VIOLA
Adrien appears to have organized a party not unlike the ones I was forced to attend as a twelve-year-old. Plenty of old men and young girls in sex kitten outfits. Only this time I have more than just my teeth and nails to keep me safe.
I’m wearing a clingy, black, all in one halterneck jump-suit with my hair tied back. It’s my effort to be difficult to get into, and show-off/conceal as much as possible.
The dagger Dante gave me isn’t in its usual place. I’ve hidden it in my ponytail so when Gigi pats me down with her bandaged hands as we enter the main room where the party is held, she finds absolutely fuck all.
“What a job to give someone with injured hands,’ I say nonchalantly as she straightens up.
She glares at me. I cock my head waiting and eventually she steps aside so I can enter with Dino. I steer him to one side of the room which has a view of everyone, and an easy escape route.
“At least Kristian won’t try anything on in here,” Dino says, clocking powerful, rich, and famous men and women, those we see in our newspapers and on our TVs, sipping martinis and chatting shit amongst themselves.
So so so innocent Dino. Does he really think Kristian won’t do what he wants with them watching? No-one here gives a fuck. They’re all here to indulge in the worst of sins, hidden from public scrutiny. If Kristian wants to try and rape me, everyone here will watch thinking it’s entertainment. Some might even join in.
I sigh and scan the room. I haven’t seen my father yet.
Kristian is here and so is Griffin. Although Griffin looks nervous. I haven’t seen him all day so I can only imagine he went home when some of the others did, not taking my father up on the offer to stay the night.
“I need to speak to him,” I say to Dino. It was Griffin’s men in the video. Surely, he would know where they took Rebecca.
“Want me to go and distract my brother?”
I shake my head. “Not yet.” I’m drawn to where a group of men have gathered around a young girl. Long blonde hair, cherub face, glossy pink lips. She’s wearing a short skirt, crop top, and pink converse with stars on. She looks about twelve herself. Although by my calculation she’s seven years younger than me, so that makes her fifteen or sixteen. Thankfully not twelve.
She spots me and smiles broadly. Then she skips over.
Yes, skips.
“Who the hell is she?” Dino asks a second before she gets to us. I don’t get to answer.
“Cousin V!” she shrieks. She throws her arms around me and hugs me. I’m stiff in her arms because she’s the last person I was expecting to see tonight.
Lily Hawkes.
She gives Dino a once over, eyes popping out of her head. “Well, hello, gorgeous,” Lily says. Dino just looks at her, a frown creasing his forehead. He shoots me a look that I can’t decipher. Does he want an introduction?
“This is Lily. My cousin on my mother’s side,” I say blandly.
“Lovely to meet you Dino,” she purrs, taking his hand in hers. Dino’s frown deepens and he opens his mouth, but no words come out.
“Why are you here?” I say to Lily.
“Uncle Adrien invited me. He sent a car round to the Old Vic.” She looks around. “I was hoping to see Dante, is he here too?”
Lily has an obsession with Dante. I’ve no idea why.
“You need to leave,” I say. I’ve no idea why Adrien invited her unless to make things more complicated. Kato should have made sure she was protected. Unless something has happened to Kato…
Fucking Kato. He promised he’d look after Rebecca’s family.
Her brow creases slightly. “I don’t think so. I only just got here. And Adrien said I could stay with you,” she says. A waiter passes with a tray of drinks. She takes a glass of champagne off it and knocks it back. She side-eyes Dino with a grin and then grabs his crotch making him immediately splutter out his drink. “Or I could stay with you.”
Kristian chooses that moment to look over, a creepy smile easing onto his face.
Oh no you don’t.
“My room now,” I say, hauling Lily away from Dino.