Julian's Torment (Mafia Heirs 3)

I walk through the school and come to a stop in front of Miss Ricci’s office. We would not meet today, and I’ve been feeling rather fucking disillusioned about the affair I’m having with her. Still, something makes me step in front of her door. I’m about to knock and enter when I hear it – noises not too unlike the ones she makes for me when I’m inside her.

Smirking, I lower my fist that was about to hit the wooden door. I’m not going inside now – she’s clearly wrapped up in something else… But it makes me wonder who the guy fucking her is.

She’s a beautiful woman, and I’ve certainly seen a fair share of the students and faculty members eating her up with their eyes. It’s good to know I’m not the only one she’s let in, though. It gives me some ammunition over her.

I walk out of the school and pass through a beautiful park on the way to my house. Fall is in full force here and the leaves have changed already, coloring the world in rich jewel tones. But my mind is elsewhere and I barely notice my surroundings as I keep walking toward my destination.

I wonder how Adrianna’s going to convince Francesca to go on that double date tonight. Something tells me the girl won’t go for it – especially once she finds out I’ll be there, too. There’s no love lost between Francesca and me. With good fucking reason.

I enter the house to the cheers of my housemates, but I mutter something about a headache and lock myself in my bedroom instead of dealing with them. Checking my phone, I see I have another missed call from my brother Santino, which makes me feel guilty as fuck. He’s the brother I’m closest to besides Ryder, and I’ve been neglecting our connection for too long. I really should call him back.

But there’s something else on my mind right now.

I stop in front of my closet and dig through until I find what I’m looking for. Pulling out a black trash bag, I make sure my secrets are still safely hidden inside. And they are. The bloodstained shirt I wore that night is still in there.

It’s really fucking morbid that I’m still clinging on to that shit, but I don’t know what the hell else to do. I can’t just toss it – it’s fucking evidence and could be used against me. So, with a low groan, I push the trash bag deeper inside my closet and try to pretend it isn’t there, even though its contents will haunt me for a long time.

But I have a date to get ready for, and no fucking time to waste. I need to look good tonight and steal Francesca’s attention away from Marco. Yeah, my friend is a good-looking guy, but I’m the one who’s going to keep her gaze from following him. There’s no fucking way I’m letting my preppy, cocky friend win over me.

I’m letting no one take Francesca from me. No matter how much I fucking hate her, I’ll never let her go. And she doesn’t deserve a happy ending with anyone. Especially not with me. So, I’ll just hurt her as much as I possibly can, and I’ll take great pleasure in making those tears fall.

I can’t fucking wait for tonight. It’s going to be a blast, seeing the expression on Francesca’s face once she realizes I’m part of the double date. And I’m going to take great fucking pleasure in ensuring tonight is the worst night of her sorry little life.

Francesca Esposito’s punishment is only just beginning.

8

FRANCESCA

Luciana and I are in the library, quietly reading our books, when we hear the click-clack of high heels approaching. We exchange a look and I swallow thickly, just as Adrianna rounds the corner and comes to stand in front of us.

“There you fucking are, nerds,” she smiles confidently, scoffing at Luciana, who rolls her eyes.

“What do you want?” I hiss softly.

Adrianna doesn’t give a damn that we’re in the library, but I’m trying not to disturb everyone else in here. Something tells me if I raise my voice, I’ll get myself thrown out of here… But little Miss Bitch Perfect can get away with anything, it fucking seems.

“I want to give you a chance to make it up to me for bailing on the party,” she goes on sweetly, still not bothering to lower her voice. “You left early.”

“You mean the party you tricked me into going to?” I demand. “Where I was humiliated and fucking abused and you just stood by and let it happen?”

“Whatever.” She shakes her hand dismissively. “However you wanna put it is fine. But the fact of the matter remains that you didn’t live up to my expectations at the party, Francesca. You left too early and cost me hours of fun of seeing you humiliated.”