Ironcouncil, p.6
Ace of Diamonds, page 6
“Yes,” I lie.
I don’t want to tell him that I haven’t seen anyone but Sarah and Sasha since arriving at the mansion. And I only have seen my father at the dinner and not since. It’s been almost a week, and I’ve done nothing but hang out in my room alone. When I come down to eat, I eat alone. I’ve seen Sarah in passing, but she doesn’t bother herself to say hello. Even the staff seem to ignore me. I might as well be invisible.
“And you really want to marry this man? This Sidorov person?” he asks, and I get the feeling that he’s trying to wrap his head around the idea.
“It’s not really a marriage. More like a business deal,” I say, not sure I even know what it is to be honest. It’s not like any of us have sat down to discuss the details.
Strike that… Sidorov and Bryant have had a meeting to discuss the details, but I was not included in the planning.
“And what do you get out of it?”
“Security.” I finally get to tell the truth.
Security for not only myself, but for Dylan. No more owing. No more on the run.
“Safety,” I add.
Safety for every single person in my life. Safety from making my problems others’. Safety from destroying everyone I love and value in my life.
“The two things you’ve always wanted.” He lets out a sigh. “There’s nothing I can do to change your mind, is there?” Dylan asks.
I notice Sasha walk into my bedroom, dressed and ready for Wonderland tonight. Her eyes take in the fact that I’m dressed in the outfit she picked out for me for the event, and she silently claps her hands in approval.
“I promise you that it’s all going to work out,” I say, signaling with one finger to Sasha that I’ll be off the phone in a minute. “I need to go right now, but I promise I’ll call you soon. You just keep focusing on school and don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I swear.”
I hear Dylan grumble as we both give our love and hang up. He’s right. There is nothing he can say or do that will have me change my mind. I have to do what I have to do to keep everyone safe.
When I hang up the phone, I turn my attention to Sasha. “You look amazing.”
“As do you,” she praises. “Are you ready for the best birthday party we’ve ever been to?”
“Birthday party?”
“That’s the theme for the night,” she adds. “And this Wonderland is going to be extra extra spicy. I hear that orgies are going to happen. Rooms with sex acts. Everyone watching everyone else. It’s going to be a kinky paradise.” She gives a devilish grin. “Maybe you can have some pre-wedding fun. Get your dirty on before you wife up.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I think I’ll stick to dancing.”
“Even if Nick is in one of the sex rooms waiting?” she taunts.
I haven’t told my cousin about our night together in this room, and I don’t plan to. It was one night. Just one night.
One night only.
“We have to go to Central Park and look for golden mushrooms to get the address to the party,” Sasha says. “So we better get going. I don’t know how long this will take.” She looks over her shoulder at the door. “Does Bryant know you’re leaving? Did you tell him where you’re going?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t seen him for days. I don’t think he gives a fuck where I go or when. So no worries there.”
“Maybe you should leave a note. Say you’re staying at my place,” she offers.
“I’m not a teenager sneaking out of the house,” I say, even though a part of me feels that way.
“I’m just thinking that if any other Morellis are at Wonderland, and it gets back to Bryant—”
“I told you he won’t care,” I interrupt. “I’m not the precious daughter that he’s trying to protect. I truly believe he won’t care if I walk out that door and never return, aside from the fact that he needs to make good on his business deal with the Sidorovs. But what I do from now until the day I say ‘I do’ is none of his concern.”
“I’m sorry,” she says softly. “I know you hoped for more. I know there has to be a part of you that thought you’d have an insta-family.” She shakes her head. “That’s just not how this family is. I often wish it was too. I’ve been part of this tree all my life and even I feel like the redheaded stepchild sometimes. I don’t ever truly feel like I belong.”
“That’s just Bryant’s family.”
Sasha snorts. “My dad is actually worse than Bryant. It’s just that he lost power when he lost control of Morelli Holdings. So no one cares as much what he does.”
Everyone knew about the power struggle that had almost fractured the company. I speak cautiously, not wanting to bring up bad memories. “I know you never felt comfortable at home.”
“Listen. Whatever Uncle Bryant has going on? That’s nothing compared to the secrets at Vincent Morelli’s household. There’s a reason Elliott left when he was sixteen. And why Selene moved to Paris when she turned eighteen. It’s not a good place.”
My heart wrenches. “Why don’t you leave?”
Her gaze flits away. “It’s complicated.”
“I’m sorry, Sasha.”
“All I’m saying is, I know you wanted a family. And you deserve one.”
Her words make me feel a little better. The past week I’ve gone from sadness to anger and then back to sadness. Part of me wants to cry and wallow in my disappointment, and another part of me wants to storm into Bryant’s office and demand answers. Demand respect. Demand the father-daughter relationship I’ve always craved.
“I’m beginning to accept my situation. As hard as it is, I’m lowering my standards on what I need from being a Morelli.”
“That’s sad.”
“No, it’s the truth.” I give a smile and slip on my heels. “But let’s not allow this to put a damper on the mood for tonight. We have a birthday party to attend.”
Sasha pauses, bites her lip, but then announces, “Then let’s go. Time to find Wonderland.”
Chapter Ten
Nick
As she enters through the black velvet curtains entering Wonderland—my Wonderland, I hate that I have to share. I’ve never been good at sharing anything in my life. I want us back in Italy. Just us, under the Tuscan sun, never to be apart. No eyes on her. Not a single soul deciding if they have a chance getting in her panties. No one looking at her but me. Me.
Selfish?
No.
Possessive?
Yes.
If I’d have my way, I’d keep Lyriope locked in a cage with the only key belonging to me. She is the pure definition of perfection, and for some unknown reason, I was the lucky bastard who got the privilege of calling her mine. Even if temporarily. Even if she was mine in a fucked-up way. Even if I had to take it. And yes, I most certainly took it.
I had purposely kept an open invite to every single Morelli to Wonderland. No hard feelings… at least on the surface. Come and play with me in Wonderland, motherfuckers. Come play. It’s my way of keeping my enemies close at all times, and it’s in my domain. Had I expected any to attend so closely to the Italy incident? No. So, to see her unexpected visit with Sasha doesn’t exactly have me surprised, just amused that this girl does exactly what she wants and how she wants to do it. Her balls are bigger than any thug at this party. I’m sure Sasha being the devil on her shoulder didn’t hurt in having her return to Wonderland. I’m not sure if I should thank Sasha or—
I notice my security—led by Harrison—are close behind them trying to be subtle, knowing damn well I didn’t plan for her to be here, but are going to do whatever they can to keep her safe. They know me well. I can see that Harrison isn’t pleased, but he wasn’t going to argue with me when I told Martha to let them through the door. After all, I did say all Morellis are on the guest list.
A black dress that shows off every single curve of her body has me paralyzed and unable to take my eyes off her. Not only does she come to my Wonderland unannounced, but she also has to wear a dress that tempts everyone to set eyes on her. Her shapely legs in those black and red-soled heels go on forever. Straight to that pussy I haven’t been able to get my mind off.
Her taste is like heroin to a hopeless junkie, and I shake for another fix.
She’s wearing pearls that hang to her lower belly. Pearls that symbolize the new life she’s living now. She’s no longer the poor hustler her mother raised her to be. No, she’s now the daughter of Bryant Morelli and though I see she’s not truly comfortable in that skin, my fingers twitch to take hold of those pearls and rub them over every inch of her body.
Rich looks good on her.
God, I want her. I want her again, and again, and again.
I’m tempted to repeat history and kidnap her, tie her up in my wine cellar, and parade her naked ass for all my staff to see that my queen has returned to the palace.
I want everyone to know this woman is mine, and only mine. Even if I have to take her again.
And fuck me… she is hot as hell.
When did her eyes sparkle so much? Even in the shadowed room of the warehouse and from this distance, I can see them. I can feel them. Those damn eyes. To an unsuspecting spectator she’d appear so pure and innocent, when I know she is anything but. My perfect girl, I liked to dirty up. She liked it fucking filthy, which makes me crave her more than anything in the world. She is the greatest possession that I don’t have. She’s an antique I need. She’s a priceless heirloom that should be on a mantel. My mantel.
Lyriope is taking Wonderland all in. She now knows what it takes to pull off a Wonderland, and I can see her examine every detail of the room. Her eyes scan the white and black leather furniture, the black bar with ivory barstools, and the opal vases cast all around that hold two to three dozen white roses in each ostentatious urn. White balloons drown the room in their happy birthday celebration mask. She glances up to look at the huge crystal chandelier that appears as if it’s dripping diamonds onto the dancers below. Lyriope knows I had that fixture imported from Venice—she knows. She knows we worked countless hours on giving the magic and holding back no expense in order to cast a classy and seductive vibe. Silver and white confetti and gold glitter fall from the ceiling and dance around her flowing hair, brushing her shoulders, caressing her face all to remind her that she’s here to celebrate. It’s a birthday party in Wonderland.
Happy birthday to all the forgotten.
A celebration for all those who never got to have their special day.
An unbirthday to each and every person in this building.
Happy birthday to you.
Especially Lyriope who was never made to feel special. On her birthday or any other day.
Lyriope’s eyes scrutinize the bodies dancing shoulder to shoulder to the hottest DJ imported straight from Prague as if she’s looking for me amongst the powerful players of the room. Or maybe that is only my hope. She’s yet to look up at the balcony where she knows I often reside looking down at my Wonderland.
Is she refusing to lift her eyes out of stubbornness or fear?
Can she feel my stare burning through her flesh?
Or does she think that she’s able to sneak in and be undetected as long as she doesn’t lock eyes with me?
She follows Sasha to the dance floor and for a moment watches her cousin begin dancing to the beats dominating the room. No doubt Sasha knows that DJ K-lo is by far the most sought-after DJ in the world right now, and everyone in this room gets the pleasure to move their bodies to him. Lyriope soon mimics her cousin and begins dancing in the most seductive way. Her hands are on her hips, the pearls swirling around her, and her eyes locked on the man controlling the audience with his skills.
Jesus Christ… Lyriope is as sexy dancing as she is fucking me.
She’s a diamond down on the dance floor, glimmering up to me, so priceless and unattainable. I’m just the poor boy watching on with only dreams of being able to someday be able to handle such jewels. She’s come a long way from the woman who first entered Wonderland. This time, as she strides across the dance floor that hosts men and women more powerful than God, she has her own power.
But she belongs to Nick motherfucking Hudson. And I want every single person in this room to know it.
And though I itch to storm down there, yank her away from every hungry eye in the room, I remain in the spot I like most—up on the iron-railed balcony so I can see all the action below. Stay high, observe and watch.
Yes, I’m watching. I’ll always be watching her.
Up high in the clouds is my kingdom where I rule… watching over my queen.
Power sizzles through the air, and I fucking get off on it. There are royalty, the CEOs, music gods, and criminal masterminds down below. But the most powerful person, the one that has a hold on me is her.
Finally… finally, she looks up, scanning the balcony for me. She knows where to find me, but I also know that with the laser lights, the shadows, and the distance that she’ll have a hard time spotting me. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t try. Her eyes squint and she uses her hand to shield the brightness from the lights. Not being successful, she then scans the room, zeroing in on Harrison. He’s not a hard man to spot, and he’s not far from Lyriope and Sasha. He’s watching. He’s guarding. And my guess is that Lyriope knows it. She stops dancing, says something into Sasha’s ear that causes her to smile and nod, and then she makes her way to where Harrison is standing. I watch her talk into his ear and point to the balcony. Harrison looks up in my direction, pauses, and then eventually nods as he leads Lyriope to the stairs that will bring her to me. Leaving me grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
Chapter Eleven
Nick
Wonderland.
It was my everything…
Until she entered my life.
Now it’s her. Only her.
She is my everything.
And I believe she knows it.
I’ve given her the upper hand no matter how much I try to resist.
“What are you doing here?” I ask her as she finally reaches me, even though I willed her here.
I’m sitting on a leather couch, my cane placed over my lap as if I can use it as a weapon against her. But nothing can truly protect me from this woman. Every single time I see her, I get weaker and weaker. It won’t be long until I wave my white flag and beg for mercy. Especially with the way she looks tonight. I could just lick her, bite her, devour every last piece of her flesh.
She bends down and kisses me briefly on the cheek as if we are simply acquaintances and nothing more. She’s being polite and I hate fucking manners. “Sasha convinced me to come. She said there was an open invite for Morellis and—”
“You feel like you’re a Morelli now?” I ask, taunting her with a quirk of an eyebrow and a slight smirk. I’m not being fair, and I know it. But I’m getting sick of playing by the rules.
Ignoring my question, she sits down next to me and looks up at Harrison with a smile. She gives a devilish grin and brushes her dark hair off her shoulder to show off even more flesh. My eyes narrow on Lyriope, knowing damn well she picked this dress to wear out just to mess with me. I can’t allow my mind to go to the dark places of picturing other men watching her in the streets of New York or I’ll go mad.
I nod at Harrison to signal he’s not needed.
Harrison turns to leave, but first tells me, “You said you’d be attending the private birthday party in room two. Do you want me to inform the host that you’re occupied?”
Lyriope’s eyes widen, and quirks an eyebrow. I see the jealousy flooding from every pore on her face. “Private party?”
Harrison’s eyes dart to mine and he frowns. He knows he could have just fucked up. I smile so he knows I’m not upset. “They can start without me.” I want to keep Lyriope on her toes, but I also don’t want Lyriope to believe I was going to have sex with anyone.
No one can compare to her. But fuck if I’ll admit to that.
My eyes lock with his, and he’s a wise enough man to know to get off the topic and leave. “I’ll let the host know,” Harrison says as he takes the opportunity to spin on his heels and leave.
I smirk at how flustered the man got when he worried he just got me busted for cheating or revealing a more sinister plan. Not that I’d be cheating. It’s not like Lyriope and I are shacked up. There isn’t a ball and chain around my ankle. But still… I had no intent of touching anyone. Something about the idea seems off-putting.
“Quite the exit the other night. You just left,” she says, swirling her pearl necklace around her finger.
“Seemed like the perfect ending to such an explosive time with you.”
She smiles with not only her mouth but her eyes. The twinkle in them can be seen as the laser lights swirl around her.
“Sasha told me that tonight is going to have a lot of sex parties in private rooms.” Her eyes lower to her hands that are folded into her lap. “I didn’t mean to prevent you from participating.”
“Like I said, I was only going to attend. Show my face. Be visible in my Wonderland.”
“I don’t want to keep you, then.”
“We’ll leave the fun for others,” I say, sipping my drink. “I’m here with you now.”
“I like fun,” Lyriope cuts in, giving me a bashful look as she says it.
“It’s a type of fun I’m not sure you quite understand.”
What I really want to do is take Lyriope home so I can fuck her hard and punish her naughty ass for coming to Wonderland dressed in that little black number for all to see. My cock twitches at the thought, but I need to compose myself and save my dark intentions for later. Right now, we have a plan in place. A role to play. A war to start.
“Why would you assume I wouldn’t want to attend a private party?” She leans back in her chair with her arms crossed against her chest. I recognize her look, and I know this is the expression she gives when she’s trying to mask her nervousness. She’s trying to play the part. She’s trying to pretend her way through it.
