Page 10 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
Her breath catches, she grips the books even more, then she turns and walks away with Jo, her shoulders stiff, her back straight.
I watch her go. She’ll look at me again, they always do. And there it is, the glance over her shoulder. I smile and give her a wink.
“So, I take what my dad told me is true. I’m looking at my future sister-in-law.” Sebastian asks.
“She just doesn’t know it yet.”
Chapter 5
Maria
This college has rules, the ones written in handbooks and the ones carved into the walls by the families who truly run things. And one of those families is his. I know the Messina family has been attending this college for generations.
If the rumors are true, they’re the first mafia family to attend, with the longest history here. And if the stories hold up, they even helped start the college.
“Are you even listening to me?” Jo’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts as we walk through the courtyard, the fresh spring air, and beautiful flowers adorn the stone pathway. Jo’s hair is in a messy bun, blazer slung over her shoulder.
Out of all the girls here, Jo’s the one they envy. She’s beautiful, and her family makes plenty of money through their work as the Messina’s’ lawyers. She’s studying law too. Once, she told me she needed to learn to shoot—because you never know when a gunfight will break out.
“I’m listening,” I lie.
“No, you’re not.” She narrows her eyes, spinning to walk backwards so she can study my face. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
I swallow. “No.”
“Liar.” Jo smirks, linking her arm through mine as we walk toward the student lounge. “Massimo Messina is in your head, and it’s driving you insane. Admit it.”
I sigh, rubbing my forehead. “I barely know him.”
Jo scoffs. “You barely know him, but he sure as hell knows you.”
I frown, stopping just outside the student lounge doors. A group of students passes by, all wearing their perfectly tailored uniforms, their laughter echoing against the stone walls. This campus is a chessboard, and Massimo Messina is always ten moves ahead of everyone else.
“He’s dangerous, Jo.” My voice is quiet now, as if saying it too loud will summon him. “I don’t need to get mixed up with someone like him.”
Jo tilts her head. “Are you sure about that?”
I shoot her a look. “Of course, I’m sure.”
She frowns, raising her brow, stepping closer. “Then why do you look so flustered every time his name comes up? Why did you stare at him all through church like he was some kind of forbidden fruit?”
Heat crawls up my neck. “I did not.” First, she tells me to stay away, now she’s pushing me toward him.
“Maria, please. You’re a terrible liar.” Jo laughs, pushing open the student lounge doors and dragging me inside. “I know him well enough to know, if he wants something, there is no stopping him.”
The lounge is buzzing with life; students sprawling across velvet couches, some playing pool, others deep in hushed conversations regarding things normal students probably shouldn’t even know about. This isn’t just a college; it was a breeding ground for the future rulers of the world, maybe even the next worldwide scandal.
Jo pulls me toward the coffee bar in the corner, ordering us both drinks before turning back to me. “Look, I get it. You were kept away from all of this for most of your life. Your uncle wanted to protect you, but you’re here now, and trust me, guys like Massimo, they don’t chase after just anyone.”
I bite my lip. “I don’t want to be chased.”
Jo raises an eyebrow. “Don’t you?”
Before I can answer, the air in the room shifts. It’s almost like a physical thing, a ripple of awareness, a silent acknowledgment that someone important had entered space.
I don’t have to turn around to know who it is. Massimo. His presence is impossible to ignore. His eyes find me, and my body betrays me with a shiver.
Jo’s eyes flicker over my shoulder, and she grins. “Well, well. Looks like your favorite devil is here.”
