THE DEVIL HERSELF | NYX ULRIC [UNDER HEAVY EDITING]

UNO

NYX

HIS hand reached out to his side, expecting to feel soft, warm skin but was only met with the cold sheets of his hotel bed. Nyx groggily sat up, looking around his hotel room in confusion and disappointment. Any remnants of his... companion from last night had disappeared.

Any type of discarded clothing was gone, plucked from the floor. The only thing that remained was memories from last night. Bits and pieces of the events from last night slowly started to return, making Nyx blush furiously. He ran his fingers through his unruly hair, untangling a few strands here and there.

Her soft voice, breathy moans, and wandering hands plagued his thoughts as Nyx decided to get up. He gathered all of his discarded clothing from last night, chucking them onto a chair as he headed to the bathroom. His back stung once the water came into contact with his skin, making him hiss in pain.

The feeling of her nails digging into his skin was still vivid. If he closed his eyes, he could still see her, feel her. The sight of her beneath him, gripping onto him like her life depended on it, was intoxicating. Or the way she moved-

God, he needed to get his mind out of the gutter.

He received a text the moment he exited the shower, his phone coming to life with a short ding! Nyx hurried to his phone, feeling disappointed when he realized only one of his friends texted him. He didn't know why he even hoped she was the one who texted him, they didn't even exchange numbers.

Maybe he should've asked for her number before they... fooled around. But why would he? He was only in Italy for a short while, for a celebratory vacation to finally getting his own business alongside his longtime friends. It was probably for the best anyways.

Nyx trekked to the hotel's ground floor, where breakfast was being held. Thank God he woke up on time, if he didn't, he'd have to endure the rest of the day on an empty stomach until lunchtime. Knowing that if his friends decided to do something, whether it be going on a tour or wandering around the town, they'd want to do it uninterrupted.

Seeing his friends sitting at a table, he quickly jogged over to them. He quietly took his seat, evidently avoiding their questioning gazes.

"Good morning to you too" Crowe spoke up, breaking the silence. A playful grin tugged at her lips, giving Nyx a teasing look. "Had fun last night, Nyx?"

Nyx rolled his eyes as he tried to suppress a smile. He shook his head slightly as he quietly placed small servings of food from the center of the table and onto his plate.

"Of course he did," Libertus chuckled, roughly patting Nyx's back. "Pretty sure the whole hotel could hear 'em"

"Oh god" Nyx groaned, leaning back onto his seat as he covered his face in embarrassment.

"Whole hotel? More like the whole city!" Pelna laughed, shaking his head as he wiggled his eyebrows at Nyx. "Thank god we decided to book separate rooms"

"Speaking of which," Crowe said, her eyes staring past Nyx. She nodded her head behind him, eyes slightly squinting. "Isn't that her?"

He turned his head as fast as he could, heart pounding in anticipation and excitement. Who knew she'd still be lingering around. One-night stands usually leave the place as soon as they can and return only much later.

True to his friend's word, there she was, sitting at a table across from some guy. His heart sunk at the sight of her with another man, despite not having anything exclusive with her. Hope filled his heart once again when a second man appeared, seemingly close with her. Nyx could only assume the three were friends or better, siblings.

ELENA

"Dove sei stato la notte scorsa?" Where were you last night? Her brother hissed as he took a seat across from her, waving for the attention of a waiter. Elena glanced up at the older man, grinning as she took a slow sip of her wine.

A lanky boy scrambled over to their table, a notepad ready in hand. Before he could give the eldest Leonetti a greeting, Valentino quickly gave his order. The waiter messily scribbled down her brother's order, saying his goodbyes before he left.

"Ti ucciderebbe essere gentile?" Would it kill you to be nice? Elena asked as she watched the boy scamper away, disappearing into the kitchen.

Her brother gave her a look, sighing as she rolled her eyes. She took another sip of her wine, feeling her brother's burning gaze on her. She swiped her tongue across her teeth, clearing her throat before she answered his question.

"Mi stavo divertendo'" I was having fun Elena replied, shrugging her shoulders as she placed the wine glass onto the table. Her brother sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he shook his head disapprovingly. "Che cosa? Non posso divertirmi un po'?" What? I can't have fun?

"Puoi" You can Valentino replied, with a slight nod of his head. "Dopo aver finito le tue responsabilità" After you've finished your responsibilities

"L'ho fatto!" I did! Elena hissed, crossing her arms in annoyance. She tapped her foot against the hardwood floor of the restaurant, her mood turning sour. "Chi ti ha detto che non l'ho fatto?" Who told you I didn't?

"Santino" Valentino answered, his meal swiftly arriving. Elena pursed her lips, leaning against the back of her chair.

"Beh, io e te sappiamo che è pieno di merda" Well, you and I know that he's full of shit Elena said as she waved her hands around animatedly.

"Chi è pieno di merda?" Who's full of shit? A third person joined their conversation, knowing well who it was, Elena turned to face them with an evident frown etched onto her features.

"Siete" You are Elena replied as she looked away from her other brother, picking up her wine glass by the stem.

"Ah, come hai potuto dire una cosa del genere?" Ah, how could you say such a thing? Santino said as he clutched his chest dramatically. He wrapped his arms around her, clutching her tightly. "Fa male essere insultato dalla mia sorella preferita!" It hurts to be insulted by my favorite sister!

"Sono la tua unica sorella, idiota!" I'm your only sister, you idiot! Elena said as he flicked his forehead, trying to pry herself from his hold. Santino soon released her, moving to sit between his siblings. "Ora dimmi, caro fratello, a cosa ti servono entrambi?" Now, tell me, dear brother, what do you need both of us for?

"È raro che tu chieda di incontrarci entrambi allo stesso tempo" It's rare that you ask to meet us both at the same time Santino hummed in agreement, turning his head to face Valentino. "Sta succedendo qualcosa?" Is there something going on?

"Papà pensa che lo zio Giovanni stia pianificando un colpo di stato" Father thinks that Uncle Giovanni is planning a coup Valentino replied, sighing heavily. "Sai com'è lo zio, geloso che suo fratello minore abbia ereditato l'azienda di famiglia al posto suo" You know how uncle is, jealous that his younger brother got to inherit the family business instead of him

"Papà vuole che tutti noi raccogliamo abbastanza informazioni per dimostrarlo" Father wants all of us to gather enough intel to prove it Valentino continued, his fingers tapping against the table. "Questo significa che staremo a Milano per un bel po'" This means we'll be staying in Milan for quite a while

"Io mi occupo di tenere d'occhio i nostri affari, Santino, tu sei incaricato di tutte le voci che circolano" I'm in charge of keeping an eye out in our businesses, Santino, you're in charge of any rumors going around Valentino concluded, earning nods of agreement from his younger siblings. "E tu, Elena, ti occupi della vita notturna" And, Elena, you're in charge of the nightlife

The two nodded in agreement, though Elena was a bit disheartened that she was practically forced to become nocturnal. It wouldn't make much of a difference in her social life anyway, since she spent most of her time running around and doing errands for the family business.

FEBRUARY 01, 2021

edited: APRIL 09, 2021; APRIL 10, 2021, MARCH 13,  2022