesn’t answer him. Instead, his eyes graze from my breasts, down to my shoes, and I’m almost lost in a trance as I watch him devour me until the veil is broken.

“Fuck, that’s messed up.” Nicholas barks a laugh, glancing between us. “Does Dante know about you two?” His question makes my heart rate spike, the fear now compounding with the rush of the thrill.

Rafael turns, crossing his arms. “You say a word and I’ll beat the life out of you.”

Darcy pulls him aside as he tries to hide his laughter, and Ezra murmurs something to himself before taking a breath and facing Rafael.

“I don’t have sisters, so I don’t know what it’s like, but you’re playing with fire, and it’s not the kind you want between family,” he warns, and I feel a pang in my chest at his words. There isn’t a part of this world where Raf and I make sense.

Not one.

“What would you know of family?” Rafael growls through gritted teeth. “You left your own brother to fend for himself in a foreign country.” He steps forward but Ezra doesn’t flinch. In fact, he looks unaffected by Rafael’s anger.

“You’re right. We all learn from our mistakes.” He glances at me, and I remain silent. “But a mistake is made unknowingly. This…” he gestures between us, shaking his head, “is just negligence.”

I fight the emotions inside me, denying myself a moment to feel hurt by his words because it’s the truth.

We cannot be.

Grabbing my drink off the counter, I push past them with one goal on my mind.

Get so fucking drunk that I can’t feel my face.

“Nera!” Rafael calls out after me, but I’m already on the other side of the room, taking a seat at one of the poker tables. I have absolutely no idea how to play, but what I do know is how to play men.

The brunet with shoulder-length hair beside me leans in. “It’s a ten thousand dollar buy-in,” he says, handing me his card, and I smile as I take it.

“Generous.” I bat my lashes, hoping Rafael is watching from somewhere in the room. I try to ignore the fact that he didn’t stick up for us, but it annoys me to the point where I want to make him squirm. Placing my hand on the man’s arm, I lean in and laugh at some joke he made, joining in with the laughter around the table. His baby-blue eyes light up in excitement. He undoubtedly knows who I am because Dante would have notified everyone of my attendance tonight. The baby sister, back after years studying abroad.

“How come you’ve never been to these before, Miss Della Torre?” he asks, and I ignore Rafael’s burning gaze on my back.

Crossing my legs, I tug at my dress a little, lifting the material slightly to reveal the side of my thigh, all the way up to my bare hip. “I’ve clearly been missing out. Wasting my time in the US.”

Someone clears their throat behind me, and I look up through my lashes at Frances Lucchese, now standing inches from me, extending a hand. “Nera, would you like to join me in the VIP section?”

“I’m quite alright here, thank you.” At my dismissal, the man beside me goes rigid, gulping as he stares up at him.

Frances smiles, cocking his head to the side. “I like you.” He narrows his eyes and reaches into his breast pocket, revealing a gold cigarette case. “Join me outside, then?”

I consider whether I should, only agreeing because if anyone is aware of the underworld and its dealings all around the world, it’s Frances. As I stand, dangerously close to him, he doesn’t move back an inch, leaving me to squeeze between him and the chair I was just sitting on. There’s a hot flush on my chest, followed by a sprinkle of hesitation down my spine as I step outside into the large wooden balcony, perfectly decorated with modern outdoor furniture. My brows knit as I wonder how Dante was able to afford this, and when I turn back, the few people that were out here now disappear back inside.

“You can really empty a room.” I cross my arms as the cool breeze of the night brushes against my skin, like it’s warning me of the person in my company.

He smiles, placing a cigarette between his lips, and when his piercing blue eyes fall onto mine, the need to avert my gaze grows. I almost crumble under it, like a brittle bone trying to withstand the pressure, right before it’s crushed.

“Dante has hidden you well.”

I don’t respond, unsure of what to say. Instead, I fiddle with the end of my hair, looking for an opportunity to head back inside.

“It’s no wonder,” he whispers, stepping closer to me. “A pretty girl like you, on an island like this…”

“Dante didn’t hide me. I chose not to come back.”

He nods before he speaks again. “Are you here of your own free will then?”

What an odd thing to ask.

I shrug. “It depends on who you ask.” I hold my breath as his fingers brush through my hair, the darkness of the night accentuating his alluring charm.

“I’m asking you .” His lips move, and all I can think about is Rafael. I’m still here because of him, and I don’t know why I continue to cling to this dream.

I swallow as he leans forward, my words beginning to jumble inside my head as a cool sweat rolls down my spine. The doors to the Fortress open and Tommy steps out.

“Frances! Fuck, I’ve been trying to find you everywhere. It’s starting.” He swirls the drink in his cup and sucks the rest down in one gulp. Frances doesn’t seem at all interested in whatever Tommy is talking about, but he drops his hand and reluctantly takes a step back, extending his hand to me.

I’m afraid of what might happen should I reject him, so I take his hand and head back inside, following the crowd of people now making their way into the forest.

It looks different tonight, with the bright flood lights illuminating a sectioned-off space in the middle of the forest and the large braziers filled with fire. The crowd murmurs as they gather around the large circle, most of them drunk off the high of being around others who can afford to attend this party. Some are just plastered off cocaine. I scan the space, searching for Dante and Rafael, and as the forest fills with people, I begin to hesitate.

Being alone with Frances doesn’t feel safe.

“Why are we out here?” I ask, wrapping the coat Frances gave me across my torso, covering my bare skin from the cool wind.

He looks at me and smiles without saying a word. The night stills as Dante walks into the middle of the space, everyone’s attention now on him, and mine focused on finding Rafael.

“Friends, thank you for attending the first revelry of the year!”

The crowd roars with cheer as I spot Ezra and Nicholas on the opposite side.

“I know the snow tax was an unexpected cost, but this year, we have something new to explore with you.” He motions to four cages being wheeled in by men, and my mouth goes dry. The man with the crazy eyes who attacked me is clawing at the bars, his clothes torn as he bares his teeth to the crowd. “This year, we introduce you to the Pit of the Damned, where two broken souls fight to the death. Your wager on the winner of the Pit could win you some serious cash!”

I purse my lips, my hands growing clammy with every second that passes. The roar of the crowd is now a faint hum behind the pulsing in my ears.

Frances leans into me and his expensive cologne mixed with the smell of cigarettes surrounds me. “Are you ready to have some fun, Nera?” he whispers, the sense of danger now growing as I search for Rafael.

“We only have two rules,” Dante continues, putting on his best entertainment voice. “Kill…or be killed.”

The crowd goes crazy, with people jumping and roaring at the excitement of fresh carnage. The thirst for blood is evident in their eyes, not one of them questioning why these poor souls are here. Not one empathetic thought that these people might have families.

One of the cages opens and the crazy one steps out, covered in dried blood. His pants are stained with what I assume is urine, but he doesn’t care because he’s no longer human.

“When the fighting ends, and one of these damned souls is crowned the survivor, you will each have an opportunity to bid for your chance to take them with you.”

My stomach churns at his words. Since when did we become this ?

“Rest assured, you will be shown how to manage and control them.”

Fucking barbaric.

Another man is released into the pit, his clothes clearly once represented a well-put-together man.

“I think I need to use the restroom.” I take a step back when large hands clasp around my forearm.

“I want you to see this.” Frances urges me to stay and I nod, afraid that if I say no, it’ll ruin things between our family and theirs.

Dante removes himself from the middle, and the men instantly launch themselves at each other, pulling, ripping, and biting. One of them manages to get on top of the other, gripping his hair and smacking his head onto the ground repeatedly.

Frances chuckles beside me, and when I look up at him, I see pure satisfaction in his eyes. “Looks like this might be a short one.” He releases my forearm, leaving a stinging sensation behind.

I continue to look for Rafael in the crowd and my eyes clash with Dante’s. He doesn’t let his gaze linger too long before he retreats into the crowd, leaving me beside this psychotic man.

The two men in the pit continue to attack each other, the blood now covering both their faces, one with a large gash on his cheekbone. I close my eyes, not wanting to watch anymore as the violent sounds of the blows rattle inside my head. The roar of the crowd gets louder with each hit.

“Yeah! Bite his fucking ear off!” someone yells from the crowd, and I open my eyes to someone throwing a knife into the pit.

“That’s not allowed! It’s cheating!” another person exclaims, but it doesn’t matter to either of the men in the pit. In fact, I don’t think they saw it land beside them, too consumed by their violent rage.

The queasiness is back. I stare at the man now on top of the one with the gash, and when he leans over, he bites the other man’s nose and tears it off completely with his teeth, the blood covering his chin.

I cover my mouth with my hand, unable to tear my eyes away as the man beneath him cries out in pain, desperate to get away from his attacker. His fingers claw the dirt as he manages to crawl to his front, inching his way to the cage they arrived in.

Whirling around, I make my way through the spectators before Frances can grab me again. I head back inside, the Fortress now completely empty. My heels clack on the marbled floors as I step behind the bar to help myself to a drink, so many new questions in my head.

Forgoing the glass, I pour a shot of vodka into my mouth, barely flinching at the burn in my throat. My mind whirls with countless conflicting thoughts, and I hate that I no longer know what I want. My entire being is telling me to confront Dante, but my rational side is telling me to let it go and do what I’m told to keep the peace.

“Thirsty?” Frances appears at the glass doors, keeping his distance.

I don’t respond as I take another long gulp of vodka. I don’t want to be here. I want nothing more than to be in my bed with my best friend in the States, watching a TV show and worrying about which tutor will take our exams.

“I thought you said you were here of your own free will.”

There’s that odd fucking statement again.

“Why do you keep saying that?” I question, stepping toward him, and he pauses. “You do realise this whole thing, this entire night was set up just for you, right?” I speak before I think.

“You know that Dante wants to be in your good books so that you don’t work with Enzo…” I shift my weight onto one leg, my body beginning to feel lighter as the alcohol takes effect. “You’re only here as a bargaining chip, to ensure that we stay relevant.”

Why would I say such a thing? I don’t fucking know.

Maybe it’s the resentment I feel toward my brother for bringing me back and making me realise the life I left behind. Maybe it’s because I’m starting to feel things I shouldn’t for Rafael. Maybe it’s because I’m just so sick and tired of being the good girl everyone wants me to be.

Frances huffs a laugh, completely unbothered by everything I’ve just said, and I begin to think that maybe I don’t know everything that’s going on behind closed doors.

“You should have a word with your brother, Nera.” I hold my breath as he steps closer to me, his height towering over mine, sending goosebumps down my spine as he speaks into my ear. “Because this night was just as much for you as it was for me.”

What?

My mind swirls and the anger is back.

He plants a soft kiss on my cheek. “Dante should have told you by now.”

Although the lighting in here is dim, his high cheekbones are accentuated when he smiles. He takes his leave through the door on the opposite side of the bar, leaving me with the most rage I have ever felt.

A moment passes and I’m unsure of my next move. Tonight was a bust. I didn’t get any of the answers I hoped for. Instead, my trust in my brother and Rafael is now at zero. Groaning from frustration, I take another gulp of vodka when a silhouette emerges by the door.

“So, this is my punishment?” Rafael’s voice is hard, and I know he’s pissed.

I don’t give him the satisfaction of an answer. Instead, I hold up the bottle of vodka and take another gulp, the liquid flowing down my chin.

His hands flex as he steps into the space, the roars from the crowd now pouring into the Fortress.

“Why are you even here?” I turn around and place the bottle back on the counter, then begin to remove my shoes. “J-Just forget about it.” My words begin to slur.

“Forget?” He remains still, watching me struggle with the buckle. “You think it’s that easy?”

“Yeah.” My chest constricts as I say the words. “Watch and learn.” Finally getting the last shoe off, I grab them and walk over to him, ramming them into his chest. “Whatever the hell this was,” I gesture between us, “it’s done.”