She’s pretty and we’ve hooked up more than once, but I have no interest in that anymore, not since…
Raquel.
God damn it. I can’t stop thinking about her no matter how fucking hard I try, and Iamtrying. Kind of.
Ellie was my regular hookup for the past few months. I enjoyed her company for the purpose it served, but things are different now, and I’m not willing to be with her or anyone else. Even if my wife is the daughter of my sworn enemy, marriage is still a promise of loyalty, so I’m not fucking Ellie, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.
“I invited her here for you,” Enzo whisper-shouts from my left, grinning as though he’s done me some kind of favor.
“Who the fuck asked you to?” I bark out with a little too much irritation.
“Shit. What’d she do? Bite your dick off or something?” He chuckles, only amusing himself.
But I’m not laughing. I glare, which gets him grinning.
“Do you remember that time we messed around in the bathroom?” Ellie keeps fucking talking at my right. “You’re still the best I’ve ever had.”
She bites the edge of her lower lip, wrapping a loose strand of her hair around her finger.
Goddamn, she doesn’t get the hint. I need to be firmer or she’ll never drop this.
“Look, Ellie, you’re great and everything, you really are, but I’ve started seeing someone, and I kinda like her.”
That’s only half the truth. I’m not seeing her at all. We’re actually married. Surprise.
“Oh.” Her eyes widen a bit, her lips parting in obvious shock.“I’m sorry, Dante. I didn’t know.”
Me either.
This is the first time I’ve admitted to liking Raquel out loud.
Ellie straightens her back, angling her face sideways, her eyes on me.
“Well, you deserve to be happy.” She runs her long, black nails through the front of her hair, her features bowing with disappointment. “I was kind of hoping it’d be with me, but I guess you never saw me that way.”
“I’m sorry,” I offer, because it’s the only thing I have.
“Whoa!” Enzo says a little too loudly. “Did you mean you like Raquel?”
“Shut the fuck up!” I yell into his ear. “I don’t need Dom hearing that.”
Dom is currently pushing a girl off his lap, clearly pissed, judging by the expression on his face. The only reason he came tonight was to meet with a big-time investor we need to expand our empire. We plan to open a few more clubs, but we need capital.
Johnny, the man we’re trying to impress, looks like he’s having a grand old time, dancing with two women who are about thirty-five years younger than he is. He’s sixty, and looks decent for his age. And damn, can he drink…and his taste is as expensive as the yachts he owns.
“Shit.” Enzo interrupts my thoughts. “You’re serious about liking Raquel?”
“No, I’m not.”
But Enzo knows me well. Both of my brothers do.
“You’re a fucking liar.” He bumps a fist into my shoulder.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll never be with her. Leave it at that.”
“Bro, you’re already married. You’re with her in every way, whether you like it or not. That’s what you wanted. What’s wrong with also liking her?” His brows pull in confusion. “It’s not a crime.”
“Her fucking name! That’s what!” I practically shout in his ear. “Or did you forget that?”