Chapter 2
786words
He pressed me against the wall, Luke's unfamiliar scent completely enveloping me.
This was the real him.
Not that wooden boy trying to imitate his brother's depth, but a young wolf provoked to anger, baring his not-yet-sharp fangs, expressing himself through primal passion.
I raised my hand, encircled his neck, my fingertips sinking into his soft hair, deepening the kiss.
Until he gradually calmed, breathing rapidly, his forehead pressed against mine, hot breath spilling onto my cheeks.
His eyes were red-rimmed, like a puppy that had suffered some great injustice.
I chuckled softly, pushed him away, and turned toward the living room sofa.
Luke still stood there, face flushed.
I pulled a velvet box and a dust bag from the drawer and tossed them onto the coffee table before him.
"Open it."
Luke hesitantly picked up the box and opened it.
Inside was a platinum ring with a perfectly cut obsidian stone, the family crest carved on its side.
He picked up the ring, then opened the dust bag, which contained a custom-tailored black suit with clean cuts and flowing lines.
"This is..."
"For you." I sat on the sofa.
Looking at his puzzled expression, I continued: "Wearing this ring proves you're my representative. The casinos and money houses in the city will follow your commands."
The taste of power is a deadly poison for a young man eager to prove himself.
I don't believe these brothers can stay united if this continues.
Luke's breathing grew heavier as he gripped the ring tightly, knuckles turning white.
Luke and I began kissing frequently.
He was passionate and loved dressing up, with a figure and looks that drew attention.
I liked it. A lot.
I began buying him various clothes and accessories.
Luke was already falling hard.
Everything I bought, he treasured carefully.
Every night when he came to see me, he thoughtfully assembled an outfit.
Paired with his handsome face and athletic build, it was a pleasure to behold.
In comparison, daytime Vince was far more perfunctory.
At first, he would still symbolically wear the clothes I bought him.
After a few days, he got bored and went back to his typical Ralph Lauren style.
I casually asked,
"Where's the ring I gave you yesterday? Why aren't you wearing it?"
Vince, who was reading a book, suddenly looked up.
"What ring?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he forcefully swallowed the second half of his sentence.
All his dissatisfaction and questions were swallowed back down.
His knuckles turned pale as he gripped the book pages, brows tightly furrowed.
"...Maybe I forgot."
Evening.
Luke was dressed like a peacock showing off its feathers, wearing a newly arrived Versace Baroque print shirt that looked both flashy and damn good on him.
As soon as he came in, he embraced me fully, resting his chin in the crook of my shoulder.
When Luke went to shower, the phone he'd tossed on the bed lit up.
I walked over and picked it up.
It was a message from Vince.
Vince: "Where's the ring Ella gave you? Give it to me."
Luke: "What ring? I didn't see any."
Vince's message revealed barely suppressed anger.
"Ella is not a woman you can handle."
Luke: "Bro, I know my limits. Just don't let her find out about you and Audrey."
Using his brother's weakness to counter-attack—this little wolf was learning fast.
Vince: "How far have you two gone?"
Luke hadn't replied yet.
I watched their conversation, the curve of my lips rising higher.
I picked up Luke's phone and leisurely typed a line.
"Haven't done anything we shouldn't do."
What was something we shouldn't do, and what was something we should?
Vince's excessive pride would never allow him to ask such embarrassing follow-up questions.
Sure enough, the other end went silent.
I smiled, then deleted the message.
The bathroom door opened.
Luke walked out wrapped in a towel, water droplets sliding down his toned abs and disappearing into his Adonis belt.
Several scars of varying depths crisscrossed his body, adding a touch of mafia-appropriate danger to his young physique.
When he saw me holding his phone, he froze completely.
I tossed the phone back onto the bed.
He visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
I scanned him from head to toe.
"Nice physique."
His ears instantly turned bright red, and he stood awkwardly, not knowing where to put his hands.
I tilted my chin toward the bedroom, my voice soft.
"Want to go to my bedroom?"
He abruptly looked up, his eyes churning with shock, struggle, and irrepressible joy.
Just one second of hesitation.
"Yes."
