Julian's Torment (Mafia Heirs 3)

She glares at me now, eyes filled with hatred, but all it does is make me fucking laugh.

“Need a pen?”

I look to the side to find Adrianna smiling innocently at me. She’s holding out a permanent marker, and she smirks as she points to Francesca’s exposed body.

“We want to do some writing on the little slut. Thought you’d want to take part.” “Gladly.”

Not acknowledging my former connection with Adrianna, I take the marker from her fingers, not touching her. I pull off the cap and think for a moment before writing ‘cum toy’ on Francesca’s trembling body.

“Nice work,” Adrianna laughs, handing a pen to some other guy who’s excited to join in. “Hey, I was hoping we could talk privately, Julian.”

While Adrianna tries to get my attention, I’m distracted by Francesca even more. My jaw clenches as I watch the other prick write on her like she’s public fucking property. The urge to rip out his eyeballs is almost too much. He should know not to touch what’s mine.

“Julian?”

I look back down into Adrianna’s eyes, muttering, “Sorry, what?”

“I was asking if you wanted to talk.”

“About what?” “Well…”

She flushes out of pure frustration, giving me a meaningful look as she gestures to the yard out back.

“Don’t you think we have some unfinished business, Julian?” she asks sweetly. “No, I don’t,” I reply. “You ruined your chance when you lied and got me sent here.”

Her lips purse, and she crosses her arms, pointing to Francesca with one hand.

“This about Miss Cum Toy over there?”

I roll my eyes, hissing, “None of your fucking business.”

“Just think about it, Julian.”

Clearly Adrianna isn’t done whining. It seems she’s desperate for my attention, but I’m already fucking bored. Nothing holds my attention anymore. Nothing but Francesca Esposito, fucking duct-taped to the wall like a ready-to-use toy.

“We would make such a great power couple. Everyone would have to listen to us. We could run this place together.”

“I’m not looking to have someone run it with me,” I smirk.

“You’re not the king of this place, Julian,” Adrianna hisses in return. “You know who is.”

“Was,” I correct her sweetly. “But now Leonardo is dead, isn’t he? He’s not coming the fuck back,

Adrianna. And there’s a new fucking king in town.”

“Then you need a queen,” she says, batting her lashes at me.

“Maybe, but it sure as fuck will not be you. Now excuse me.”

I pull away from her and force myself to walk past Francesca, too. I need to get the fuck away and clear my head for a second.

I get a red cup of punch that stinks of vodka and head into the backyard. My boys are the center of attention out here, and everyone’s flocking to them. Probably looking for me.

Slipping into the shadows, I try to remain unnoticed.

My heart is still pounding from running into Francesca. I recall our last meeting, and how much has changed since then. She’s no longer a mafia princess, that’s for fucking sure. Seeing her humiliated like that felt damn fucking good… But it also made me hard as a rock, and my cock is now tenting my fucking designer jeans to bury itself in the first available hole.

My phone rings and I check it with a frustrated groan. My brother Santino’s name flashes across the screen. Fuck. I can’t deal with this right now.

I’m longing for a cigarette or something worse, but as hard as I fucking try, I can’t bring myself to forget what my adoptive father, Bruno, told me before I came to The University.

He told me this was my last chance at making our relationship work.

Saying he believed in me when we met, Bruno continued by adding I’d done nothing but disappoint him since I came to live with him and the rest of my brothers. And I know he’s fucking right. All this money and status… it’s all gone to my fucking head.

And now seeing Francesca has put me right back in the past. To a time when I was so damn different, I probably wouldn’t even recognize the man I am today.

She was the one who snubbed me back then, but am I not doing the same to her?

I’ve become what I used to hate most in the world.

Groaning, I down my drink and walk back into the house with resolution. But when I reach the front door, I realize Francesca is gone. The duct tape holding her there has been cut, and she’s missing.

My hands form fists and I cuss out loud before scanning the crowd for a sight of her.

I need to find her. I’m not letting anybody else touch her. I want to be the only one with that privilege, and I want to fucking hurt her.

6

FRANCESCA

I never should have come to this party.

The feeling of joyful anticipation is quickly wiped away and replaced with dread when I arrive. I instantly realize Adrianna was lying to me and this isn’t a costume party at all. Nobody else is wearing a costume, they’re all in regular clothes. My stupid cat costume stands out like a sore thumb, and I know it’s only going to make me an easier target for girls like Adrianna.