Not in the mood

CHIARA

I tied my hair up in a messy bun because I didn't have time to style it after washing it. Humming to some tune I didn't even recognize, my fingers grazed the length of the shoe rack as my eyes chose for tonight.

I looked down at my black short skirt, paired with a silver top underneath a black jacket, and smiled when my eyes locked onto a perfect match. "Come to, Mama," I said, grabbing the silver high thigh boots with long narrow heels. I plopped on a fur ottoman to pull them on. Still humming. Where the hell did I hear this song?

My secret phone binged with a text. Yes, since the running away accident happened, Antonio made sure all of my communication means were monitored, hence the secret one.

I finished tying a silver bracelet and picked up the phone from the accessories table. I texted back and stored it in my black mini bag before leaving the room. The humming still went on until I reached the living room. My heels were halted by the voice of my mother.

"Honey, join us for dinner," Mamma said with so much love on her face. I looked around the table. Antonio and both of his sons were staring at me. "Nah, I'm good. You eat with your family. I'm running late." I saw the pain in her eyes before walking out of the house, tugging on my chest. Didn't miss the satisfied look on Antonio at my words. He must be rejoicing.

Since that event, I couldn't face her. I failed her. I was just glad that she was finally getting in touch with Earth again and not getting locked up in her room anymore.

It's funny, the fact that the only way I could protect them was by staying away from them. It made my heart burn. But I had no choice.

****

I arrived at Club Moon in thirty seconds and went straight in through the VIP door. There was no way I was joining the damn queue. My body bounced to the beat as my eyes searched for the man inside the sea of people. My phone pinged.

X: Look up, gorgeous.

Me: Nobody tells me what to do.

I texted back and still looked up anyway.

He was there, waving at me with his most charming smile. I navigated the stairs and went up to him. I held out my hand for him. He took it and kissed my knuckles. His hair strands fell on his forehead, and his eyes glowed as though there were fire in them. Especially when they were scanning me from head to toe.

"Hot, like always." He moved closer and murmured into my ear. I rolled my eyes and pulled my hand from him. "Tell me something I don't know. You got something hotter for me, Xander?" I said as we made our way to the end of the platform and sat across from each other in a private booth.

"Hold your horses. I ordered your favorite." He motioned at the glass of cocktail on the table, there was also a bottle of wine. I pursed my lips, my mouth watering in my imagination. It's been a damn while. "It's not my favorite anymore." Liar.

"Yeah?" Xander's lips split with a knowing smile.

A second passed. Before I could stop myself, my hand reached for the glass and raised it to my mouth. The combination of ice, Campari, sweet vermouth, prosecco, and an orange peel on the side. I shut my eyes, groaning at the taste of it. Freaking Negroni Sbagliato! I would never get tired of this drink.

Xander chuckled while I relished the drink.

"The reason why your fiancé has been quiet for a while, I haven't figured that out yet. But…" My eyes connected with his impatiently, "I found out what he was up to lately." He unlocked his phone and played me a video

.

In the video were about six armed men who were escorting him to a container. They were at the port. I handed back his phone. "There are women in that container?" I assumed.

Xander shook his head. "No. There are teenage girls in that container. Countless of them. And he is planning on shipping them soon."

My eyebrows furrowed. "I guess, I'm on the list too." Xander nodded and showed me the list on his phone as well. They were all babies, so young. Full of life and dreams. Something stirred further inside me when I found my name branded VVIP. Son of a dick!

Enzo couldn't get caught because nobody saw him in action as he sold off people to his buyers all around the world.

Xander wasn't just any fed, but one with a good position, and still couldn't succeed in nabbing him. Whenever he did, his superiors would swallow the case, and he got released before the sun went down. "I guess it's high time we move with the plan. I'm going to catch him this time around." I placed the glass down with a thud. Marking my oath. Enzo wouldn't be able to escape this time around. I'll make sure of it. Not because I was also on the list, but because his game had to stop.

Xander leaned over the table with a deep frown and suspicion in his eyes. "We. We are. Don't you dare ghost me, too, Chichi." He warned. Yeah, I've been doing a lot of ghosting since Prince.

"Am I interrupting something?" A tall figure stood before us. My eyes travelled from his feet to his unreadable face.

H

"Obviously," I uttered, bitterness spreading in my mouth. I wanted to fish him but tonight was for me, Xander and the business. Why did he have to be at the same club? I wasn't even in a good mood.

"Mr. Conti." Xander shook hands with him.

"Xander." He uttered, "May I join you? My client is running late."

"No!"

"Yes."

I glared at Xander for inviting him to our private moment. He mouthed sorry while making room for him by moving to his side.

Instead of sitting there, Carmelo pushed me slightly as he sat on my side. No. Our thighs were literally touching under the table.

My nose flared, "What the—" He covered my mouth with his palm. A powerful scent hit my nose as he pressed it further. I fought the urge to bite it off. "I know you don't like me. But it's just a drink." He said. Our eyes locked, and I shut mine when I couldn't stand getting lost in his dark ones anymore. I was never intimidated by a man's gaze.

Fuck.