“Rocco.”
I make my way back to the bar, finding my friendaccompanied by the new mysterious man I’ve just met.
“Ava, Rocco here told me you asked him to keep me company while you were in the bathroom,” Lilac says pointedly.
“He did, did he?” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth as I breathe him in. His aura is red and dangerous and that is exactly what I’ve craved. “What else has he told you?”
I ask my friend, never taking my eyes off of the beautiful stranger.
His gaze follows the length of my body. His eyes gradually turn coal black as they fill with lust. A sly smirk curls up his lips and I wonder what’s on his mind. I catch myself biting my bottom lip, breathing heavily as our eyes meet again. “Were you watching me?” I tilt my head to the side, purring like a cat. Rocco gives me a perplexed look, the sly, sexy smirk still clearly visible. “Otherwise, how would you know Lilac is my friend? I was heading to the ladies' room alone,” I state with pure satisfaction on my face. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but until now, I believed I bumped into you and not the other way around.”
Rocco shakes his head as he chuckles softly. “You are very attentive, aren’t you, kitten?”
“I am.” I give him a sultry smile and his grin widens.
Rocco moves closer and, hovering over my body, he whispers into my ear. His minty breath sweeping across my neck makes me quiver. “I like you, Ava.” The way my name rolls off his tongue is so … arousing. I haven’t felt something like that for a very long time.
I clear my throat, fighting the sudden desire jolting through my system.
I hear a loud sigh, breaking the invisible sexual tension between us as Lilac looks over at Rocco and kindly asks, “Would you mind if I spoke to my friend in private, please?”
“Sure. Before I go, take my number, doll.”
I hand him my phone and he enters his contact info.
“You didn’t text yourself?”
“I won’t pressure you to reach out. If you want to talk to me, you will. See you later, Ava.” He nods in Lilac's direction and stalks towards a dark hallway.
I glance at my friend with a smile and I exhale. I’ve known Lilac for a long time. She is my best friend. She’s had my back during some of the most intense situations of my life, but something tells me the look on her face is of pure—
“What the fuck, Ava? Do you know who that was?”
“Rocco!” I find myself shouting over the music.
“That was Rocco ‘The Phoenix’ Bianchi. The King of La Cosa Nostra.
I raise my brow, glancing at Lilac with astonishment. “How do you know that?”
“Are you kidding me?” Lilac exclaims. “He’s the fucking owner of this club, and since we’ve become regulars here lately, I know a thing or two.”
“Oh,” I say, unfazed, and Lilac lets out a deep sigh.
“I know you’re craving danger, Ava, but after everything that happened with Damien, don’t you think you should climb out of the underground world you’ve fallen into and just take a break? Date a jock or a nerd or something.”
I stare at my friend with both love and disappointment. “Listen, Lilac. I appreciate you wanting to save me, but I’ve made up my mind. I’ve lived by the rules my whole life. I’ve finally found something that brings me joy.”
“So getting yourself involved with the mafia is what brings you joy now?” Lilac scorns. “Sounds like a wonderful life plan!”
I roll my eyes, slightly irritated. “I know you don’t get me, Li, because, frankly, I don’t get myself either. I want to explore this world. Period.”
“What world?” Lilac raises her voice, looking at me with her brows knitted. “They’re dangerous people. You know nothing about them or their world because real life doesn’t look like they portray it in your dark romance books, Ava! Wake up! Do you want to get yourself killed? You’ve been stabbed once. Isn’t that enough for you? Any normal girl would get scared and stayed away from those people, but you—”
“Enough.” I cut her off, my tone flat. I stand from my stool as I give my friend a displeased look. “Maybe I don’t want to be a normalwoman.” I grab my purse and hang it on my arm. My eyes never leave Lilac, whom I watch with disappointment. I turn on my heel and head toward the exit and a single tear drops down my cheek. I’m wretched, overwhelmed, because my best friend, who is like a sister to me, suddenly feels like a stranger. I swallow the huge lump in my throat as I make up my mind. I’m going to see Mallory. Lately, she understands me like no one else. I know how it sounds. I’m hanging out with my ex’s ex. But Mallory, contrary to what I’d believed, is a wonderful person and she was the one who supported me the most after Damien broke up with me. We got closer because she knows exactly what it feels like to be broken by Damien Alarie. She told me their story and how Damien’s mother, Black Widow, forced her to leave the love of her life. Mallory told me that ever since that day, she’s promised herself that one day she’ll be as powerful as Black Widow and she’ll never have to follow anyone’s orders. I feel the same way. I want it. I want the power and I no longer fight it. I’m surrendering to my desires.That will bring me my power.
AVALYNE
“S
