Chapter 46

AUGUST 27 – SATURDAY 6:00 PM

N ash

I heard the knock and glanced over my shoulder but continued fixing my tie as my father walked in.

"Are you looking forward to tonight," he asked as he perused my room like he didn't snoop in here all the time.

Tugging at the cuffs of my black suit, I turned to face him. "Not particularly. I'm not exactly a birthday ball kind of guy."

Father's lips pursed as he faced me. "It's more than that, and you know it."

"Yeah, so you said. It's a great way to have all the allied families here showing support for the cause. I already drank the Kool-Aid. You don't need to keep reminding me." His jaw twitched. "What exactly do you expect me to do tonight? There is obviously something you're after, or you wouldn't be looming in my room."

"Looming? Interesting choice of words." He walked across the room until we were face to face, and my entire body tensed, hating that my gun was in my drawer. "I want to make sure you understand just how important this gathering is and how detrimental it will be to our entire organization if you decide to…go off script and use this as an opportunity to embarrass me. You know…prove you're ready to take the reins." Reaching out, he smoothed down my lapels, and it took effort not to smack his hands away. "That will be very unwise for you and the health of those closest to you."

"Are you threatening me?"

He smiled, but it didn't reach his cold eyes. "Just a reminder that you're still just a kid in an adult's game and son…I'm always two moves ahead. Let's just say that it will be very unfortunate if something happens to young Mr. McCoy on his long journey back from Ireland." He stepped back as he put his hands in his pockets. "Accidents happen all the time."

I glared at the snake with two legs. "Why go after someone loyal to you and the son of your most dedicated associate? That doesn't even make sense." I knew the answer, and it was to hurt me. Take out one of my loyal members and place another scar on my heart that I'd caused his death. But there was no way I'd say it out loud.

"And the fact that you can't see the answer screams as to why I'm still in charge and will be until I'm good and ready to hand control over to a worthy successor."

I sucked in a deep breath, trying to get control of the quickly building rage. "Ah…so I'm still on the maybe list?"

"Let's just say that I will always choose the best choice for the organization."

"And your son isn't good enough?"

"We'll see…won't we? Why are you so interested in taking over right now? You're nineteen. You should be enjoying your youth, not wanting to shove your father out of the family business."

I laughed, and it sounded slightly maniacal as I stared at the man who, at one point, would've managed to play with my head. He was a narcissist through and through. I was threatening to take away the one thing that got him off and fed his narcissistic personality. He was needed, feared, and able to control everyone with a swipe of his pen.

"So I don't work enough, and now, I don't party enough? Which is it? Do you even know, or is it whatever you want it to be at the time?" His lip twitched.

"Lawrence, sweetie, there you are," I shuddered at the sound of Vicky's voice. She walked into the room with her nose in the air and her shoes clicking on my hardwood floor. She went to kiss his cheek, but my father grabbed her harshly by the jaw. Her eyes went wide with fear as she sucked in a sharp breath.

"First, don't ever refer to me as Lawrence in the presence of someone else. I am Mr. Collier until you're officially my wife, and even then, know your place. Second, I was in the middle of a meeting with my son. Are you blind?"

Vicky swallowed hard, and I almost felt sorry for her…almost. She had no idea what she was getting herself into. Worse was that as soon as she married my father, he would have access to the Genovese empire and the backing of the Don of Dons. That was massive. It couldn't happen. I stared at the side of Vicky's face…should I kill her? No, the curators had already proven to know more than I thought. God only knew what they would do with that information. There had to be another way.

"I'm sorry, forgive me," she said softly, lowering her gaze in submission. The scene made me want to vomit. I was surprised he didn't have her in a collar following him around. He let go of her chin, and she took a deep breath. "Guests have started to arrive."

"Why is she here? This is my birthday," I said, pointing at Vicky. "You think I'll enjoy my father prancing around a party dedicated to me with my ex?"

"Vicky will be your stepmother. Therefore, she will attend all functions that I deem important for her to attend," he said. Vicky took his arm and smirked at me.

I marched across the room and held my door open as I gave them the universal symbol for, get the fuck out, as nicely as possible.

"Great, so it's a birthday and a coming out party for the two of you. How sweet. This is going to be a great night. Now, if you're done trying to ruin my evening, I'd like to finish getting ready." I glared daggers at my father and wished that looks could kill. It wasn't normal to wake up and hope your father had a heart attack or something else equally terrible in the middle of the night. All I knew was that if I found him half alive, I'd put a pillow over his face and have a celebratory drink to honor his death.

"Don't be long, son," my father said, stopping as he got to me. "We wouldn't want people to think you stood them up when they came to celebrate you."

"I'm sure you'll find a way to make the party about you, but worry not, I'll be there."

He shook his head and walked out. As soon as they stepped over the threshold, I slammed the door behind them, and the force shook the frame. Balling my fists, I walked over to my bar fridge and pulled out the bottle of vodka. Cracking the seal on the lid, I took the cap off and downed a mouthful, letting it burn a trail all the way to my stomach. I followed it up with three more gulps just as the door opened, and Liam and Theo walked in. They stopped, looked at me, and then at each other as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Don't fucking look at me like that, it's my birthday. I can drink if I want to," I said, putting the bottle back in the fridge.

"Pretty sure the song goes, I'll cry if I want to," Theo said, and I closed my eyes.

"I might just do that too," I said.

"We saw Vicky on your father's arm and thought you might need us," Liam said.

"I need many things. A loaded gun, a clean shot, and a fuck load of support to remain in control, but needing you two to hold my hand to walk into my party is not one of them."

"Easy tiger, we aren't the enemy," Liam said, leaning against the wall.

"I know." Closing my eyes, I held my hands out and pinched my fingers in a meditative pose as I breathed deeply.

"What is he doing," Theo asked.

"I think he's wishing for a genie to bring him three wishes. Maybe if he rubs Ren the right way, one will appear." Liam laughed.

I smirked. "Fuck you."

"Look, just like that, he's back," Theo teased, smiling at me. "Come on, the sooner you get down there and get this over with, the sooner you can sneak away and get obliterated. Hell, we'll even get drunk with you."

"Fine, let's do this," I said, heading for the door.

When we got to the top of the stairs, the noise of the party and the guests filtered up to me. My father had opened the dining room, sitting room, and our library for guests to wander between. Food had been set up in all three, and the musicians playing classical music—which really screamed me—were set up in the foyer. The sound bounced around and could be heard from almost every corner of the mansion. I glanced down at the crowd already assembling in their fancy outfits and expensive jewelry and recognized them all. I'd memorized each face that was associated with my father, no matter how insignificant they might seem. I never wanted to be caught off guard by someone pretending to be an ally when they were really the enemy in sheep's clothing.

Descending the stairs, I became someone else. I was the prince, next in line, the perfect representation of the family, and loyal to the cause. Smiling, I gripped the first hand extended toward me and greeted the person warmly. And so was the pattern all the way through to the dining room. By the time I reached the table, which was heavy with a wide assortment of food, I wanted to jump through the window and take off. This was not my scene, and it was an act that I'd been playing since I could walk and understand who my father was and what that made me.

Another handshake, a pat on the back, and congratulations. Over and over, they all spewed their love and adoration that was forced on them by my father's hand. They all spoke like we were the best of friends when I'd never met most of them in person. But they were bound by the same strings that made me walk in here and smile.

It was so packed that I was feeling claustrophobic. The warm bodies brushing mine and the combination of perfumes and colognes that stung my nose were overpowering. Grabbing a small napkin, I took a couple of the puff pastry things and looked up. My heart stopped as I locked eyes with Ren.

She stood out from the crowd, not able to blend in if she wanted to. Her white hair was piled high on her head, with elegant strands hanging loose in curls. The dress looked like it had been poured onto her skin and shimmered in a soft blue that matched the sky and her eyes at the same time. It was cut low enough to have my mouth watering. Even though the dress touched the floor, the two slits that traveled up to her thigh teased a glimpse of her sexy legs that I'd been dreaming about wrapped around me since I'd seen her in the pool locker room. There wasn't a single part of her that hadn't been dusted with matching glitter, and as she tilted her head and smiled, it was as if her entire body sparkled. She looked every bit the princess I called her.

My heart didn't just restart. It hammered out of control, and I stupidly raised my hand in a wave. Ren's smile widened, and a blush spread across her face. No, no, no. This couldn't happen. I couldn't want her, and yet I watched her like a predator would a gazelle as she excused herself from the conversation she was having with…I had no idea who…and walked around the table toward me.

She weaved through the people, most of them getting out of her way as if sensing her and knowing they should move. As she got closer, my body burned so hot that I wanted to rip off my suit jacket and throw it away. Each step showed off the strappy heels identical to the dress, but it was her toenails with little gems on them that had me staring at her feet.

What the hell is wrong with me? I train with her every day. Get control of yourself.

My head snapped up as Ren reached me. With her hand on my chest, she rose on her toes and placed a kiss on my cheek. A shiver shot down my spine, and my hand clenched into a fist. I itched to pick her up, clear the table, and fuck her in front of everyone.

"Happy birthday," she whispered, her soft voice cutting through the noise like no one else existed in the room.

My hand had a mind of its own and slipped around her waist as she went to move away, trapping her against my body. The cherry scent that followed her everywhere filled my nose, and my body—including my cock that would be noticeable in these pants—hardened. Fuck.

"What," she asked, her voice low when I refused to let go.

"You've created an issue." I glanced down, and as she became aware of what I meant, her face turned a deep pink, which only made my situation worse.

"That is not my fault," she said.

"Oh, yes, it is. Have you looked at yourself in a mirror today?"

"I mean…yes…but…."

"No buts, all fact. You have no idea what I'm picturing right now." She swallowed, and there was a flash of desire in her eyes, but she quickly looked away. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"Is everything okay," Blake asked as he walked up beside me.

"Yup, just chatting," I answered, not bothering to look at him.

"You sure? You have that, ‘I'm going to do something I shouldn't,' look." I glared at him as he tossed a grape into his mouth. "Just saying. You're drawing attention."

I glanced around, and sure enough, the people standing closest were staring, including my father and a furious Vicky. Great. Fucking great. Locking eyes with Ren again, I took a deep breath and forced my hand away from her body. I would've had an easier time cutting it off.

"Don't move. I need a minute."

"Just one," she teased, and I snorted.

"Don't start with me on my birthday, Princess. I'm likely to take what I really want for a gift," I said, and then looked at the napkin I was still holding with the stupid pastries. I had no idea what was more shocking. The fact that I still had them in my hand or that I hadn't crushed them into oblivion.

"You really think it would be that easy? I've proven that it's not."

I smirked. "Let's just say I'm feeling lucky."

She held up a finger, and I wanted to bite it and suck on it to see if she'd moan. "Because it's your birthday, I'll give your cocky, assholish-ness a pass."

I groaned. "Please don't say the word cock," I said, smiling. But my smile quickly fell as I spotted a new guest. "Jesus-fucking-Christ."

"What?" Ren turned around to see who I was looking at.

"My mother."

"But…I thought…." Ren started, but I walked away as I stalked toward my mother. If my father wanted a scene from me, he was about to get it.