Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Gianna
Louise's birthday party was tonight, and I wanted to look good for myself. After being attacked, I hadn't wanted anyone to notice me. I thought it made me a target, especially in New Orleans.
But tonight, something stirred within me, a long-dormant spark flickering to life. I wanted to feel beautiful, to reclaim a piece of my old self. As I stood before the mirror, my fingers traced the silky fabric of my dress, a shiver of anticipation slipped down my spine.
My thoughts drifted to Dimitri, and my heart quickened its pace. Would he be there tonight? The mere possibility sent a flush of warmth creeping up my neck. I smoothed my hands down my sides, suddenly hyperaware of every curve and contour .
Dimitri definitely intrigued me. There was something about him, an electric undercurrent that drew me in despite my better judgment. My skin tingled at the memory of his intense gaze, those eyes that seemed to see right through me. A mix of excitement and trepidation swirled in my stomach like butterflies taking flight.
I bit my lower lip, tasting the sweetness of my lipstick. The temptation Dimitri represented was palpable, a dangerous allure that both thrilled and terrified me. My breath caught in my throat as I imagined his reaction to seeing me tonight. Would his eyes darken with appreciation? Would I feel the heat of his gaze like a physical caress?
Shaking my head to clear these thoughts, I took a deep breath, inhaling the delicate scent of my perfume. It was about more than just looking beautiful tonight; it was about feeling alive again, about embracing the parts of myself I'd kept hidden for so long. And if Dimitri happened to notice...well, that would just be a bonus.
Tonight, I wore my dark hair up high, exposing the elegant slope of my neck. The long, dangly ruby earrings that my brother had given me for my birthday caught the light, glittering like drops of blood against my pale skin.
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Gianna, may I come in?" Louise called, her voice muffled by the wood.
I turned around, a smile already spreading across my face. "Sure."
Louise stepped into the room, her white cap-sleeve sundress standing out against her long, dark hair. She was breathtaking, her beauty ethereal. Her dark eyes widened as she cast her approving gaze over me, her lips parting in surprise. "You look like a sinful delight," she breathed, her voice tinged with admiration, a hint of envy flickering in her eyes.
I laughed, tossing my head back. As my earrings brushed against my neck, a spark of pleasure bloomed, spreading warmth through my veins. "Thank you. Since Augustus gave me that elixir, I've been feeling much more like my old self, and tonight, I want to party and leave all the guys drooling, their eyes following my every move, their jaws dropping in awe."
She gave me a teasing smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she gripped my hands, her fingers warm against my skin. "You mean guys like Dimitri Dragan?"
Heat rose to my cheeks, my heart skipping a beat at the mention of his name. "No," I lied a little too quickly, my voice a little too high-pitched.
"You can't fool me, Gianna." Her eyes turned serious, and her brow furrowed with concern. "Be careful with that one. I can't tell you how many hearts he's broken."
"You don't like him, do you?" I asked, tilting my head, studying her expression.
"I don't hate him, if that's what you mean. Sometimes I really like him, but—Dimitri's the ultimate bad boy. He's done terrible things. I don't know. Augustus says there's always a good reason. I just don't want you to get hurt, to see your heart shattered into a million pieces."
I squeezed her hands gently, a small smile playing on my lips. "I've known boys like Dimitri before. I know how to play with fire without getting scorched."
Louise cocked her head. "And what about Angelo? I'm sure he won't think that Dimitri is good enough for you."
I stiffened, my muscles coiling like springs ready to snap. "I'll deal with Angelo," I said, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. My hands trembled slightly as I folded my arms across my chest, trying to steady myself.
"I'm so tired of him checking out my suitors." The words tumbled out, bitter and raw. I could feel the frustration bubbling up inside me, threatening to spill over. My nails dug into my arms, leaving crescent-shaped marks on my skin. "No one has ever measured up to his standards."
A lump formed in my throat, making it hard to swallow. "They either leave or..." I trailed off, unable to finish the thought. My gaze dropped to my feet, the world blurring as tears welled up in my eyes. I blinked rapidly, but a single tear escaped, trailing hot down my cheek. "Or they disappear," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Probably in his damn secret room. The unspoken thought sent a chill down my spine. I hugged myself tighter, as if I could physically hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. The taste of fear, metallic and sharp, filled my mouth as I imagined what might have happened to those who had dared to care for me.
Louise wrapped her arms around me, her embrace warm and comforting. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice soft with sympathy. She pulled back, planting a quick kiss on my cheek before a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes .
"But you know what?" A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Angelo hasn't met anyone quite like Dimitri yet. That man is like a tornado in designer jeans—unpredictable, unstoppable, and guaranteed to leave chaos in his wake."
She squeezed my shoulders, her grin widening. "I'd bet my favorite spellbook that Dimitri would give Angelo a run for his money. Heck, he'd probably charm the secret room right out of Crimson Stakes and turn it into a speakeasy."
I nodded, hoping she was right, but a knot of unease tightened in my stomach. I knew Angelo all too well. His stubbornness was as legendary as his temper.
An image flashed through my mind: Angelo and Dimitri, circling each other like wolves, neither willing to back down. The tension between them would crackle like electricity before a storm.
They'd be coming from opposite sides, I realized with a sinking feeling. Like the Hatfields and the McCoys, entrenched in their positions, both too proud and too set in their ways to give an inch. I could almost hear the clash of their wills, see the sparks fly as their strong personalities collided.
Every vampire instinct within me roared awake. My vision sharpened to predatory focus, my hearing became so acute I could hear blood rushing through veins, and my fangs ached, pressing against my gums in anticipation. Whatever was coming, I had a feeling it wouldn't be pretty.
Augustus poked his head into my bedroom, his eyes widening appreciatively as he took in our appearance. He had his hair pulled back into a man bun and was wearing black pants and a tight red shirt that showed off his muscles, the fabric stretched taut over his sculpted chest. "You girls ready?" He glanced at his watch, his brow furrowing slightly. "The party starts at seven at the Mermaid's Melody and I'd like to get there early to make sure everything looks good." He glanced at his watch. "Should we wait for Petar since he's your appointed bodyguard?"
The defiance that always got me into trouble popped up again. He was Angelo's pick—not mine. I gave Augustus a devious smile. "No. He knew what time we were leaving and he'll have to find his own way."
Louise sashayed over to him, her hips swaying seductively, and put her arms around his neck, her fingers playing with a few stray hairs at the nape of his neck. "Don't you think we look gorgeous, darling?"
He grinned as he kissed her, his lips lingering on hers for a moment. "You both do, but you know I only have eyes for you, my love."
She tapped his nose playfully, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Good answer, hot stuff."
He stuck out his elbow gallantly, his eyes meeting mine, a smile on his face. "Gianna? Shall we?"
I grabbed my red evening purse that matched my dress, the smooth satin cool against my fingertips. "Yes, let's," I replied, slipping my arm through his, feeling the warmth of his body and the strength of his muscles as I headed out into the night ready to take on the world, one dance at a time.
The Mermaid's Melody was on the shoreline, looking out over the ocean crashing against the rocks. I inhaled the ocean air, feeling the moisture against my cheeks as we made our way to the back patio Augustus had rented for the evening. The patio had been decorated with white and pink streamers, and the tables had white tablecloths with vases filled with pink roses. A band was getting ready to set up by the dance floor.
"Oh, Augustus, this is beautiful," Louise said as she bent up and kissed him on the cheek. "Just perfect. Thank you."
He clasped her hand. "I'm glad you like it."
One of the band members wandered over to them to say hello and I took the opportunity to look over the balcony at the crashing ocean. I almost expected to see the Little Mermaid sitting on a rock.
I stiffened as I recognized one of the voices in a group that had just arrived. My heart, which had been steadily thumping, suddenly kicked into overdrive, its rapid beats echoing in my ears. A flush of heat crept up my neck, warming my cheeks as I slowly turned around.
My fingers trembled slightly as I smoothed down my dress, a nervous habit I couldn't quite shake. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but the air seemed to catch in my throat. The room suddenly felt too warm, too close.
As I completed my turn, my eyes searching for the source of that familiar voice, I felt a flutter in my stomach—a mix of anticipation and apprehension that left me slightly dizzy. My lips parted in a silent gasp as I finally laid eyes on Dimitri.
He looked devastatingly handsome in a tailored black suit that hugged his lean, muscular frame. The crisp white button-up shirt he had on underneath contrasted well with his dark attire, emphasizing his pale, smooth skin. His raven black hair was deliberately tousled in a carefully disheveled style, a few unruly strands falling over his forehead, giving him an air of effortless charm and rebellion.
His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones, always noticeable, were particularly accentuated this evening by the soft glow of the lights, casting shadows that highlighted his striking features. I noticed again the way Dimitri's eyes, a piercing shade of icy blue, always seemed to hold a mysterious depth, a hint of danger lurking behind his intense gaze. His lips were curved into his signature smirk, a mixture of arrogance and allure that was uniquely his own.
He moved with a predatory grace as he approached me, his every step exuding confidence and power, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. He extended his hand, offering me a glass of champagne, the bubbles dancing playfully in the soft light. I hesitated for a moment, my eyes locked with his, trying to decipher the intent behind his gesture.
"Champagne, Gianna?" he asked, his voice low and seductive, a hint of a challenge in his tone. "A little liquid courage for the evening ahead?"
I reached out, my fingers brushing against his as I accepted the champagne flute, the brief contact sending a jolt of electricity through my body. "Thank you, Dimitri," I replied, my voice steady despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. "But I assure you, I don't need any courage to handle whatever the night may bring."
I brought the glass to my lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip, the effervescent liquid dancing deliciously on my tongue. I held his gaze over the rim of the glass, a small, enigmatic smile curling my lips. "I'm quite capable of holding my own, as you'll soon discover."
Dimitri's eyes sparkled with amusement and intrigue, his smirk widening at my bold response. "Is that so?" he murmured, leaning in closer, his breath warm in my ear. "I look forward to seeing that."
He pulled back, raising his own glass in a toast, his eyes never leaving mine. I clinked my glass against his and took another sip, feeling a thrill of anticipation at the knowledge that the night would be a dance of wits and desire, a game of cat and mouse that I was determined to win.
"Will you do me a favor?" he asked as he looked over the rim of his champagne glass at me, his eyes smoldering with unspoken desire.
I tilted my head, giving him a curious look, my heart skipping a beat under the intensity of his gaze. "It depends on what it is. Why don't you ask me and find out."
He reached out, picking up my hand and bringing it to his lips. His warm breath ghosted over my skin as he dropped a whisper-soft kiss on my wrist, sending a river of shivers through me. "Will you do me the honor of giving me the first dance?"
My mouth ran dry at the sensation of his lips on my skin, and my pulse quickened beneath his touch. My brain would have said no, but my mouth had other plans, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "Yes," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper .
"Good." His eyes glinted with satisfaction as he released my hand. He walked away, his steps confident and purposeful, and went over to talk with Rose and Valentin, leaving me standing there, my skin still tingling from his touch.
"You should be wary of my son."
I jumped, my heart beating wildly in my chest as I spun around to face him. "Petar. When did you get here?" I asked, my eyes wide with surprise.
"As your bodyguard, I was following right behind you." His voice was gruff, his eyes scanning the room, always on alert.
I was about to ask how he got here when I spied the high priestess. Her presence sent a chill down my spine. "Did you come with her?" I asked, nodding my chin in her direction, my brow furrowing with unease.
"Since you left without me, I had to get here somehow. You shouldn't have done that. Your brother wouldn't like it if he heard you had. For all you know, the wolves could be here tonight, waiting for an opportunity to attack again." His words were harsh, his tone unapologetic.
"Why did you have to say that? This is the first time I've felt halfway safe," I whispered, clutching my champagne flute tightly, my voice trembling a little.
He shrugged, his expression indifferent. "Just doing my job." But something in his voice told me that he had enjoyed scaring me. So did the hint of satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
That same cold fear seeped into my soul again, my stomach twisting into knots. I downed the champagne in one gulp, the liquid burning my throat as I tried to gain so of that liquid courage Dimitri had spoken about, desperate to chase away the shadows that threatened to engulf me even here at a party.
I caught Dimitri's gaze from across the room, his eyes locked on mine, his expression unreadable. It made me wonder who he was preoccupied with—me or Petar? The thought sent a flurry of emotions through me, a mixture of excitement and trepidation, as I pondered the secrets that lay hidden behind those dark, dreamy blue eyes.