Chapter 1

Veronica

"I just needed a date, babe. That's all" I hear the blonde asshole tell his girlfriend - or as of now, ex-girlfriend. Apparently she refused to go with him to a 'panty auction' so he asked her mom out.

Men.

They head out of the store after she hits him with a fake skull lying on the floor. Now that my free show is over, I head over to the drinks section to buy some soda.

The Russos are coming over today for our dinner. They have been ruling Italian mafia for years and now that they have paired with us, the American mafia, they are moving to Manhattan to sort the shit out or whatever. Salvatore Russo, has been my dad's best friend for years and now his son and dad working together.

We have servants who can buy groceries but I needed to be out of the house.

Once I'm positive everything is checked off the lists I buy lots of junk food and ice cream. I take a packet of pads and move towards my cart when I slam into a wall.

"Ow!"

I look and search for a hard chest but instead I find an actual wall. Of fucking course. That shit only happens in rom-coms and not in real life. Rubbing my forehead, I bill my things and head out of the store.

• • •

I'm lying on my bed, coding on my new game when my best friend, Zade calls me.

"Hello?"

"Are you ready, Rose? The Russos will be there in about 30 minutes."

"No I'm not ready and I told you to stop calling me Rose."

I can practically see the smirk on his face "Never. Get ready and come down quickly. I'll be at your house in 5 minutes," He says and hangs up.

The disadvantage of having your best friend involved in your dad's business.

I say goodbye to my very comfy sweats and wear a simple black dress. I keep my hair down and my hand is adorned with silver rings and a thunderbolt bracelet.

I decide wearing against heels and choose comfy black flats.

I enter the bathroom, wash my face, apply some lipbalm and voila! I'm ready.

I spot Zade talking to my dad as soon as I walk downstairs. My mother is talking to my cousin Ludwin- yes Ludwin. Like who even wakes up and decides to name their kid that.

Her blond hair are long and reach her waist. She is wearing a yellow skirt and red top and fuck it if she doesn't look Winnie the Pooh. Her long pink talons are holding a pink gift box.

She eyes me when I come down and her nostrils flare. Jealous bitch. Zade spots me and pulls me in for a hug.

"Now there's my hot best friend," he says with a smile and Ludwin snickers. She has always been trying to make her move on him but he doesn't give two shits about her.

He is wearing a white shirt with rolled up sleeves that show his tattoo and chains. No doubt women are always throwing themselves at him. But he never dates anyone.

The door opens and Mason, our chauffeur leads the Russos inside.

Gianna Russo and Salvatore Russo enter first with their sons Killian and Vincent following them. I have to say they have got fucking fantastic genes.

Gianna and Salvatore greet mom, dad and Zade but before they can greet me, Killian wraps his arms around me and spins me around so hard my head starts spinning.

"Now there's my favorite girl," he laughs. "Put me the fuck down before I rip your head off," he laughs again but wisely puts me down and hugs me again.

After he pulls back, Vincent wraps his arms around my waist. "Haven't changed at all have you, Rose?" he says with a husky laugh.

"I don't see the need to change when I'm so fantastic and stop calling me Rose."

I have known Killian and Vincent since childhood and just like Zade, they never stop calling me Rose.

Both the brothers proceed to greet Zade. He has been my best friend since years but they have met him only once years ago. I greet Gianna and Salvatore when my dad announces that we should proceed to the dining room.

We all go to the dining hall and take our seats when Ludwin comes to greet Killian and Vincent with a sickly sweet smile. I almost forgot about her.

My dad sits at the head of the table with mom on one side and Salvatore at the other. Gianna sits between Salvatore and Killian. Zade sits beside my mom and I sit between Vince and Zade. The other head of the table is occupied by Ludwin who is now between Vince and Killian.

The staff serves starters and everyone is eating peacefully when Ludwin speaks up. "Do you have a girlfriend, Vincy?" Vincy? Ew.

Dad and Salvatore start talking about something and mom and Gianna are in a conversation about mom's dress so only me, Vincent, Killian and Zade are the ones who heard her.

"No," he replies curtly.

"Why does she look like Winnie the Pooh trying to seduce Prince Charming?" Zade whispers in my ear and I spit out my soda and cough. Killian, Vince and Ludwin look at me while Zade laughs violently and I glare at him trying to control my own laugh.

"I had the same fucking thought," I tell him without whispering because no one will understand what I said.

"So Rose what are you upto these days?" Killian asks.

"I'm a game developer and Don't. Fucking. Call. Me. Rose." I glare at him.

He ignores me. "That's so good, Rose."

Vince rests his arm on the table and turns to face me. I find myself looking at his very veiny hands with silver rings and a thin silver bracelet. Swoon.

"You forgot to mention the illegal hacking work."

"Been asking about me, Vince sweetheart?" I muse sweetly.

He scoffs."You wish, Satan."

"Since you all are staying here for some days let's watch a movie tonight," Ludwin says.

"You are staying here?" I ask

"Yep," Killian supplies. "Until our house gets completely renovated and ready."

"Cool. I'm up for a movie."

"I will be there," Killian says.

"What about you Vince?" Ludwin smiles that sweet smile again.

Vince lets out a small sigh."I'll be there and my name is Vincent."

She falters but regains her composure. "But Veronica calls you that".

"Vera can. You can't."

If looks could kill, I would be six feet under the ground.

"What about you, Z?" I nudge Zade.

"Not me."

"Why not?" I nudge him again.

He catches my elbow and I find Vince looking at our hands with a weird look on his face."No"

"Yes"

"No"

"Yes"

"No"

"Yes"

"No"

"No"

"Yes"

I laugh. "Hah. Got you."

"Fine. I'll come. There's no way I could say no to your stubborn ass," I smirk.

• • •

Vincent

The dinner is completed and when the servants bring out plates and plates of dessert, Vera is beaming. Her cheeks are flushed and there is a big smile on her face. Fucking adorable.

She pounces on the fudge brownies and I laugh lightly. " Chill out. It's all yours, Satan." She ignores me and eats violently.

"I think Veronica should get married," Dad says. "She needs a husband doesn't she?" Vera freezes, her hand in the air holding her 8th brownie. Zade laughs out loud.

"She would probably skin him alive," Zade says laughing again.

"Bake him into a man-pie without an oven," My brother supplies.

"Threaten him to leave Earth," I say.

"Throw a knife at his throat"

"Spit in his food"

"Feed him toothpaste cookies"

"Feed him to her non-existent pack if wolves"

"Alright," Zade laughs out. "Don't do that to my girl. She wouldn't do anything except sell his organs, right vera?" At some point she had stopped listening and started munching on brownies again. She tries to hit him but he catches her fist and pulls her to his side by wrapping and arm around her shoulder.

I narrow my eyes. Why does he keep touching her? And she's not his girl. Not that I care.

Liar.

Vera finally stops eating and leans back giving me a nice view of her tits and her waist. That fucking dress has been tempting me all night.

"I'm not marrying anyone anytime soon"

"But Veronica you are almost 40 now," her mom says jokingly.

"I'm 25," she rolls her eyes.

Everyone chats for a while and then decide to sleep as it has been a long night.

I, Killian,Vera, Zade and Ludwin decide to meet around 11 at the theatre to watch the movie.