The Mafia Contract Series

Emma is hyperventilating and rocking weirdly on the bed, her arms wrapped around her as if it’s the only comfort she’s got.

“I can’t do this.” Her eyes are wide and terrified, and I say gently, “It’s fine. Just one drink and then we can slip away. Knowing my brother and his friends, they’ll hook up with a girl and be otherwise occupied. Just stick with me. I won’t let any harm come to you.”

She swallows hard and groans. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask.”

As she heads off to change, I feel so worried about my only friend. I’m used to this life. It’s all I know, but all Emma has are the stories, legends and fear to feed off. She thinks these guys are monsters and rightly so. What she doesn’t understand is the code of honor they live by. She wouldn’t fear them half as much if she did because in our world, the only people we hurt are our enemies. Emma couldn’t be anyone’s enemy if she tried and so grudgingly, I admit Angelo is probably right to throw this party. Knowing him, it was more for her benefit than mine because she needs to relax, or she’ll end up in hospital or an institution.

Pulling on some jeans and a fresh top, I comb out my hair, letting it fall straight past my shoulders then make up my eyes in a smoky gray color and pull on my sneakers. Standard party issue wear, for me, anyway. No short skirts and definitely no cleavage. It always strikes me as hypocritical the way mafia men like their family members to dress conservatively, but their whores and mistresses to look like they charge by the hour. I’m pretty certain they’ll be a lot of flesh on display tonight and yet I’m curious to attend my first proper college party, even if it is under the watchful eye of my brother and his annoying friends.

Then again, there’s Alessandro. His wild beauty makes me burn and those dark hooded eyes are framed by the longest lashes I have ever seen on a man.

I hope he wears his hair down tonight, instead of tied behind him because he looks a wild spirit, like the hero in a love story and I suppose that’s why I’m making such an effort tonight-because of him.

I look for him when he’s not in the room, wondering where he is, or who he’s with. When he’s there I feel him, every single breath, and if I had any choice in my life, it would be to end the evening in his arms. Just once. To understand what the big attraction is. To discover those special feelings when a man loves a woman and I want it to be with him. What do the guys constantly say? ‘For one night only.’ Maybe I could have that-with him.

FEELING MORE UPBEAT THAN EARLIER, I head off in search of Emma and smile when I see the effort she’s made. Her jeans are smart and look new and she’s tried to make up her face and cover the acne as best she can. A loose-fitting top hides her curves and her anxious eyes shine with a different light, telling me she’s feeling a little of the excitement herself. Thinking about Flynn, I wonder if he can bring her out of her shell. Maybe that was Angelo’s intention all along and I should give my brother some credit because even I know this atmosphere can’t continue and maybe this party is just what we all need.

“Are you ready, honey?”

I smile at Emma, and she nods nervously. “I think so.”

The music has been playing for the last hour and from the noise downstairs, I know we’re not the first to arrive at our own party and as I head toward the staircase, she says breathlessly, “Please don’t leave me, Winter.”

“Not in a million years.”

Grabbing her hand, I pull her after me and when we reach the top of the staircase, we pause and look through the rails, crouching low on our heels.

“Who can you see?” she whispers and I say quietly, “I see that girl I saved.”

I peer a little closer. “She’s quite pretty, despite the bruises.”

“I heard she went with your brother.” Emma whispers with a touch of reverence and I feel a surge of pity for the pretty girl who is looking around as if searching for someone.

Then I tense when I see the two girls from class and hiss, “I can’t believe he invited those bitches.”

“Who?”

“The girls who obviously hate me. You remember, the one with the jock who smashed the locker in your face and her friend who threatened me.”

“Do you think they know we’re here?”

Emma sounds as if she might cut and run, and a sudden feeling catches me that tells me their invitation was for a different reason entirely.

I almost pity them when I see my brother standing watching them and as the girls see him, I watch with interest as the girl heads his way, her hips swaying, no doubt sending him a very loud message.

“Watch.” I nudge Emma and see the girl lean toward my brother, who is looking deadpanned as always and he says something and pushes her away, making her stumble a little before turning his back on her and chatting to a pretty girl by his side.

“Wow, that must have hurt.”

Emma sounds in awe, and I sigh. “Typical behavior. Come on, we may as well get this over with.”

Gripping Emma’s hand hard, we head downstairs and straight to the kitchen, pushing past people who block the way until we find the coolers filled with beers.

“Want one?”

I place my hand on one to fling to my friend, but a large hand covers mine and I hear, “Not for you.”

I look up and see Ivan frowning at me, and I sigh. “Are you really saying I can’t drink at my own party?”

“No.”

“Then let me go.”

“You can drink water, bosses’ orders.”

“And Emma?”

“Same.”

He reaches behind me and pushes some water into a glass from the tap on the fridge and holds it to my lips, trapping me in a wall of ink and menace.

“Drink, moy angel.”

This feels so degrading and yet kind of sweet as I take a draft of the cool water he holds to my lips.

As he steps back, he nods to Emma, “Same.”

He offers her the drink and then says in a deep drawl, “No alcohol; I’ll be watching.”

Grabbing Emma’s arm, I pull her with me, saying angrily, “Fucking dictator. Who are you, my father?”

I catch a few nervous looks my way as other students witness the exchange, and I’m guessing they’re not used to seeing anyone speak back to these guys. Ivan just shrugs and turns to a pretty girl by his side and hauls her against the wall, her legs wrapping around his waist, and proceeds to devour her in full view of the rest of us.

Emma starts shaking and, taking that as my cue to leave, I pull her with me from the room.

As we head inside the living room, I see a guy standing talking to Angelo who looks every bit as dangerous as my brother.

“Who’s he?”

I nudge Emma and she shivers. “Baron Fitzgerald. He lives next door, but many think he should move in here.”

“Why?”

“Because he fits in more. The other house is the one I told you about, where the rich kids go and have amazing parties. Maybe you should try for an invitation. I heard they’re legendary around campus.”

“Don’t you want to go?”

“She shivers. “No. To be honest, I’m amazed I’m here at all. Just one hour though. I don’t think I’ll last past that.”

Angelo looks up and beckons us over and with a sigh, I do what he says like the good little sister I am.

As we get closer to them, I feel the scrutiny of his friend, but unlike Alessandro, this guy just leaves me cold.

Angelo says evenly, “Come and meet Baron.” He says to his friend, “This is my sister Winter and Emma, her friend.” Baron looks interested.

“Welcome to Rockwell. Angelo tells me we’re now neighbors.”

His voice has a strange accent that I can’t place and yet he seems pleasant enough, so I smile.

“Yes, it appears that we are.”

“You should come to our next party; both of you.”

He looks between us, and Emma steps a little behind me as I say pleasantly, “Thanks, we might take you up on that.”

“Only might?”

He looks amused, and Angelo laughs. “If she comes to one of your parties, I’m holding you responsible for looking after her, Baron.”

“It would be my pleasure.” His dark eyes flash with amusement and I feel myself relax. If Angelo likes him, then he can’t be all bad, so I smile. “I’d like that.”

Suddenly, the easy atmosphere is gone in a flash as I sense a scuffle behind me and then hear a loud scream and as I look into my brother’s eyes, I watch his expression change in a heartbeat.