Chapter 23: another

RAVEN

It feels like it was only yesterday that my uncle informed me I was being forced into marriage. It’s only been a couple weeks, but it feels like it’s gone even faster.

I’m already being bothered about potentially going wedding dress shopping and it’s terrifying. It makes all of this seem so much more realistic. Having something physical and material that represents the nightmare my life has become.

I don’t want to think about any of it. I’ve been doing what I can to pretend Marco and the fact that I’m being forced into marriage don’t exist. However, it’s practically impossible when it seems to be all my life revolves around as of late.

Not when Marco won’t let me forget. I don’t think he wants me to. It’s fun for him to fuck with me. He enjoys making sure that I’m aware of the fact that he has control over my life because it’s the one thing I hate most about this whole situation.

Even though I’ve only known Marco for a rather short amount of time, I honestly and truly believe he gets off on the power trip. It turns him on to know that people have to do things for him without asking questions.

Over the years of living with my uncle, I’ve met far too many men that are doing what they can to climb the ranks. The men that get hard at the idea of having all the power are the easiest to spot. I can pick them out of a lineup in a matter of seconds.

Kash was one of those people. He’d do absolutely anything to ensure he gets what he wants, too. He proved that over time, but Luca and I had to pay a price for that idiot.

I have yet to figure out why my uncle hasn’t pinpointed these characteristics. Maybe he simply doesn’t care, but I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t. People like Kermit are liabilities to—not only the business—but to the entire family.

Who knows, maybe I deserve all of this. In a way, perhaps I had it coming. I’ve pushed the boundaries so long that I should’ve anticipated karma retaliating in some way.

It’s the way I’ve been raised by my dear uncle. He’s a fairly big believer in karmic fate. Although, he likes doling it out, which is probably why he’s such a fanatic of it.

Nobody does anything to Cain Brooks’ businesses without some sort of retaliation. It just doesn’t happen.

His ego is bruised so motherfucking easily. It’s embarrassing, honestly.

Today, someone has planned for me to be taught dancing before my wedding. Marco’s supposed to be meeting me here so our dancing instructor, Kris, can teach us the proper way to share our first dance.

The problem is that Marco is late. He’s the one who insisted I be here—I can’t be sure if it was his idea or someone else’s—but now he’s nowhere to be seen or heard from and it’s pissing me off. Luca and I have been here for twenty minutes now and the class has continued on as if I have someone to do this with.

Eventually, however, the instructor makes the comment that the next part must be done with our pairs and everyone else matches up with their supposed soon-to-be spouse, while I stand there awkwardly.

“You need a partner,” Kris tells me.

“My fiancé isn’t here.” A shudder rips over my body at having to use the term fiancé.

She pauses, thinking it over before she twists towards Luca, who’s leaning up against the wall near the entry, glancing at his phone. He looks utterly out of place here, especially since he’s not doing anything. But he’s also the only one sinfully covered in tattoos and piercings and I think that terrifies some of the other couples here. “The man you came with—he could fill in until your fiancé gets here.”

“I—” I hesitate, unsure of how to handle the situation. If Marco happened to show up and saw Luca with his hands on me as we dance, how would he react?

More importantly, would Luca be willing and comfortable with this? We have this constant tension that I believe won’t exactly be helped by having to be dancing closely.

The tension between us has only gotten thicker after what we did together at the hotel. It felt so dirty and secretive, but yet so right. I want to do it again. And again.

And again.

“You—” she points directly at Luca and he startles, not expecting to be called out. “Come dance with this woman.”

He pauses, unsure if Kris is serious or not. Then he glances at the front door, as if expecting for Marco to walk in at any moment.

When he starts towards me, my heartbeat quickens with each step. I feel so undeniably drawn to him that I feel like I want to erase the distance and run into his arms. I’m so much happier getting to do this with him over having to do it with a man as grotesque as Marco Cardoso.

As he steps closer, he holds his hand up and I place mine in his, putting my free palm on his upper arm. He tries to be as gentlemanly as possible, placing his other hand high on my back, while keeping significant space between our bodies.

However, Kris appears displeased with our stance, so she comes to fix it. She urges us closer and then adjusts his one hand so it’s resting more intimately on the curve of my waist. I gasp, covering it up by clearing my throat.

Kris doesn’t seem to notice, commenting, “Much better,” before she moves on to another couple.

When my eyes finally meet his, I find that he’s already staring down at me, appearing as affected by this closeness as I am. With our gazes locked on one another, I can’t help but feel like we’re inevitable. There’s something between us that I can’t entirely explain why it makes me feel that way, but I do. Throughout the blood that courses my body, the bones inside me, and the muscle that connects them, I know there’s something undeniably intense between us.