Page 11 of Bleed with Me

“Dorian.”

Malin’s sing-song voice pierced my ears like thunder striking right above my head. The mockery in his tone instantly woke me up from my reverie.

“What?” I blinked innocently, digging my fork into the cake. My brother dispersed the spell the little witch had cast on me, and when I looked in her direction, she was gone.

“She is sixteen years younger than you, and her last name is Valentino,” he lectured, snatching the plate from my hand. “Enough sugar. You have idiotic ideas when you overeat that poison.”

“I love it when you care for me, sunshine.” I winked at him, earning an elbow to my full stomach. I chuckled, circling the champagne in my glass, but he was right; everyone with the surname Valentino was off-limits.

Still, I’d never been good at following rules regarding gorgeous women.

-7-

Nina

Inside the Starlight building was even more magnificent than I imagined. No picture on social media or in a catalog did it justice.

It had everything a lavish, extravagant place should have. From the elegant crystal chandeliers in the spacious ballroom to the private rooms for VIP casino customers, and ending with the chocolate fountain guarded by mermaids who offered guests strawberries on golden shell platters to taste the delicious flow of dark poison. Tall servers who looked like they had just walked off the runway offered different drinks with polite smiles and curtsies, and the food literally tasted like heaven in my mouth.

“I’ve fucking fallen in love,” Lucas groaned, wolfing down pasta salad with shrimp. “I need the name of the catering company handling this event. The food is exquisite.”

I laughed, digging my fork into a mango cheesecake. But even though I agreed with Lucas and enjoyed every bite, my mind was preoccupied with different matters. The first impression of a magnificent show of luxury faded, and the golden decorations and extravagant interior no longer impressed me. I had to move on with my plan before I would burst like a balloon from overeating.

“Have you seen Dorian?” I asked, scanning the room to catch a glimpse of my obsession, who completely stole my breath away when I caught him staring at me.

He looked drop-dead gorgeous in his three-piece silver-grey suit, which accentuated his tall, muscular build, white button-up shirt, and matching grey tie. His black hair was combed back and perfectly styled, with not a single strand out of place. His hazel eyes gleamed with happiness as he greeted the guests and thanked them for coming. He accepted congratulations politely, exchanging pleasant words and wide smiles while his brother, Malin, who resembled the devil’s bodyguard, shot daggers with his murderous eyes at everyone who got too close to his sibling. His overprotectiveness was almost endearing.

“He left for the casino with his brothers,” Lucas answered, filling his plate with canapés. The garlic aroma filled my nose, and my mouth watered when I glanced at the fresh bread topped with garlic-cheese spread, grapes, and walnuts. I stole one from him, blinking innocently when he slapped my hand away.

“Are we going to try our luck, too?” I wiggled my eyebrows playfully, knowing too well that he wouldn’t resist a chance to play roulette. My best friend loved the game and high bets, so when I suggested it, he turned toward the joint tunnel, lit by dim blue lights that connected the ballroom to the casino.

I hooked my arm with Lucas, breathing a completely different atmosphere into my system. The casino was dark, illuminated only by the screens of the slot machines lining the sides. Throughout the center of the room, a passage marked by crimson carpet and bordered by golden chains led guests toward the cash desk and the bar. On the other side was the guarded area for live games like roulette and blackjack, and the massive golden sign VIP shone brightly above the closed black sliding door.

The place was packed, and we struggled to find an empty seat. But to my surprise, the dealer and the waitress instantly recognized Lucas and suggested that we join the game in the VIP saloon.

I silently followed my best friend behind the black door, as if stepping into another world. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main casino floor, this place felt completely different, almost intimate, with the soft lights enlightening the burgundy-golden interior, bar, and a massive poker table on the podium on the other side, complemented by eight cream leather chairs. The air was thick with anticipation, charged with the electric buzz of higher bids and the possibility of a massive win. The roulette table was surrounded by six players who threw chips around like they were at an auction, and two blackjack tables entertained three men accompanied by model-like women with lovely faces, broad smiles, and plunging necklines.

While I was used to the luxury and opulence thanks to my family, I never visited gambling dens. Grandfather was a huge poker fan and a great player. He taught me how to play, bluff, and read my opponents, but the game didn’t interest me much. That was until I noticed Dorian, encircled by three gorgeous women dressed in short, revealing dresses who threw themselves all over him.

My assumption about the train of women at his feet was confirmed, and a raw jealousy and anger slashed my heart. I clutched Lucas’s forearm tightly, forcing myself to stay in my place at the glass bar, but I worried my determination wouldn’t last long. My stomach twisted with disgust, the bitter taste coating my tongue at the sight of a blonde with the longest legs I had ever seen invading Dorian’s personal space. She threw her arm around his neck, laughing like what he had just said was the most hilarious thing in the world.

An unstoppable fury bubbled in the pit of my abdomen, ready to burst out of me. She had no right to touch him, not to mention throwing herself on him like she was the lioness and he was her prey. She sank her claws into him like death itself, refusing to let him go.

My anger shifted into a white rage, consuming my every sane thought when Dorian politely smiled and removed her hand from his shoulders. He gently pushed her away, putting distance between them while she pouted like a toddler.

I exhaled loudly, noticing Lucas staring at me with amusement shining in his green eyes.

“Easy tiger.” He laughed. “You look like you want to tear off her arms.”

“She’d deserve it,” I mumbled, peeking at the woman from behind his tall body. “Anyway, I didn’t know you were a regular.”

I changed the subject because the person I was most interested in sat behind the poker table and talked with the other players, ignoring the fangirls behind him. My heart swelled with joy when I realized he didn’t care for the bimbos at his disposal and preferred cards more.

“I’m not. Matteo is,” Lucas replied, pulling out a diamond member card. “My dear brother lost so much on the slot machines that Zyon personally gifted him the membership.”

“Oh, fuck.” I shook my head in disbelief. Still, it was another way to get closer to the king. My father had enough money to throw around on meaningless things, but losing it on slot machines was the stupidest thing ever.

“What about your plan?” Lucas interrupted my musing, tapping my shoulder because my gaze was glued to Dorian. No matter what I was doing or thinking, my eyes kept jumping toward him. Observing. Admiring.