Vicious Enzo: A College Bully Romance (Verona Academy Book 2)

by Melinda Terranova

  “You two know each other?” Jake’s eyes dart from Mitchell to me and back.

  “You could say that. Mitchell has started working for my old man.” I narrow my eyes at Jake. “How do you two know each other?” I point between the two of them.

  “Mitch is my cousin,” Jake’s face falls, as he puts two and two together.

  After the Italy fiasco, I’m sure Jake and the rest of the students managed to work out roughly what happened. Lucky for them, they’ve kept their mouths shut, only rumors circulating.

  “Sit and order what you want, it’s on the house.” I lean back in my chair and feel Amber staring at me.

  Stephan sits next to Amber and plants a chaste kiss on her cheek, her eyes shoot to me and I wink back at her. He seems innocent enough and she knows if he fucks her over, I’ll kill him.

  Mitchel, and Jake, both take a seat to my right and I try not to laugh at the tension the group is exuding. I don’t know what they think I’m going to do. “Relax everyone, I just want to eat. I’m fucking starving.” I grin at them, my eyes sliding to Jake who looks like he is about to jump up and run away.

  “So, Jake, how’s the new professor for your Italian Renaissance class?” I lean forward and stare at him.

  I watch his eyes narrow slightly as he takes me in. “Heaps better than the last prick.”

  I can’t help but chuckle. “I think we agree on something.” I nod, as thoughts of watching Carbone die from his slow bleed out, play on my mind.

  “She’s good to look at too,” he grins and pops a breadstick in his mouth.

  “I’ll keep that in mind next time I have to help pick staff,” I chuckle.

  Jake’s shoulders relax after my comment and I wonder if he keeps in contact with Summer, no doubt he would, she was fond of their friendship. My phone vibrates and I inspect it to see who texted me.

  Amber: Play nice!

  I glance at her and she has a stern ‘don’t fuck with my friends’ look on her face.

  Me: I’m always nice. I jump up and get the waitress to come to take our order.

  Everyone is less on edge by the time the food comes out, they’re all probably surprised the elusive and asshole me is capable of being around others without making someone bleed.

  “What are you majoring in?” I hear Stephan say to me.

  “Social anthropology. I like to study how humans behave, to watch them and uncover their past and see if I can determine their future from certain behaviors they display.” I take a sip of my coffee and see Amber swallow out of the corner of my eye.

  “Interesting,” Stephan answers before averting his eyes to his plate of pasta.

  “How’s your course work going, Jake?” I emphasize his name a little to get his full attention.

  He looks up at me, not as uncomfortable as earlier, and finishes chewing his food. “It’s going slowly. I’m pre-occupied with working on my car to worry about classes and assessments,” he explains.

  “What kind of car do you have?” I ask, genuinely interested.

  “A Lusso.”

  “Get the fuck out of here. A 1962 Ferrari Lusso 250 GT.” I practically jump with enthusiasm.

  “Yep,” Jake grins from ear to ear, proud of his little jewel of a car.

  “How did you get your hands on one of those?” My eyes go wide in pure astonishment. Those cars are expensive as fuck, not to mention hard to find.

  “My late grandpa left it to me in his will. It’s not in the best condition, but I’m getting there.”

  “That is one spectacular car.”

  “She’s my pride and joy.” Jake takes a bite of his parmigiana and nudges Mitchell. “Tell him what grandpa left you.”

  Mitchell hesitates and glares at Jake before returning his gaze to me. “A 1969 Ferrari Dino.”

  “Fuck off.” I lean back in my chair and place my two hands behind my head. “That’s insane.”

  “Our grandpa collected cars.” Jake shrugs.

  “Oh great, now you won’t get him to shut up about cars,” Amber throws a chip at me.

  “You’re funny.” I throw it back at her.

  After an hour-long leisurely lunch, they all seem more comfortable around me, and not too worried I’d stab one of them with my fork.

  “Well, it’s been great sitting here with all you boys, but I’ve got to get to class.” She stands and grabs her bag off the ground, giving Stephan the eye.

  “Me too. I’ll see you later.” He eyes Jake before departing with Amber tagging along beside him.

  “That’s my cue as well. See you around.” I nod as I leave the two sitting there.

  ***

  “If it isn’t the Luca himself, gracing us with his presence.” I bow as he strides toward us.

  “I have arrived with gifts.” He presents a bottle of Hennessy Richard.

  “The drink of our forefathers.” I take the bottle from him and head to the kitchen looking for glasses.

  Of course, there are no fucking glasses, only fucking red solo cups, I grab three and venture back to where Dante and Luca have set up camp for the night. Right outside the back door, away from the main crowd.

  “Plastic cups?” Dante eyes them.

  “It’s all I could find.” I slap him in the back of the head. I pour us all a drink and settle in for another fucking initiation party full of freshmen.

  “So, where have you been disappearing to, Luca?” Dante tosses back his drink in one go.

  “Here, there, and everywhere.” Luca raises his cup and takes a sip of his drink.

  My eyes roam the yard for any little fucker that may try to disturb the peace. I’m not a fan of these dumb as fuck gatherings, all they do is drink themselves into oblivion. I spot three of the five new recruits socializing with other freshmen, a casual nod exchanged between us. It’s completely dark out here apart from the bonfire, and the odd phone screen. I catch a glimpse of blond hair and my insides turn into an inferno, burning right through me, charring my already blackened heart.

  I fill my cup nearly to the rim and drink every drop without a breath. The rich burn of the peppered amber liquid coats my throat and insides, leaving a nutty after taste. I drink another cup full hoping it works its magic and makes me stop thinking.

  “Pace yourself.” Dante snatches the bottle from me. “This must be savored.” He cradles the bottle to his chest like it’s a baby.

  “I’m going to get a bottle of vodka from the kitchen.” I glare at him. I stand and can feel the slight effect of the alcohol already. Excellent, I need to drown out the thoughts of her, and the constant gnawing of my demons.

  “Hello, stranger.” An arm snakes around my waist as I stand at the freezer, eyeing the vodka bottles.

  I grab their wrist and twist it until I hear them gasp from pain. I slowly turn to face them, never weakening my grip, to be met with a set of dark brown eyes. Eyes that are starting to glass over. I think her name is Samantha.

  “Don’t fucking touch me.” I push her arm at her, and she grabs it with her hand, rubbing where my fingers dug into her flesh.

  “You don’t have to be like that.” She pouts, pushing her breasts in my direction. Her stupid face irritating the fuck out of me.

  “You act like I’m not always like this,” I sneer, my upper lip curling over my teeth.

  “Why don’t you let me take you into the back room and ease that tension.”

  I look down at her, at her slutty bright pink dress, degrading herself. Months ago, I would have dragged her into that room without a second thought. But now I have morals or some shit. “Fuck off,” I hiss and watch her face contort in confusion.

  Yes, sweetheart, I’m just as fucking confused here as you.

  “Come on, Enzo, I’ll make it good.” She bites her lower lip.

  “I’m not a sadomasochist. Go find someone else to inflict pain on you.” I glare at her before grabbing a bottle of vodka and pushing past her, to return to Dante and Luca.

  The numbness should soon take aw
ay the confusion and fury coiling within me, before it overflows like a boiling pot on the stove and pours everywhere, burning everyone in its path.

  “Enzo brought more goods,” Luca nods, his eyes glassy.

  “Did you smoke some weed?” I shake my head at him.

  “Stoner at the front door let me have a few drags, now I’m flying high.” Luca bobs his head to the music, which seems to be getting louder as the night wears on.

  “Fucking hell, can’t take you anywhere.” I pour us vodka shots and hand them over.

  “To pussy,” Luca salutes.

  “To pussy,” Dante, and I repeat before we throw our drinks down.

  “Another.” I pour us all triple the amount this time. I need the alcohol to start working or someone is going to get their head punched in tonight. I can feel my agitation stirring.

  “I think I need water.” Dante scrunches his face and leaves the table in search of bottles of water.

  I drink a large amount of the vodka straight from the bottle, the burn tingling down my throat just as Dante returns.

  “Drink this.” He shoves one in front of Luca, and me, before sitting down and sculling half of his.

  I stare at the vodka as thoughts of the casino debacle run circles in my head. “We need to take a visit down to New York and sort this mess out before it gets ugly.”

  “But it’s all organized for tomorrow night. We can’t back out now. Can we?” Dante looks at me, confused as to where my train of thought is coming from.

  “There will be fewer casualties if we strike when they’re not expecting it. The dipshits probably couldn’t organize a fuck in a brothel. Their dumb asses will most probably fuck their mission up tomorrow night. It will be too easy to take them down. This will be more fun.” My eyes light up with excitement, the alcohol finally taking effect.

  “Nah, man. Let’s just stick to the original plan,” Luca grins like the fucking Cheshire cat.

  “What would you know about the original plan, dipshit? You’ve been MIA for days,” I laugh at him.

  “I know things.” He sips his water.

  “You know the workings of that pussy you’ve been pre-occupied with,” Dante teases.

  “Exactly, therefore I know that the best plan of attack is to get them when they’re off their territory.” Luca leans forward, almost falling off his chair, his eyes hooded.

  “Did you learn that from all the classes you’ve been attending?” I clip him over the back of the head, unable to stop my drunken laughter.

  “Yes, yes I have,” Luca whispers, placing his finger over his lips.

  “He’s got a good point though.” Dante shrugs. “If we enter their territory, they will have the upper hand, being on home ground.”

  “Fuck, when did we all get so strategic? I miss the old days when we just bulldozed headfirst into things.” I feel my head spin as I lean back against my chair.

  My phone screen lights up with a text from Jase. I stare at it, not wanting to know why he text. Just because I banned myself from stalking her ass, does not mean I stopped Jase from sitting out the front of her work and house. I’m all about that self-destruction bullshit, because if I don’t take care of destroying myself, then some other fucker will be more than happy to get into the long line of takers.

  That’s the problem with my world I thrive in, every mother fucker is out to get you. You need to watch your back, your sides and even what is going on in front of you, because one slip up, one small crack in the fort Knox walls my family have built around me, and it all comes crashing down, with me included.

  I grab my phone and click to read his text. It’s not a text, it’s a photo of Summer, and her high school fuckboy, with his arms wrapped around her from behind. Her ass fitting snuggly against his dick. I see red. The haze of the alcohol and the vicious rage simmering in me makes my world spin. I clench my fists and release them to help ease the violence ready to erupt from me.

  “Are you okay, man?” Luca puts his hand on my shoulder.

  I snap and shove him off, my icy glare froze on my phone screen. Something breaks in me then, and I stand abruptly, knocking the chair on its side. My jaw clenches as I switch off my phone and place it in my back pocket. I storm back inside with revenge dripping from my sadistic core, the ash taste in my mouth fuelling my retaliation. I seek her out, a means to my needs, and find her in the arms of some college dick.

  I stride up to her, my eyes barely registering my surroundings, and grab her by the sleeve, tearing her away from the dick. Not a single person stops me, not even college boy. I don’t bother looking at her again as I drag her down the hall.

  I yank the door open and shove her inside wordlessly, the room is dark and smells of bong water and beer. How fucking romantic. I slam the door behind me and stride to the center of the room, jerking at my belt with anger, trying to get it loose.

  “Let me help you with that.” She licks her lips, approaching me like I’m a wild animal, her stare cautious and equally excited.

  I let her unbuckle my belt, and then undo my jeans button and zip. I don’t look at her, my disgust for both her and myself makes my stomach curl, the bile rising to my throat, burning me like volcanic lava.

  She grips her fingers into the top of my jeans and slowly slides them down until they sit at my ankles in a pool of black material along with her dignity. She’s on her knees in front of me and I pinch my eyes closed and will myself not to think of Summer. Fuck.

  “I missed tasting you,” her voice is like nails on a chalkboard, it sends shivers of revulsion over my bare skin.

  I feel her fingers curl into the elastic of my briefs, and I snatch her hands away, squeezing her wrists as a warning. “You need to go,” I growl, baring my teeth.

  “What the fuck?” She glares up at me.

  “This isn’t happening, now get the fuck out.” I step back, shaking her off from me. My pulse drums against my throat as I glare at her and her dumb expression. She looks insulted like I’ve hurt her little feelings.

  “You’re a prick.” She scrambles to her feet.

  “I’ve been called worse,” I smile serenely.

  “Go fuck yourself, Enzo.” She flips me the finger and storms out of the room, the door slamming after her, rattling the walls. Ballsy bitch.

  I pull my jeans back up, do up my belt, and leave the fucked-up party without turning back. My head is more of a fucking mess than ever.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Enzo

  All men are in place, including the ten from our Boston chapter, waiting to pounce on these fuckers. I have made it clear, the guard from the other night is to be killed on site, no questions. If the Capelli’s want to play with fire, I’ll fucking burn down their whole establishment one man at a time.

  “Where the fuck did you disappear from the initiation party the other night?” Luca taps my shoulder from the back seat.

  “I went home,” I reply, not taking my eyes off the door to the loading dock.

  “Just like that. No goodbye or anything?” Luca pushes me in the back of the head.

  “What are you, my mother?” I turn to look at him, a small smile dancing on my lips.

  “Well, it would be nice not to have to go to sleep at night worrying about your ass and whether you’re alive or not. A text would have sufficed, you dick.” Luca flips me off.

  “Sorry, I turned my phone off and had some personal shit to deal with,” I explain. We Russo cousins have a rule, check-in every night with each other before going to bed.

  The night of the initiation party, after the whole photo fiasco, I drove around the city toying with the idea of going to pay a little visit to fuckboy and pummelling his face in while his little sweetheart watched. I don’t do jealousy, I do revenge. But my grand plan got put on hold when my father called and needed me to take care of some business at one of the clubs we own. After failed negotiations, I helped Marco stuff the guy into a suitcase, and throw him into the river. That put a dampener on my night, and I w
ent home and drank my sorry ass into a slumberous coma.

  “Don’t do it again.” I sense Luca’s eyes on me.

  “Yes, boss.” I salute him and nod.

  “Better remember it too.” Luca grips my shoulder for a moment, a small gesture of brotherhood. We fight together. We die together.

  “Now that you two have finished your little bromance shit, take a look over there.” Dante points to the row of warehouses behind the casino, directly across from the loading dock.

  “What is it?” I lean forward trying to work out what Dante is fixated on.

  “The dim light in the top window. These warehouses have sat empty for months now.” Dante takes out his phone and switches it to night mode.

  “They think they have one up on us,” I chuckle.

  “Marco, we have an obstruction in the warehouse directly across from the loading dock,” Dante’s voice is hushed. He waits a few beats of a second before hanging up.

  “What did he say?” I eye the window waiting for the light to re-appear.

  “He’s on it.”

  “Fuck this, why does everyone else have all the fun?” I groan. We were instructed by the big boss himself that we were to stay in the car at all costs.

  “Will anyone rat us out of we don’t stay put?” Dante shrugs.

  “Nope or they will be dealt with.” I grin and nod my head.

  “What are we waiting for?” Luca slaps both Dante and me in the back of the head before he climbs out of the car and darts to the darkened area down from the warehouses.

  “Fuck,” Dante grinds through clenched teeth.

  “Showtime,” I grab my gun from the glove compartment and follow Dante out of the car and we both dash to join Luca in the shadows.

  “Got a plan?” Luca eyes me.

  “Not yet but follow me.” I nod toward the side alley.

  We skirt the outside of the building, staying in the shadows, and round the back of the building. I pull at the door handle and low and behold it’s fucking open. Dipshits upstairs must be amateurs.

  “Wait.” Dante grabs my arm and stops me from entering.

  “What?”

  “Shouldn’t we wait for Marco, and the others?”