15. Elio

15

The sun beats down on my neck as I lean back on the bench, chilling with Finn and Tyler. Tyler and I have been tight since freshman year, even though our families run in different circles. Guess that's the beauty of college - you can be friends with whoever you want.

"Did you see that brunette in Econ today?" Tyler asks, a smirk playing on his lips. "The one with the legs for days?"

Finn chuckles, shaking his head. "Nah, man. I was too busy trying not to fall asleep. That professor's voice is like a damn lullaby."

I can't help but grin. "You're both blind. The real prize is Camila Aguilar."

Finn's eyebrows shoot up. "Oh, yeah? How's that going, by the way? She's hot as hell, bro."

I shrug, trying to play it cool. "It's going. We're taking things slow, you know? Don't want to scare her off."

Tyler leans forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Slow? Since when do you do slow?"

I shoot him a look. "Since now. Camila's different."

Finn nods, a knowing smile on his face. "I get it. Sometimes, you gotta play the long game. But be careful. Girls like that can get under your skin before you even realize it."

I wave him off. "I got this. Trust me."

But even as the words leave my mouth, I can't help but wonder if Finn's right. Camila's already gotten deeper into my head than I ever intended. The way she looks at me, the way she laughs... it's like nothing I've ever experienced before.

Tyler's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "Speaking of getting under your skin, did you hear about the party at the frat house this weekend? It's gonna be wild."

I force a grin. "Can't make it, I've got plans with Camila."

Finn sits up then. "What kind of plans, and why do you look so fucking smug about it?"

"Booked the opera, dinner, and then a hotel." I shrug. "She's ready to take it to the next level. And did I tell you she's a virgin?"

Finn grins and punches me lightly on the arm. "You lucky dog! Popping Camila's cherry, huh? I bet she'll be tight as hell."

"No doubt," Tyler chimes in, his eyes gleaming with envy. "What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes come Saturday night."

I can't help the smug smile that spreads across my face. Yeah, I'm fucking lucky. Camila's not just some random girl - she's special. And the fact that I get to be her first? It's a heady feeling.

The sound of approaching footsteps catches my attention, and I look up to see Ren and Dante sauntering over. Ren claps Finn on the back as he plops down beside him.

"What are you delinquents gossiping about now?" Ren asks his signature smirk firmly in place.

Finn chuckles. "Elio told us about his big plans with Camila Aguilar this weekend. Apparently, he's gonna be the one to pop her cherry."

Ren's eyes flash with something I can't quite decipher before he turns his features into a mask of nonchalance. "Is that so?"

The atmosphere shifts as Ren's words hang in the air. I can feel his eyes boring into me, a mix of jealousy and something darker swirling in their depths. Dante shoots me a look, a silent warning to tread carefully.

Oblivious to the tension, Finn grins and slaps me on the back. "Man, you're one lucky bastard. Camila's a total smoke show."

I force a smile, but it feels more like a grimace. "Yeah, I know."

Tyler nods in agreement, his eyes glazed over with envy. "I'd give my left nut to be in your position."

I try to laugh it off, but the sound comes out strained. Ren's still staring at me, his jaw clenched tight. I know that look. It's the same one he gets right before he loses his shit. We agreed to share her, but I thought he'd accepted I'd be the first.

"So, what's the plan?" Ren asks, his voice deceptively calm, "Are you going to wine and dine her, then seal the deal?"

I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. "Something like that."

Tyler shakes his head. "What's up with you two? You never fight over women. Hell, normally, you share them, right?"

Ren and I exchange a glance, knowing we can't tell him the truth about our father's assignment.

"She's a virgin, Ty; what makes you think she'd be up for that kind of shit?" I say, brushing off the question.

Finn laughs. "She's Hispanic. They're always kinky."

I shake my head. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Ren clears his throat. "We will share her, but Elio thinks he needs to prime her first. Get one of us into her pants. Then we'll broach the subject." He sounds irritated by the idea. "I think he's playing it too fucking slow."

Tyler exchanges glances with Finn. "Do you think we should tell them about it?"

I sit straighter. "About what? Spill Ty."

He smirks. "You know Professor Sokolov?"

"Yeah, what about him?"

Finn bounces his feet up and down. "He's setting up a secret society for the most elite amongst us."

That piques my interest. A secret society sounds like something the Barone boys should be involved in. "Really? You've been invited?"

"Not as such, but Malachy O'Connell said he has been, and they're looking for guys with a certain kinship," Ty says.

I arch a brow. "Kinship?"

"Yeah, so basically, it's open to guys who have a tight-knit group, and they have to bring a slave. A girl willing to tend to their every whim and need." Ty runs a hand across the back of his neck. "Maybe that's what you need? Suggest it under the guise of joining the Nexus because it's the only way to get in and important to your future."

"So wait," I say, holding up a hand. "Let me get this straight. This Nexus group is only open to groups of guys who take a sex slave?"

Tyler grins and nods eagerly. "Yeah, it's some bullshit about having a true bond and being able to share a woman! And the slaves get all sorts of perks, too, like free drinks and VIP access to parties. It's a win-win."

I shake my head in disbelief. "I never pegged Professor Sokolov for the type to set up that kind of society."

Beside me, Renzo looks intrigued. Of course, he does. My psycho of a brother lives for twisted stuff like this.

"Might be fun to have Camila be our little slave girl at our beck and call, know what I mean?" Renzo says with a smirk. He waggles his eyebrows suggestively, and I fight the urge to punch him.

Dante, who's been quiet up until now, finally speaks up. "So you think Camila would be a good option for the three of us?" he asks.

Tyler shrugs. "I'm just saying, if you guys are so hot for her, make her your Nexus slave. Then you can all get a piece of her whenever you want."

The thought of anyone treating Camila like some sex toy makes me see red. She deserves better than that. Before I can tell Tyler exactly where he can shove his fucked up idea, Finn pipes up.

"Not gonna lie, that's pretty genius, actually," he says with a low whistle. "Three of you sharing one smoking hot slave?" He runs a hand through his hair. "We've yet to pick ours, but we will soon." Ty and he exchange a strange look.

I clench my jaw, trying to keep my composure. The suggestion of making Camila a sex slave makes something twist in my gut. But I know Ren is into the idea, and I'm not entirely opposed. So I take a slow, deep breath and remain calm.

"I don't know about all that, man," I say, keeping my tone light despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. "We could end up scaring her off entirely."

Renzo scoffs, clearly not impressed with my response. "Come on, bro. Don't pretend you haven't thought about what it'd be like to share her."

I level my gaze at him. "Of course I have, but she's not like other girls we've been with. I doubt she'd be up for being used by three men."

"Used?" Renzo laughs. "She'd be begging us for more if she was our little slave. Imagine it - Camila dressed in lacy lingerie, ready to service all three of us whenever we want. Doesn't that sound fucking amazing?"

I hesitate, picturing it despite myself. I can't deny the thought is tempting. Having Camila submit to our every desire, her flawless body ours to enjoy... it's an intoxicating image. But then I remember the shy smile she gave me the other day and the fantasy sours.

"I don't know," I say again. "It just doesn't feel right."

Renzo rolls his eyes. "Don't be such a goddamn boy scout. Take what you want from her, bro. Stop overthinking this."

I stay silent, not trusting myself to respond. The others start debating the merits of making Camila a sex slave, but I tune them out.

Maybe Renzo's right. Maybe I'm being too soft with her. I know what our assignment is - get close to the Aguilar princess by any means necessary. If that means making her our plaything, is that really so wrong?

I shake my head slightly. No, I can't think like that. Camila deserves more than to be objectified and used. I need to stay focused on gaining her trust first. Once she's comfortable with me, we can start pushing her boundaries gradually. Ease her into the depraved fantasies Renzo clearly has.

I may be many things, but I'm not a monster. Camila is innocent, and she needs to be handled gently. I'll make her mine this weekend on my terms.

Renzo's reckless lust could ruin everything if I let him have his way. So, for now, I'll play the gentleman. Camila will be mine soon enough. And once she is, maybe then I'll share her lush body with Renzo and Dante. If I feel like it.

For now, though, her virginity is mine to take. I won't let my idiot brother or anyone else scare her away. Camila Aguilar will belong to me.