Page 1 of Something Borrowed

CHAPTER ONE

Verity

The club is packed tonight. Pulsing and high energy. The vibe is buzzing.

I’m at the bar with my friends and we are all looking in the same direction.

At him.

He’s so fucking tall it’s impossible not to notice him. I know exactly who is. Rufino Vece. The enemy. The big, scary, dangerous man who I need to stay away from because our families have been at each other’s throats for decades. But my amazing friends have just dared me to do something stupid and I’m always up for that.

I grin, putting my hand on my hip and tilting my head to the side.

“Ok, fine. I’ll do it.” I shout over the throbbing pulse of heavy bass blasting around us. My friends stare at me in horror. Sammy gasps and shakes her head, a mild look of panic in her eyes.

Of course, they underestimated me. They thought I’d never agree to it. I should not have agreed.

I turn towards the man they’ve challenged me to kiss, but one of my friends reaches out and grabs my arm. “Are you crazy? You father will kill you, what if it lands up on socials or something? He’s dangerous.” Dante says, his eyes wide with shock. He tugs me towards him and shakes his head.

They are all laughing, drunk and causing shit. But I am right there in the zone with them. We are always causing shit. This is nothing new.

“So what if he’s my dad’s enemy?” I shrug my shoulders, still grinning, my eyes narrowed.

“Do it.” Bella shouts, throwing her arm in the air and spilling her drink.

“Don’t be a dumbass.” Dante sniggers. He won’t let me go. It’s a cautious warning.

I roll my eyes. “Fine, let’s get another round then.” They shouldn’t challenge me if they don’t want me to go through with it. You would think they know me better by now.

Dante waves the bartender over to order another round of tequilas.

He leans across the bar to pull the bowl of lemon slices closer.

I’m still watching Rufino Vece. Fuck - he ishot. Like wickedly divine. He’s leaning against the bar counter in his fitted black suit and his eyes are on me. I smirk at him and wink across the bar. His expression doesn’t change. I can feel the danger oozing off him like dark syrup.

I lick my lips. I would love to play a few games with him. The more forbidden the fruit, the sweeter it tastes - or so I’ve been told.

He’s tall, and his dark red hair and piercing green eyes are captivating. I want him. But I can’t have him.

ButI do like a challenge.

While he is watching me, he rolls his sleeves up over his forearms and I think he’s flirting back.

“Hey, are you daydreaming or what?” Dante shouts, grabbing my attention and handing me the shot of tequila.

I take it from him, and all of my friends yellcheersbefore we tip our heads back. The alcohol burns down my throat and into my chest.

Honestly, my friends are a terrible influence. I mean, I’m not much better, but whenever I hang out with them, we get into trouble.

I think tonight is going to be no different because now they’ve put this idea in my head. I can’t seem to get rid of it. Not even the tequila is diluting the thoughts.

I want the Red Vece. It’sonlybecause I can’t have him.

Iwantto accept this challenge. It’s like an evil seed in my mind that’s taken root, and now it will be impossible to let go.

Bella, Dante, and Sammy head towards the dance floor and drag me along with them. Pulling me away from the bar and away from his intense stare.

Music vibrates through my body and I forget about the red-haired Viking for a while - getting lost in the enjoyment and freedom of dancing and letting go.

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