Obsession.

Chapter 5 ~ Sharing is Caring

For the first time ever, I'm sitting shotgun next to Valen. We are on our way to Serbian mansion for dinner, and I happen to be the talk of the town there.

We had to drive all the way into New Jersey, and I feel gross driving here. My dad may be from Jersey, but I was raised a New York girl. We would always tease him for his background, but I know he loved it.

I got to witness Valen driving firsthand. Before you learn to operate a car, you don't think about the ones driving you. Once you understand though, it makes them seem responsible. Especially in the early darkness winter is causing right now.

Valen was sexy as he drove. His seat was as far back as it could go, and he had such control over the car. He would hold conversation, but never did his focus leave the road. The dashboard lit up his face, so his tan skin had red and blue hues to it.

I only learned how to drive last year. Having a car is so unnecessary in New York. Even without my parents to drive me, I get around just fine.

We finally pull into the gates. My surroundings feel more and more familiar as we go along. The windows, the trees, the huge fountain. I can't get over the home-like feeling.

I walk timidly next to Valen up to the massive front doors. The only light is emitted from the house and the warm garden ones lining the path.

The memories are definitely coming back to me now. I remember the sprinklers coming on at four every day, the creaking garage door. This is scarier than I had imagined it.

Once we get to the steps, the guard outside lets us in.

Nothing has changed. The dark floors, the detailed white rails, and the ugly green color of the kitchen are all the same. I take a look around the place before I spot Dante and his guys on the couch. All of them are snickering except for Dante.

We enter the room, and they quiet down.

There is one blond guy next to Dante that is keeping his eye on me. He looks angry.

"Nice to see you all again." Dante says, gesturing for us to take a seat.

I sit in between Valen and Amir. Dante is at the couch opposite to us.

"I considered the offer pretty heavily yesterday. I thought about what my dad would want out of it."

He pauses for a minute.

"And that is...?" Valen asks.

"He wouldn't want me to take it."

The disappointment from us is visible.

"Which is why I am."

We jolt our heads to look at him. I don't like this trickery.

"What now?" Valen voices.

Dante sighs, "It would break my heart to see him putting all of his efforts into a fight he couldn't win. It changed him more and more over time, and I don't want to end up like that."

I can see it pains him to admit that.

"We are glad you can trust us." Valen says.

"Oh, I can't trust you. Not after that incident at the club. But, I'm willing to try." Dante interjects.

Valen is taken aback by that. He seems to understand though.

"I'm stumped on what to do about her though. Cause there's no way in hell I'm stepping down without a fight."

"It was part of the deal." Valen restates.

"I understand that, but I won't do it. I'm not putting her up for something like this..."