Page 221 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

I won’t beg. I’ll ask him once more, but that’s it. This is pointless to harp on. Drago and I are a thing and no one will stand in our way of each other unless it’s one of us making that choice.

“Will you come or not? He’s actually quite charming if you give him a chance.”

“Yes, Brianna. I’ll come to dinner.”

“Thank you. How about Thursday? Be at his house around seven?”

He sighs more dramatically this time but agrees. After thanking him again, we say our goodbyes as I’m walking down the hallway. I take one final glance over the landing, looking down to the living room. Luca and CC are playing tug-o-war with the remote, but Gabe still seems content, so I turn, walking into D’s bedroom.

I set my phone on the media table below his massive television and then kick off my sandals.

“I invited my dad over on Thursday night.” It was Drago’s idea. He mentioned it earlier before I showered, and I had planned on calling my father tomorrow. “Are you sure Mona doesn’t mind cooking?”

“That woman lives to cook, Bri. She’s happy to. Trust me.”

He’s already lying in bed, shirtless, and looking edible as usual. His eyes are downcast, looking at his phone as his thumbs are moving at a fast speed across the screen. He’s either texting or typing an email. The sheet covering him has slid down, revealing the red rim of his Armani boxer briefs.

I pad my bare feet over the soft carpet, stopping next to his side of the bed.

“If you say so.” I climb onto him, straddling his hips. “I’m worried about Luca. He’s so young. He shouldn’t have to deal with some chick’s bullshit and be dragged down with her.”

I feel bad for his daughter having to live with a mother who can’t possibly love and care for her the way she needs to be.

“Sometimes it isn’t that easy, Bri.”

He places his cell phone face down on the nightstand, turning his warm gaze onto me.

“If she loved him as much as he clearly loves her then she’d clean up her shit,” I reason. “She must not. I mean, hell, she hasn’t even gotten clean for her own daughter. Even Caprice dislikes her, and I really don’t see your sister hating anyone. She’s too nice.”

“London isn’t as bad as you think. Her only downfall, albeit a big one, is the drug problem. CC pretends to hate her, but she doesn’t. She hates what she’s put Luca through. Luca has always been Caprice’s best friend since before she could speak. But London was also her friend. A really good friend—probably heronlyother friend, since the day they met in third grade. Our mom had just died, and London’s parents had just moved here from New York. London is actually a very compassionate person. She helped Caprice by befriending her back then. It wasn’t until they were teenagers that London caught Luca’s eye.” Drago takes a breath. “They dated through middle and high school. London is nothing like her older sister, Paris, Summers’ soon-to-be ex-wife if he’s smart. She’s a wiz at computers like my brother.”

“Then why doesn’t she seek help? Kick the drug problem and make something of herself?”

“She’s extremely shy, a lot like my sister. Paris, on the other hand, is not, plus she’s a whore.” He gives me a pointed look. “I don’t use that term loosely. She is what she is. Their parents put Paris in modeling and had her shooting commercials from the time she was a baby. They tried to do the same with London, only she hated it. But they kept on, forcing her to do runway shows. Her anxiety would shoot through the roof and the only way she could walk out on a platform in front of a crowd was if she was medicated. Paris was probably the one shoving pills down her throat.”

My eyebrows furl together with every new piece of information he’s telling me. Justin’s wife sounds like a real bitch, and the parents not much better; maybe even worse if they didn’t see any of this unfolding.

“London got her first taste of cocaine at the age of sixteen. She turned twenty-one a few months ago, and five years may not sound long, but that’s five years that my brother has been going through hell. She’s had multiple bouts in rehab. She always relapses, because she won’t stand up for herself and tell her parents to go to Hell. She doesn’t have to be a model or a celebrity like they want her to be. She’ll realize that eventually. I’m just praying it happens sooner rather than later for Luca and Mia’s sake.”

I nod, agreeing with him. I don’t so much as dislike her anymore. I just feel bad for her now. In all honesty, I can’t actually relate. I have no idea what addiction is like. Saying I have a shopping addiction and comparing it to real life issues aren’t the same. Judging her without knowing her or knowing her story was wrong of me.

“I don’t want to talk about my brother or his woman problems anymore.” He reaches up, grasping me around the waist and pulls me down, inches from his face. “I want to talk about my woman.” He smirks. “Or do her. Talking is overrated.”

His lips crash against mine, his hands squeezing around me.

He lets go with one hand, lifting his hips and raising me up. His teeth nip the bottom of my lip before his tongue spears my mouth. He takes his boxers off, then maneuvers my cotton pants and thong down my legs. Our lips disconnect when he rips my tank top over my head.

I’m definitely over talking about anyone but us, too. Drago’s hands run up my back and then back down to my ass. He squeezes both cheeks so tight I know I’ll have bruising, but they’ll be a welcome compromise to everything I know he’s about to do to me.

My eyes flutter closed as he slides inside of me.

Home. I’m home.

My chest expands, and on a deep exhale, I relax onto him, letting every thought, worry, and fear go, allowing his hardened cock to take me away.

This is exactly where I want to stay.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

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