Page 1 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
Chapter 1
Massimo
“Two months left of college, then we’re in the family business.” I turn to my best friend, Sebastian. I’m not sure how much he has drunk since we’ve been here, but one thing I do know is, I need to watch him. The man gets into more fights than anyone else I know, and when he’s had a few drinks, you only need to look at him the wrong way. No matter what I say, he still believes his fists should do the talking. “Come on, we finally get to be in control of things.” He pats my back, and I start laughing.
Sebastian is my best friend, and the son of my dad’s best friend and right-hand man. The two of them together have made sure everyone knows who runs the city of Blackstone Hollow, and that’s the Messina family. My family.
My grandad put our name on the map, not just in Blackstone Hollow but across the country. His brother, my uncle, runs things in Italy. Being the best means hard work and never letting up. There is one family who keeps coming for us, but they consistently fail. The O’Brien family, the Irish, came here and thought they could overtake what my great grandad had started, but no. Not on my dad’s watch, and not on mine.
“There isn’t much more we can learn from college,” I reply to him as I take a sip of my beer.
Blackstone Academy isn't just a college, it’sTHEcollege. Students come from every corner of the world, children of politicians, actors, sports personalities, and singers. But once inside, they step into a world far more sinister than anyone expects.
Blackstone Academy looms over the restless sea, which sits on the end of the city. Perched on a craggy cliffside, the castle-like structure is shrouded in an eerie mist, its stone walls darkened by time and secrets long buried, as if this building was built for horror movies for the killer to enjoy its time here. The waves crash violently against the rocks below. No matter the weather, the waves hit hard as if they seek whatever darkness the walls hold.
This is the place to be, to learn the art of the criminal world.
As long as you have money, and lots of it, this is the college for you.
The rich kids get the college that the world sees, but under the layers of Blackstone Academy, lies a secret society, and only the ones who are in a family like mine, know what happens there in the night.
It’s the nighttime session I look forward to the most, I’ve learned a lot more there than I do in the fucking college books.
The gates alone let you know you’re about to come into history. A towering iron gate, adorned with twisted gothic filigree, holding centuries-old secrets, from the people who have come in and out of here. Stone pillars crowned with menacing gargoyles loom on either side, their hollow eyes seeming to follow every visitor who walks through the gates. I remember Grandad telling me, it was our family who thought of the design centuries ago. A narrow pathway stretches beyond the gate, lined with trees.
Above it all, the academy itself rises in the background, a cold, gray façade, its spires piercing the heavens. It’s easy to see this building hasn’t been touched over time. I still remember my first experience walking the path; a weird hum filled the air, almost like a warning:No turning back now.
Four years locked behind academy gates, unless your family’s close enough to pull you out on weekends. If not, you stay and if you listen carefully, you might be able to hear the whispers within the walls.
The music changes, and I turn toward the group of girls who’ve walked into the room laughing at something. Most of them are in my class, hell, all of them have been in my bed except one.
One I’ve not seen in the four years I’ve been here, and I remember everyone; there was no way I was going to forget her face. Angelic.
I want to know who she is and see if we can have some fun.
“Really?” Sebastian looks at the one I have my eye on. “Go for the girl who knows nothing about you, but I’m sure the group around her will catch her up.” He starts laughing, and I tell him to fuck off, because he’s not wrong. The moment one of them opens her mouth it’s going to be a lot harder for me to talk to my angel.
“I’m always up for a fight.” I pat his back and walk, making my way to her. Her friends have their back to me, and that’s my opening to talk to her. Five minutes, that's all I need; I’m confident in myself.
I move in behind her as the music starts, my hand rests softly on her lower back, waiting for her to tell me to fuck off or give me a sign to continue dancing. She tilts her head, meeting my eyes, but she doesn’t step away, and I let my hand ease around her waist.
“Hello there, Angel,” I whisper in her ear, and a small giggle escapes her. “You new here?” I ask as I turn her fully to me so I can get a better look at her face.
Yes, a fucking angel and I’m going to make her mine if it’s the last thing I do.
I lean in closer to her ear. “What’s your name, Angel?”
Before she can answer, Jo pulls her away from me. “Keep your hands away from her, Massimo. Not sure this one's for you.” She stands in front of me trying to block my view of the girl. She’s not doing a good job when I’m almost a foot taller than her.
“Why do you say that?” I step to the side, and Jo follows my direction, which makes me smile. “If you want to join me in my bed, I’m more than?—”
“You’re so full of yourself.” Jo laughs and turns to Sebastian as he joins me. “I promise you there is no space for a devil next to this angel.” Taking the girl's hand she walks away, but she glances over her shoulder at me, and I wink.
I don’t know her name, but I’m sure it won’t be too hard to find it. Because this devil does want to play with that angel.
Walking over to the wall, I lean on it, and Sebastian hands me a drink. My eyes locked on the girl as she disappears into the crowd.
She might be a mystery, but in this town there isn’t anything I can’t get my hands on—information, power, control. And right now, the only thing I want is her.
