7

Rolex

I raised my head from the water, brushing the wet hair off my face before my eyes landed on her sitting at the edge of the pool. The first thing that caught my attention were her milky smooth, long legs.

Her dress barely covered her thighs, leaving just enough exposed to make my cock twitch. When my gaze met hers, she stared back without blinking.

Not until she suddenly shut her eyes, like she was trying to erase something I had buried from her mind. I knew exactly what it was, and that alone brought a smirk to my face.

It was only a matter of time before I got rid of her thoughts of Maxello completely until the only name she whispered was mine.

Even without the bet, I’d have taken her, make her crave me in ways that would ruin her, I’d bury myself so deep under her skin that she’d never escape.

I wasn’t just drawn to her overnight. The first time I saw her picture on Maxello’s phone, something snapped inside me.

When I told him I wanted her, he told me to back off. He should’ve known better.

I don’t back off and I don’t lose. If I want her, I’ll have her. Maxello had refused to acknowledge her feelings for him and also didn't want anyone to have but that could only mean one thing...

He wanted her too but couldn't just accept it, but too bad I want her now.

Harper appeared behind Mia just as she stood to leave and I watched her shove Mia into the water, her body crashing and panicking into the pool.

I didn’t react at first. It was just a pool, not the ocean. Maybe she didn’t want to get wet.

The truth is, a part of me wanted to tease her, drag her deeper in the pool, just to feel her body tense against mine… even if Harper hadn't pushed her in, I had planned to drag her in.

But then I heard her scream for help before Harper darted back inside, pretending nothing had happened.

Mia thrashed, struggling for balance....no, more like she was struggling to breathe.

Doesn’t she know how to swim?

“Mia!” I shouted when I didn’t see her resurface. Seconds passed, still nothing. My heart raced and I dove in, scanning the water until I spotted her sinking like a doll.

By the time I got to her, her lips were pale and she had already lost consciousness. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pulled her up and dragged her onto the cold tiles.

“Mia!” I called, shaking her, but got no response. Her wet dress clung to her body, see through now, her hair plastered across her pale face.

I tapped her cheek, desperate, then cursed under my breath before I lowered my lips to hers. I breathed into her mouth, pressed her chest, repeated the motion until she suddenly gasped awake, water rushing from her throat as she turned and vomited.

I held her, patting her back, relief washing over me even as her eyes fluttered weakly. She wasn’t fully conscious, but she’d live. Without thinking, I scooped her into my arms and carried her inside.

“What are you doing?” Maxello’s voice snapped from the stairs.

“What does it look like?” I snarled. His eyes widened when he saw Mia in my arms, dripping wet and limp.

Harper slinked to his side, feigning shock. I didn’t call her out. Not yet. But I promised myself she’d regret ever laying a hand on Mia again.

“What the hell did you do to her?” Maxello barked, rushing toward me.

I rolled my eyes and laid Mia carefully on the couch. He dropped beside her instantly, like the concerned lover he thought he was.

“Get her changed before she catches a flu,” I ordered, my eyes slicing to Harper. She shrank under my stare..

exactly the reaction I wanted.

As I turned to leave, Maxello grabbed my collar, his grip tight around the piece. “What the fuck did you do to her?”

I almost laughed at his fake concern. “Nothing she won’t beg me for soon enough. She’s more fragile than I thought, but I’ll break her slowly. She’ll like it.” My lips curled into a dark smile as something shifted in his eyes. He didn’t like the thought of me being close to her and he had every reason to fear it.

“Don’t you dare touch her,” he growled.

I leaned in, my voice low and venomous. “I meant what I said that night.” I jerked free of his grip, my glare flicking to Harper before I locked eyes with him again.

“Just like you took Riley from me… I’ll take her in return.”

The guilt in his eyes was all the proof I needed and that told me I’d struck the right nerve, He knew I meant every word.

★

Harper came out of her room yawning, distracted, but she froze when she saw me leaning against the wall and staggered back as if already afraid of what I might do.

I moved faster. Before she could step away, I blocked her path and pinned her between me and the wall.

“The only reason you’re not dead is because you’re part of my plan. I don’t ruin a plan by killing the pieces.” My voice was soft, but she went rigid under my stare.

“I… I don’t know what you mean,” she stammered, lying through her teeth. I hated lies. I slid my fingers around her throat until she gasped, clutching my hand.

“You want to know why I didn’t expose you in front of your little fuckmate?” I asked. She shook her head, eyes wide with fear, as she struggled against my hand.

“Because I wanted you two to stay together long enough for the wedding to be ruined,” I said. “Nate doesn’t deserve you and I’ll make sure you don’t end up with him.” I released her roughly as she began to cough and claw at her throat.

“Try that again and you won’t be so lucky,” I warned, then stepped back.

Giving her a final look, I started walking away. “Why do you even care? You barely know her. She’ll never like you...she’s obsessed with Maxello.”

I didn’t answer. I walked away until I was out of sight, letting the silence say what my words could not.