THEO: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Scott, Raven

  “Don’t worry about Mateo. It’s really his brother you want to stay away from. I met him once, and I’d rather not ever be in the same room as him. I know killers when I see them.” There wasn’t much I could do but nod, and Theo flicked off his blinker as he merged onto the ramp smoothly. “When I started working for Mateo, he got a visit from Carlyle. They were having a conversation I wasn’t listening to in some restaurant in Portugal, and that motherfucker just pulled out a gun and shot me. I still have the bullet in my shoulder. He told me he was disappointed I didn’t beat the shit out of him— he could’ve killed Mateo, and I would’ve failed my ‘mission.’”

  Theo almost seemed impressed by his own story, and my brows rose in interest even as he went quiet to focus on merging onto the highway. Glancing around, he twisted briefly, and I held the handle on the door when he swerved sharply into the middle lane. He didn’t let go of my hand, and my fingers tingled as his muscles flexed under his shirt. Positively, Theo had experience driving with one hand, but it was still kinda terrifying in a muted, knee-jerk kind of way.

  “Uh . . . so, I said that I didn’t care if he killed Mateo, as long as no one else did. Carlyle laughed at that. It was the coldest, creepiest shit ever, like serial killer creepy, not . . . ” Trailing off as a huge oil tanker breezed past us, Theo clenched and released his jaw while his nerves rattled up my arm. “I hate highways so much.”

  “I knew this girl in alternative school . . . ” Inhaling deeply as the tanker sped by completely, passing the nose of Theo’s car, I clicked my teeth absently. Memories of those three months raced through my mind’s eye, and a frown dragged down the corners of my mouth. “She was nuts. I was only there for three months for my GED, but in that time, she tried to stab the teacher twice. She got busted for smoking meth in the bathroom. She picked a fight with this other girl from a gang, and she got her place broken into and was raped by those guys. When she came back, she bragged about being in a relationship with one of them and got his name tattooed on her neck a week later.”

  “She did all that and was never arrested?” Shaking my head, I shrugged at the questioning glance Theo shot me. I mean, the answer was obvious. I lived in LA at the time, and that kind of thing in that type of neighborhood was almost typical. There were worse people out there, and as long as she only hurt herself, people were content to leave her alone.

  Plus, she had no teeth, so whenever she talked to someone, she spat in their face. Nobody wanted to get too close.

  “So, did you ever think of going to college?”

  “And get saddled with debt? No, thanks. I’ll manage on my own.” My comeback earned me a snort of agreement, and I frowned as I thought far, far back. “I don’t think there was a single time in my life— even before it went to shit— when I thought college was a good idea. I wouldn’t know what to go for, and I just know that going would kill whatever I went for if I had a passion for it.”

  “You like to dance ballet, though.” Humming softly, I shook my head, and Theo cast me a confused furrow of his brow. “You looked really excited when Mateo asked you.”

  “Theo.” A small, warm smile stretched my lips, and I reached to scratch his stubble— stubble that he hadn’t had last night at the club. He tensed, gripped the wheel hard as he sucked in a sharp breath, and a soft sigh escaped me. “It was a lie, so he’d pay me more. And it worked. I can’t do ballet anymore, even though I did like it before.”

  “What do you like, then? Not your stripper alter ego, divesting the rich to give to your poor once the sun goes down?” Giggling a little at that, I withdrew my hand only for him to grab my wrist and keep my fingers on his skin. He cast me an almost fatuous look, like a toddler that didn’t want to let go of his mom’s neck. Every time he does this kind of thing, like with the shirt, it makes it a little harder to dislike him.

  “What do I like? I don’t even know anymore. It’s been a long time since I did anything just because I liked it. What do you like to do in your spare time, Theo?” Curiosity infected my tone, and he sat back in the seat to tilt his face against my fingers. His jaw ticked under the butt of my palm, and I held my breath in anticipation.

  “Sometimes, I go to the casino in San Diego. I don’t gamble much, though. I won a plot of land in a small craps tournament the last time I was out that way. It’s in NoCal somewhere. I’m pretty sure they included it in the tournament because some guy wanted chips but had no money, so he gave them the deed.” My brows rose, and Theo smirked slippery as mischief twinkled in his eye. “Didn’t win that at the good casino, though.”

  “I was gonna say . . . I don’t think that’s legal.” He seemed to be coming out of his shell a little, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. The car fell into silence as we zipped out of town, and I gnawed on my cheek as I turned my gaze out the window.

  This isn’t happening. What a joke. I should’ve packed my shit and run away again as soon as Sylvie got dragged into this car. I’d be halfway to Canada by now if I was smart. My tongue soured as I licked the backs of my teeth, and I frowned under the slight crease between my brows. Either Theo was a creep, and I wanted to not be around him, or . . .

  We had moments . . . really nice moments, like the one I was currently immersed in. Those few seconds— that intense, brief connection— made me want to go deeper under the surface. I knew better, but that didn’t matter. I didn’t want to end up dead, but what was my life right now?

  The truth was that I was worse than dead, and if Theo made it a little better for a little while,why shouldn’t I enjoy that? Grinding my teeth to hold back a groan of frustration, my blood simmered in my veins as my mind went around and around in circles.

  16

  Illya

  “You’re quiet.” Tearing my eyes off the oncoming sign emblazoned with ‘Pine Valley— Next Exit,’ I flexed my fingers as a slight, tingly numbness slithered up my arm. Theo’s pensive expression disappeared, but not fast enough, and a sigh dried my lips before I licked them in preparation.

  “I know what I said at the waffle place earlier. I was just thinking . . . my life’s really not worth living as it is right now.” His cheek twitched under my fingers, and Theo didn’t protest as I pulled away to twiddle my thumbs in my lap. “I don’t want to kill myself. I hope things will get better, and I’m trying really hard to make it better. But I’m really, really unhappy. I live in a shit place. I work in a shit place. And I know that it’s better than it was before, but why am I content with that? That’s fucked up. The whole concept of life right now is messed up.”

  “Isn’t that the point of working hard? So you can make your life worth it?” There was no judgment in his tone, only slight confusion, and a little worry at my words. I mean, who wouldn’t be worried about some deep, philosophical shit like what’d just come out of my mouth? “You don’t have to worry about Sylvie anymore. That’s one issue down, right?”

  “I may not have to worry about her, but now I have to worry about money. I know it’s a grind— that’s not the issue. I just . . . sometimes, I just want things to get better overnight with minimal work on my part.” A sour smirk twisted my lips at how stupid that desire was, and I ran my free hand through my hair absently to pull the strands over my shoulder. “It’s dumb and unrealistic, but . . . ”

  “It’s not dumb, Illya.” My cheeks warmed as Theo reached to stroke my jaw with stiff fingers, and I blinked back the sting in my eyes. “You’ve been through a lot. Just because other people have had it worse or are luckier doesn’t negate that.”

  “You know . . . I honestly don’t know why. Like you said earlier, why don’t I just give in, huh? Why don’t I just take my pants off and hope it’s enough? My mom used to tell me that anything I did in desperation wasn’t something to be ashamed of. It may not be panic, but I would consider myself desperate, I guess.” Casting Theo a wry glance, my lips quirked up at the ghost of a thought that flittered through my head. “This is the part where you say you’re not gonna take ad
vantage of me.”

  “Like fuck I’d be stupid enough to turn you down, Illya.” He said the words, but I could tell that screwing me wasn’t really the focal point of his conviction. Stopping at the end of the off-ramp, he flicked on his blinker before catching my eyes firmly. “Your mom is right— and why should you have to take the brunt of someone else’s shitty choices? Sylvie put you in a hole, and she’s not gonna help you crawl out. That’s fucked up, Illya, not confronting the fact that, for the foreseeable future, your life is gonna suck. You know it. You accept it. And it’s not gonna change overnight like you want, but that’s okay because you always had to fight for everything, right? If you don’t fight for this, where’s the big ‘fuck you’ to the world, huh?”

  “You know, Theo, I like you better when you’re not trying to be romantic.” His head snapped to the side to face me, and his two fingers slid off my chin to curl around my shoulder. For a long moment, he just stared at me, and a fury of emotions played in his eyes before he twisted forward again. Gripping the wheel tightly, he pulled off the ramp and onto a road, and huge oaks line either side of us.

  “We’re here.” A gorgeous, hand-painted, hand-carved, wooden sign hung over the mouth of a long driveway, and I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth to gnaw diligently.

  “A rehab center? Why’d you bring me to a rehab center?”

  “It’s a rest and rehabilitation resort— not a rehab center. Just trust me, Illya. You’ll like it.” Perfectly manicured lawns clung to even more perfectly laid stones that lined the drive, and Theo cleared his throat roughly as he drove up the winding, uncracked asphalt. “Mateo comes here when he can’t handle the adult world.”

  “O-oh . . . ” Well, that answered that question. I really doubted Theo was the kind of guy to get a facial and pedicure after a long day. The sprawling grounds were lush and green, and people were just milling around enjoying themselves. “I could work every day of my life and not afford to come to a place like this.”

  “I know.” Scrunching up my nose at that, I crossed my arms over my chest as we reached the top of the long drive. The mansion that stood at the end of the asphalt was bigger than my entire apartment block combined, and my eyes widened to take it all in. Huge, spiral columns of granite held up an empty balcony, and I craned my neck to press my face against the window. The vehicle jostled to a stop, and someone dressed in a smart uniform that may have cost more than Theo’s car came bounding down the steps.

  He opened my door for me, smiling welcomingly, and anxiety slammed into my chest as I swung my legs out. Another person rounded the front of the car and let Theo out, and I stood up to gaze at this disgusting display of insane wealth. And I get to experience it.

  “Come on.” I tore my eyes off the mansion, and Theo took my hand to lead me up the perfectly polished, dirt— free, marble steps. “Mateo bought a room here we can use.”

  “W-we? Theo, no.” My heart jumped into my throat, but I didn’t want to scuff the floor by trying to stop. The ruined skin on my chest throbbed in fiery irritation, and he twisted before pausing when he caught sight of the apprehension on my face. Four fingers and a thumb threaded between mine, and a frown marred his expression as he shook his head roughly.

  “Mateo will know I’m here. They’ll call and tell him. I don’t want him showing up and finding you alone. That’s all. Like I said, he doesn’t know that you’re Sylvie’s roommate, and I want to keep it that way.” Skepticism dried my mouth, and Theo’s frown morphed into a scowl as prickles raced up and down my spine. “What?”

  “What if he does show up? Theo, I can’t afford to be in debt to that asshole over a couple hours in a real bed and a nice massage. Please.” I didn’t recognize the keening tone in my voice, and my palms clammed up as I took a step back. “This is a bad idea, okay. I can’t do this.”

  “We’ll just rent a room. I just thought it’d be easier since Mateo already has one, and it’s got complimentary features.” Sure, the more I hung around Theo, the easier it was to figure him out, but it was also becoming startlingly apparent that he was stubborn as all Hell. Pursing my lips thinly at that alternative, I started to shake my head, but Theo’s scowl only darkened. “Consider it a gift— no repayment or expectation.”

  “Theo, I . . . ” I know you’re trying to be nice, but this is making me sick and uncomfortable. The words balanced on the tip of my tongue, but I could see it in his tight features that he was starting to burn his fuse and get frustrated. Something had to cave, and I didn’t want it to be me, but . . . “I guess that’s okay.”

  His eyes brightened in a mix of surprise and satisfaction, and he squeezed my hand before leading me up the stairs. My feet tingled in my ratty sneakers as I stepped very lightly, and I glanced back to make sure I wasn’t tracking in dirt. The front doors of the mansion opened when we reached the top landing, and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

  Opulence was a good word to describe this place— it was absolutely dripping in creature comforts and expense. There were old-timey elevators with personally closing doors opposite the reception desk, and a huge, grand staircase. It was like being on the Titanic. Man, I wish Leonardo DiCaprio was here.

  “Welcome back, Mister Jackson.” Even the receptionist was beautiful in a model kind of way, and she flashed us both a smile with red-painted lips. Her high cheekbones cradled eyes that sparkled, but I guess she had something to be happy about. Even if she hated her job for whatever reason, I was sure she got paid in potato sacks instead of envelopes. “How can I be of service today?”

  17

  Illya

  “This is so comfy.” The short, silk robe was so soft and smooth that it didn’t agitate my scars, and I smoothed the sides down my thighs gingerly. The front closed just enough to cover my breasts, but not enough to hide the scars climbing up over my shoulder. Glancing around the room— or should I say ‘suite’— I licked my lips as my gaze trained on the door leading to the living area.

  After exploring this suite bigger than three of my apartments, I just wanted to jump into the massive, jet-spraying bathtub and never get out. Even the separate shower had jets. Flexing my toes against the plush, soft carpet, I wandered over to the closed bedroom door and gripped the handle.

  Anxiety curdled my blood, and I took a deep, stabilizing breath before turning the handle and cracking open the door. Theo sat on the semi-circular sofa, but his head whipped up at the change of air— because the barrier surely didn’t squeak in the slightest.

  “I thought you wanted to waste away in the bath.” Flames licked my cheeks as I shook my head, the only part of me he could see, and Theo sat back on the sofa to stretch his long legs. “You just like to say shit, don’t you, Illya? You never follow through, do you?”

  “Yeah, I guess I don’t.” He had a point— every word that came out of my mouth, I ended up not adhering to. I told him I didn’t want to be around him, but here I was— in this place, alone, with him. I told him this wasn’t happening, but it’d been a few hours, and I was already going back on my word.

  Stepping out from the door, I rolled my lips between my teeth as Theo stiffened, his eyes narrowing into slits as he scanned my bare legs. A bulge formed in his jeans, and my heart hammered against my ribs as I walked over to sit next to him. His heat seared my arm where the half-length sleeve didn’t cover.

  I was stupid. There was nothing anyone could do to dissuade me from the fact that I was just outright dumb at this point. I kept making the same mistake over and over again, telling myself that afterward— afterward— afterward, it’d stop.

  But it wasn’t going to stop. From the second Theo opened that door in the club, the ball started rolling down a hill, and all my attempts to throw something in front of that ball only made it bounce.

  “It’s horrible, isn’t it?” Speaking up softly, an ugly, self-deprecating smirk twisted my lips, and I fiddled my fingers in my lap. “You think you’re all that, and then someone shows up, and you realize that y
ou’re not. You’re big and bad until someone bigger and badder comes along. Then, you realize that you’re just really . . . tired.”

  “You don’t have to be the only one that cares about you, Illya.” My gross smirk turned sad, and I sighed shallowly as I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. Theo’s eyes narrowed tighter at the action, and my scalp tingled under my high, loose bun from the intensity of his gaze. “It’s okay to rely on someone. That doesn’t mean being dependant on them.”

  “What has that ever gotten either of us? Sylvie turned her back on me. My family decided I was too fucked up to be bothered, so they shoved me into foster care. And before you say it, you know just as well as I do that you’d eventually screw me over, too. Whether or not you want to admit it, you’re only as close to someone as their usefulness or convenience allows.” Surrounded by all this pomp and gaudy beauty, I felt small and insignificant, and Theo grunted lowly in acknowledgment. “I wish you hadn’t brought me here.”

  Theo grabbed me, causing me so much pain, bruising my already destroyed body, it seemed like so long ago even though it was just last night. I said things and acted the exact opposite, but did I really know what I wanted anymore? I didn’t want to struggle financially. I wanted a place to live that wasn’t infested with cockroaches and ants. I wanted a regular job that required me to make strangers think I gave a shit about them.

  Laying down on the sofa, I rested my cheek on Theo’s thigh, but he didn’t tense or grab my bun or anything. Closing my eyes, I savored the tentativeness of his hand as he pulled down my robe and rested his palm on my hip. Warmth radiated from his touch, and I reached for his right hand to plop it on my head.