I pushed the girl off me and walked to the bar. Odin and Zeus are following my lead. The prospect that shot Serena places three shots in front of us, not meeting my eyes. I sling it back, enjoying the burn of the liquor.
I should be celebrating. Happy that I finally got what I always wanted. Instead, all I feel is dread.
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.
Serena
After everything that happened at the restaurant, Dante wanted to take me out to make up for everything that happened. I told him he didn’t need to. It wasn’t his fault that anything happened. He doesn’t control what other people do. He brushed off my words, saying that he did control what his men did and that particular one crossed a line he never should have.
Despite all my protests, he took me out. Spending more money on me than what made me comfortable. Buying me new clothes, shoes, and makeup. After a day of shopping, he picked up some groceries, saying he wanted to cook me dinner.
We drove out to his house on the outskirts of the city. It wasn’t a long drive, but we left the hustle and bustle of the city behind us, making our way into the mountains.
We pulled down a random sideroad that you wouldn’t know was there until you were passing it. Trees lined the road, casting shadows over the car. We drove until the trees thinned out, and that same large, imposing gate that I saw before was in front of us. It’s larger than anything I have seen before. The shiny, golden metal gleaming in the sunlight. In the center is a snarling wolf's head.
Dante leans out the window, punching in a code, and the gate opens, revealing a long drive. He puts the car into gear, and we climb up the lane until we reach a massive house at the top of a hill. House isn’t the right word. Mega mansion would be more accurate.
A large fountain with a decorative wolf looking up like it’s howling sits in the center of the wrap-around driveway. Dante parks the car by the steps and gets out of the car. He comes around to my side, opening my door and helping me out. I feel so out of place dressed the way I do right now.
I take his hand, electricity coursing through me from his touch alone. I smile up at him and pull myself into his solid chest. He kisses the top of my head before turning us around, his arm around my shoulders, and I take in the building.
The u-shaped mansion in front of me is what most would call a dream home, including myself. It’s something you see on TV, knowing only the mega-wealthy could afford it. This place looks easily three, if not four times the size of the house my mom and I live in. It’s incredible, but poses the question, how could Dante afford this place? I wonder if it is his parents’ home. Dante is still young, there is no way he could afford a house like this.
The exterior is pale white, which still shines in the sunlight, with a light brown color roof. The grand front steps are lined with white columns, holding up a balcony with an ornate white railing. I can picture Dante up there, watching over everything like a king. On either side of the circular driveway are two three-door garages. The doors match the roof perfectly.
My jaw is practically on the floor as I take in my surroundings. The lawn looks professionally maintained. Beautiful, bright red rose bushes line the front entrance. A twinge of something starts niggling at the back of my mind as I look at them. Worry and fear just looking at them.
Dante seems to notice the change in my behavior, from excited to petrified. He pulls me in close to his side, looking me up and down, trying to figure out what is wrong. I give him a shaky smile, wanting to tell him I am all right, but we both know I’m not.
Dante leads towards the massive front door. On it, another wolf. I’m starting to notice a theme, wondering if it’s his favorite animal or something. He opens the door and I audibly gasp. If the outside was impressive, the inside is jaw-dropping.
The grand foyer is lined with white marble flooring. A massive double staircase leads upstairs. We walk through the double staircase, leading us to a massive hallway that seems to go on forever in both directions.
“Nico!” Dante calls out.
“Siamo in cucina.” I’m presuming Nico says from somewhere to the left.
Dante leads me down the hallway, lined with so many doors that I couldn’t possibly imagine what every room was. At the far end of the hallways is an archway leading into a kitchen so grand that even Gordon Ramsay would weep happy tears.
I take in the expansive open kitchen with an attached dining room. The countertops are black marble, shining against the overhead lighting. Dark wooden cabinets. Every stainless-steel appliance known to man. The entire back wall is lined with windows looking out onto a porch, beyond that, an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Sitting at the kitchen island are three very large men. All three are smiling at me, looking more than welcoming.
Dante pulls me to his side again. “Serena, I want you to meet some of my family.”
Great… more people to meet when I look like hell. I shake the intrusive thought that I don’t belong and smile back before looking at the three men in front of me. A slight warning bell rings in my head. I don’t feel like I should fear them, but I can feel the power they radiate. These aren’t men that I should ever try to cross.
The one in the middle gives me such a warm, gentle smile. His dark brown hair is swept back, like he has been running his hands through it a lot. His forest green eyes are focused on me, assessing me. Not in a malicious way, like he is trying to learn more about me. He is tall, only a couple of inches taller than Dante, and of similar build to him as well. Looking at their features, they are definitely related. He is a handsome man, but to me, he is nowhere near as attractive as Dante.
The man on his right is massive. His muscles have muscles. He looks like such a tough guy, but the glasses give him a softer side. He is just as handsome as the other man standing in front of me. His face is blank, but I can see some happiness in his eyes.
Lastly is the guy on the left. He looks like he is the same age as me. Blonde hair that is on the longer side. Almost looks like the quintessential surfer look. He gives me the biggest smile out of the three, along with some flirty eyes.
The third guy takes a step towards me, but the first one places his hand on his chest to stop him. He whispers something in Italian, causing the third guy to nod his head, the smile never leaving his face.
“È bello conoscerti finalmente, bellezza. My name is Nico. The broody one over there is Marco. And this clown is Bastian.” Nico says, pointing out each person he is talking to.
“Nico is my cousin. Marco and Bastian are his friends, practically family.” Dante explains.
