Page 39 of Sinister
Grabbing my Valentino heels from my wardrobe, retrieving my phone from the other end of the room where I threw it earlier, and my clutch, I lock my door after me and head down the grand staircase with my heart in my throat and my dignity left back in my shower.
Chapter twenty
Sinisa
Idon’t bother joining in on the conversation with the boys as they all get pumped for a night out at La Manair. My father opened that place two years ago, a way for him to entertain his clients and business associates when they visit the East Coast. I’ve had many drunk nights there, playing with the strippers and enjoying some down time. Now, it’s my turn to entertain my friends and our rival college frat houses. I hand picked the invitations that were sent to the select few extras outside of the frats and it will be interesting to see who joins us tonight. Rome and Chaser insisted Monroe received one even though I thought it would be a bad idea having her in such close proximity to other frat guys.
Leaning against the counter as she enters the kitchen, I’m almost tempted to tell her she’s not invited but where would the fun be in that. She looks fucking stunning in that tiny dress and sky-high heels as I cast my gaze over her, starting from her heels and pausing at that tattoo on her wrist. It still eats at me that she went and got it at the Diamonds Frat. Those fuckers should know better than to mark my property. They will fucking pay for this and their tattooist will be the first on my list. My lingering stare moves to her sultry eyes and I notice her hair is left natural. I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve seen her naturally wavy hair and I wonder if she’s aware that she looks all the more stunning when she’s not trying to look a certain way. I know how beautiful she is when she’s unconscious and on the brink of undoing.
I know she’s feeling awkward as fuck after seeing me on my bed jerking one out. I have photo evidence to use against her, or for my own personal use, I’m not sure which one yet.
She locks eyes with me as she stops at the other end of the long island counter and I can feel the hostility radiating off her glowing skin.
“You look stunning.” Chaser wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side and kissing the side of her head. He grabs her hand and eyes her tattoo but doesn’t say a word to her.
“Aww, thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.” She beams, clearly enjoying his attention.
My gaze flits to Rome, who’s standing further back chatting to one of the guys, doing his best to ignore her and me.
“There’s our queen. Come here and give your king a twirl.” I say with extra enthusiasm, making it out as though I actually give a fuck about this dumb bitch. I couldn’t care less if she drowned in the lake or not. She’s irritating at the best of times, but Monroe doesn’t need to know that.
Charlotte skips over to me. If she was a dog, she’d be wagging her tail at any of the minimal attention I give her. As I said before. Pathetic.
She grabs my extended hand and I twirl her under my arm but make sure I keep my gaze on Monroe the whole time. She watches me intently, her mouth pressed together and what I wouldn’t give to know what she’s thinking. I pull Charlotte into me and press my free hand into her lower back, just low enough to have my fingers brush her ass.
Monroe turns away then and I know I’ve pissed her off. I’ll have to get Charlotte to pay Rome extra attention at the party and make Monroe jealous.
“Okay, I need everyone’s attention. A few rules we need to set for tonight. Under no circumstances are you to fight with anyone. I mean it, there is zero tolerance within those walls. Leave your bullshit outside. The queens are off limits. Only their king’s and jack’s can touch them.” I pull Charlotte into me to drive my point. “Consent is the bottom line. Anything goes as long as everyone is agreeable. Your card gets you into different rooms, so don’t swap them with anyone. Do me proud, boys!” I grin at them as they all start hollering and wolf whistling, making their way to the cars.
Monroe takes off after the guys and disappears outside, leaving behind Rome, Chaser and Charlotte.
“You can go.” I push Charlotte off me now that my show is over. I wait for her to go outside before I speak. “Rome, what the fuck has gotten into you?”
His glare roots me to the spot.
“Jesus fuck, you’re not still sulking about Mono getting her hymen ripped.” I slap him on the back and pull him into me, giving him a big hug.
“She what?” Chaser looks between us.
“She got fucked and it wasn’t our boy. His allegiance to me is too strong. I fucking love you for it though.” I kiss him on the cheek and he tries to push me away.
“What the fuck? When? Anyone going to give me details?” Chaser grips the edge of the counter, his knuckles turning white.
Letting go of Rome, I move to grab my phone from the counter. “I don’t think she has elaborated to Rome yet. Although, with him not talking to her, it’s hard for him to get the info.”
“Dude, is this what you two are fighting over?”
“I’m out.” Rome steps aside and leaves the room.
“Are you going to find out who it was and kick their fucking ass?” Chaser watches me.
“Don’t worry. The situation is being handled, we’ll all talk about it later. Now, let’s go have some fun.” I slap the counter and head out after Chaser to our car.
Pulling up at the exclusive club my brilliant father built from the ground up, not that he comes here purely out of respect for my mom, I marvel every time I see this place. I’m so fucking proud of his efforts and attention to detail. This place looks like some ritzy six star hotel plucked straight from the streets of Paris. It exudes opulence, glamor and money. Not just anyone off the street can enter, you have to have a personal invitation that is embedded with a chip security scan upon entrance. We’ve had numerous rich business moguls, celebrities and members of certain royal families try to get memberships to no avail. The fuckers invited tonight better know how lucky they are. But if one of them steps one foot out of line, they will be booted and depending on how generous I am, they might be allowed to keep breathing.
Parking the car in the underground parking lot, I put it in park and glance in the rear view mirror to be met by a scathing glare from Mono. I throw her a cheeky wink before I climb out and lead my boys to a night of debauchery and self-indulgence.
Piling into the elevator, I’m pressed up against Mono and I can’t help myself when I pinch her side and make her yelp.