005

005

RAINEY

“You're forcing me to go against my will in broad daylight and dragging me into the unknown at night.”

I wasn’t looking at him; I was staring out the car window, biting my lip so hard that I could taste blood on my tongue.

“This dress makes me uncomfortable.”

He turned to me, a smirk on his thin lips.

“Are you going to take it off, Ney? I swear I won’t stare.”

I turned to him and shot a deadly glare.

“The next time you call me Ney, I might end up in prison for murder, Silas Valetti.”

He slowly nodded, smiling at me, and Holy Mary, I almost peed myself.

Why did he always have to look so hot?!!

“What’s the ceremony?”

“It’s an event.”

“An event?”

He nodded, “Yes, a gala event.”

“Am I invited to dine with the elites?” I raised an eyebrow, hoping he would put an end to my confusion right away. “Why should I be there? You know I can sense this gloomy cloud hanging over your head, and with the last few hours I’ve spent with you, I’ve never felt so threatened in my life.”

“I feel like there’s an invisible blade held to my neck that I don’t see.”

“If you can see well, Ney….”

“Don’t…” I cut in, my fists tightening in annoyance, though I still kinda liked the way the name sounded on his lips. Kinda.

“Okay, I don’t want to be ‘murdered’ by you, so I’ll cut the crap and get to the point.” Heheaved a deep sigh before speaking again, “You’re a VVIP tonight, and you have to be on your best behavior.”

My eyebrows raised in disbelief, and my mouth fell open.

“Why should I be on my best behavior? And most importantly, why am I VVIP?” I cringed at the thought. Even if this sounded big, it didn’t feel like a good idea. Not at all.

He moved closer, our faces just an inch apart.

“What are you doing?”

His lips were almost touching mine. Was he going to say something? Was he going to kiss me now?

I shut my eyes, my lips ready, and my arms curled around his neck.

To my shock, I was ready to lock lips with him right then. Wasn’t I the crazy one here??

“What are you doing, Rainey?”

Fuck.

He wasn’t even going to kiss me???

I broke away quickly, swallowing hard as I fanned myself.

Gosh. What had come over me?

Ever since I met this guy, things had been pretty intense for me.

I couldn’t even think straight; every part of me wanted to feel him so badly.

I knew it might be crazy, but I wanted his tongue dominating mine.

I was yearning for a kiss from my kidnapper.

“You seem pretty carried away, Rainey.”

There he went again, calling my name so perfectly that I wanted to grind him as a prize for being so perfect.

“You should just come out and say whatever’s on your mind and stop making me assume things.”

He grinned, his eyes glistening with a hidden agenda. “What things?”

I rolled my eyes at him and gulped hard.

God, I hated this man.

“Will you?”

“Mmm.” He moved away, leaning back against the headrest. “Have you ever wondered why my right-hand man called you the hidden child?”

I stared wide-eyed at him, eager to know more. “Why?”

Just then, his phone beeped, a call from someone I didn’t recognize.

“Hello.” The snicker on his lips signaled trouble, and I knew whatever that might have in store, it would definitely not be good. “Sure, Morani Demarco, we’ll be with you in five.”

“We're here.” The driver’s voice cut in.

Silas chuckled. “Just in time, Morani.”

The other line went silent, and then Silas spoke again.

“Let’s get down to business, Rainey Wyatt.”

I realized I was the only confused one there. Even the driver had a look on his face that read, ‘it’s either you listen, or you’re in for a bloodbath.’

“Silas!” I half-ran after him as we stepped out of the car. “You were saying something a few minutes ago.”

“I said so many things. Could you be more specific?”

“Something about me being the hidden child.”

He stopped and turned to face me. “Just be on your best behavior tonight, Tequila, and I will tell you the things you need to know afterward. Now, calm down and listen to the few instructions I have for you.”

“Tonight, you’re not Rainey; you’re playing the role of Angelina Jordan, my American girlfriend from The Green Serpents.”

I frowned. “No, I’m not going to be part of your mafia games tonight, Valetti. For the love of God, I would like to return to the mansion now and take off this dress that makes my whole body itch!”

He grabbed my waist before I could walk away, pulling me against his chest. Then, his gaze dropped to my lips.

The world around me blurred, and instead of arguing with him, all I could think was, “He’s going to kiss you again!”

“These little lips of yours, Rainey…” His thumb brushed along my lips, tracing their contours. “Will only say things that are allowed with permission. You can’t argue with me or say things that could land you—or us—in trouble.”

I stayed silent, sniffing back tears quietly.

I had walked right into the lion's den, and I needed to be ready for a bloodbath indeed.

“Is that understood?”

Sniff.

“Answer me.” He growled, tightening his grip on my jaw.

“Yes,” I forced a smile, “I understand. What were you saying about me being your American girlfriend from the Coyote Mafia?”

He scoffed, taking my hand now. “The real game is only just beginning, and you're already flopping?”

“You should have said all this in the car instead of trying to play the hot, sexy mafia Capo you’re not,” I replied through gritted teeth.

“Just admit it, Angelina,” he groaned. “I am sexy.”

I sighed.

“Are you going to keep lecturing me on baseless things like your facial features, or will you tell me what you want me to do tonight? You know you're using me, Silas Valetti.” I shook my head and folded my arms as I glared at him, but the contempt in my eyes soon melted away when he ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his forehead.

I gulped. I was the liar here—Silas Valetti was undeniably attractive!

“I’ve got a juicy deal with The Phoenix, and if you could get this done tonight, it would mean success for me. This is just my second step toward winning.”

“What was the first?”

“Bringing you to my mansion.”

“You mean kidnapping me?”

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

There were a few passers-by already, and the way they stared at us made me feel increasingly uncomfortable.

“You are my girlfriend from The Green Serpents, and considering the keen interest from the opponent's side, your mission tonight will be an easy one, Rainey.”

He held my face in his large palms, and with his gaze locked onto mine, I understood the message he was conveying: ‘Don’t mess this up.’

“Why do you always wear an eye patch?”

“Tonight,

Rainey, you are my ally girlfriend, not a questionnaire.”

With that, he pulled out a chilling object from his inner pocket..