The mafia's bride (On Hold)

Chapter eighteen: facing reality

JONAH'S POV***

Of all the time for this to be happening to me--it has to be now. I scurry through vast amount of people the best I can without bumping into anyone unintendedly. There is too much whisker in the air as grown men crowd my view, regaling each other with murmured stories of the old days that again aren't that funny or probably true. Besides I have bigger concerns than watching out for other's safety at the moment. Finding the damn frog that hopped his way into this party uninvited is at the top of my to-do list.

But before I can even make a move towards the front entrance where Jeanna is guarding, someone bumps my shoulders, spilling their tall glass of red wine onto the floor. It takes me awhile to recognize the young blonde woman with the misty blue eyes before opening my mouth to make an 'o.' She has to be at least Wade and Devan's age, with a clean cut ruby red dress and a veil hanging down the rim of the gown. Her hair is pulled up into a tight ponytail while her make-up is equal to Daph's. We stand, staring at each other until she gives me an emotionless glare and bends down to the ground to coat her green gloves in wine. "Such a pity, I had hoped to make it back to the others without spilling it too."

The ways she speaks--it sounds European only she may be doing it for show. When I offer to help clean the mess, she slaps my free hand away and shoots me an evil glare. "No thanks, boy. I do believe you have caused enough trouble as it is for one night." I rub the spot where she slapped and back up once to put distance between us. It's awkward enough dealing with two troubles but why does one have to be some damn cute? Just admitting that sets everything I've done to Pryor up in flames. What if she sees me with this woman? Will she think little of me? Call me a pervert and move out of Charlotte.

No!   I tell myself before inhaling a forced in breath. I then turn and try to leave the scene but when a hand grabs my shoulders, I'm forced to spin around and meet the eyes of the attractive woman. She stands a foot over me with eyebrows thickened out from her make-up kit and skin so fair, it brightens her more than Pryor's pale skin-but I like those features about her. Even if she's not aware of it yet. She makes sure to close the gap between us and moves a hand up to tilt underneath my chin before laughing in a small, seductive voice. "My, my, why in such a hurry boy? Don't tell me a sweet, delicious, handsome man such as yourself is afraid of a grown woman....yes?" I glue my mouth shut and concentrate on the music projecting in the background. Not that her presence doesn't already scare me, just the feeling of greed about to fore take if she didn't step away from me--even a little would do. As she steps in closer, her breast pressing against my chest, a hand reaching for her shoulder stops her though, shocking the both of us.

Devan stands behind the woman in sheer rage, glaring at the woman, she grunts her teeth and yanks away. He moves in, shoving me to the side as if pretending like I don't exist.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He asks with no light of patience in his deep voice. The lightness in his eyes are melted away by the tension in his voice. The woman drops the playful smile curving her lips and sighs. She folds her arms over her chest and tilts her head. "Why to see my darling little brother, of course. You ignored the letters I sent to you about a month ago so I thought coming home would give us a chance to bond. But--also because I have some business with Daphne." She turns to me and winks, sending waves of goose bumps trailing up my arms. My sister? Hold on....I blink once then twice. The moral image of Lizzy Lands, Devan's super-hot older sister and the former Queen of his gang, the White Lotus is hard to resist. It's been how long since the twenty-22 year old left? She doesn't look a day old from the last time we parted ways--although her language speaking has improved.

The two of them glare at each other, bearing invisible knives and fangs through the other's heart like wild predators. When Lizzy comes to town, all hell breaks out around Devan. Usually Terra would disappear with the other girls then deal with the woman's nonsense--less babbling--and to be complete honest, this whole 'third wheel' thing is starting to crowd around me. I take one step back, keeping both eyes locked on the two siblings before twisting my whole body around. "Hold it!" Lizzy commands, not once breaking eye contact from her little brother. A small, devilish smile creeps upon her face. "I'm curious as to know, young Jonah. I've heard a nasty little rumor about a ravishing young girl by the name of Pryor--or as you have declared, your new queen, but do tell me. Does your sweet little puppy know about the past? Do you plan on telling her the truth?"