“So much for our plans.” I sniffle, hanging my head, wishing I had a magic wand and I could zap myself home without having to endure the car ride.
“Oh, we’re still on,” she confirms, stopping alongside the SUV. She glares at Leo as he strides toward us. Nicole is standing behind him, blatantly checking out his ass, and I want to gouge out her eyeballs with my sharpened nails. “With modifications,” Frankie adds. “You’re going to have him panting like a dog in heat, and when he comes for you—and he will—you’ll reject him. Let him have a taste of his own medicine.”
“I love you.” I bundle my friend into a big hug, so grateful to have her in my life, always willing to fight in my corner.
We shuck out of our embrace as Leo reaches the car. He unlocks it with the key fob, and Frankie shoots daggers at the back of his head as she opens the door. Leo rounds the hood of the SUV, lifting his head as Frankie scrambles into the back seat. His eyes lock on mine, and I blast him with every ounce of repulsion I’m feeling. “You’re disgusting. I hope she gave you an STD and your dick falls off.”
I climb up into the car, slamming the door behind me, in case my statement was too subtle for him.
Leo slides behind the wheel and starts the engine without saying anything.
* * *
The restof the week at school is a shitshow. Nicole clearly spotted my reaction on Monday, and she is enjoying taunting me about screwing my brother and his best friend. I know from previous experience the best way to deal with her is to ignore her. She loves the sound of her voice and can’t stand it if someone doesn’t give her the attention she craves. So, I pretend she doesn’t exist. It’s not easy when she’s blabbing her stories every lunchtime, at the top of her lungs in the cafeteria, but I refuse to acknowledge her or let her see how much it pisses me off that Leo would sleep with her.
When I don’t cave the way she intended, she resorts to stupid petty shit. Like stealing my math assignment from my bag so I get detention when I can’t turn it in. Or stuffing a variety of dildos in my locker with a copy of an article describing the fifty things a virgin should know before having sex.
It’s immature, and responding to it is beneath me, but I can’t deny she’s getting under my skin.
By the time Friday comes around, I am clinging to my sanity by my fingernails. I have had enough of that bitch to last me a lifetime, and there is no way in hell she is partying at my house tomorrow.
“You need to tell Mateo,” Frankie says as we are driven home by one of Papa’ssoldatiafter school. She is staying the weekend with me, and we are planning a complete beauty regime tonight so I’ll be epically radiant for tomorrow’s pool party.
“I don’t need his help,” I say, slicking some gloss on my lips. “I know how to keep her out.”
Frankie rubs her hands with glee. “Do tell.”
“I’m going to talk to Rocco. He’s in charge of the gate tomorrow, and I know he has a soft spot for me.” Rocco has worked for our family for years and he has seen me grow up. He’s very protective of me, and I know I can spin it so he won’t let Nicole and her crew of bitches anywhere near our house, my brother, or Leo.
“Yes!” Frankie fist pumps the air, her long blonde hair swaying with the motion. “She’ll up the ante next week at school.”
“I know.” I grin. “But I don’t care. It will be worth it to keep her out.”
* * *
“That’s all the names,”I say the following morning, handing the clipboard back to Rocco.
“Don’t you worry about a thing, Natalia. Those nasty girls won’t get past the gate. Every one of the men has the list, and security will be tight.”
I expect no less. Papa is fierce about security at the house, and no one gets in or out without prior approval. “Thanks, Rocco. I knew I could rely on you.” I flutter my eyelashes and flash him a wide smile. “I will save you some cannoli and apple cake.” Mateo didn’t ask me to cook anything because our part-time housekeeper is here and Beatrice will prepare all the food. However, I worked out a lot of my frustration in the kitchen this week, and our cabinets are overflowing with traditional Italian treats and desserts.
His features soften, as they often do around me. “Grazie.” He squeezes my shoulder affectionately. “You should tell Mateo what that girl is doing at school. You will get rid of her for good.”
“I will take that under consideration.” I know if I told my brother he would cut her loose. He gets plenty of pussy, and I know he’d be furious at some of the things she has said and done. But I don’t want to run to Mateo or Leo anytime I have an issue. I can’t expect them to see me as a grown woman if I need them to solve my problems.
I trot back up the stairs to Frankie, and we spend the morning doing a final pampering. When I am waxed, my fingernails and toenails are painted, and my skin is glistening from the baby lotion I slathered all over myself, I put my new bikini on and check out my reflection in the mirror.
“Holy fucking shit.” Frankie’s eyes pop wide when she sees me in the minuscule red and gold two-piece. The molded ruby-red cups are sculpted low on my breasts, and while my boobs are adequately supported and my nipples are covered, I’m flaunting plenty of cleavage. The gold straps are sturdy and a decent width so I don’t have to worry about it snapping from the weight. The low-waisted bikini bottoms have a red panel at the front and the back and two crisscrossing gold straps on each side of my hips, which showcasea lotof flesh. My smooth olive skin is still tan from the summer and the tanning illuminator gel I applied last night.
“He won’t be able to contain himself when he sees you,” Frankie adds, winking.
We’ll see.
“You look hot.” I admire her green and black bikini. Frankie doesn’t have my curvy hips, big boobs, or small waist, but she has a willowy figure that wouldn’t look amiss on a fashion runway. Her boobs are small but perfectly formed, and the padded bikini top works perfectly to enhance her cleavage. “Archer is going to have a hard time keeping his hands to himself.”
“I don’t want him to keep his hands to himself,” she jokes, pushing me down on the chair in front of my dressing table so she can curl my hair into soft waves.
Her boyfriend is coming over later so we have time to put our plan into action before she has to behave. Not that Frankie would ever cheat on Archer, but she loves to flirt up a storm, and I know she’s looking forward to this. I am usually the demure one at these parties, so I know the guys are going to be shocked. I’m glad my bestie is here for moral support, as I’m not sure I’d be able to pull this off without her.
