Page 15 of Sinister

I throw myself into Rome’s arms and he catches me like he always does, nearly dropping his bag of take out. He holds me tightly against him as though we haven’t seen each other for months, even though I spent the entire day at his house yesterday. I unwrap my arms from around his neck and place a chaste peck on his cheek.

Chaser pushes up behind me and sandwiches me between them. “Don’t leave me out, guys. I need cuddles too.” He wraps his arms all the way around Rome and squeezes hard.

“I can’t breathe.” I squirm between them, and this makes Chaser squeeze a little harder before he lets go of us and pulls me back into him. His hand splays across my abdomen in a possessive hold.

I see how Rome’s eyes rake over me as I’m held captive by Chaser.

“What?” I look at him in confusion.

“Babe, I love you but over my dead body you’re going dressed like that.”

I glance down at my tight black corset and the tutu that barely covers my ass. “What’s wrong with it?”

“For starters, we’re not going to be there to scare off any fuckers thinking they can get a piece of you.” He licks the salt from his lips as his gaze narrows.

“I’m not having this discussion with you. I’ve begged you and you still won’t take it.” I cross my arms in agitation.

Chaser presses me tighter into him and growls into my hair when Rome takes two angry strides toward me and leans down so he’s in my face. “Do you have any fucking idea how hard it is to say no to you?” His nostrils flare and his eyes are trained on mine.

“Well, then don’t say no.”

He moves closer and I try to step back but the wall of muscle behind me makes it difficult to move anywhere.

Rome’s nose is nearly touching mine when he exhales sharply. “You’re infuriating, Monroe.” My name whispers through his lips.

“It was our pact, remember? You promised.” I whisper the words that I thought meant as much to him as they did to me. Our childish pact we made when we were thirteen was from a place of pure innocence and adolescent naivety.

“We were fucking kids. Things change,” his voice cracks in anger as he straightens and glares down at me.

I pull Chaser’s arm off me and shove Rome in the chest, barely moving him. He’s like a brick wall and stands there glaring down at me. Stepping around him, I flip them the finger as I storm off. “Fuck you then. You get no say in what I wear or who I do things with.” Opening the door to the garage, I slam it after me in irritation.

I climb into my Audi, which Papa V. has ordered me to drive at night, ease out of the garage and head down the driveway until I reach the security gates. I lower my window and smile at Thomas as he makes his way to my car. He’s been our night gate security for the past five years. He’s older, sexy and knows how to flirt.

“Hey.”

His piercing blue eyes settle on my boobs as they try to contain themselves in my corset. “Hey, where to tonight, trouble?”

“A party where you dress as your worst nightmare.” I laugh and gesture to my outfit.

He looks at me in confusion. “You’re scared of ballerinas?”

“Nuns. I’m terrified of nuns.” I point to my black and white veil.

His infectious chuckle makes me laugh along with him. “I’ve never heard of anyone scared of nuns before. Ghosts or murderers, yes. Nuns, that’s a no.” He taps the top of the car. “So, what time am I going to be holed up in this booth for tonight?”

I poke my lower lip out. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind sitting and freezing my ass off, but you owe me.” He winks.

“I’ve already ordered you hot drinks and snacks on the hour.” I twist in my seat and grab the mink blanket I grabbed earlier in the day. “And I got you a blanket.” I hold it out to him.

He takes it and grins. “Now get out of here before I lose my job for letting you out past curfew.” He taps twice on the hood of my car and opens the twelve foot high wrought iron gates.

Chapter nine

Rome

“This wasn’t the plan, dude.” I stare at the high flames licking the cool night air. Small embers fly off into the dark and with them the souls of these poor fuckers.

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