Vendetta

Chapter Eight: I look like Nicki Minaj

After my run in with Queen biyatch, I decided I had enough lectures for the day. I strolled down the campus, sat out at the bleachers, had a sundae ordered. I would've even gone out, but I was too lazy to catch a cab, and my Mustang – er, not actually mine, but that's not the point – was back in the Casa.

After withering away the day, thinking about potent ways to get rid of a body on campus, I walk back to the dorm. I push at the door, but it is locked. Cursing hell, I open my backpack and search for the key in its daunting depths. My fingers touch metal, and I pull out the key, snorting in triumph.

The room is empty and I throw my bag to one side, and spring onto bed, shoes, clothes and all. I am just drifting off, when I hear a click.

I sit upright, years and years of training kicking in. I wrinkle my forehead and concentrate, and I hear it more vividly – a slight movement from the bathroom.

'Rachel?' My first thought. 'Is that you?'

I hear a faint curse.

That wasn't Rachel. My first instinct is to go pick up my gun tucked beneath my jeans in the cupboard. My eyes roam around, and I take note of a baseball bat stashed between Rachel's bed and her dresser. Moving slowly, I pick it up, my hands automatically gripping it and holding it in swing position.

'Rachel?' I prod, standing at an arm's length from the bathroom door. 'Are you taking a shower?'

The door clicks and opens. I swing the bat, hitting square across the intruder's head.

Ouch.

'Are you out of your mind?' Christian demands, holding his head in his hands.

I shrug. I throw the bat to the side and help him to a seat.

Christian lets out a low groan. 'What in the world did you even hit me with?'

'A baseball bat?' I provide, rolling my eyes. 'Oh, come on. It wasn't even a big swing. Stop being a ninny.'

'I am not a ninny, whatever that means,' he huffs indignantly, 'Do you treat everyone this way?'

I narrow my eyes. 'Not everyone. I tend to be a little aggressive when I get intruders. What were you doing in my room?'

Christian eyes me warily. 'Last I checked, my best friend lives here too. I went to use the bathroom and you wacked me across the head.'

I know I have to let him have his way. I know that letting him win our arguments would be a significant step in warming him up to me. I know that lesser the fights we have, the better the chances.

But, Christian makes me aggressive. I am aggressive and violent in general, being the Mafia Boss and all, but I know when to keep my mouth shut and reign myself in. I am in control most of the time, and the guys – especially Jay – keeps me in check.

Christian Beneventi makes me lose all self-control, all sense that I may possess. He infects me, unleashing the beast within me. Christian brings out the worst in me.

'You asked for it.' I retort, my face hot. 'I'd bet you stayed in there to scare me or something.'

'Or something.' Christian rubs his head and gets up. 'It won't hurt to apologize when you are wrong, you know.'

'It wouldn't hurt you either. You mistook me for someone else and manhandled me, and you have yet to apologize.'

'Do I?' he chuckles.

'Yeah,' I snap. 'Just consider this retaliation.'

'Retaliation. It means payback, right? No worries, I'll get you back too.'