Because Rita did not give one fuck.
A staff girl carried a tray of shots over her head, and Rita pulled her hand away to grab two. Turning, she handed me one as she rolled her glass against her smirking lips. I tossed it back, keeping my gaze locked with hers.
She followed, and immediately, the liquor set off a round of tingles through my body. They burned like ice cold needles in the best way.
Grabbing my shirt, she yanked me against her. "Are you better now?" Rita asked against my neck as she started rotating her hips against mine.
I was a shit dancer, but I gripped her hips and did my fucking best to match her rhythm. This made her happy. Forone goddamned second, I was enough to make someone else happy.
Just me. And my actions. Nothing else.
That was the second most intoxicating thing about being with Rita. The first was how alive she made me feel. The third was how she seemed to want me above everyone else.
Wasn't that the trifecta of doom?
Someone comes along and makes you feel important, wanted, and alive.
Then boom, you were catapulted to your death because you got lazy.
If it wasn't for my years-long relationship with Javier, the leader of the Dirty Dogs, I'd be sure my father sent her to test me. But she was no more in his pocket than my half-brother, Andre, was.
She trailed kisses along my neck, and giggled as she did. There would be a red-smeared line for everyone to see and that was exactly what Rita wanted.
The Dirty Dog princess was possessive. She got off on any mark she was able to leave on me. I wouldn't put it past her to try and maim me permanently one day.
I couldn't even care.
"I love the way you smell," she whispered in my ear as we danced.
"Like sweat and bad decisions?" I called over the music.
She laughed like I'd made a joke. I was dead serious.
"No. Like mine."
That...did something to me.
Lowering my head, I barely brushed my lips against hers when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Freezing, I held my breath. What were the chances that was my father on his festival night?
High.
That was how my life went. As much as I wanted Rita in the center, it revolved around my father and his whims.
I pulled back and slipped my phone from my pocket.
Valentina: Daddy is having a bit too much fun. If you want to save a few lives, you should probably join him.
Closing my eyes, I forced myself to exhale.
"What's wrong?" Rita gave me a shake.
"I have to get back to the mansion,” I shouted over the music.
"Why?" she snapped.
I shook my head. It didn't matter. She wouldn't understand. "Can you take me back?"