BIANCA
“Bianca!” Aubrey shouted as I walked across the courtyard later that evening.
Levin trailed behind me. He hadn’t tried talking to me, seemingly as pissed at me as I was at him. I supposed he had a right to be mad too. I’d sworn I wasn’t seeing Fallon when I really was. In the grand scheme of things, I probably would've been upset if my person had lied like that.
Of course, I wasn’t exactly his person. I was more of a deal they'd struck if we were being technical. On the other hand, I loved Levin despite everything screaming for me to run the other way. I also hated him for all the shit happening around me. Vincent was the only one I wasn’t seeing red over. His words earlier made me realize maybe I was being a bit of an annoying bitch over things. At least with respect to him. Giving in and kissing him had brought all my feelings tumbling back full force for him. And shit, I wanted him. Bad.
The rest of them? I was still pissed over the shit they’d all done. Whether it was rational or not.
I stopped and turned, waiting for Aubrey to catch up.
“Can you give us a minute?” I asked Levin.
He glanced at her then back to me and strode away to the king’s table in the courtyard, making it a point to not look at me.
I sighed before fixing a smile on my face for my friend.
“Girl, is it true?” Her eyes widened as she stopped in front of me.
I knew what she was asking, but I feigned dumb anyway. “Is what true?”
She rolled her eyes. “You and Dominic De Santis. Did you really get married over the weekend?”
“Eh…” I started, but she snatched my hand and let out a garbled noise as she stared at the massive rock Dominic had slid onto my finger days before.
“Holy shit. That’s bigger than Hail’s,” she said.
“Of course, it is,” Dominic’s smooth voice called out. “Everything I can offer Bianca is larger.”
I whipped around to stare at him as Aubrey dropped my hand and took a nervous step away. Apparently, she hadn’t seen him approach either, but if I had to guess, he’d come around the corner of the art building, so the large bushes had hidden him from view.
I peeked past him to see Vincent had settled next to Levin. Some senior, I recognized as Celeste, was talking to them, twirling her auburn hair around her finger. Pushing the sickness in my guts away, I focused on Dominic.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought you were busy, and that’s why Levin was stalking me.”
“I was busy, and now I’m not.” He wound his arm around my waist and looked to Aubrey. “Aubrey McIntire. Did you notice you’re down a neighbor today?”
“W-what?” she stammered as she looked between me and Dominic.
I frowned.
“I’ve had my wife’s things moved to my room. It’s larger than hers. It makes sense we live together.”
“Dominic,” I hissed, tensing as he tightened his hold on me like he knew I was about to bolt or kick him in the dick. Maybe both.
“No arguments,” his voice held that note of authority to it which made others cower. But not me.
“I swear if you moved me without talking to me—”
“I did. Here’s your key.” He pressed the cool metal into my palm. “All your stuff has been moved to my place, minus your bed and a few things you won’t need, of course. Clothes and things of that nature are in my—our—room now.”
I was so furious with him I couldn’t speak. I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming.
“That’s beside the point. Aubrey, I was wondering if you could do me a favor,” Dominic continued conversationally like he wasn’t some cold-blooded killer who'd just squirreled all my shit into his room.
“Um, yeah. I mean, sure,” she said, visibly paling as she twisted her fingers in front of her.
“My wife needs someone to hang around with for a few hours this evening. I was wondering if you’d do me the favor of staying with her in my room tonight. I’ll have dinner delivered, and I have any streaming service you could want. I’ll be out this evening and don't want her staying alone.”
Aubrey nodded, her ponytail bouncing, relief washing over her face. “Y-yeah. I-I can do that. Wha-what time?”
“Seven would be good. I have somewhere I need to be. I do ask that you not leave my room though. It’s important for both yours and Bianca’s safety that you don’t. If you do, there could be consequences. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes. Of course. We’ll stay in your room,” Aubrey sputtered, her cheeks darkening.
“Excellent.” Dominic turned to me and gave me a Cheshire smile. “I expect you to do as you’re told.”
Or else.
He didn’t need to say it. It was implied in the dark glint in his eyes which promised serious punishment. It'd be more than him denying me an orgasm. He’d probably break out his belt again and beat my flesh raw. And if I knew Dominic the way I thought I did, he’d extend his punishment to Aubrey.
“Where are you going?” I turned in his arms to fully look at him, seriously irritated that he thought he could dictate to my friend what we could do. It was one thing to boss me around, but it was really damn annoying he was extending it to Aubrey.
He cocked his head at me and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I swallowed thickly. Damn, he was so beautiful it hurt. For a moment, all my anger and frustration washed away as I stared up at him.
“We’ll talk when we get to our room.”
I snapped out of my stupor quickly and bit back a retort about him moving my stuff without my permission. I offered him a plastic smile instead. “And when will that be?”
“I have to meet with someone, so after that.”
I was desperate to ask if the someone was Fallon, but I tightened my smile instead. “Great. I’ll see you back at your room.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my lips that I didn’t reciprocate before he nipped me, sending a course of goosebumps through my body. “Our room, wasp.”
And with that, he turned and stalked away, nodding for Vincent to join him. I observed as Vincent got to his feet and shot me that disarming smile of his before following Dominic across the lawn. I turned my attention back to Levin, who was still talking to Celeste.